A hundred years ago
From the 'Spectator', 9 April 1870—Mr. Peter Taylor, the "Red" Member for Leicester, on Tuesday asked leave to bring in a Bill for pay- ment of Members, declaring openly that he made his proposal to de4troy the exclusiveness of the House of Con--.7%ns. He reviewed the history of this question, showed the difficulty of a poor man entering the House, and suggested one of three courses, that every member should have £500 a year, so as to make of membership a profession, or that every member should have, say £200, or that any member who asked for it in forma pauperis should have £150. (We are wholly opposed to payment, but if it is ever established, two guineas for each attendance would be a better arrangement.) Mr. Gladstone replied in a speech full of humour and placidity, and containing not only a noteworthy remark on the value of a "leisured class," on which we have commented elsewhere, but an admission that there was a great deal to be said for equal electoral districts. He, of course, opposed the immediate motion, and laid down the principle that payment, if it ever came, must come from the electoral district. Mr. Taylor pushed his motion to a division, and obtained 24 votes against 211.
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