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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
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 becomes 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 9d. 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. Puller, Lord H. 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. Gladstone's policy-The second reading is negatived by a
majority of 89-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.
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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-
ment propose to take upon it-Remarks of Mr. Disraeli-Mr. Mackinnon
moves an amendment affirming the expediency of awaiting the results of
the Census of 1861 before proceeding to legislate-Remarks of Sir George
Lewis and other members on this motion-Sir J. Fergusson moves the
adjournment of the debate-Speeches of Sir George Grey, Lord John
Manners, Mr. Watlington, the Lord Advocate, Mr. Whiteside, Mr. Bright,
Sir H. Cairns, Lord Palmerston, Mr. Disraeli, and Lord John Russell—
On a division the Ministers obtain a majority of 21-Delays and impedi-
ments to the further progress of the Bill-The abandonment is antici-
pated by public opinion-On the 11th of June Lord John Russell
announces the resolution of the Government to throw up the measure,
and states their reasons for doing so-Observations of Mr. Disraeli and
Mr. Bright-Some members of the Liberal party express disappointment
at the withdrawal of the Bill, but the House and the public generally
approve―THE BALLOT-Mr. H. Berkeley brings on his annual motion on
this subject on the 20th of March-His speech-Speeches of Mr. Marsh,
Mr. C. Fortescue, Mr. Lawson, and Lord Palmerston-The motion is nega-
tived by 254 to 149.
MILITARY AND NAVAL AFFAIRS-Mr. Sidney Herbert moves the Army
Estimates, which are of unusual magnitude-He makes a full statement
of the condition, discipline, and equipments of the Army-The Naval
Estimates, also unusually high, are moved by Lord Clarence Paget-His
speech, detailing the amount and statistics of our Naval force-The Civil
Service Estimates are referred, on the motion of Mr. Wise, to a Select
Committee-MANNING THE NAVY-A resolution upon this subject is
moved by Sir C. Napier in the House of Commons-Debate thereon-
Speech of Lord C. Paget on behalf of the Government-The motion
is agreed to-Debate in the House of Lords on the same question-
Speeches of the Earl of Hardwicke, the Duke of Somerset, and Lord Ellen-
borough-On the 1st of May, Lord Lyndhurst brings the state of our
Naval Defences before the House of Lords in an elaborate speech-He
compares our preparations and equipments with those of France, and
urges the necessity of strengthening our Navy-Speeches of the Duke of
Somerset, Lord Hardwicke, and Lord Colchester-Further discussions on
the best means of manning the Navy originated by Sir C. Napier and
Mr. Lindsay in the House of Commons-Explanations of Lord C. Paget
-Mr. Lindsay's motion is negatived-PROMOTION IN THE ARMY-Sir
De Lacy Evans moves an Address, having for its object the abolition
of the purchase system - Speeches of Captain L. Vernon, Colonel
Dickson, Sir F. Smith, Captain Jervis, Colonel Lindsay, Colonel P.
Herbert, Mr. Sidney Herbert, Mr. Ellice, and other members. General
Evans' motion is rejected by 213 to 59-Lord Panmure raises the same
question in the House of Lords, but vindicates the purchase system-
Speeches of Lord De Grey, Lord Lucan, Earl Grey, the Duke of
Somerset, and the Duke of Cambridge-FLOGGING IN THE ARMY AND
NAVY-Mr. W. Williams moves for returns on this subject, and reprobates
the practice-Lord C. Paget recommends that the motion be modified-
Remarks of Mr. Sidney Herbert, Sir C. Napier, Mr. Buxton, and other mem-
bers-The motion, as amended, is carried--Sir John Pakington moves for
a Royal Commission on the system of Promotion and Pay of Naval Officers
-It is resisted by the Government, and rejected on a division-FORTIFI-
CATION OF DOCKYARDS AND ARSENALS-Lord Palmerston, on July 23rd,
brings before the House of Commons this subject, and recommends defen-
sive measures founded on the Report of the Defence Commission—His
speech, explaining the details of the plan, and the proposed mode of de-
fraying the expenditure-Reception of the measure by the House of Com-
mons-Mr. Lindsay moves an amendment disapproving the expenditure
for land fortifications-Mr. Sidney Herbert in a long explanatory speech
justifies the recommendations of the Commission-After several speeches,
and a reply from Lord Palmerston, the proposition of the Government is
affirmed by a majority of 268 against 39-A Bill being brought in to
give effect to the resolution, Mr. Edwin James moves its rejection, and is
seconded by Sir C. Napier-Mr. Sidney Herbert supports the motion-
After full debate, the second reading is carried by 141 to 32-In the
House of Lords, Lord Ellenborough gives his support to the Bill, but
thinks further defensive measures desirable-Speech of Lord De Grey and
Ripon, who adverts with much satisfaction to the newly-raised Volunteer
Corps-The Fortifications Bill is passed.
CHINA AND INDIA-Mr. B. Cochrane calls the attention of the House of
Commons to the relations of this country with China in reference to the
affair on the Peiho River-Speeches of Sir Michael Seymour, Lord J.
Russell, Sir J. Pakington, and other Members-The Earl of Elgin offers
explanations of his conduct in China in the House of Lords-Sir De
Lacy Evans again brings on a discussion in the House of Commons
respecting the intended Chinese Expedition-A debate arises, in which
Lord J. Russell, Sir J. Elphinstone, Mr. Bright, Mr. Sidney Herbert,
Sir J. Pakington, Lord Palmerston, Mr. Whiteside, and many other
members speak-Earl Grey moves in the Upper House for an estimate
of the probable cost of the Expedition, and expresses his opinion on the
transactions in China-He is followed by the Duke of Somerset, Lord
Malmesbury, Lord Elgin, and Lord Ellenborough-The Chancellor of
the Exchequer finds it necessary to make special provision for the
expenses of the Chinese War-Ile makes a supplementary Financial
Statement on the 16th of July-The money is to be provided without
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