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LONDON:
PRINTED BY WOODFALL AND KINDER,
ANGEL COURT, SKINNER STREET.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
STATE OF PUBLIC OPINION at the Beginning of the Year-Progress of
Events in Italy-Great Interest felt in England in these Transactions—
The expected Reform Bill-General Absence of Agitation or Excitement
on the Question-Financial Affairs-Expectations of large Changes in
this Direction-PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED ON 24TH JANUARY-Her Ma-
jesty's Speech from the Throne-The Address in the House of Lords is
moved by Lord Fitzwilliam, and seconded by Lord Truro-Speeches of
Earl Grey, the Duke of Newcastle, Marquis of Normanby, Earl of Derby,
and Earl Granville-The Address is agreed to, nem. con.-In the Commons
the Address is moved by Mr. St. Aubyn, and seconded by Lord Henley-
Mr. Disraeli enters at some length into the projected new commercial
relations with France, and also into the Italian policy of the Government
-Lord Palmerston in answer, states that the Commercial Treaty with
France has been signed, and justifies its provisions-He also vindicates
the policy of non-interference adopted by his Cabinet in regard to Italy
-The Address is voted without opposition-Some further debate on the
French Treaty arises on bringing up the Report-Remarks of the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer and of Mr. Horsman-FOREIGN AFFAIRS-War-
like preparations in France-Mr. Kinglake addresses a question to Lord
John Russell on this subject-His answer-The Marquis of Normanby
takes up the cause of the deposed Governments in Italy-He moves an
Address to the Crown respecting the anticipated annexation of Savoy and
Nice to France-Speeches of Eirls Granville, Grey, and Shaftesbury, the
Duke of Newcastle, Earl of Derby, and other Peers-Second Motion of
Lord Normanby reflecting on the Policy of the Sardinian Government-
The policy of that Power is vindicated by Earl Granville, the Marquis of
Clanricarde, and other Peers-Explanations with respect to the relations
a 2
of Sardinia and France in the House of Commons-Speeches condemna-
tory of the proposed annexation of Savoy are made by Mr. Kinglake and
Sir Robert Peel-Remarks of Mr. Bright-Answer of Lord John Russell
-Various discussions on the proposed annexation of Savoy and Nice-
Strong animadversions on the conduct of the French Emperor by Mr.
Roebuck-On the 12th March Lord John Russell enters into a full expla-
nation respecting the Savoy question, and the proceedings of Her Ma-
jesty's Government in regard to it-Speeches of Mr. Whiteside, Mr.
Horsman, Lord Palmerston, Mr. Disraeli, and other Members. [1
CHAPTER II.
FINANCE-The Chancellor of the Exchequer appoints the 6th of February
for bringing forward the Budget-Expectation of great financial changes
-In consequence of the Minister's illness the Financial Statement is
postponed-It is made on the 10th February, and the Commercial Treaty
with France produced at the same time-Elaborate and comprehensive
speech of Mr. Gladstone-Extensive changes in taxation proposed by him
-Wine Duties-Paper Duty-Reduction of Tariff-Increase of Income-
tax, &c.-Reception of the Budget in the House of Commons-Mr. Du
Cane gives notice of an Amendment disapproving of the proposed changes
His motion is postponed to give place to one made by Mr. Disraeli,
relative to the proceedings on the Treaty-Speeches of Mr. Disraeli, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Hugh Cairns, the Attorney-General, Sir
F. Kelly, Mr. Bright, Lord John Russell, Mr. Horsman, Lord Palmerston,
and other Members-The amendment is negatived by 293 to 230-Debate
in the House of Lords on the French Treaty, and financial measures of
the Government-Speeches of the Earl of Derby, Earls Grey and Gran-
ville, the Duke of Argyll, and Lord Hardwicke-Mr. Du Cane's notice
comes on for discussion on the 21st February, and occupies three nights
-Speeches of Mr. Baxter, Sir S. Northcote, Mr. Hubbard, Mr. Byng, Sir
Francis Baring, Mr. Bright, Mr. Whiteside, Mr. Cardwell, Mr. Osborne,
Mr. Thomas Baring, Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. Walpole, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Mr. Disraeli, and Lord Palmerston-The division results in a
majority of 116 in favour of the Government-Address to the Crown in
approbation of the Commercial Treaty with France, moved by Mr. Byng
in the House of Commons on the 8th of March-Sir Hugh Cairns states
some objections to the Treaty-Mr. Horsman moves an amendment,
excepting to one of the articles-The Chancellor of the Exchequer
vindicates the Treaty-The amendment is supported by only 56 votes
against 282, and the Address is carried-Lord Taunton, in the Upper
House, moves the concurrence of the Lords in the Address-His Speech-
Speeches of Earl Grey, Lord Wodehouse, Lord Malmesbury, Lord Over-
stone, the Duke of Argyll, Lord Derby, the Duke of Newcastle, and other
Peers-The motion is carried on a division by 68 to 38.
. [25
CHAPTER III.
FINANCE-Discussions on the several portions of the Budget-The Wine
Duties Mr. Gladstone's exposition of this subject-Mr. M. Milnes moves
an amendment in favour of allowing the Wine Merchants a further draw-
back on their stocks-It is negatived, and the original propositions are
carried-Measure for facilitating the consumption of wine by licensing
Refreshment Houses for the sale-Opposition of the Licensed Victuallers
and the Temperance Societies-Speech of the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer in support of his Bill-Mr. Crook, Mr. Wyld, Mr. Ayrton, Mr. Edwin
James, Mr. Hardy, and Mr. Henley oppose the second reading, which is
supported by Mr. Ker Seymer, Alderman Salomons, Mr. Villiers, Mr.
