The Telegram. — 1893-03-21 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS AMENDMENT BILL.  THE LODGER FRANCHISE.  MR. STRACHEY S AMENDMENT.  On the seoond reading of the Registration of Electors Amendment Bill, Mr. Strachey has given notice that he will move : " That this House, while desirous of an alteration of the law as regards the lodger franchise, at the same time considers that the present qualification oi lodgers should be reduced ; and, further, that this Rouse, while desirous that rdgistrars of electors should be appointed, does not approve of such appointments being made by Vounty Councils, nor of the said registrars of electors holding elfice at the pleasure of suds bodies." •  Mr. Strachey hits been obliged to give this notice on the second reading because it is understood that Mr. Fovrler will, after the second reading, refer the Bill to the Standing Committee at Law. Tim effect of this will be to prevent members moving any amendments in committee, as the bill will not coins before the whole House in Committee in the usual way. Mr. Strachey, we notice, takes the same line in objecting to she bill that we have taken in these columns. His motion, while approving of the alteration of the lodger franchise, points out that the bill dims hot go far enough, and, indeed, that it to some extent lends itself to fraud. The working-men of the whole county will recognise that the member for South Somerset is trying to get the same rights for their sons living at home with them as at present are only enjoyed by the sons of the squire,t he parson, and the farmer. In all fairness his proposition should be accepted by the House. Mr. Strachey's motion also objects to the registrars of electors being appointed by the County Councils, and only holding office during their pleasure. Let any candid person ask himself, What would be the effect of such an arrangement in this county ? It would certainly be a case again of "No Liberal need apply" ! and every registrar would feel that his retention depended upon the good - will of the wire - pullers of the Tory party in the county. We may be told that this might happen in Somerset, but that in Wales the reverse would be the case. But that is no valid answer to the objection. Two blacks do not make a white. We object to these appointments being made by either party for political considerations, and con skier that no elected body should appoint the registrars. The question of a fair and impartial register is much too serious a matter to be left in the hands of bitter political partizans. The registrars of electors should be above suspicion of party bias, and 'Mould be secure in their office apart from any political considerations. They should be in a position to do justice to all vrithout fear or favour, and only be removable on account of bad behaviour or incompetency. The prepai at ion of a complete and fair register is of the utmost importance, otherwise it is impossible to obtain a true reflex of the opinion of the country on the great questions of the day, and fur the voice of the country to be truly heard. We therefore hope that Mr. Strachey will succeed in carrying his important amendment.  A servant in the employ of the Countese Gmaar, in Madrid, on Tuesday night attempted to murder his 'Distress and her lady's maid, and then cornwitted suicide.  A clerk in a London stockbroker's office made a bet on Monday that he would eat 24 oranges straight off. He gut the lengA of 14i, but was forced " to give up "and lose his bet, SINGULAR ACTION AGAINST A SOIIOOL BALM).— At Bristol County Court, on Saturday, Mrs. Agnes Cook Birt, late head-mistress of the Kuowle Board School, claimed from the Bedminster School Board £5O damages for alleged wrongful diemissal.—lt appeared that in November a mistress at Kuowle School received an anonymous letter, containing very serious charge. against herself and two members of the . board. Mrs. Birt was asked to attend a meeting of the board, and she was charged with writing ;.l.e letter. She instantly dented the charge, and the board refused to say who charged her. She was permitted to look at the letter, and remarked that the writing was something like hers, but said she did not write the letter. She was, however, suspended from her office, and though she attended a subsequent meeting of the board and read a statutory declaration which she had prepared and signed, the suspension was persisted in. Finally, on Dec. 31st, she received a letter summarily dismissing her 'nun the post--The evidence of experts in handitiug—who disagreed front one another—having given, the case was aujourned.  IRen  HAVE YOU A BAD LIVER ?  An all-gone feeling, bad taste in your mouth P INDIGESTION P Or are you troubled with CONSTIPATION P Is your eye dim, complexion sallow, and blood impure P If so, you need a good reliable