Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/401

i855-l Death of Peel to Resignation of Aberdeen. 387 as the " tide of democracy " which they were called upon to stem. Some concession, too, had been made by ministers, and the Premier had pledged himself to introduce a bill for the extension of the franchise. It was not probable that more than this could be gained by direct pressure, and it was uncertain whether the increased dependence on the Peelites, which must result from the defection x of Radicals, would not tend to Conservative rather than to Liberal action. All possi- bility of future power for the popular party depended upon some amendment of the parliamentary system by which the people would be able to speak for themselves. The promise of some advance made by Russell tended, therefore, to repress separate action on the part of the Radicals, and so to prevent the better organization which would have enabled them to secure that direct representation in the Government which their numbers and ability would have justified them in demanding. When the Ministry, therefore, was reconstructed, the Radicals had to pursue their old course of securing, not practical adoption, but continuous discussion of their policy. On the 2nd of April Locke King's bill for extending the franchise in counties came up for second reading. On this occasion the Whigs, who had supported its introduction, now returned to their strict obedience to Government, and Tories and Peelites went the same way, with the result that 299 voted against the bill, and 83 for it. This number represented the solid Radical vote. On the 2nd of May Fox moved a resolution in favour of the establishment of free schools for secular instruction, under representative local management, and was defeated by 139 to 49. A larger number supported Berkeley when, on the 8th of July, he introduced his annual motion for the ballot. This proposal had always secured more support than any other branch of reform, and it now obtained 1 29 votes, 242 being recorded against it. The Government, by the aid of one section or other of their opponents and allies, got through the business of the session without further disaster. They amended their budget,