The Express. — London, England, 1848-03-25 00:00:00

The motion for going into committee of supply was then agr eed to. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY—ORDNANCE EST MATES. Col. ANSON said it was new his duty to take a vote for some portion of the money contemplated for the service of the ordnance department for the ensuing year. He did not wish, at that late hour, to raise any discuesion upon these estimates, and he thought the beat course would be for him to place in the hands of the chairman the votes which he proposed to take. It was only proposed to take a portion of the money un each of the votes, which he thought • more sorrect way than taking the whole in one sum. He Wet pro. veva to take • sum of 400,000!. (the gross estimate was 16,2341.) to defray the expenses of "the pay, allowances, and contingencies of the ordnance military cerps." Mr. OSBORNE said it was his intention to take some OICCIAIOTI to these estimates, and wished t,, know whether he should be able to do so afterwards. Col. ANSON said he should h .ve hcen very glad to have entered into this question at teugili ; in cto.asquence the lateness of the hour, and as the estimates hail been sub mitted to a committer, he did not think it necessary- to go into the details; but ample opportunity would be ',Worded the hon. member to raise any objections he thought proper, when the matter came before the house on a future op portunity. Mr. MACKENZIE asked the hon. and pliant gen tleman to state the gross sum for which he proposed to take a vote. CoL ANSON said it wee 1,503,0001. that was about the sum that would be required. The vote was then agreed to. The following sums were voted, withoupposition 100,0001. (port of a sum of 31 6 , 0311 .) , to dofray the expense of commissariat said barrack supolies for her Majesty's forces. 43,0001. (part of 93,5640, for the expense , of the ordnance office. On this vote, Mr. OanoRNE said he meant to oppose the whole of the votes for the civil department ; but on being assured by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that he would afterwards have an opportunity of d Aug so, he withdrew his opposition. la,oool. (part of 323,2071.), for salaries and expenses of establishments in the United Kingdom and colonies. 132,0001. (part of 1.5.9,5671), for the weer s of artifici rs and labourers in the United Kingdom and colinies. 230,0001, (part of 502,5850, fur defrayiog the expense of i or dnance steres for the land and sca service. 330,000/. (part of 737,5371.), for the expense of works , buildings, and repairs, at home and abroad. 411,0001. (part of 94,4361.), for the expenses of the *den tifie branch. On this vote — Mr. MACKENZIE complained that Scotland never had had fair play in the sum granted for the ordnance survey. ANSON said that it was now propeacd to spend a larger sum for that purpose. Last year it hail been aug mented to 13,0001. ; but, up to a certain period, no parti cular sum bad been stated. Northumberland and all the northern pert, of England bad the saute reason to complain as Scotland. Mr. WYLD said he did not see anything in the estimate (or the r xpense of the metropolitan survey which bad re cently been undertaken by the Board of Ordnance. Cot. ANSON—It had not la co accurately settled what amount would be required for the survey of London, but the matter was under the consideration of the noble lord the Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests. Mr. HENLEY said a great expense would be incurred by this survey at the national expense ; he wished to know if the same benefit would be extended to all the towns in the kingdom. Lord LINCOLN said, if the expense of the London sur vey was to be defrayed out of the site now before the house, he apprehendeti the areater portion of the money would In thus alssurbed, and it would be neeetaary, in consequence, to suspend op' retions in other parts of the country. Col. ANSON said, if the expense of the London survey were defrayed out of this vote, it would certainly absorb the whole ; but touch would depend no the degree of perfection to which the survey was carried. At present, only six surveyors and six assistants were employed •, and the whole expenditure for the first six weeks would be under 1,000/. It would continue at that rate for some time till the block plan was formed, then there would be the engriving which was the great expense. He believed the gent ral expense would be 4,000!., that of the bloek plan 9.0001. or 10,0001., and the engraving perhaps 19,0001. If the work were to he tarried on rapidly, it would certainly withdraw a great dell from the other parts of the country. (Hear.) But a great many large towns had already been surveyed, and plans made on a scale of fire feet to the mile, which were now in progress of engraving. All the towns in the country were not included. whether they should Le s was a question of expense. Mr. HUME wanted to know who was to pay for this sur vey. He would never have consented to it had he wit un derstood that each town. London included, was to be sur veyed at its own exper.se. Colonel ANSON could not say at that moment how the money was to be paid. That would partly depend on the House of Commons. Perhaps, us the City of London •Irt, to benefit by the survey, it would find the