Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/406

 392 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1850- tion he relied with confidence on the Established Church, and to uphold that Church in its integrity was not only the interest but the duty of Government. The Radicals, at least, were warned of the effect, financially, politically, and socially, of having a Tory Ministry in office, and the warning may account for a good deal of endurance of delay and neglect on the part of Liberal Administrations, when the alternative was a system so reactionary and obstructive. It was, under the circumstances, impossible that any measure involving controversial principles could be carried or even proposed. The Government were continually re- ceiving notice of the frailty of their tenure of power, and, under the form of requests for an explanation of their policy, were reminded that a dissolution was expected, and that they must act only with moderation until it had taken place. Several useful bills were introduced and carried. The militia was enlarged and reorganized, and some legal reforms were effected. The budget was essentially a provisional one, for the commercial policy of the country could not, under the circumstances, be touched ; and the income and property tax was simply continued for another year. The Whigs, of course, could make no important proposals ; but the Radicals were free to continue the policy of educational agitation, which it was their special duty to carry on, and the opportunity was favourable for the work. There was no Liberal Government to be injured by a resolution in favour of reform, as had happened with the division on Locke King's motion, and therefore the way was open for a good vote. The strength of the party was not, however, materially increased, thus showing that it was not only the leaders, but the majority of the Whigs who required education. On the 25th of March Hume brought on his annual motion for electoral reform and the ballot, and was defeated, receiving 89 votes to 155. On the 3Oth of the same month H, Berkeley brought on the question of the ballot separately, and as usual obtained a larger amount of support, the numbers being Ayes, 144; Noes, 246. The introduction by Locke