The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-02
From ne Tribune.


shadow ID by the more imposing events which
are trsnspiring on the continent OF Europe; but
it Is, nevertheless, well worthy of attention as
one of the natural fruits OF the victory of free
dom in our own land, and as an effort to extend
political rights to a class heretofore deprived
of any real voice in public affairs. We have on
former occasions described the general nature
of the Reform bills now before the British Par
lament, and commented upon the various
stages Of the contest over them. But for the
sake of presenting a complete view of the sub.
ject, we recapitulate briefly the principal
facts which are necessary to be known In order
10 comprehend the present 9oasilt99n OF affairs
bers of the House OF Commons between boroughs
and counties, the former having much the
larger share. In boroughs, the qualification of
voters consists in the occupation of house
worth fl0 (say 500 year. In counties, the
mass of the electors consist of occupants OF pre-
misses worth at least ESQ year, and o,onerS in
fee of land worth f2 year or MORE A vote
may also be obtained by certain other qualidca-
tions not necessary now to mention, inasmuch
as very few persons claim vote upon any other
grounds than those which we have stated. In
1852 and 1854 bills tor the extension of the fran
Chise were introduced by the Liberal Govern
ment OF the day, but never made much progress.
In 1859, the Tories being in power, but conscious
that they only held office upon su1erance, in
consequence of divisions among the Liberals,
introduced Reform BILL extending the right
of suffrage to all persons in the counties occu-
pying premises at rent OF fl0 a year. but
making no change in the borough or town
qualifications of voters. On account of this
defect the bill was rejected. The Liberals then
formed an administration, and brought forward
measure adopting f6 franchise for the towns
and fl0 one ,ior the counties, but finally let
the bill drop, and for six years nothing was
done towards reform.
The present Government, under the leader
ship OF Earl Russell and Mr.. Gladstone, iutlo-
duced bill, on the 18th of March last. reducing
the qualifications of voters TO q f7 rental in
boroughs and fl4 rental in counties, but making
no change III the distribution of seats, that inn
portant question being reserved for a separate
bill. Earl Grosvenor, who is a hybrid Liberal,
1hereupon moved the House to refuse to con-
slider this measure until the bill for the dstribu-
tion of seats should be brought forward This
the Ministry declared would be tantamount to a
vote of want of confidence; and after an exciting
debate the Grosvenor motion was defeated
though by only five majority, in House con-
tanning nominal Liberal majority of seventy.
Thlrty-three members, who upon any question
other than the extension of the franchise would
have voted for the Government now voted
against 1t. 1t was at tins stage of the proceed
lngs that we made our last comments upon the
After the Government had achieved this very
dubious victory, the Reform bill was read
second time, and then laid over until the mei-
sure tor redistribution of seats was introduced
by Mr.. Gladstone. This bill proposed to group
together number OF little boroughs and to dis
franchise others, each having population of
less than 5000, and now eecting one or two
members. By this means there would he forty
nine seats to be disposed of, which the Govern
ment proposed to divide equally between the
largest counties and some of the large boroughs.
On the suggestion of Mr.. BOuverie, a supporter
of the Government, it consented to have these
bills sent to the Committee OF the Whole House,
with instructions to consolidate them into one.
But at this point new difficulties arose, which
require explanation.
The very moderate degree of reform proposed
by these measures will, perhaps, seem to our
readers a reason why the Opposition should
have been also moderate. But, in reaN 2, 'Gbls
very fact has excited the special bitterness of
The Tories and the hybrid LiberGIs-the Adul-
lamite5, as the CLUB people sey-who act with
them. They know that a dcal Reform bill
would stand no chance, nile il is difficult to
oppose scheme so mild IS this Accordingly
their bitterness has beer intensified by the alb
sence of any just cause for opposition. Unable
TO defeat the Miidstr upon q square vote, they
seize upon every opportunity OF mangling the
bill, or throwing obstacles IN the way OF its
progress Thus, ID motion was made to require
the insertion .Ct provisions against bribery in
The bill. This was sustained by the whole Tory
party, not from any hatred OF bribery, but be-
cause IL would embf,frass the bill with an en-.
tirelY distinct subject. On this ground the Minis
try|opposed the motion, but were beaten by
- maority OF ten. The next motion was made by
Captain Hayter, a member from one OF the small
Iboroughs which would be grouped with another
af the bill should pass. Ths motion was TO the
Hfect that the whole grouping scheme should
he abandoned, 1t was generally supposed that
this motion would be carried in which case the
Ministers would either have resigned, or have
at new election. But at the eleventh hour the
dangerous aspect of affairs on the continent
made some of the antireform Liberals" unWill-
ing to turn out the Government. Captain Hay
ter therefore, asked leave to Withdraw his
motion; but the Ministerial party, sure of
defeating il on q VoCe, would not consent.
Thereupon, all the opponents of the Ministry
lett the House, to avoid voting upon the ques-
ton which was accordingly unanimously mega
tived. But here the Tories fell into a trap.
While they were getting beyond the reach OF
the SeIgeant-at-Arms, the Liberals made good
use of the time passed the bill into committee,
and Immediately reported progress, thus getting
rid OF several unpleasant propositions OF amend.
ment from the other side, and putting the bill
into a comparatively safe position.
The next attack was made in committee, in
the shape of an amendment, moved by Mr..
Wapole, an old-iashioned Tory, fixing the
county franchise qualification at f20, instead
of Gl4, as proposed by the Ministry. This was
rejected by Ia majority. On the same night
Lord Stanley moved to postpone action on the
reduction OF the franchise qualification until the
redistribution OF seats had been settled. This
was a complete surprise upon the House; bu
was voted down oy27 majority.
The result thus Tar is that the Liberal Minis
try are at any rate assured of power for the res
of this year, though their Reform bill Is not sC
secure. They will probably carry it through tn,
House of Commons, but not by majority large
enough to warrant them IN compelling the
House of Lords to sanction IL, If, as ls likely, i
is unwilling to do so.