The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-02-25

vaoas wisdom, various KNOWLEDGE, dciberative power
and by daiberaiive power, such moral command
society That IL Willingly intrusts to it great portion Of
we executive OF the country hers Well SIR, with
these vews considering tho doctrines that now
preached, Hc gcteHt tn 1pgEas fhe pss7pcien 0raes
walct afe circulated cheersl cannot pretend
enter Ion the aborious and responsible task which
are otherwise Wiling TO undertake unless tie House Of
tonmons w by some resolution. declare an opinion Ia
harmony with the general sentiment ] have
pressed. lIear, hearl There are other subjects on
which think it Of the utmost Importance that the
House should come decision, and by it's coming
decision upon which subsequent legislation be
Greatly facilitated. l need refer but slightly the
principle 10 which have advertei the basis of
LEGISLATION on the franchise namely, the principle Of
rating admit that in the year 1859 having endea
70 piing Forward scheme which founded suffrage
on tnat principle was reluctantly Obliged give up,
ahe alllcae, were then 50 great, the anomalies %
garing, and the consequences which 1t would have
lea so ABSURD But since that time the of legisa
non ~ lhs House bias greatly Iessened those difficulties
a pm introduced By the right honorable member for
Wolverhampion orr viers) on the suffice. OF union
rating has greatly contributed this result But hope
that tonight my honorable friend the Secretary to the
treasury r Hunt VIII have opportunity OF bringing
IN measure which will entirely remove all
the remaining difficulties connected with this
matter Under these circumstances trust the House
VIII assent 10 resolution affirming that rating
shall be the basis OF the franchise Hear hear) Sir,
there are one two other points 10 which, II am not
wearylng the House, should like 10 aiude CHEERS
Among them Is one Of the most difficult OF ali ques-
tions-yiz, the distribution Of seats (Hcar haar)
Now upon that subject there two schools OF opinion
which are as much a. variance upon tho subject OF
the franchise itself. There is school that would
reconstruct the electoral map OF England We hear
8 mfimes that the map of Eucpe is 10 be reconstructed
Tier is also sci0ol in his covatyy s,hith Wouid
reconstruct tie electoral map Of Engand On tho
other hand. there are those who approach this
question with very great hesitation they see an
ancient and complex arrangement bait the same time,
one which, FOR considerable period, has contrbated
as they think, TO the representation of country ike
England, having variety oil interests with success 1t
Is impossible in this country TO think this subject and
not be struck by the apparently provdental in
which almost obscure island ia the DAYS Of the Nor
man kings, with but limited population and slight
resources, has developed itself into a magnificent and
unparalleled empire. Through the rude institutions of
tue Pantsgenes and Tudors however, the means have
been found o presenting interests SO vast various,
so inconceivabe those which bound up with the
England OF the present day Cheers Those who are
impressed with that conviction will am sure concur
with mo In the opn on that upon tho question Of the
redistribution Of seats we must proceed with great
caution and care. Any attempt TO portion according
10 certain numerical arrangements the representation
Of the country, would probably end In altering the
character Of this House, and In altering its character
uepr,vns IL OF rs authority: lhsar, hear) think
that before VIC Introduce bill have right 10 ask
tue House TO give us their opinion upon, and hope
their sanction 10, certain principles upon which pro-
pose TO act One OF those principles Is that borough
should so far the redistribution Of seats concerned
be wholly DISTINGUISHED Cheers. l am in favor OF
this principle for two reasons look upon it in the st
place wise aud ssry that the Of the
country should, as far as lies in cur power be dis
trbucd; and regard IL as unwise and unnecessary
10 disturb any centre OF representation because Is
impossible in an age OF rapid growth when CON-
muniiies so rapidly rise and vanish, when the
arrangements
evanescen, 10 proceed with too much crcumspeeton.