money. ( Laughter.) Mr. W YLD did not think there was any need of a new survey. There was a block survey already in existence, and it was only necessary to combine the plans in order to take the levels. Mr. HUDSON said the question was whether the funds of the country should be applied to make a survey of the City of London for sanitary purposes. Ile did nut think the public money should be applied iv such a way. (Hear.) The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that a sum of money had been voted for the general survey of the country. No order had been given to apply any p rtion of the money for the purpose of a sanitary survey. Mr. OSBORNE said that he thought the vote ought to be postponed, because he perceived that the watchdog of the Treasury had been asleep for the last half hour. (Laughter.) Mr. HUME—Na, no. (Much laughter.) Mr. OSBORNE thought that it would not be right to make a survey for London alone at the public expense. Lord MORPEI'II said that Sir H. De la Becht, and Sir J. Burgoyne had represented that the so taking of levels in London could hest be pet formed under the Ordnance Survey. He did not think there was anything so wrong in asking the people of the country to do for the City of London what the City of London was doing for the country. The money had been voted for general purposes, and he did not think that he was a•king anything that was wrong in desiring to corn, mince the survey in London. (Hear, bear.) Mr. C. I'EARSON said that if they wanted to get this money out of the pockets of the people, they might well begin with the City of London. (" Hear, hear," and laughter.) lie would oppose the vote. The Earl of LINCOLN thought that if the survey in other towns was paid for by their inhabitants, it wss somewhat unfair to apply the public money to make a survey for the City of London alone. (Hear, hear.) Mr. HUME said that he had already proposed that the survey of London should be paid for by a local rate, and nut out of the general taxes. If his hon. friend (Mr. B. Osborne) had not b*n asleep he must have heard what he said. (A lamb.) Mr. HENLEY said that the plea for the vote of 1,0001 was that it was to be expended on a sanitary survey of Lon don, whereas London was excluded from the sanitary bill of the government. He would not, however, vote for the post ponement of the vote. Lord MORPETH reminded the house that the survey of London now proceeding was the Ordnance survey, and obeerved that alter a sum of 200,0001. had been spent on the survey of Dublin, it would be hard to refuse the same favour to London. Mr. CARDWELL said the government had given no answer to the question of the bon member for Sunderland as to whether the survey of London was to be defrayed by a local tax or out of the consolidated fund. Mr. HUDSON complained that the Chancellor of the Exchequer never gave a straightforward answer to questions that were put to him. The vote was then agreed to. The next vote was for the sum of 53,0001. to defray the expenses of the civil and military non-effective service.— Agreed to. The house then resumed; and—the chairman having re. Ported progress —adjourned at half -past one till Monday. ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT OF FUNDs OF THE MAN CH ZSTER U NITY OF ODD FELLows.—A division has arisen in this powerful and numerous body which has led to very great exeqement. It appears that some time since a large portion 0' the members of the numerous lodges comprised in the unity, expressed some anxiety to have the society enrolled ender the Friendly Societies Act. Amongst the opponents of the proposition was Mr. Radcliffe, corresponding secretary of the society ; and the opposition of this gentleman was met by the other parties with a proposition th st, as funds were in his hands from time to time to a very large amount, it was desirable a banker should be appoints , and the security desirable in such cases afforded to the members. It was hinted as a reason, too, that Mr. Radcliffe was in the habit of betting ut horse races to a large amount, and occasionally used the society's money. The result was that Sir Benjamin Heywood and Co. were appointed bankers, and the money was lodged at the bank in the names of a committee. The fund then in the bank amounted to several thousand pounds. Subsequently the unity opened a subscription for the relief of the distressed poor of Ireland, and raised about 1,0001. The committee were given to understand that this money was lodged in the bank, and under this impression they subsequently gave to Mr. Radcliffe, from time to time, cheques on the bank, en abling him to draw out sums of money, in the gross amount ing to 1,0001., to forward to Ireland. It has since been dis cov‘red that he bad never taken the Irish fund to the bank, and that he used the cheques given him to draw money from the general fund. Of the money be was to forward to Ireland, it is said only 5001. has been received there, and thus he has been accused of embezzling and applying to his own use 1,500/. An implication was made to the magistrates for a warrant to arrest him, and on Wednesday, the case c° ol i4 on for hearing, with an array of counsel on both sides, a long argument took place, and the case lasted Liz hours. Mr. Radcliffe pleaded that the society was not enrolled, and could not prosecute ; that if it was, he, being a member or partner, could not be guilty of embezzling his Own m oney ; and, lastly, that he had taken this means of secunag the funds for the benefit of a portion of the mem ber! of the unity opposed to enrolment, and who if the society was enrolled could not remain members, and still hold din trust. The magistrates declined to commit for em bezzlement, bnt held the defendant over in two heavy sureties to answer any indictment that may be preferred Thursday him at the Liverpool assizes now pending. Oa o ,, , sday there was a great meeti,n; of lodges belonging to the at which a resolution se as carried strongly con !l,euteeng the prosecution, at the head of which is Mr. W. B. ~,.