Year: 1867

From the London Star, March 5.


In the House of Lords last night the Earl of
Derby made statement in reference to the
Ministerial difficulties. 1t amounted to this:-
The Cabinet in determining TO deal with reform,
had two alternative plans. To one of these two
members OF the Cabinet objected altogether
but at length gave reluctant consent to the
other. That other was stated TO the House of
Commons, and was approved by nobody.


Thereupon the Cabinet reeonsidered its pro-
posals, and though the adoption of the more
enlarged plan involved the sacrifice of three
colleagues, that sacrifice was determined upon.
Lord CaInarvon followed with an explanation,
in the course of which he said that he should
not have objection to household suffrage in all
boroughs with more than a certain population,
yet to make the franchise alike in large and
small places was abhorrent to him. Earl Gran
vile and Earl Grey continued the discussion,
and the Earl of Derby wound it up with
speech, in which he justified the course taken
by the Ministry


In the House of Commons there was much
anxiety evinced to hear what was to be said
about the question of reform, and the Minis
terlal difficulties. Before the time when public
business usually begins every seat in the body
of the House was occupied, and the galleries
were fairly filled. Nlscount Cranborne came
into the House at twenty minutes past O'Clock,
and took his seat on the front bench below the
gangway on the Government side.


General Peel did not arrive until later, and
then he brought up some papers. He took his
seat on the Ministesial bench, and intended to
have made his statement in respect TO the
army estimates This, however he did not
succeed in doing, and his career as Minister
is now probably closed. On the motion for
going into committee of supply, the Chancellor
of the EXchequer got up, and in speech
which lasted only few minutes made state
ment.


Since he last spoke on the subject of reform,
the majority of the Cabinet had determined to
recur to their original policy as TO to the fran
chise in boroughs, and he regretted that this
had let to the resignation OF three OF his col
leagues. Having specially mentioned in re-
gretful manner the loss of General Peel, he said
arrangements had been HCNde which, IT they
met with the approval eff her Majesty, would
enable him to state on Frs&s y that Lord Derby's
Cabinet was complete.


1t would be proposed that the Reform bill
should be brought IN on Monday, the 18th inst.
He should ask the House to read the bill a
second time on the Monday following, and as
soon as possible to go into committee and sit
de die iR diem until the bill was got through,


The utter emptiness of this statement fairly
silenced the House for a few moments. At last,
however, Mr.. Bernal Osborne found his voice,
and insisted that the House should be told more
of the circumstances which had led to the
resignation of the three ministers. He specially
appealed to Lord Cranborne, but mis- lordship
replied that he had not her Majesty's permis-
sion to reveal what had taken place. Mr.. Glad
stone made a brief speech, pointing out the
miserable delays which there had been in deal
ing with this question, and urged that there
should be no more OF them.


He did not wish to withdraw the pledge he
had previously given as to fairly considering the
bill which might be proposed; but there must
be no mistake about the measure. 1t must be
straightforward. Of course it must contain
sumeGhing new; but there must be nothing new
tangled. It must not be scheme which. with
the semblance of giving, had the reality of
taxing away. Having thus given notice to the
Chancellor Of the Exchequer, Mr.. Gladstone
passed to another subject, and the debate was
not continued.


Later In the evening, however, Mr.. Bernal
Osborne returned to the charge. He complained
that the information which had been refused in
the House OF Commons had been given ia the
chequer was not to be moved, however. Until
he knew what had taken place in the House Of
Lords he would make NO further statement.
Here the matter ended,