The New York herald., 1867-04-27


tages Of some such project as that authorized
by the law which the Legislature passed on
the 18th inst, and the Governor signed on the
2Sd. 1t has been in favor of railway that
should run above and through the blocks and
be arched over ON the cross streets. If the
experiment Of the west side road proves sue
cessful the principle Of elevated railways will
be es tablished.
The Enslish Reform BiIl-Mr. GIadstoue's
Defeat.
In yesterdays issue we published extracts
from the last debate on the English Reform
bill. The great point Of the debate was whether
or not Mr.. Gladstone's amendment should be
inserted in the third clause of the govern
ment bill. A fair effort had been made on both
sides to have full house and to make trial
of strength between the government and the
opposition complete In house in which five
hundred and ninety-nine members were present
the government had clear majority Of twenty
one, and Mr.. Gladstone's amendment was con-
sequently lost.
But what was Mr.. Gladstone's amendment
/! will be remembered by our readers that the
Reform bill introduced by the government
proposes to extend the franchise to all house
holders in boroughs who have personally paid
their rates up to stipulated time, and who
have been fer the space of two years resident
in the borough in which they propose to vote.
The great objection to the government pro-
posal is that it rests on no principle. 1t is the
shadow of reform without any Of the substance.
Apparently liberal, it is really conservative.
II it ever pass into law, which is doubtful, 1t
will admit within the limits of the franchise
certain class in one parish, and exclude from
the franchise the same class in the parish
adjoining. No one ventured TO reply to the
singing remark of Mr.. Bright that, while the
bill would "give twenty-eight thousand addi-
tional votes to Sheffield, it would shut out
thirty-six thousand in Birmingham" Reform
on such principle, to say the least of it, is
not worthy of the name. The secret Of the
inequality lies in the fact that the practice Of
compound rating prevails in all the Eng
lish boroughs, but prevails in different
boroughs on different principles. In some
boroughs householders only of the very
humblest clars compound their rates with
their landlords In other boroughs householders
paying as high rs fifteen pounds Of rent, and
even higher, compound with their landlords.
But according to the government Reform bill
no compound householder can vote, because no
compound householder personally pays his
rates. Mr.. Disraeli has only been able to get
over the difficulty by saying that it will be an
easy matter for the householder to make such
an arrangement with his landlord as shall
entitle him to the full privilege Of the fran
chiso. No reply, however, was given to Mr..
Bright who showed that in such a city as
Birmingham it would be impossible to retain
on the roll Of voters even those who were
at present entitled to vote, except by an
entiro revolution of the municipal sys-
tenn of government Mr.. Gladstone's
object was to remedy this evil To accom-
plish this end he introduced an amendment
to the effect that in boroughs figure should
be fixed, say FIVE pounds, rating on what would
be equal to about six pounds rental, below
which the franchise should not extend, and
above which it should be enjoyed without any
qualification whatever. This plan, whatever
the advantage Of making the franchise rest
upon fixed and well understood principle.
In full house, as we have said already, Mr..
Gladstone's amendment was negatived by
majority Of twenty-one.
It is impossible to look at this reform ques-
ton ns II now stands without feeling con-
vinced that the interests Of party have been
throughout and are still consulted to . far
greater extent than the interests Of the people.
The question which Is now being settled within
the walls Of Parliament is not whether large
portion Of the English people shall be fully ad-
mitted within the pale Of the constitu-
ton, but whether for the next thirty
years the government Of England shall
be conducted by wings OF tories. In fair,
honest stand-up fight Disraeli is no match for
Gladstone. As trickster, however, the palm
must be yielded 10 the tory leader. Gladstone
has suffered. .defeat-a defeat ell the more COM
plete and humiliating because he has conde-
scended to 6ght with weapons in the use Of
which he was not skilled. The Reform ques-
tion, however, 10 a. yet far from settled and
whether It be true or not that Mr. Gladstone, in
disgust with the conduct Of his party, has re-
signed his position as opposition leader, we
shall expect to hear Of keener debates within
and greater commotion without the walls Of
Parliament before the government measure
shall have passed into law.
shaky Foundation Of tho United states Trea.
sury Department.
Itappears that the Treasury building in wash
ington Is in very shaky condition, portion
Of one Of the brick walls having fallen in, and
the foundations are reported as gradually sink
ing under the weight Of the machinery and
hydraulic presses. An apt illustration might