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Leader (1850-1860), 14th February 1852, Edition Country of 2, Page 2, ' 142 ¦ ' "'"' ¦ % H E ;¦ L^ f:A^. E;% ^...

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      ' 142 ¦ ' "'"' ¦ % H E ;¦ L^ F:A^. E;% ^...

      ' 142 ¦ ' "'"' ¦ % H E ;¦ L ^ : A ^ . E ; % ^_ ¦ " " . /' . ^^^^^^ Ia ^ ' :

      History Of Parliament. The New Eefoem Bi...

      HISTORY OF PARLIAMENT . THE NEW EEFOEM BILE . Preceded by the presentation of six petitions , whose prayer generally expressed a des ^ e -fp ^ ,. ^ . exten ^ franchise ; the motion for leave to bring in the long .-promised Reform Bill was made on Monday night . Just before Lord John Russell rose , the , Speaker read a letter he had . received from Mr . Henry , the magistrate at Bow-street , announcing' tha $ . . Mr . Feargus O'Connor had been on that day committed to the House of Correction for seven days , haying been convicted of assaulting a police-constable at the Lyceum Theatre on Saturday night . In moving for leave to bring in " a Bill to extend the Right of Voting for Members of Parliament , and to amend the laws relating to th"e Represeixtation of the People , " Lord John Russell thought the -time he had chosen was most apt , as the country was tranquil , and there was no clamorous demand for reform . He vindicated himself from the charge of having made the announcement of last session on the vspur of the moment , for mere party purposes , by stating that he had given " many" previous assurances to the House of his intention some day to extend the franchise . In 1849 and 1851 he had also submitted the question ta the Cabinet , who had decided for postponement . ISotliing he had ever said , no expectations that he had evqr . held out , should induce " extravagant hopes' * on the one side , or " exaggerated fears" on . the other . .

      So far the preface , The noble , lord added ,. another ., which he called a " review" of the " measures which have been taken , and the measures which have been proposed , " on the reform question at various times . But' first lie stated that "it is now very well agreed that the claim to have the franchise extended to every individual is not a claim which can be supported ; " and then he gave the House this astounding piece of information : ^—"The object to be gained is good government ; and the mode of obtaining a fair representation of the people , and of obtaining a , representation which , can perform the functions of the House of Commons , is to be sought for in any measures that can be adopted . " " ,- ¦ ¦ ' -

      Haying delivered himself of this statesmanlike observation , he proceeded jto " review" the efforts of a long period from 1785 to 1830 . Reaching the Reform Bill , he stated the basis on which that was constructed , and defined'the' " test of disfranchisement'f then adopted as being " the number of houses and the assessment to the assessed taxes j" and the Reform Bill disfranchised only those boroughs which were , on this test , obviously nomination boroughs . But it would be extremely

      unwise to destroy the balance of the constitution , which would be done if none but counties and large cities returned members . He saw no ground of necessity which would justify a proposition for an turbitmry and absolute disfranchisement j the only thing to be done was " to disfranchise in . any case of proved corruption . " Having stated this as a general principle of disfranchisement , he stated what they were prepared to do in extending the suffrage : —

      " It appears to me that there arc two grounds on which we may propose a considerable extension of the suffrage in the cities and boroughs of the United Kingdom . One is , that at the time of tho Reform Bill , in placing the right of voting in occupants of houses of the value of 10 / ,, we did what I think is right and prudent to do—we placed the suffrage rather higher than was necessary . It was a time when there was , together with a great wish for reform , a great desire that it should be snfe , and an unwillingness to place the suffrage in hands that might be unworthy of it . I own that in fixing the suffrage in 10 / . householders at that time we obtained a safety , as shown

      by the working of our institutions since the passing of that act , which was described by some as menacing all our institutions with destruction . I think we might now' place the franchise lower . But there is another ground which I confess haa great influence on my mind , Jind it was that ground which fovined n case for the original proposition of reform in 18 22 , namely , the growing intelligence and education of the people . ( Cheers . ) I could prove , if I were not ulYnid of wear ying the House by going into statistic ^—I coul d show by the sale of newspapers and of books , by the great number of schools established Binco 1831 , that agrait increase 1 » ub taken place in intellicrence

      among tho people . ( Hear , hear . ) But I do not think the proof necessary , as tho experience of every hon . member is sufficient to induce him to concur , in ' iny fitivtcmcnt , and to say that the franchise given hi 1831 might be ltindo more extensive' at the present time . ( Hear , hear . ) We propose , therefore , instead of householders occupy ing houses or sllopa of 10 / . value , to tako householders of 5 / , ruled value . (" Hear , " and cheers from tho Ministerial side . ) Looking to the general returns which vvo have received , I should say that in point ofnumbcrH the householders of from B / . to 10 / ., as compared with thoao of 10 / . nnd upwards , aro in the proportion of about six to ton ; and it will be seen , accordingly , that when wo propose to

      lower the franchise , in cities and boroughs to U . rated value , we shall a # a very " gre > i number of persons to those who now c * # ise the elective franchise , lor my part , I am perked that the franchise may 'be safely entrusted to tliese persons . ( Hear , hear . ) , ' f With respect to the county frapphise , lie propped to extend that . ' to al } persons quaked to sit on a jurythat is , paying a rental of 201 . a year and upwards , anq ^ copyholders and . Jpng leaseholders paying from 10 / , to 51 . a year ,, .,.- ¦¦ .. -. . ,,,, . , ., ¦¦ . . . . / . ' .. . . /• . ; .

