Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.
Sir:A new cause of excitement and agitation, tending to envenom still more the relations between the two political parties of this country, has absorbed public attention here for the past week.
On the 30th ultimo M. Orts presented, in the house of representatives, a bill based upon the law of 1856, adding six representatives and three senators to the representation in parliament, this increase being made to correspond with the augmentation of the population of the country, according to local statistics, and in accordance with the provision of the constitution by which one representative is accorded to every forty thousand inhabitants, and one senator to two representatives.
The passage of this bill would strengthen the cabinet, as the 250,000 increase of population is, for the most part, in the centres of trade and industry where, with the exception of Antwerp, the liberal party has the ascendant; thus Brussels, having an increase since 1859 of 80,000 inhabitants, is allowed by the bill two additional representatives; Liege, one; Antwerp, one, &c.
The bill has raised a storm of disapprobation on the part of the opposition, which insists that, according to the law of 1856, the general decennial census (to take place in 1866) should precede any new apportionment of representatives, and that it is contrary to the spirit of the constitution.
In the session of the house of representatives on the 1st instant, M. Dumortier, in the name of his political friends, in a note evidently prepared in concert with the members of his party, after having dwelt upon their moderation since the renewal of the sessions of parliament in indulging in no factious opposition to the cabinet, stated their objections to the bill, and demanded an explanation of the government touching its position with respect to it. M. Rogier replied that the cabinet intended to support the bill of M. Orts, and saw therein none of the dangers or unconstitutional acts which M. Dumortier had indicated. M. Dumortier replied that his party would be neither their dupes nor their victims; that he and his friends were now determined to bring about a dissolution of parliament by every legal means; that they had not desired, and did not desire, to obstruct the public service; that they would vote a provisional credit for the appropriations to the department of public works (the most important in the budget, and the only remaining section before the house) for the number of months which the minister of public works would declare to be necessary upon a dissolution of parliament, but that they would not vote upon a revolutionary bill.
A most stormy and excited debate followed, before the termination of which most of the members of the right left the house in a body. At the next session, on the 5th instant, the cabinet and its supporters only were present, fifty-six members in all, three members belonging to the liberal party being absent, and it adjourned over to the following day, and continues to adjourn from day to day to await the arrival of M. Tesch, minister of justice, who is absent in (Germany, [Page 256] and is expected here by the end of the week. His presence, together with that of M. de Brouckere and of M. Cumont, an invalid, will give the required quorum (one more than half the whole number of members) and majority to enable the cabinet to carry its measures. It is probable, therefore, that the remaining sections of the budget and the bill of M. Orts will be passed immediately upon his arrival.
I hardly think that this will lead to any more serious steps than a manifesto on the part of the “conservative” party. The dissolution of the Chambers will probably take place in any event in October, and new elections held with a better prospect, in view of the addition of members to be given by the bill of M. Orts, of obtaining a small majority for the cabinet.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.