PARLIAMENTARY REFORM-Disinclination of the Country for any change in
the Representation-The Government resolve to postpone the subject—
Attempts of Private Members to introduce Partial Reforms-Mr. Locke
King renews his Bill to reduce the County Franchise to £10-Debate on
the introduction of the Bill-Remarks of Lord Palmerston and Mr.
Disraeli-On the second reading, the "Previous Question" is moved by
Mr. A. Smith-Speeches of Lord Henley, Mr. Adderley, Lord Enfield, Sir
George Lewis, Mr. Bernal Osborne, Lord J. Russell, Mr. Disraeli, and
other Members-On a Division, the Bill is lost by a Majority of 19—Mr.
Baines proposes to reduce the qualification for Borough Members-After
a debate, in which Mr. Cave, Mr. Leatham, and Sir John Ramsden take
part, the House divides against the Bill-Mr. H. Berkeley renews his
Annual Motion on the Ballot-His Speech-After a brief debate the Mo-
tion is rejected by 279 to 154-A Bill is introduced by the Government
to assign the Seats vacated by the disfranchisement of Sudbury and St.
Alban's to other places.-After much discussion and some alteration, it is
passed through both Houses-Bill for taking the Poll at University Elec-
tions by means of Voting Papers-Introduced by Mr. Dodson-Remarks
of Sir George Lewis and other Members on the Measure-It is referred
to a Select Committee, where it undergoes modification-Again debated
in the House of Commons-Sir George Lewis, Mr. Walpole, Mr. Roebuck,
Mr. Henley, and Sir W. Heathcote take part in the discussion-It is
carried, after some opposition-The Bishops of Oxford and London raise
some objections to the Measure in the House of Lords-The Earl of
Derby vindicates the Bill, which is passed without a division-CHURCH
RATES-Sir John Trelawney again brings in a Bill to abolish the Rate-
Sir W. Heathcote moves the rejection of the Measure-Speeches of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Bright, Mr. Disraeli, Lord John Russell,
and Mr. Walpole-The Second Reading is carried by 281 to 266--Mr.
Newdegate proposes a scheme as a substitute for Church Rates, which,
after some discussion, is withdrawn-On the third reading a great strug-
gle takes place-Mr. S. Estcourt moves that the Bill be postponed for
Six Months-Speeches of Mr. Cross, Mr. Newdegate, Mr. Bright, Mr.
Stansfeld, Mr. Whiteside, and other Members-The Members, on a
division, are found to be equal-The Speaker is called upon to give a
casting vote-He states his reasons, and votes with the Noes-The Bill is
therefore lost.
[24
FINANCE. The Annual Budget is brought forward by Mr. Gladstone on
the 15th of April-His Speech and Financial Propositions: remission of
Id. on Income Tax and Repeal of the Paper Duty-Remarks of Sir
Stafford Northcote, Lord Robert Cecil, and other Members-The Motion
for going into a Committee on the Budget leads to protracted Debates-
The proposed Repeal of the Paper Duty excites much Opposition from
the Conservative Party-Speeches of Mr. Thomas Baring, Mr. Bentinck,
Sir S. Northcote, Mr. Seymour Fitzgerald, Mr. Milner Gibson, Mr. White-
side, Mr. B. Osborne, Mr. Horsfall, Mr. Horsman, Mr. Bright, the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Disraeli, and Lord Palmerston-No Division
takes place, and the House goes into Committee-Further objections
urged at this stage by the Opposition-Mr. Hubbard proposes a Resolu-
tion, which is withdrawn-On the Proposition to renew the existing Tea
Duties, Mr. Horsfall moves, as an Amendment, to reduce the Duty to ls.
-A Debate ensues, in which the Marquis of Hartington, Sir S. North-
cote, Sir George Lewis, Mr. Disraeli, and Lord Palmerston take part—
The Resolution of the Government is passed by a Majority of 18-The
other Resolutions are carried, the remission of the Paper Duty exciting
strong protests from the Conservatives-The Chancellor of the Exche-
quer announces his intention of including all the financial arrange-
ments of the Budget in a single Bill-Objections taken to this mode
of proceeding-Mr. McDonough argues against the form of the Bill on
Constitutional grounds-He is powerfully answered by Sir James
Graham-Sir William Heathcote, on behalf of himself and Mr. Walpole,
expresses dissent from Mr. McDonough's views-Mr. Rolt, Mr. Whiteside,
Lord R. Cecil, and Mr. Horsman support the objections to the Bill-Mr.
