Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/383

 1850.] Resignation of Sir Robert Peel to his Death. 369 attention and excite enthusiasm. His plan, which he had developed during the recess, was to reduce the expenditure by the sum of ten millions, being the amount by which the current outlay exceeded that of 1835. This proposal he submitted to the House of Commons on the 26th of February, when he moved a resolution setting forth that the national expenditure in 1835 was 44,422,000, whilst in 1849 it was 54,185,000; that the increase, owing mainly to augmen- tations of war establishments, was not warranted by the circumstances of the country ; and that it was expedient to reduce the expenditure with all practicable speed to the sum which was found sufficient in 1835. A short debate followed, after which 78 voted for, and 275 against, the motion. The minority was practically a Radical vote, Hume acting with Cobden as teller. This was not the only discussion on the subject. In addition to the debates when the budget was introduced, another special vote was taken. On the 8th of March Disraeli brought forward a motion to relieve the burden of the owners and occupiers of real property. This was a phase of the new protectionist agitation which had been vigorously commenced, and it was so treated in the discussion which followed, and in that respect the division seemed likely to form a more definite test of the strength of parties than had yet been afforded in the present House. The financial aspect of the resolution, however, gave Hume an opportunity of moving an amendment in favour of the reduction of the expenditure as the only means of relief to any class. The debate was twice adjourned, and the votes were taken on the 1 5th of March. There were for Hume's Amendment, 70; against it, 394 : and then came the party division, when Disraeli obtained 189 votes to 280, being left in a minority of ninety-one. This result was mainly owing to the votes of the Peelites. It showed the Tories that they would be unable to carry on the Government on protection principles ; and it was no doubt remembered by the Conservative peers, when, on the 8th of May, they declined to exercise the power which 2 B