Buxton, and other members-The second reading is carried by a majority
of 74, and the Bill bec mes law- Removal of a great number of minor
Customs Duties from the Tariff-Mr. T. Duncombe advocates the case of
the Cork-cutters Sir Joseph Paxton moves an amendment on the pro-
posed remission of the Silk Duties-The Chancellor of the Exchequer
succeeds in carrying his proposition-THE INCOME TAX-A resolution is
moved to increase the rate to 10d. in the pound for one year-Sir Henry
Willoughby moves to substitute 94.-This and other amendments are
negatived, and the Bill is passed-EXCISE ON PAPER-Various opinions as
to the policy of repeating this Tax-Sir W. Miles moves an amendment
to defeat the second reading of the Bill-Speeches of Mr. Stanhope, Mr.
Norris, Mr. Black, Mr. Maguire, Lord R. Cecil, Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. Hors-
man, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Sir John Pakington-The
amendment is rejected by 245 to 192-The third reading is again con-
tested, Sir Stafford Northcote meeting it with a hostile motion-Speeches
of Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. Puiler, Lord II. Vane, Mr. Ellice, Mr. T. Baring,
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Mr. Disraeli-The third reading is
carried by nine votes only-Lord Monteagle gives notice of his intention
to move its rejection in the House of Lords-The Earl of Derby also
intimates his resolution to resist this part of the financial scheme-
Important debate upon the second reading in the House of Lords on the
21st May-Earl Granville opens the debate in an able speech-Lord
Lyndhurst asserts the constitutional right of the Lords to reject the Bill
-Lord Monteagle attacks the financial plans of the Government-Lord
Cranworth opposes Lord Lyndhurst's view as to privilege-The Duke of
Argyll vindicates the Chancellor of the Exchequer's measures-The Earl
of Derby, in a powerful speech, supports the amendments, and comments
severely on Mr. Giadstone's policy-The second reading is negatived by a
maiority of *9-Great conflict of opinion occasioned by this proceeding
of the Upper House-It is regarded by some as a great infraction of the
privileges of the House of Commons--On grounds of financial expediency
the Lords' decision is approved in many quarters-Some agitation on the
privilege question takes place-In the House of Commons Lord Palmer-
ston moves the appointment of a Committee to search for precedents-
The Committee makes a report-On the 6th of July Lord Palmerston
proposes three resolutions, defining and affirming the exclusive right of
the House of Commons-Supplies to the Crown-Interesting debate on
these resolutions-Speeches of the Premier, Mr. Collier, Mr. Coningham,
Mr. B. Osborne, Mr. E. James, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr.
Whiteside, Lord Fermoy, Mr. Butt, Mr. Stansfeld, Mr. Disraeli, Lord John
Russell, Mr. Horsman, Mr. Bright, and other members-The resolutions
are agreed to without division-The assertors of the exclusive privilege
of the Commons are still dissatisfied-Lord Fermoy moves a resolution
protesting against the alleged encroachment of the Lords-It is rejected
after a debate by 177 to 138-The Excise Duty on Paper being thus
continued, Mr. Gladstone proposes an adjustment of the Customs Duty
on that article with reference to the French Treaty-The Paper Manu-
facturers exert their influence to defeat the measure-They allege special
circumstances exempting their case from the rule of Free Trade-The
Conservative party take up their cause-Mr. Gladstone states the argu-
ments for his measure in a powerful speech on the 6th of August-Mr.
Puller moves an amendment, and supports the case of the Manufacturers
-Sir Hugh Cairns, Mr. Henley, and Mr. Disraeli support the amendment-
Mr. Childers, Mr. Crossley, Mr. Maguire, the Attorney-General, Lord John
Russell, and Lord Palmerston maintain the principles of Free Trade as
applicable to the case-Mr. Puller's amendment is negatived by 266 to
233, and the propositions of the Government are adopted.
[57
CHAPTER IV.
PARLIAMENTARY REFORM-Lord John Russell moves for leave to bring in
a Bill to reform the representation on the 1st of March-Little interest
is manifested on the occasion-Statement of the proposed enactments-
Remarks made by various members-Mr. Cardwell afterwards introduces
a Bill for Ireland, and the Lord Advocate one for Scotland-The debate
on the second reading of the English Bill is begun on the 19th March,
and continued at intervals by adjournment till the 3rd of May—Mr.
Disraeli commences the debate, in which most of the leading members on
both sides take part-Summary of the principal speeches-The measure
is warmly opposed by the Conservative party, defended by the Ministers,
and supported, though with many criticisms on its deficiencies, by the
more advanced Liberal members-It is closed by a speech of the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, and the Bill is finally read a second time without
a division-While this debate is proceeding, Earl Grey enters on the sub-
ject in the House of Lords, and moves the appointment of a Committee
to inquire into the probable increase of electors from an extension of the
franchise and other electoral statistics-Speeches of Earl Grey, the Duke
of Argyll, Earl of Derby, and Earl Granville-The motion is agreed to
and a Committee named-On the Reform Bill going into Committee on
the 4th of June Lord John Russell states the course that the Govern-