Puller, Mr. Mellor, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Lord Palmer-
ston justify the course taken by the Government-The Bill is read a
second time and committed-Further discussions on the Paper Duty-
On the 4th clause repealing that impost, a warm and protracted Debate
arises-After Speeches from the leading Members on both sides, a
Division takes place, which exhibits a Majority of 15 for the Govern-
ment The result is hailed with acclamation by the Ministerial party—
The Bill goes up to the House of Lords-Earl Granville proposes the
Second Reading in a temperate Speech-the Duke of Rutland moves the
rejection of the Bill-The Earl of Derby strongly condemns the Budget,
and disapproves of the mode of proceeding by a single Bill, but advises
the withdrawal of the Amendment-Speeches of the Duke of Argyll,
Earl Grey, and Lord Monteagle-The Duke of Rutland withdraws his
Motion, and the Bill is passed, nem. con.—
-Various motions for financial
reductions and inquiries-Mr. Hubbard moves for a Committee to in-
quire into the means of mitigating the inequalities of the Income Tax-
The Motion is carried against the Government by a majority of 4, but
the inquiry by Committee leads to no result-Mr. W. Williams moves a
Resolution in favour of assimilating Probate Duties on Personal and
Real Estate-Negatived by 167 to 51-Mr. Dodson brings forward
CHAPTER IV.
ARMY AND NAVY.-Improvements in Military Administration and in the
Construction of Ships of War-Numerous Discussions in Parliament on
these topics-NAVY ESTIMATES-Moved by Lord Clarence Paget on the
11th of March-The Noble Lord enters into a full statement as to
the progress of the French Marine, and the necessity for constructing
Iron-cased Vessels for Defensive Purposes-Account of the French ship
La Gloire and the English Warrior-Remarks of Mr. Baxter, Mr.
Lindsay, and Sir John Pakington-Mr. Bright condemns the excessive
Amount of the Estimates-He is answered by Lord Palmerston-Motion
for Inquiry into the Constitution of the Board of Admiralty proposed
by Admiral Duncombe-Lord C. Paget, on behalf of the Government,
consents to the Motion, which, after some debate, is agreed to-Sir
James Elphinstone moves for an Inquiry into the System of Promotion
and Payment of Officers in the Royal Navy-The Ministers object to
the motion, as tending to the disadvantage of the Service-Remarks of
Lord Palmerston-The Motion is carried by 102 to 97-Debate on the
relative Merits of Iron and Wooden Ships-Mr. Lindsay, seconded by Sir
M. Peto, moves Resolutions-Lord C. Paget opposes them-Speeches of
Mr. Bentinck, Sir J. Pakington, the Earl of Giffard, Mr. Corry, and other
Members-The Resolutions are withdrawn-Further Debates on Iron-
cased Vessels-Sir John Pakington gives a startling Account of the
Progress made by France in this direction, as contrasted with our own—
Mr. Lindsay, Lord C. Paget, and Lord Palmerston controvert the facts
stated-The same subject is mooted by the Earl of Carnarvon in the
House of Lords-The Duke of Somerset makes an interesting Speech in
explanation, entering fully into details-Earl Grey expresses much satis-
faction at this statement-The Naval Estimates are passed in the House
of Commons after some opposition-Mr. Lindsay inquires of the Govern-
ment whether some limitation of the Marine, both of France and
England, cannot be settled by agreement between the two Powers-Lord
Palmerston states, with much force, the difficulties and objections to
such proceeding-THE ARMY ESTIMATES-They are moved by Mr. T. G.
Baring on the 14th of March-His Speech-He describes the Progress
made in the Construction of Armstrong Guns, and the Improvements in
the Organization and Management of the Army-Criticisms by various
Members on this statement-The large amount of the Estimates is com-
CHAPTER V.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS-PROGRESS OF EVENTS IN ITALY-They become the sub-
ject of Discussion early in the Session in both Houses of Parliament-In
the House of Lords the Marquis of Normanby severely censures the con-
duct of Victor Emmanuel, and inculpates the policy of Lord John Russell
in regard to Italy-He is answered by Lord Wodehouse-The Earl of
Malmesbury repeats the Charges of Inconsistency against the Foreign
Policy of the Ministry-Remarks of Lord Llanover-Debate in the House
of Commons on Italian Affairs, introduced by Mr. P. Hennessy-Speeches
of Mr. Layard, Sir George Bowyer, Mr. Edwin James, Sir Robert Peel,
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Maguire, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Monsell,
Mr. White, and Lord John Russell-Debate in the House of Lords, on the
Motion of Lord Ellenborough, upon the Situation of the Papal Govern-
ment-Speeches of Lord Wodehouse, and the Earls of Clarendon and
Derby-Death of Count Cavour-General sympathy excited by this event
in England-Expression given in the two Houses of Parliament to the
Public Regret on the occasion-Rumoured Cession to France of the Island
of Sardinia-Mr. A. W. Kinglake brings the subject under Discussion in
the House of Commons-His Speech-Speeches of Lord John Russell,
Sir George Bowyer, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Mr. Layard.—
-Disruption of the United States of America-Various Questions addressed
to the Ministers on International Relations consequent upon this Event-
Proclamation of Neutrality by Her Majesty-Answers of Lord John
Russell on the subjects of Privateering, the Blockade of the Southern
Ports, &c.-The Policy of Neutrality between the contending Parties is
earnestly insisted upon by the Government-Mr. Gregory gives notice of
a Motion in favour of recognizing the Southern Confederacy-Col. W.
