NEWS OF THE WEEK.
A MEETING of the Liberal party was held on Friday at Mr.
Gladstone's house, and, as we are told, the final decision was of this kind. Mr. Coleridge, whose clear brain and exquisite command of words raise -him high in the councils of the party, will, on Monday, move a resolution intended to place the compound householders below 10/. in the same position as compound house- holders above that figure. This will, in practice, compel them to claim the suffrage, but only once, and will leave them liable to pay the rates if called on, but will not bind them to do it as a condition precedent. If Mr. Disraeli accepts this idea, which it is rumoured he will, he will pass his Bill ; if not, the party will vote against him as one man. The substantive effect of the whole proceeding will be to establish Household Suffrage, qualified by one year's residence, and diminished by the exclusion of persons too poor to be taxed. The Tories have, in fact, outbid the Liberals, and we are to have a franchise for which no one not a Radical really wishes. Well, there is one compensation for destroyed representation. The Householders will fight, and England's enemies; dark subjects, and Irish opponents; had better take note of the change, for they will henceforth have to fight a Democracy penetrated with monarchical ideas.
