The opportunity of passing the reform bill was taken to provide for some minor improvements. The inconvenience of having parliament dissolved by the demise of the crown was obviated, and it was provided that ministers of the crown and their subor dinates changing from one office to another should not have to submit to re-election. A boundary commission was appointed to readjust the boundaries of the boroughs and counties. Mr. Fawcett's proposal to throw the necessary expenses of elections, such as the expenses of polling-places, sheriffs, etc., on the borough or county rates, was, how ever, rejected.
Such is the reform act (for England) of 1867. Its passing, in some shape or other, from the temper of the government and its power of controlling the house, was at no time in serious risk. The most critical period was when Mr. amendment was brought forward, with the view of making way for Mr. Gladstone's amendment of the £5 rating limit; and here the government were served by the defection from the lib erals of " the tea-room" party—a large number of " extreme" and " independent" liberals, some of whom really preferred the quasi household suffrage scheme of the government, and others of whom were only resolved that a bill of some kind should pass. Mr. Glad stone's amendment was thus defeated.
Acts similar to the English one were passed for Scotland and Ireland in the session of 1863. The borough franchise for Scotland is substantially the same as for England, being conferred on every man who has for twelve months occupied, as owner or tenant, any within the borough, except he has been exempted from poor-rates on the ground- of inability to pay, or has failed to pay. Scotland has also the £10 lodger fran chise. In Scottish counties, proprietorship to the extent of £5 of clear yearly value confers a vote; the limit of the tenant franchise is £14. The Scottish act disfranchised seven English boroughs, and gave seven additional representatives to Scotland—two of these being assigned to the universities, and the rest to the larger towns and counties. The universities of Edinburgh and of St. Andrews return one member jointly; as do those of Glasgow and Aberdeen. act made no alteration in the county franchise, but reduced that of boroughs to a £4 rating occupation.
As thus chosen the house of commons was composed, in 1869, of the following repro scntatives: Of Cities and UniverTotal.
Counties. Boroughs. sities.
England and Wales 187 297 5 489 ' Scotland. 32 28 2 60 Ireland 64 37 2 103 United Kingdom 283 360 9 652 •