IRISH CORPORATION REFORM.
THE efforts of the BERESFORD faction in Ireland, though merciless and atrocious, will not, (even if successful, secure to them the means of returning as many Members for Counties as they would lose by the Reform of the Corporations. Once give the resident householders in the Irish towns the power to choose their local rulers, and there would not, as we are credibly informed, be a single Tory Member elected for an Irish borough or city. At all events, the Tory loss and Liberal gain would be very considerable. In Ireland, as in England and Scotland, the party which profits by the corrupt and irresponsible disposal of public property, by io_bbing and subserviency, is that which delights in the Dile of I.Zummiazarto and the Duke of WELLINGTON for leaders, and in Sir ROBERT Pau, for a plausible lackey. They who find their interest in publicity, and an the free choice of responsible legisla- tors, are the men who give an honest support to the MRLBOURNE and M UL GRAVE Administration. The Tories know this : they do not expect advantage from Corporation Reform. The Times
warns them against giving the Irish Catholics the right to elect municipal legislators; which it denounces as the "fatal accomplish. ment " of the " worst schemes of those whose end is Popish supre- macy within these realms." This is mere factious stuff. The idea of establishing Popery, in England and Scotland, is quite absurd.
Catholicism has undoubtedly flourished under the Tory policy in Ireland; but it is proposed to change that policy ; and the chances are at least equal for the effect being hostile to the spread of Popery.
It is the duty of the Imperial Legislature to put an end to the system on which Corporate affairs have been managed in Ireland. If (which we do not believe) profligate jobbing and dishonesty be favourable to the growth of Protestantism, and publicity and economy in the conduct of local governments to
that of the Catholic faith, it is an argument in favour of Popery, which we do not recollect to have seen urged in any controversy. But as it is an old maxim that justice should be done though the sky should fall, so let there be an end to corporate immorality, even though Protestantism should suffer.
There is every inducement to the MELBOURNE Ministry to press forward the Bill for reforming the Corporations of Ireland. The dread with which it is viewed by the Tories is proof of its usefulness. The most unpopular, the most cruel and iniquitous means, are resorted to with the hope of counteracting its antici-
pated effects. At the same time, the Tories will be puzzled how to deal with it. Having admitted the necessity of amending the English corporate system, how can they refuse to purge the Irish: of its filth ?
Let the excellent Bill of last session be introduced in the first week of the next : it has already passed the House of Com- mons. Let it be sent up to the Lords, and be strongly advocated by Ministers. It is almost incredible that the Peers will dare to reject it : especially if they learn that it is only one of a series, whose rejection will precipitate the remodelling, on popular prin- ciples, of their own noble and irresponsible body. We are de- cidedly of opinion, that, except the amendment of the Reform Act, no measure is of equal moment with that of the Irish Muni- cipal Bill.
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