Mr. Broadhurst, on Wednesday, received unexpected support. for his Bill
enabling leaseholders in towns to compel their- landlords to sell them the freehold of their occupancies. He made a striking speech, full of evidence as to the wretched system of building rendered necessary by short leases, the dis- comfort of the respectable poor in consequence, and the tyranny to which they were subject in towns or districts owned by single landlords ; and the Attorney-General, who answered him, ad- mitted that there was a grievance which must be cured, though the proposed Bill would work injustice. Mr. Broadhurst was- supported by Lord Randolph Churchill, in a violent speech against "bloated Whig landlords,"—half of whom at least are Tories. The tone of the House was singularly unlike its usual tone when property is attacked, and on a division it was found that many men like Mr. Baxter, Sir C. Forster, and Mr. Waddy, who are entirely opposed to confiscation, were in favour of the Bill, which, again, is approved by most Scotch Members. The second reading was therefore defeated only by 168 to 104, and this although it was admitted on all bands to be unworkable.. The great landlords in towns should take warning. They have evidently excited an unexpected popular dislike, not so much by oppressive demands as by the unwise conditions of their leases, for which agents are very often responsible. The "enfranchise- ment of leaseholds" will now be made, in towns like Hudders- field, Torqnay, and Devonport, a regular candidate's pledge.
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