Patten objects, on grounds of public policy, to entering upon the Dis-
cussion-In deference to the general wish of the House, Mr. Gregory
abstains from bringing forward his Motion-Military Reinforcements are
sent to Canada-Sir James Ferguson, supported by Mr. Disraeli, disputes
the policy of this step-It is forcibly vindicated by Lord Palmerston-
Recent Transactions in China-Earl Grey fully enters into this subject in
the House of Lords, and impugns the Measures adopted towards that
Nation-Speech of Lord Wodehouse in Answer, and of Lord Ellenborough
-Occupation of Syria under the Convention with France-Lord Stratford
de Redcliffe moves several Resolutions bearing upon the Transactions in
Syria-Observations of the Marquis of Clanricarde, Earl Grey, and Earl
Granville The Resolutions are withdrawn-The same subject introduced
in the House of Commons by Sir James Ferguson-Statement of Lord
John Russell in reply-Condition of Turkey-Lord Stratford de Redcliffe
opens a Discussion on the State of that Empire in the House of Lords—
Speeches of Lord Wodehouse and Lord Hardwicke-Poland-The Earl of
Harrowby draws attention to recent events affecting the Polish Nation,
and moves for Papers-Remarks of Lord Wodehouse, the Earls of Ellen-
borough and Malmesbury, and other Peers-The Ionian Islands—Mr.
Maguire enters upon a Discussion of the Policy of England towards this
Dependency, and the Effects of Mr. Gladstone's Mission to the Islands in
1858-Speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Answer-Observa-
tions of Mr. Layard, Mr. Whiteside, Mr. M. Milnes, Mr. Monsell, Mr. C.
Fortescue, and Lord Palmerston
. [99
EAST INDIAN FINANCE AND LEGISLATION-Political and fiscal changes con-
sequent on the transfer of Government from the East India Company to
the Crown-Mission of Mr. James Wilson to India as Finance Minister--
Appointment of Mr. Laing on Mr. Wilson's Death-Measures adopted in
consequence of their Suggestions-Loans for India raised in this Country
to supply the Deficit of Revenue-Statement of Sir Charles Wood respect-
ing the Finances of India at the Opening of the Session-Further State-
ment on proposing a New Loan of 4,000,000l. on the 3rd of June-Obser-
vations of Mr. Bazley, Lord Stanley, Mr. J. B. Smith, Mr. Crawfurd, Mr.
Danby Seymour, and other Members-Sir Henry Willoughby animad-
verts on the Financial Policy of the Government-Sir Charles Wood vin-
dicates his Measures-He makes a full financial Statement on the 25th
of July, giving a detailed Account of the Revenue and Expenditure of
India-Proposes a Loan of 5,000,000l. to assist the Railway Companies-
The Resolution, after some Debate, is agreed to-Three Measures affect-
ing the Administration of Government in India brought in concurrently
by the Government: The Legislative Council Bill, the Court of Judica-
ture Bill, and the Civil Service Bill-Statement of Sir Charles Wood in
explanation of these Bills-The Bill for altering the Constitution of the
Council undergoes much discussion in the House of Commons-Several
Amendments are proposed, but negatived-The Government adopts some
Suggestions made by Members, and the Bill is passed by the House of
Commons-The Policy of the Measure is questioned by Lord Ellen-
borough and Lord Lyveden in the House of Lords, but is ably vindicated
by the Duke of Argyll and Lord Granville-The Bill for reforming the
Judicature meets with little opposition in either House, but undergoes
some criticism from Lord Ellenborough-The Civil Service Bill is much
debated in the House of Commons-It is opposed by Mr. Vansittart, Mr.
Liddell, Mr. Henley, Mr. Adams, Sir H. Farquhar, and other Members,
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