Mr. George Trevelyan brought forward his annual motion for ) t
Household Suffrage in the Counties on Tuesday, in a new form. He proposed that it should be accompanied by a redistribution of seats, and devoted much of his speech to an exposure of the anomalies of the present system. He evidently thinks Liberalism has nothing to fear from an approach to equal electoral districts, in which we agree, though we dislike that plan excessively, as fatal to the historic continuity of our municipal life. Mr. Lowe made
a strong speech against the proposal, as leading rapidly to a democratic regime, and Mr. Bright a strong speech in favour of it, as necessary to satisfy the advance of the rural population in wealth, intelligence, and ambition. Mr. Burt also defended the scheme, on the broad ground that the workmen who possessed power wished their brethren in the counties to enjoy equal political rights, an argument of great force, on which we have commented elsewhere. We cannot divide power geographically without creating ruinous jealousies, and that impression of violent in- justice which is fatal to loyalty. Mr. Disraeli only repeated his belief that the reduction must be accompanied by a scheme pro - Tiding for the distribution of political power, and Mr. Trevelyan was defeated by 264 to 165.
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