8 DECEMBER 1883, Page 3

Mr. Trevelyan made a very remarkable speech on Tuesday at

Kelso, on the extension of household franchise to the counties. He spoke with a certain fire of enthusiasm on behalf of the population of Northumberland and Roxburghshire, which

is present nnenfranchised and has no influence in Parlia- ment. That population, he said, "in physical health and stature, in material comfort, in independence of character, and in solid, ixtelligent, well-informed interest in public affairs, is inferior to no population in the world." And a household franchise was needful not only to give the . many nnenfranchised their due, but to save the few enfran- chised from the nuisance of being canvassed by all sorts of squires, clergymen, factors, and fine ladies, who come and sit down in the voter's parlour, and refuse to leave till he has promised his vote. Multiply these few voters by five, and all this -political teasing and persecution must cease. Of Mr. Trevelyan's views in relation to the Irish share in the franchise we have spoken at length elsewhere, but we may add here that -Mr. Trevelyan gives his voice most emphatically for settling the Franchise question before the Redistribution question is even touched, and that he is warmly opposed to letting any one vote for a county who is not a resident in that comity. Mr. Trevelyan spoke with as much fire and elevation as if he had not been oppressed for a year and a half with the most re-

sponsible work which it is possible for man to undertake. He rises daily in the esteem and confidence of the public.