° T :aithi the Grand Muter. Other meetings will probably r". Plane, and the matter has given rise to very strong , telingt of exasperation on both aides. the eppreMS. MAILS. The mails for Vigo, Oporto, Lietion, Madeira, Cadiz, and Gibraltar will be made up on the morning of the 27th March. The mails for New south Wales, Van Dieman's land, and New Zealand will be made up on the evening of the 314 March. _ The made for the Wild Cwt of Africa and Madeira will be made up on the evening of the 37rt March. The Went India Mails, including Berninda, Kaman, Havanna, Honduras, New Orle.r.n, Vera ('ruz, Tampico, anti Porto Rico, arid ezeluding thom for Madeira, Jul:met, Carthagena, 'Martha, Chaves, Panama, Went Goetz of south America, and St. Juan.rie- Nicaragua, w ill be made up on the evening of the Ist April. The overland mails for titbniltar, Malta, Greece, the lonian Islands, Egypt, Ad, n, Cr ton, India, llong-Fong, and (tins, via south:tiny ton, will be made up on the momma¢ of the 3rd April. The mail, for the limits, the Riv er Mate, Monte Video, refilltil. bum, Rahia, Mwleire, and Burnt, .lyres, will be made u 2 on the evening of the 4th April. The overland clrt,a,l mail., rid Marseille*, to the Mediterranean, ieyitt, ,Wen, Ce)los, Mug-hong, 3.e., will be Made up un the evening orate 7th April. The made for Britieh North America, and the United States, will be made up 40 the evening of the 7th April. NOTICE. The number of STAMPS issued to the DAILY NEWS by the authorities of the Stamp °Hine, during 1317, WAS: From JAN. 1, to DEC. 31 .... 3,447,009 This, we believe, is within eight per rent. of the number issued to the Morning Herald, Morning eltronivlr, and Morning Poe, ALL PET TOOPTHEK. In addition to the abore,iwued to the DAILY NEWS, Morning Paper, there were i ssued for the Evening Edition, THE EXPRESS, From JAN. 1, to Diet. 31 Which was more, wo believe, than were issued iither to the Globe or Standard, Evening P►pers. TO CORRESPONDENIS. 4 A sub...esti, - 14 infornsssi that, ion .411 e the. iletailoi senr( tho Lemloa 1 4 liarsi Matta Is inuittal in UM early ..1 the when dd. micurs, it Ls ins arl.this hooted in a 400 , , qUellt • Auvernsrsonos Intesite4l tar The Swim; Load.n evesiiif papsr. must . lae at tip Ole, • 0, b•rovPoniflrKt. by Two Jewel! on I P.0.W., MOD WATER AT LONDON 0111 DOE. Tete On —Mot rove. V We. pew e; Afternoon. 0. mi.. pr.t S. To nosuvr—Mdlunag. .0 =lamb 3, Afmntoo., 0 mlO. pavt LONDON, SATURDAY, MAR. 25. THE recent divisions on questions of finance have unequivocally manifested the views and tendencies of the new House of Commons. how far an ap proximation, or a wish to approximate, may obtain among the influential members of the only two parties which seriously claim its allegiance, or any sections of them, it is not necessary tor our purpose to inquire. Enough, there exist no insuperable incompatibilities of principle to prevent their fusion, at any time that it may seem to them necessary or advisable. And as for the great majority 01 the members, though some may lean to the old whig houses, and others to the fragments of the tory party as re-constructed and liberalised by Peel, it is beyond dispute that they have set up their rest at moderate whiggery, and are !or the lresent, at least, resolute not to move onward. The eaders of these two sections may occasionally taunt each other, but both they and their followers are at all times iendv to unite against, not only radical pro posals, but also any definite practical measures to which they please to apply that (in their vocabu lary) dialogistic term. We should be wanting in our duty to the country at large did we not warn this majority of the Com mons that the temper of the times is too ticklish to admit of pursuing the old jog•trot of a routine po licy, and evading discussions of its utility or wisdom, instead of meeting arguments fairly, or yielding to them. A great majority of the middle classes throughout the empire had made up their minds to submit to the income tax in its un modified form because they saw no way to help themselves. Out of this mood of passive acquies cence they were startled by the proposal to increase the per centage of the tax. The consequence was such an unmistakeable expression of feeling as in dated ministers to withdraw their request for an aug mentation. But the actual deficit, and the prospec tive difficulties of the year we are entering upon,which were assigned as reasons for the proposed augmenta tion, are still there. How are they to be met ? Are we to trust to the chapter of accidents! Are we to make up our