The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-01
THE REFORM QUESTION.
MIR. loves Speech on the Franchise ResoIu.
ton.
from the London Times. Nav I'll

from the London Times, May 211
The crowd Of members which assembled yesterday In
the House OF Commons to learn how the Compound
Householder was 10 DO extingushed remained to listen
TO Of Mr. loves most powerful speeches on Reform
After the Chancellor Of the Exchequer had explained
that the government intended introduce clauses into
their bill dsposng Of the Compound Householder with
out further legislation. Mr. Lowe II is q small
matter 70 declare that what no said merits the mos.
evident intensity Of belief Those who merely
will probably suggest that the was an old one
and the matter had been before rehearsed but none
save such critics VIII deem u sufficient thus to attempt
Of illustration with wide knowledge OF his subject and
earnesncss OF feeling alternating with caustic hurno
Mr. Lowe drew the horoscope OF the future and reviewed
the conduct Of the past He described what he held to
be the probable consequences Of that reconstruction
our electoral system upon which Paraen, Is engaged
and the motives OF the principal actors Ia the
progress Of reform Sparing no side aud party he
tainted the House OF Commons itself with weakness and
bitterness In hurrying towards connmnfion breads
iciIs seeks H. in obedience presumed necessity OF
its creating, which existsf indeed exist
only the Nemesis OF snsfrccrc hastings profcsfonx
Mr. loves accusations and predictions must be met
II met at abodly and directly IL Is 10 little purpose
say the Reform act OF 1882 transferred political
power from limited TO numerous class, and that
OF the highest ability oretod evils consequences
OF that step which have not come TO pass The aega-
tion true but II Is equally true that the process Of
popularzing the functions or government carried else.
where other stages has produced the effects Mr. Lowe
describes and the plea thus amounts 10 than
careless confession that IL Is chance whether
about improve to deterorate political
sttuton We must have some stronger reason for de-
posif,om or Frame m of America or simply
improving existing national organization. Mr..
loves reasoning must be met by detailed
ley who followed Mr. Lowe, did not hesitate 10 gappe
with the issues he had raised He refused TO allow the
correctness OF Mr. loves predictions, and indeed gave
for doubling their trustworhncss but his
main argument was Of what the lawyers call con-
fession avoidance Even IL everything that had
wer n
Inc House OF Commons and government had pursued
was the only one they could safely adopt Neither man
nor Param mt can the consequences OF foreone
errors and the perpetual nstance In Queens speeches
and the manfestoes OF party leaders the necessity Of
H. state Of things had been brought about land char
itaby declined to inquire by whom where 1t became
question whether IL was n more conservative and
staesmanike policy TO attempt TO settle the question:
or 10 allow THE pot 10 90 boiling till overowcdn
There may be dangerous fankncss In this statement,
but there can be no doubt about It's truth II is
fesson, In plain honest language OF the power Of what
Mr. Grant Dun calls at hand the Fatcs and Des
unIes me picture which u reveals Of the House OF
commons ana OF the craftsmanship OF our time may
beray some marks Of tleness bu. IL may DO urged ia
mitigation that the leaders Of to-day inherit the punish
MIR. Henley that there was . necessity incumbent upon
the government TO deal with reform and that the gov.
eminent have exercised sound discretion In dealing
with II thoroughly Nothing can DO moro weak than a
tmid and distustfu policy partial and reluctant
cessions especially when the concessions advocated
by reasoning which supports larger enfranchscmcnt,
and shows that the restrictions imposed are due to
nothing but dread To suppose that any reform OF such
q kind could appease agitation is a mere delusion.
IL may be that party names and party watch
words will change but n Fcderalist has gwen way in
turn 10 whg. Know Nothing and Republican Tory has
been supplanted by Kings Friends Protestant Cham
p,ons Conservatives and, last or ALL
without any considerable damage The abolition Of In.
direct taxation the issue Of inconverbe currency
legislative Interference with the hours OF labor are pro-
jecis which may In the distant future DO advocated in
Parliament as they are now advocated outside the
walls OF the House OF Commons but we live In a
land where classes are trained 70 the traditions Of po
cal wisdom, and the hercsies which obtain formidable
support elsewhere Will not be able 70 gather head before
tho power OF our longer experience and more
national e The variety and character OF the House OF
Commons the presence within u Of advocates OF all
opn ons the security that unpopular wisdom shall have