In the Commons, Mr. Gladstone made the same statement as
to the intentions of the Government ; and said that only the Franchise Bill would be brought forward at the Autumn Session, and that no Redistribution Bill could be produced till after the Franchise Bill had been passed. The Government of London Bill, the Law of Evidence Bill, the Coinage Bill, the Irish Land Purchase Bill, and many others of minor importance, must be dropped. Sir Stafford Northcote expressed his regret at this de- cision, and Lord Randolph Churchill made one of his noisy and turbulent speeches, in which he attacked the Government, and per- sonally attacked Sir Charles Dilke, who had, he said, in a speech made the previous evening, misquoted him. Others of the Con- servatives followed in a less violent strain ; but the Liberals heartily supported Mr. Gladstone's proposal, and entreated him to take Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as Tuesdays, for the Government.
Previous page