Speaking, then, Tor myself and my colleagues of
opinion that no borough should be wholly DISTINGUISHED
SO lar Ms the redistribution OF seats s conccrnejpr
am far from saying that If bribery DO proved in
borough as e have Reason 70 fear and believe il be
IN the case OF some-we ought to show ourselves
deficient in spirit than prcde essors. and
der such circumstances should know how TO act
iChecrs.l Our main-mind do not say our sole-con-
sdcation 10 altering the apportonment II the repre-
sentaon would in the second place. be to supply repre-.
senatves to places unreprescnted but which are
tce atsttt ialf.
are the two principles by which would be guided
on the question OF the redistribution OF seats and
unless we have from the House thor sanction with re-
spccs 20 these TWO points all arrangements must prove
perfectly useless for honorable members mast feel that
we might then have an amendment the second read
ing Of the bill which we might introduce, founded per-
haps, on the case OF some obscure borough but SO
ingenously wordei thai the fate o. the measure might
depend upon it. have 10 apologize 10 the House Tor
having gone much into detail, although have en-
deavorcd 70 connne myself those resolutions wA1I1s
appeared to me TO in, olive large principles but
another point on which l think 1t my duty to tolis.
slightly point with wbidh IL has been found difficult
to DEAL which is important element in the SETTLE
ment Of this question o. REFORM and upon which
venture To say greater amount OF misapprehen-
exists than almost upon any oher-I allude
10 the subject Of boundaries Hear hearb Now. /
have myself on more than occasion not completely,
bu, casually expressed the which entertain upon
this subject 1t is really vital subject and one II APP
pears - me, on which disscnsion ought prevail for
If clearly understood there would be- Mmagnc scarcely
any for diiIerance Of opinion in regard to it.
= y We shall enter into tho committee and avail
ourselves OF all that me lernng tho genius the expe
OF the House suggest the solution Of this
question; and TO oil we SHALL rive cordial and a candid
Difference. (checrs) The course we adopt Is rot
fatering TO ourselvestironical clecr)-but it Is
naering 10 assist, however honby 10 enectinu that
whish TO thinks Ia for the pubic goodcheers)th
TO bring forward mock measures which he knows the
spirit OF party will not pass And lot tell the
nhes that there are others besides himself who
think that 1t desirable that this question should be
settled, and who wish It TO be settled in tho genius OF
the English constitution (ChcersI Of course would
be very agreeable TO us 10 bring forward at
plete measure backed by conidng majority and hav
ing the assurance OF settling question which engages
the attention OF great nation None Of my colleagues
pretend to be superior 10
The last niirm,y OF noble minds
But sir, this Is not time in which to consider
the complaccncy Of ministers, the PRIDE Of par
ties tCheers.l l earnestly hope that the House Of
Commons will rise TO this occasion. ! earnestly hope
that the House Of Commons in uni with tina, racious
speech which her Majesty delivered 10 her Parliament
authorized by antecedeni circumstances, and urged by
the necessity Of the case, will d,vcst ITSELF of party
feeling aud give her ministers on this If other
occasion advantage Of their cooperation aud their
cordial support Sir some sharp things have been said
about the House of Commons since parted In the
srmmer-a laugh)-some sharp things, not with refer.
mercy 10 Its present character, but 10 its last
conduc' when Thought mad bcen accepted sanctioned
and embnmed by history. ! do not doubt that this
human Institution Is not free from the mpcrfectIons Of
humanity II is possible that thcrc may have been
periods when the integrity even OF the House of Com.
mons might successfully have been itnpugned. know
we-wc all know that there have been times when is
conduct has been unjust violent tyrannica If you
many subjects that are at variance with those
doctrines which are The happier appanasc OF
rn.ehtencd tines But, sir, there Is greater
than judge the morals OF age BY the Of
subsequent one, lChecrs) There d grcrtgr
Than o decide upn The passion # periots times Nth
Ns phil sophie Guinness Of scssry (Checfs) There
is gedfw errr than 70 gragc NE intellect OF the past
Ly Us dcfciascies no, ty ne siow progres Of human
s,sems Those who take larger and nobler view OF
hdman Affairs will. think recognize that alone the
countries OF Europe England for almost countless
generations has by her Parliamcn; exhibited the lair
cxempar OF free government that in the course Of
the vcissludes Of her heroic history she has Lily by
tins House OF Commons maintained and cherished that
public spirit which Is the soul Of eaIih with
which empire has glory and the wealth Of nations
is thing Of corruption and decay. load checrs.) Sir
move that the 18th Of February this House will
resolve Itself into committee Of the whole House 10
take into consideration the "a aud Sd OF William w..
cap 90. loud and continued chefrng)
Mr. GLADSTONE who was greeted win loud opposition
cheers, said-Without, sur In any manner derogating
from the ability Of the speech which the right honora.
BILE gentleman has just delivered venture TO observe
and think many will concur in the obssrvation-t 10
ono which does not Of itself necessarily carry censure
that tho House " placed In somewhat peculiar posi-.
W