The Ballot Bill passed its second reading on Thursday by
a majority of 109 to 51, in a very languid and inattentive House. At one time only two members were present. Mr. Forster moved the second reading without any observations, and although Mr. Nolan, the new Member for Kerry, made a good maiden address, short, pithy, and pointed, and Mr. Beresford Hope kept the House -amused, the only speeches of any importance were those of Mr. Dowse and Mr. Walter ; Mr. Dowse ridiculed the trustee notion of the franchise, saying that non-electors clearly ought not to dictate for whom the franchiseholder should vote, as otherwise they would be the electors, and arguing that as to Ireland, it was better Ireland should return 80 Home-rulers than that the electors should be discontented by inability to express their own opinion. Mr. Walter, on the other hand, voted against the Ballot, arguing that its introduction was but preliminary to a new Reform Bill, which would abolish all little boroughs and boroughs which are really fragments of counties, and enfranchise all county house- holders. He believed that these boroughs could, under the Bill, be bought wholesale, and that equal electoral districts would soon be inevitable. If the country was not prepared for that, it ought not to pass the Bill. He added, however, that he should oppose it no more.
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