The Marquis of Hartington explained his refusal to vote in
a speech not very consistent with itself, since he first admitted the fitness of the agricultural voter, and then denied it on the ground of insufficient education. He declared, however, that the existing anomaly of giving such a very different quantum of representative influence to equal numbers of electors in different parts of the kingdom, could not be further exaggerated without an attempt to remedy it; and he complained of the mover of the Bill for giving no hint of his views on the question which must ultimately form one-half, and perhaps the most important half, of the measure,— the redistribution of seats. He also objected to the measure because its effect would be to strengthen that Conservatism which is founded in insufficient education, political ignorance, and in- difference. Lord John Manners, on the whole, re-echoed Lord Hartington, adding, however, that the lower the franchise is ex- tended, the more would political power fall into the hands of -wealth, and be inaccessible to men of moderate means. On a division, the Bill was rejected by a majority of 102 (268 to 166), after a futile and noisy attempt of Mr. Greene's to fasten on Mr. Forster direct responsibility for suggesting the use of violence to the labouring class.
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