mind to an increase of the debt and jog jollily on in the path of bankruptcy ? Or are we to retrench, at least until days of prosperity return, and bring our expenditure to a safer balance with our income? These are questions which parliament will not be allowed to shuffle aside. The country expects that it will set itself in earnest to the task of reviewing our expenditure in the mass and our income in the mass, with a view to re-adjust the incidence, increase the productiveness, and diminish the burdens of taxation, and to render the apnropiiation of the revenue more efficient and generally satisfactory. Ministers are to get no additional taxes this year; of that they are now convinced. They may be able to resist demands for reduction, but any increase is beyond all reasonable hope. Their experience during a former term of office of the power of deficits recurring year after year to shake public faith in their competency to administer the public affairs, must intake them anxious to avoid once more splitting upon that rock. What, in these cir cumstances, are they and their friends, and generous semi-hostile rivals in parliament to do? There is nothing for it but retrenchment. And where are they to retrench? Parliament cannot see its way clearly, because parliament has no distinct conception of the manner in which the public income is annually appropriated. Not half a dozen members knew how much our judicial establishment, our public contributions to promote education, our diplo matic and consular services, our colonial adminis tration cost us, one year with another. Nor will they know until they oblige all our heads of departments to render annually a distinct specific account of what is proposed to be spent by ' each, and for what return of services. The prime minister's, or his chancellor of the exchequer's, opening speech on the budget ought no longer to be the be-all and end-all of ministerial explanations, but' merely a comprehensive general introduction to the detailed statements which the members representing the various administrative departments are to submit in succession. There ought to be a clear account rendered of what each department of government is expected to cost during the next year, and of the state of efficiency in which that expenditure is ex pected to place it, by each minister. The Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs and the Colonies ought to supply detailed accounts of their home and foreign staff, and what each coots. The Secretary of State for the Home Department ought to be assisted by several heads of departments a minister of justice, a minister of education, and so forth—in making a clean breast after the same fashion. When the Commons have thus been put in possession of all the exigencies of the year, they will see clearly where expenditure may or ought to be diminished, and also the points where it might be with advantage increased. In times of pressure like the present they would thus be able to see where that retrenchment — temporary or permanent—which is required se prevent the national finances from getting into dis order, may most easily, and with the least detriment to the public service (if nut with absolute advantage), be effected. We will not take upon us to affirm positively that the result of this proceeding would be an immediate diminution of national burdens. We believe that it would show the possibility of considerable sayings, but we do not insist upon that topic, for it is irrele vant to the present question. The frank and intelli gible explanation of national charge and discharge would, in the first place, enable ministers to save where saving was possible, in order to be more liberal where liberality was advisable; and it would, by removing all suspicions of mystification inse parable from the present slovenly system, induce the public to bear with more resignation such burdens as they had been brought to ace were indispensable. In short, the public at large is impressed with an uneasy sense that the public accounts are stated in parliament in such a way as to render them unintelli gible to all who are not practically conversant with the minutest arrangements and anodes of trans acting burliness in public offices. Take, for example, the naval estimates, which are so often held up as hav ing received the last improvement in respect of preci sion and accuracy. Let any man out of the Admiralty offices endeavour from this document alone to form a conception of what amount of naval force is re quired, and what is to be its probable distribu tion. It is impossible ; and yet, if such infor mation is withheld, how can parliament be said to be pat in possession of the grounds upon which the money is asked ? And if it is not put in possession of these grounds, how can parliament, consistently with its duty, vote away the money ? Whenever such information as we now point at is I required, men's mouths are stopped by reference to THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 25, 1848. secrets of state. It may fairly be questioned whether in modern European society such things as secrets of state exist. But, waiving this consideration, it is easy to show what information might safely be af orded by the most taciturn of diplomatists, and yet is never given. There are