      "There is another right of voting 1 have to mention , which we propose shall be given , as a new right of voting indiscriminately to persons residing either in a county or in a borough . That is to say , that if they reside in a county , without the limits of any borough , they may vote for the county , and if they reside within any borough they may vote for the borough . These new voters are persons paying direct taxes' in . the shape of assessed taxes , or income-tax to the amount of 40 s . a-year . ( Cheers from the

      Ministerial side of the house . ) We do not propose , however , that all licences—though they may be taken as direct taxes—shall give the right of voting , because it is our opinion that abuses might in that case arise ; but we propose that persons who pay 40 s . a-year in these direct taxes shall have the right of voting , and clauses have been . drawn to carry ou ^ this object . Now , the reason up . on which this particular franchise is fouuded is the objection which has constantly been made , and not without , reason , that while persons having freehold propertj / , and others

      occupying iwuseJiold property , are allowed the franchise , there is a large class of well-educated men , and men likewise of property , who have not the qualification derived from possessing or occupying a particular species of property . ( Hear , hear . ) We hope , however , by this provision , to enable them to have votes , and thus contribute to the representation of the country . " The assertion that bribery was most prevalent in small

      boroughs he met by the counter ' assertion that it prevailed as much in larger boroughs , a in quoque greatly cheered by the Opposition . But as in many of these small boroughs somethinglike nomination did undoubtedly prevail , he thought that that was a reproach which ought to be taken away . He therefore proposed to "diffuse" the proprietary influence by giving the inhabitants of neighbouring towns the right of voting at the elections for such boroughs .

      " When the Reform Bill was discussed in this house , I stated that in my opinion nearly all the boroughs should have not less than 300 voters each . While this is the case generally , there are 14 smaller boroughs which Have less than that number of voters ; there are , upwards of 30 more that have less than 400 electors ; and there are several more that have less than 500 voters . When I speak now of electors , I allude to permanent electors , namelythose who are 10 / . householders , and those who

      , are freemen , holding the perpetual right which was maintained by the Reform Bill . We propose , then , to add places to all the boroughs which have less than 500 of such electors , consisting of 10 / . householders and frperaen . The number of boroughs to which this principle will be applied is 67 . ( Cries of Hear , hear , and some sensation on the Opposition benches . An hon . Member—• In England and Wales ? ' ) I am now speaking ( Lord John continued ) only of England and Wales . "

      For the rest , he was disposed to preserve tho " same general balance of interest" as at present existed ; and ' not disturb that balance—fearful that' if wo dloV $ o , we should only provoke a fierce struggle" in that House , and a very strong opposition in the House of Lords , However , tho " property qualification'' he would abolish , anld reform the parliamentary oaths , leaving out the words " on tho true faith of a Christian . " Besides which , he proposed that no member of the government upon more change of office should require tho assent of his constituents . Tlie Irish borough-franchise is to be reduced to 51 ,, and the county-franchise to 20 Z .

      " Sir , I trust that when this enlarged , franchise is given , we shall next see the Government of this country , in whoscver hands it be , consider most seriously and earnestly tho great question of the education of the people . ( Loud cries of Hear , hear . ) This question of tho franchise is not alien from that other one of providing that tho instruction , tho education of the people , should be in a better state than it now is . ( Hear , hear . ) I « m convinced , thot if after a measure of this kind , in another session of Parliament , tins House shall consider the means of establishing a really national ayatem of education , they will conwhich be conferred

      fer one of the greatest blessings can upon this country ( hear , hear ); a measure , for which , I believe , the people , aro i > ow almost prepared ( hear , hear ); and which , after further discussion , I do trust might bo carried with very nearly a general assent . ( Ilenr , hear , and cheers . ) I do not propose now , however , to enter further into this subject . I have-stated the general provisions of tho bill that I propose to introduce ; and I rejoice that in this time of quiet nnd tranquillity ( hear , hear ) we can fairly consider that we aro not acting under compulsion of any sort ( hear , hear ) , that we aro not obliged l > y any clamour to introduce this measnre ( hear , hear ) , but that wo do it in tho humble and earnest hope thnt wo may contribute

