Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-01
GLADsTONE's FRANCHISE BILL
The Irish and Scotch Members Pleased
but the English Liberals Demand a
Redistribution.

but the English Liberals Demand a
Redistribution.
LONDON, Feb. 29.-In proposing the
bill for the extension of the franchise last
night in the House of Commons Mr.. Glad
stone said, tointroduce separate franchise
bills for England, Ireland and Scotland.
with prospect of carrying the English
and Scotch bills and leaving the Irish bill
TO take its chances, would be altogether
lmpraeticable. The arguments in favor
of uniform bill We're unanswerable
Nothing could induce him to abandon
such bill. A redistribution of the Par
liamentary constituencies must follow a
reform OF the franchise, but if the two
questions We're embodied in the same bill
1t would prove fatal to both. He entreat-
ed MS supporters not to endanger the sue
cess OF the bill by proposing additions.
THE INCREASE IN VOTERS.
This measure, by greatly extending the
franchise, and placing the votes of bor
Oughs and counties upon an equal footing.
would increase the voting power of the
United Kingdom by about 1000. 900. OF
this number England would furnish l
100000, Ireland 400, 900, and Scotland 200
OOO. Ihls result was certainly worth at
tanning. If the House took broad view
OF Une matter, enfranchisement must be
considered desirable. The people were
trustworthy, and as voters under the con-
stltutlon they were the strength of the
constitution. If this measure should be-
come law, then their constituents would
form a compact mass who would rally
around the throne, which they all loved
so well, and to the support of the constitu-
tion, which would be stronger than ever
OTHER OPINIONS.
Sir John Hay, Liberal Conservative.
oo1e:cteq TO the Dill because it excluded
redistribution.
George Anderson, Liberal, congratu-
lated the government on introducing a
really great reform measure.
Edward Gibson, Conservative member
Tor Dublin University. said that the bill
mad been introduced for the sole purpose
OF diverting the attention of the country
from affairs abroad. The government
should not demand a discussion of this
question at the present moment.
CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION.
The Conservatives would oppose the
Dill vigorously. Redistribution was of
far greater importance than the exten-
sion OF the franchise. A clause sbOuId
be inserted in the bill directing that it
should not 60 into effect until a measure
providing for redistribution had been
carried. Without this an extended fran
chlse would give the Nationalists ninety
seats in Parliament and place a stupen-
dous power in their hands. 1t was. there
fore, absolutely essential that no reform
Dill be applied to Ireland unless accom-
panied with safe measure of redistribu-
tiOn.
LORD CHURCHILLS OPPOSITION,
Lord Randolph Churchill spoke in on.
position to the bill. He said that agri-
cultural laborers had no knowledge of
political questions nor concern in them.
AT this point in the debate an adjourn
ment was voted in spite of the protests of
Premier Gladstone.
The Parnellites ana Scotch members
appear generally well pleased with the
bill.
The English Liberals are disposed to OBJ
Ject to the extension of the franchise, un-
less coupled with redistribution, on the
ground that it will strengthen Ire
land and Scotland at the expense of
England.