SCOTLAND.
In addressing his constitutents at Arbroath, on Tuesday, Mr. Baxter delivered himself with great animation on polities in general, particularly addressing himself to prove that the Independent party is still alive, and may show itself next session ; while, though speaking with all respect of Lord Palmerston, he touched severely on the " stationary Whigs who love office so dearly." " If you ask me whether I have confidence in the present Government, I ask you whether you mean in the Tory or in the Radical portion of it ; for no one can say that the political creed of Lord Stanley, Sir John Pakington, and Mr. Disraeli, is the same as that of Lord Salisbury, Mr. Henley, and Lord John Manners. All I know is, that already they have redressed some grievances which their predecessors would not attend to—that from them we have obtained the abohtion of the property qualification and the admission of Jews to Parliament—and I wait patiently to see what measures of a simi- lar tendency the recess is to bring forth. Should they manfully grapple with the question of church-rates in a Liberal spirit, effect a reduction in the expenditure, and propose a really progressive measure of Reform— which, however, can scarcely be expected—then I will support them."
Touching on the subject of finance, Mr. Baxter expressed the opinion that if the estimates were submitted to a committee of impartial men conversant with business, some six or eight millions could be knocked off the annual expenditure with advantage ; • and he really hoped the Govern- ment would look this question of expenditure boldly in the face.
Mr. Ewart addressed a meeting of his Dumfries constituents on Mon- day, with a speech criticizing the measures of last session, but mainly directed to the present chaotic state of parties. Lord Derby, he said, came into power against Mr. Ewart's will, but his Government had shown a facility of concession, an amiability of political conduct, which yielded almost every point the House of Commons demanded ; and if the Ministry go far enough, it will receive the support of the Liberal party. He regarded Mr. Disraeli, Lord Stanley, and Sir John Peking- ton, as a Liberal triumvirate ; and a Reform Bill by them would be a tolerable satisfactory piece of legislation. Mr. Ewart himself is favour- able to a five-pound household qualification, and also some educational franchise.
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