The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-09
OLD WORLD NEWS.
GLADSToNEs GREAT VICTORY.

Il
A Parliau.ntary STRUGGLE Over the Fran
chisc BIIl which Resulted In the PREMIER.
| Favor.
A London cable dispatch Of Monday
says Mr.. Gladstone scored signal vic.
tory in the House OF Commons to-day.
The Right Hon. William Il. Forster moved
his previously announced question to the
Government concerning the treaty lately
made with Portugal regarding possession
OF the Congo coast, and nc had at his back
n large following, both OF Conservatives
and Liberals, who were prepared to force
a discussion Of the whole question
IL the answer OF the Government
proved unsatisfactory. Mr.. Gladstone,
however, rose to the occasion, stole
the ammunition and spiked the guns
Of his questioner by replying in spirit OF
martial maintenance OF the English rights,
which was enough to satisfy the most en-
thusiastic Of .Jingoes. He said that while
IL was true that England had signed a trea-
ty Of alliance with Portugal ii was not
true that that treaty involved the acqulsi-
ton by the latter Government OF one foot
OF Congo territory. The treaty was one
IN which all English aud native rights Sc
cured by former treaties were amply pro-
tected.
ENGLAND's ADVANTAGE.
In its commercial aspect it gave Eng
land an undoubted advantage over all
competitors, inasmuch as although Portu-
gal was allowed TO exact custom dues OF
the imports OF all nations, those OF Great
Britain and those brought in British ships
- D..;f o. D.
put upon the same favorable basis as the
goods OF Portugal or those imported
in Portuguese vessels. As for possible
Portuguese plans for the annexation
Of the territory it would be found
that the present English Government
would oppose such projects as stern
ly and rs continuously as had ever
been done in the past. This spirited de-
caration OF the determination to oppose
Portuguese annexation has given great
satisfaction, and it is evident that Mr..
Gladstone has very adroitly averted the
dangerous discussion which would surely
have been forced upon him il the Govern
men's reply had teen in any way vague
or hesitating.
A BRILLIANT VICTORY.
Mr.. Gladstone also secured one OF the
completest parliamentary victories Of his
life In the defeat Of the opposition attack
on the bill to enlarge the franchise tonight.
Before the division could be called the OPP
position amendment bad to be disposed OF.
This was offered by Lord John Manners,
and consisted OF resolution that the
"House proceed no further with measure
having for its object the adding OF two
million voters to the electoral body Of
the United Kingdom till 1t has before it
the entire scheme contemplated by the
for the representation OF the
people," This amendment meant that the
House should refuse to enlarge the fran
chise unless the bill at the same time en-
acted a proper redistribution Of seats.
Owing to the complex nature of the redis-
trbution question, the amendment, IL ac-
copied, would have practically defeated
the bill by delay. The Right Hon. George
j. Goschen. Liberal member for Ripon.
seconded the amendment in a long and Bit
ter speech, in which he repeated his decla-
ration that " English boroughs were to be
in order to maintain intact
the phalsnx that follows Mr.. Parnel." To
every ones establishment, Mr.. Parnell alb
stained from making any utterance upon
the amendment, and both he and the entire
Irish delegation threw their votes solldly
with the Government against the amend
ment, which was defeated.