Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/316

 302 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1837- on Education was now formed and entrusted with the control and distribution of the educational grant, which was raised to .30,000 for the year. Even this advance was not made without strenuous opposition by the Tories in both Houses. On the 1 4th of June, when Russell moved that the order of the day for going into committee of supply on the education vote be read, Stanley proposed as. an amendment " that an address be presented to her Majesty, to rescind the order in council for constituting the proposed Board of Privy Council," and this was defeated by five votes only, the numbers being 280 to 275. The contest was continued on the 24th of June, when Russell moved that the House resolve itself into committee of supply. The division was even closer than before, the numbers being for, 275 ; against, 273, showing a majority of only two. Here, however, the struggle ended as far as the Commons were concerned, but it was taken up vigorously by the Peers. On the 5th of July the Archbishop of Canterbury moved a series of resolutions against the Government action, which, being carried, the Lords went in a body to her Majesty to offer their remonstrance against the scheme. Their lordships, however, took nothing by their motion. In her reply the Queen said, "I duly appreciate your zeal for the interests of religion and your care for the Established Church. ... At the same time I cannot help expressing my regret that you should have thought it necessary to take such a step on the present occasion. ... I trust that the sums placed at my disposal will be found to have been strictly applied to the objects for which they were granted, with due respect to the rights of conscience and with a faithful attention to the security of the Established Church." It was, of course, in the name of religion that this opposition to educational progress was raised, but by religion the bishops and their friends always meant the predominance of the Church. Because the expenditure .was to be in the hands of the ministers of the State instead of those of the Church, every nerve had been strained to reject the plan. Postal reform was the other practical achievement of the