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As to the charge that this measure was a mere

party measure, intended to secure the Liberals in office, what could be more absurd than to say so, when agricultural boroughs certainly return as many Conservatives as Liberals, and when a "service franchise" is added, which will give votes to the class generally thought more dependent on property than any other in the kingdom. Mr. Gladstone concluded by exhorting the Conser- vatives to support the Bill boldly, and then the people might really be disposed to think that the Conservatives were not at heart the foes of popular measures.

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