Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/269

1834.] The First Reformed Parliament. 255 further debated on the igth, 2Oth, and 2ist of March, on the presentation of a petition from Liverpool, the occasion being remarkable from the statement of Peel, that he objected to free trade in corn as unjust to the landed interest in view of the protection given to manufacturers, and he gave illustra- tions of protective duties. This is important in view of the action subsequently taken by Peel in tariff reform, and in that way his removal of the main ground on which he opposed free trade in corn. On different branches of Parliamentary reform and other popular subjects, debates were held and divisions taken. On the 1 5th of May Tennyson moved for leave to bring in a bill to shorten the duration of Parliaments, for which he obtained 185 votes; and on the ipth of June De Lacy Evans moved the abolition of the rating clauses of the Reform Bill, and the votes were 37 for, and 134 against. Bulwer, who was as yet enrolled amongst the Radicals, moved, on the 22nd of May, " that it is expedient to repeal the stamp duty on newspapers at the earliest possible period." The motion was seconded by Roebuck, but was lost, the numbers being for, 58 ; against, 90. Whilst these popular discussions and ministerial changes had been going on, the chief or, it may be said, the only practical piece of legislation effected was the amendment of the poor laws. The new law was a measure which, although it excited intense popular feeling, did not divide the Parliamentary Liberals, the Ministry deriving great assistance from Grote and other Radicals. It was not until the middle of August that this difficult subject was disposed of, and on the I5th of that month Parliament was prorogued. The prorogation was followed by some events outside, which, as they affected the solidarity of the ministerial party, ought to be briefly referred to. The House of Lords afforded very few materials of Radicalism ; but there was one member, Lord Durham, who, by conviction and courage and con- sistency, was worthy of being, as he really was, one of the