eleven stations upon which Admirals or Commodores are placed. Five of these may be considered as composing in the aggre gate the home station : the Note, Portsmouth, l)evonport, Cork, and the Mediterranean. Among these is distributed that portion of the fleet which it is deemed expedient to keep in hand, so that it may be made available on any emer ' gency. Three stations are ostensibly devoted to the service of the colonies and dependencies—the West Indies and Halifax station, the r Cape of Good Hope, i and the East India stations. In point of fact, how- i ever, they have other duties : the first has to watch over the north Atlantic, the third has to keep the seas of the far east clear of pirates, and the second forms a connecting link between these, and also between two others now to be named. The south-east coast of America and the Pacific stations speak for themselves. The west coast of Africa station is also perfectly in telligible—it is the Marine Folly of England. There remains a floating balance of ships upon " par ticular service." Now, without revealing any great game they have in hand, ministers might safely, as the average force on each station ; varies little from year to year, explain their reasons for maintaining this permanent amount and distribu tion al veSSCIP. They might explain without reference to impending or apprehended events, why it is deemed necessary to keep permanently on hand on the home stet ions of England and the Mediterranean, so numerous a fleet as they do; why just so many and no more ships are required as an average for the stations of the colonies and dependencies; and why so many for the purely foreign stations. The public would thus be enabled to judge of what use the average strength of the navy is to it, and whether it is worth its while to continue to expend as much upon this aggregate navy as it has for some years been doing. We waive the consideration of the wisdom or folly of laying out money in this way as irrelevant to the question at present in hand : our object is to show that explanations can be given which are at present withheld, and to assure the par liamentary majority that by withholding, or sanction ing the withholding, of such information, they are sure to engender wide-spread disaffection among the unprivileged classes possessing political power. Above all, the tone in which all proposals for reduc tion of military and naval expenditure are pooh-poohed in the House of Commons is calculated to cause great irritation in the provincial seats of commerce and manufactures. It is felt that the landed gentry and aristocracy who constitute the majority in one house of parliament, and the whole of the other, also monopolise the best and nearly all the appointments in the army and navy. Admitting that members representing the feelings and views of these districts may not be versed in the amina of state management—admit ting that they may display ignorance when talking of the mysteries of naval and military economy—it would be better policy to put them right civilly than to laugh or (as is sometimes attempted) bully them down. The people who nay for the navy and army are indignant at this conduct on the pact of those classes who form the majority in parliament, and monopolise military and naval emoluments. They think it hard to be called upon to pay, and to be treated with incivility at the same time. And though these districts may not have much influence in the political eideries of the metropolis, the Reform Bill and anti-corn-law agitations show they hare some influence in the country. lIONOURtI,LE members are awfully frightened at the recent exposures of electoral corruption, and de plore most piteously the sad fate of those who have been discovered. Nay, ono honourable untouched and unattacked member went so far as to say, that if all the 03(.1 members had gone through the ordeal, not 10 would retain their seats; and forth with there is an outcry against the law, which enables justice to be administered and purity of elec tion to be vindicated. When Lord Jerre Russet!. passed his simple but most efficacious bill, enabling proof of bribery to be given before proof of the agency of the parties bribing, the House of Commons had little notion of the change which would be made in electioneering tactics. The old plans were rendered not only worth lees to the candidate, but fatal to the member. The naked truth came out ; the parties who corrupted were brought to light ; and in nine eases out of ten a legal rig, nt—we do not mean the lawyer per excel knee, but the active manager of the election—was found to have had some hand in the matter: the facts appeared : the agency was proved beyond all doubt during the progress of the inquiry into the acts done : hence the most dexterous of the local corrupters were caught, and the mere reversal of the order of pro- ceeding increased one hundred fold the facilities of detecting bribery. Next came the noble lord's act disqualifying both member and candidate who, before, at, or after any election, directly or indirectly, at his expense, gave any treating to electors or their friends, to induce the immaculate electors to vote or to refrain from voting. Here was another silent but certain blow struck at the good old ways. Hitherto, beer and wine, and