REFORM.
A few further meetings on the subject of Parliamentary Reform have been reported this week. Mr. John Abel Smith at Chichester and Mr. Kekewkils at Honitou have both declared the present to be the best time for discussing the question. Both were reserved in the expression of their views. Mr. Serope has declined to attend a meeting of his constituents at Stroud, on the ground that in "the present misty and uncertain state of the political atmosphere he has nothing definite or positive to state to them." Mr. Scrope describes himself as a Parliamentary reformer op- posed to hazardous changes.
The Stroud meeting was held on Wednesday, Mr. Horsman attended, and made a speech. It was remarkable for seine expressions and a pecu- liar kind of figurative language used in describing the incidents of last session ; for its denunciations of our Zesty " ally," the French Emperor, and its comments on the conduct of the liberals. The Whig leaders are
bouyed up with an idea that they. are indispensable. Instead of uniting to turn out the Government on the India bill some wicked sprite induced Lord John Russell to propose that the House should proceed by resolu- tion and not by bill.
Some thought that he had made an arrangement with Lord Derby, others that he was inspired by Mr. Bright, but the more commonly-accepted eluci-
dation of the problem was that Lord John had had communication with the Evil One, for never was infernal machine fired off with such disastrous effect. Some accounted for the defeat of the Liberals by saying it was a personal question—Lord Palmerston had waxed fat and insolent, &o. But if he failed it was because he had not capable colleagues. There is not a more popular man in the House. There is more English pluck and "go" in him than in any half-dozen of those who, having once made him their idol, would now turn him into their scape-gont. The fact is that the dis- union and disorganization of the Liberal party were plain enough befme Lord Palmerston's Government was over formed. As to the Reform Bill, it had been asked how they could accept a bill from a party who have always opposed reform. The philosophic -Hobbes had said that he so hated the devil that if he were to fall into a pit, and the devil were to rout down his leg into it, he would not take held of the cloven hoof. And they were told to beware of the cloven hoof of Lord Derby. Those who say this are not the parties to give the advice. Mr. Horsman has seen, since he " shook off the livery .of the Whigs in 1856," that disunion in the Liberal party has been growing since 1832, and the cause of it is that the Whigs have made themselves patrons and protectors of the Liberals, but have never dreamed of raising them to be associates in power. Mr. Horsman argued at considerable length against electoral districts and universal suffrage, which would be class representation. How long would a House of Commons elected on universal suffrage act in unanimity with the House of Lords ? (A Voice—" We don't want no House of Lords," and laughter). That was exactly what he anticipated, and, having got rid of one of their great fundamental institutions, would they next depose the Queen
The meeting resolved that it wanted household suffrage in towns, 10/. suffrage in counties, equal electoral districts, and the ballot ; but that it had confidence in Mr. Flersman.
Mr. Roebuck and Mr. Hadfield met their constituents at Sheffield on Thursday. The meeting assembled in the Town-hall, but no sooner had Mr. Roebuck begun to speak than a score or two of persons who could not hear him raised a vehement cry for adjournment to a larger build- ing. The meeting decided against the proposal ; but the malcontents persisted, and in spite of the appeals of the Mayor and Alderman Hoole kept up a continuous interruption. At length Mr. Roebuck put on his hat in disgust and went away. His friends consulted, and agreed to meet again at once in the Temperance Hall. This was soon filled, and now order prevailing, Mr. Roebuck said what he had to say. First he went into the theory of the constitution to show that Parlia- ments were invented to watch Governments, and constituencies to watch Parliaments. Then he asserted that the working classes were excluded by the bill of 1832, and that since that time a new bill had been called for. But, add he, an imposition will be practised upon you. After reform the
House of Cominons will remain what it is. Therefore there are two things to be considered—first, the franchise, and next the distribution. We ought to ascertain who are to have votes, and next the area of persons who shall return representatives to Parliament, thereby, as I believe, entirely overturning the landed aristocracy of this country. I don't blink the question. There it is." (Cheers.) The House of Commons represents the feelings and passions of the people fairly and well, but not their interests. The nobles and gentry are in a position of great temptation and ought to be relieved. He did not want universal suffrage, but he would like to see Members taken from boroughs having less than 10,000 inhabitants and given to the large towns—four to Sheffield, for instance. He hoped a reformed Parliament would give economical government. The 101. householders have only increased the expenditure. He wanted to sec a change in the composition of administration—no monopoly. "Take any locality you please. You want a representative—you look about and find a well-to-do man more than fifty years of age, and you send him headlong into an as- sembly of critics, the most acute that the world ever saw, with feelings alive to everything ludicrous. The man gets up. He makes an attempt at a speech, and is laughed at. He perhaps leaves out a" h," and a shout of derision runs through the House directly. Down he sits, and his mouth is closed for ever. (Cheers and laughter.) That accounts in a great measure for what you must have all remarked, that you are not represented in the House of 'Commons in a way to give you the weight you ought to have. The wealth, the industry, the intelligence, the acuteness of the north—are they to be found in your representatives in the House of Commons ? No. Does London, that great mart of the whole world, send Members who are an honour to the House of Commons ? I say, no. Well, then, I ask, what can you possibly expect from a reformed House of Commons if you do not prepare men to go into that House capable of discharging their duty as your representatives, and not merely rich men that all their lives have been engaged in the accumulation of wealth, and who know as much about go- vernment as I do about China. (Cheers.) You must send fit men to re- present you." Mr. Roebuck took a very lugubrious view of foreign politics ; and inti- mated his opinion that not reform but war would be the question of the session—" we are on the eve of war." This view was evidently suggested by the attitude of France. Mr. Hadfield who had come to make a great speech about reform was disconcerted by the disturbance of the morning and the warlike blaze of his colleague. He made a speech crammed with statistics to show that reform is needed and that the people are fit for it. Then the Members were questioned. One question and answer will suffice. Mr. Ribbed asked if Mr. Roebuck was in favour of an hereditary House of Lords, whether they had brains or no ? Mr. Roebuck acknowledged that the House of Lords was an institution not founded on common sense. But the House of Lords was now only the repeater of the opinions of the House of Commons. Taking steps in legislation is not a mischief; the I eels set an example in manners and do no harm.
The meeting warmly expressed its confidence in its two Members.
Mr. Bright,. who recently declined to go to Bristol, alleging that Brad- ford was the only place he could probably go consistently with regard for his health, has consented to attend a soiree to be held in the Public Hall, Rochdale on Friday, the 28th instant. It has been remarked that, Mr. Jecol Bright has recently been making himself popular in Roch- dale. These movements favour the rumour that Mr. Cobden will contest thatbezetigh at the next general election.
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