      some-....., w . „ ... ; ., « .-.. . . ^ * ew *«* * . .. v .. w ^ ...,. < .. — ..... ... ^ , ,. ^ . .,. K . . _ . „ ,. i n ^ thing ¦ tp the tfoTO ? aradl the glory of our country rr , cheers ;) ; f v . : ¦ . - ; . , , . <>• \ U * A ¦ ' - ^ ^^^ iW ^^ f # « . ' " Russell , after f & questionhad bm ^ uk weUing the « omissions" fiS ? the speech , ^ Tjl ^ . pob ^ e lord had not thought fit tot ? either upon # ie ^ allot : pr . ; triennial parliaments b + as far as it went he should , support the ' measure time , afld 4 he-necessity of the pleasure , as the surmo ° { satisfaetfon of { my popular demand * He deprecated ii changes , and pictured the time when , tlie old const tution of England having passed away , a despotis " would arise as ' a " consequence of democratic institutin

      Mr . HeneyBeexe : ley , nbt at allincliiaed to folio the alarming disquisition of Sir John Walsh , approved of the bill generally , but regretted the absence of the balldt , arid declared tiis intention ctf' moving a clan giving that protection to the voter ; Mr . Phiiip Ho \ vabi > warmly approved of the bill . Sir Robebt Ingklis drew an elaborate contrast between the exciteinent of 1831 and the quietude of 1852 ; dealt a stout blow at the proposed alteration Of . the oaths ; and generally disapproved of the measure . '

      Mr . John Beight «) uld not eritirfely approve . He could not tell how niudh good tlie bill might So . The serious diefect of the bill was the absence of any provision ; for taking the . vote by Ballot . This was not only a hardship on the working classes , hut on the employers of labour . Master mairafacturers were just as liable to coerce their work-people as landlords , and the noble lord ought to have removed the temptation and the power from both classes . The man wlio was forced to vote was about as nrach degraded as the man who was bribed to vote ; and if there was any considerable

      extension of the franchise , the noble lord was bound to give the ballot . Mr . Bright criticised the franchise qualifications , and complained , that in attempting to maintain the ^ balance of power or interests the noble lord would only maintaiii the " . " dead lock" under which his , government would he unable . to marcli . He would not get a House ; of Commons which represented the country ^ but a , fiouse in a similar position to that in wliich they now were—r-nnable to do that which the people insisted on having done . His concluding sentence is remarkable .

      < t He \ vrts " glad that the call for reform had been met at allr—that the noble lord had proposed ^ an extension of political rights to some classes hitherto unrepresented ; and he believed in his conscience , that that man who most loved his country ^ and'was most an ; xious to support nnd maintain its institutions , ought to he deeply obliged lo the noble lord for having , at a time when there was no great political excitement , volunteered a . measure which , although it did not altogether meet , his views , would yet leave the representation .- of the country , in a better apd more , satisfactory condition than it was at present . " ( Cheers . )

      Mr . Bright did not at all damage the Minister in his speech ; but he was followed by a speaker from the " Tory camp , " who attacked the , measure in flank , and , by unsparing liberal criticism from a Tory point of view , laid bare its great defefite and exposed its vast deficiencies . , Mr . Bajwe [ Meinber tor Invernessshire ] did not believo-that a . KflfbrjcoJ & UW * U » r * W « - tdiided f sense-i . of the term , " 'was either necessary or reqtiired at the present moment ; but the First Minister hod decided the question by declaring that it was desirable to " increase the power of the democracy ;' , ' » to

      having mndo that declaration , ho ought , at least , have been prepared to bring forward a measure calculated to give satisfaction to those who were justly diasatisfiod with things as they , were . There won one defect which would of itself prevent this measure from becoming permanent—there was no provision for shortening tho duration of parliaments . Tho Sep tennial Act inflicted a great blow , on the democracy . ^ J lftt was " essentially a Whig meofluro , " By removing tno fear of their constituents from the eyes ¦ of members , they vory often pursuod a very different course at tno commencement of a new parliament to what tnoy

      adopted at the coucluaion of an old one . " He might , if it were necessary , illustrate this by » Jjmcrous examples , but ho should content himself wita ^ Btancing tho course now pursued by tho nobk lord lnnis The noble lord was a Liberal , und represented a W constituency . Now , tho Houso would romombcr tw > for tho first four yeara of tho present Parliament , liw »« friend tho member for Montrosq had nnnunlly brougw »•» with great ability and with ' great moderation * the < l " ^ of reform , and upon every occasion hud been ^ ru y" ^ u might say obstinately—opposed by tho Govornmont . * noble lord would enter into compromise « ° w "

      no ; . . sparing in his sarcasms upon his hon . friend and tnop of which he was tho head ( hear , hear ); « nd ho , B « j * ' \ ) l () intimation that a lleform Bill was to bo brought in jy ^ Government . ( Hear , hear . ) Such wns tho pP flItt ° S at tho question up to tho Ja « t sitting of Parliament . *'

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 14, 1852, page 2, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_14021852/page/2/