Sir Stafford Northcote's other point was that Franchise and Redistribution
should be fused into one Bill, and the complete measure be brought forward in the Autumn Session. The Government would have plenty of time, because Franchise had been sufficiently discussed. That sounds to many men quite a moderate suggestion for compromise; but what would be its result ? First, that all waverers, especially the Irish, would vote against the Franchise under colour of objecting to the Redistribution clauses ; and, secondly, that the House of Lords would reject the Redistribution scheme in toto, and so get rid of the reduced Franchise while appearing to accept it. Sir S. Northcote must really rate the intelligence of his oppo- nents very loss if he expects them to be taken in by so trans- parent a device. It is essential that if the Commons or the Lords reject the Franchise Bill—a proceeding entirely within their right—the country should know that they have rejected it.
