Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/492

 478 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1865- sideration of the House as it was, he maintained, Parliament rather than the Ministry which was committed to the subject of reform, and was bound, therefore, to make known its views as the foundation of an acceptable measure. He did not think that this was a question which should determine the fate of Cabinets, and the House, therefore, might with the greater freedom be invited to express its opinion. The course proposed was not flattering to themselves, but they considered it more honourable to take a part, however humble, in the settlement of this controversy, than to bring in a mock measure which party spirit would not allow to pass. He would, on the 25th, move that the House go into committee to consider the resolutions. The exceedingly ingenious proposition that Parliament should itself dictate the provisions of a Bill, which the Cabinet would then register, was not accepted. The House evidently intended, in a very free spirit, to deal with the subject, but preferred to have a Government bill to alter rather than to prepare one by means of resolutions. This was more trying to the Ministry than was generally known, for at the very time when the discussion was taking place they had not agreed upon even the broad principles of a bill. They had, in fact, two outlines before them, one of which the leaders would prefer to accept, and another which, in deference to the feelings of their weaker brethren, they were prepared to submit. This extraordinary position was explained, with engaging frankness, first by Sir John Pakington to his constituents, and afterwards by various ministers in Parliament. The statement was to be made on the 2 5th of February, and on the 23rd the Cabinet supposed that it had resolved to bring in the wider of the two schemes. One member, General Peel, expressed strong objections to the measure, but waived those objections. After the meeting, however, Lord Cranbourne and Lord Carnarvon found that they could not accept the bill, and sent in their resignations. Suddenly another Cabinet had to be called, and Sir John explained the wonderful proceedings which followed. They