New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-14

novance even to stout-hearted Liberals, anu AZ
once exasperated and delighted the Conserva-
tiyes. On several occasions Lord Salisbury mas
directed against it his powers OF invective, ana
the leaders and writer's of the Opposition nave
Joined in shrill chorus of exultation over the
divisions of sentiment in the Liberal party.
One political bookworm, burrowing among old
files of Parliamentary debates, has seized upon
this massage from one of Mr.. Gladst0nes
speeches made nearly twenty years ago: Il
venture to say that every man who is not pre-
ssumably incapacitated by some consideration
sof personal unitness or OF political danger IL
morally entitled to come within the pale OF the
Constitution" This is construed as direct
admission of the principle of universal suffrage
on the part of the Premier, and consequently as
a proof that Radicalsm would still be power
in the Cabinet, even If the outspoken Mr.. Cham
bs,laiu we've to retire from Office. The daring
ducklipg, meanwhile, is ut home in the water
and able To look out for itself. Mr.. Chamber
lain's speech at the Golden Club dinner was .
most dignified and logical defence of Radical
aspirations and methods. He admitted that
party union must be based upon mutual conces-
sion. and consequently that the Advanced Lib
erals must often slacken their speed In oruer 20
suit the pace of their travelling companions
but he conte nded that they had right to claim
free and full liberation, within the Liberal
party, for the expression of their opinions
While Mr.. Chamberlain has given the English
people practical demonstration OF the fact that
the Radicals cannot be bribed by places IN the
Cabinet to renounce their political opinions, or
even to keep silent, one of the agencies organ
lied by him has been testing the sentiment oil
the bulk of the Liberal party respecting the
coming Reform Bill. A committee OF the Ma
tional Reform Union has received from III
Liberal associations replies to n circnlar con-
tanning ten questions relating to the franchise
and other matters These replies disclose a
| practical unanimity oil the following points: ~
the advisability of dealing with the extension OF
the franchise in the counties and with the re-
distribution of seats in separate measures; ~
the adoption of purely population basis oil
representation (3) the abolition OF minority
representation; and az an improved system
of registering voters. Eleven-thirteenths of the
| associations unite in recommending uniform
residential or rating franchise with an effective
| lodger franchise and there is wide agree
ment in favor of throwing the official expenses
of elections on the rates, of abolishng canvass
ing and closing public-houses during the eee-
| TONS and of holding all elections on one add
the same day. The unanimity with which the
Liberal organizations are supporting the prac-
teal measures of electoral reform, extension oi
suffrage and simplifcation OF representation
advocated by the Radicals, shows that Mr.
| Chamberlain has the Intelligent and progressive
opinion Of the country largely on his side
Even the population basis of representation an
uonneed in the Birmingham speech is accepted
| by y . rank and file of the party as logical ant
4 nece sary