THE REFORM MOVEMENT.
From his place in the House of Commons on Monday, Mr. Disraeli gave notice that on the 28th instant he will ask leave to introduce a Bill to amend the law relating to the representation of the people in England and Wales, and to facilitate the registration and voting of electors. A Reform bill for Scotland is to be introduced, but no day is fixed.
Sir Joshua Walmsley has written to the Daily News, pointing out the " little mistake" made by Mr. Cobden in describing Mr. Bright's scheme of reform as almost identical with "the proposition of our late revered friend, Mr. Hume." Mr. Bright makes the franchise depend on the pay- ment of the poor-rate. "Mr. Hume's motion," say Sir Joshua, "was for ' a bill to amend the na- tional representation and extend the elective franchise, so that every man of full age and not subject to any mental or legal disability, who shall have been the resident occupier of a house or part of a house as a lodger for twelve months, and shall have been duly rated to the relief of the poor of the parish for that time, shall be registered as an elector and be entitled to vote for a representative in Parliament.' "
The inhabitants of Stratford, West Ham, and Plaistow, held a meet- ing on Monday. They ask for electoral districts, and extended franchise and ballot.
Previous page
