The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-29

RoferU In KaslanA-Prsspccs u n Satanic
tory sessie.e.s or shs Qsestiss.
Twelve months have all but elapsed since on
the question Of reform the Russell Gladstone
ministry sustained serious defeat and were
induced to communicate to her Majesty their
anxious desire to make way for their tory
rivals. After little unavoidable delay the
designations were accepted, communications
were opened with the Earl Of Derby, and the
Prince Rupert Of debate, with his henchman
Disraeli, came into power. It was natural
enough that after the exciting general election
Of 1866, which created House Of Commons
pledged to reform a. no House OF Commons
had been pledged since 1882, the defeat of the
liberal party and the unexpected return Of
the tories to power should occasion deep
and general disappointment Since then every
American reader Of the daily press knows
what has taken place. Reform was declared
to be impossible at the hands Of the tories.
Demonstrations have taken place without and
threats have been uttered within the walls of
Parliament The government and the people
have been brought into all but actual collision.
Bright has Numbered and Gladstone has full
minated. Revolution has seemed imminent.
Steadily, however, and in spite Of all opposi-
ton, the tories have chung to the helm Of State,
and by means chiefly Of the skilfhl manage
ment Of Disraeli, the rocks and quicksands
have been averted and the English people have
the prospect Of receiving justice at the hands
Of that party on whom for generations they
had been accustomed to look az their natural
enemies.
From special telegram which we print in
to-day's HERALD we learn that the government
Reform bill is hopefully progressing, progress
ing, too, in a. manner in the highest degree
satisfactory to the popular wish. The bill has
now been for some weeks in committee on the
third reading. The compound householder
question has hitherto been the great stumbling
not consent that the householder who COM
pounded his rate with his landlord should be
placed on footing of equality with the house
holder who paid his rate directly and with his
own hand. For time it seemed as if this OPP
position would prove ruinous to the measure
and to the ministry. Disraeli, however, has
again skilfully and gracefully yielded. By
paying his rate to the collector with his own
hand, and deductng the same afterwards from
the rent the compound householder secures
the position of an Independent voter To
US on this side it seems clumsy
and circuitous way Of settling the question;
but it gets over q legal difficulty, and
that is great deal. The county franchise
has also been reduced to twelve pound
rental. "The result" to quote the words
Of our special telegram, sis gain to the
people," The next great struggle win be
on the question of the distribution Of
seats. Certain old and obsolete boroughs
will have to be disfranchised; certain
populous centres will have to receive
increased representation. Both these steps
are beset with difficulty. We cannot
doubt, however, that the skill which has
triumphed over SO many obstacles win get over
these also. The Derby Disraeli government
have reason to congratulate themselves on
their marvellous success. Nor have the
liberals any cause to complain for, though
they have not had the honor Of settling
the reform question themselves, they can
count now on the almost absolute certainty Of
extracting truly liberal measure from their
opponents.