grog—anything, in truth, but water—might have flowed by the tun up to the taste of the writ : that little piece of parchment acted like magic, " stopped the tap," and caused a temporary sensation of the drunkenness and debauchery. From that day till the day after the election the " free and independent " might get drunk " at their own expense:" up to that day the candidates bled; and once let the election be over, the saturnalia might again com mence. All this was done with perfect im punity : the electors were debauched : the can didates were fleeced. Now the face of things is changed. Any drinking "at the candidate's ex pense" at any period before or at any period after the election disqualifies the candidate, provided thedrink ing be for the purpose of influencing or rewarding the vote. Old electioneerers—cautious men in all former contests—noted not the change in the law : they went on in the old jog-trot way ; here giving refreshment tickets by the thousanb, and there inviting the freemen to sup and to breakfast, "as usual." They were caught by the stringency of the law, and punished. We do not pretend that the alteration in the treat ing act—the lengthening of the time et both ends— has been half as effective in stopping that worst form of corruption—treatir g—as the former act was in ex posing and defeating bribery direct. The amended law is good as far as it goes ; but it only half hits the blot. It makes the additional time apply only to eases in which the member or candidate himself pays: it leaves untouched the case of a friend doing it for him, to be repaid when all has blown over, and the case 'of a regular cross between two candidates standing at different places, and paying not their own but each other's treating. In the present session we have seen a committee refuse to apply the new act, where 1,2001. were spent in eating and drinking for a candidate induced to come forward, and who was proposed at the hustings by the very man who paid down the cash for the publicans bills, because it was not proved that the candidate himself, out of his own pocket, paid any part ; and there is nothing more easy than for immaculate Mr. A., who is about to stand for the borough of Guzzle, to pay all the treat ing expenses of purity 8., who stands for the city of Swizzle, whilst B reciprocates the compliment. and treat; A's worthy and thirsty constituents. In neither case does the candidate himself pay: they interchange the expenses, and both may be declared not to come within the disqualification in the new act. We have seen how delicately committees deal with these matters ; and if the act be intended to be effectual, it must be still further extended. Therm are the changes in the law which have forced committees to unseat where they never would have dreamt of turning an honourable fellow-member out of parliament; and it is only because the law is more easy of application, and because more are caught in its meshes, that we hear so many lamentations ut tered and grave statements made that there is no member who must not shake in his shoes. Well they may, if they or their agents have in truth been guilty of the very practices which have exposed others to punishment. It is net in Yarmouth, or Kinsale, or Carlisle, or Lincoln, or Lancaster, or Harwich, or Derby, or BeWdiey, or Horsham, alone, that these customs have been perpetuated. We may well fancy how great was the joy in Stafford when the solitary c cos-making petitioner informed the SPEAKER that he did notiniend to proceed with his petition. We can conceive the intense satisfaction with which the unpetitioued-spinet member perused the Totes of the 7th of December, and found himself " safe this time." I And this is not the time, nor are thew the cases, in which undetected members are entitled to complain that the law is too strong for them and for the ways that have heretofore been pursued. It is rather matter I for public complaint that the law is still too stringent; that the expenses of counsel, and agents. and witnesses are still too heavy; that the difficulty of detection is still too great. For if it be true—and true, we doubt not, it is—that hundreds who are sitting undisturbed could have been turned out, if the truth had been proved : it is manifest that electoral corral:don, in all its shapes has not yet been put down. It needs a simplification of the law •it needs a less expensive tribunal ; it needs a legal chairman ; it needs, beyond all things, an entire absence of bias in the committee, to make more than a semblance of purity. No man can now tell what evidence may suf fice to prove to each committee legal agency. Every committee may have its fancy, its whim, or its pre judice. Few men will be as patriotic as the def.ated ' candidate for Bolton (Mr. littooks), and carry on a fight to expose the system, not intending to came into parliament fur the seat when vacated ; fewer will be able to boast, with him, that 6911. paid every expense of the petition in town and country; and still fewer who will be willing to pay even that sum, mo derate as it may be, compared with the ex prmies in other cases, which may, and, as in Lyme Regis, have, reached to several thousands. The law indeed is stronger than it was—it is more fairly administered—yet it is far from being strong enough even now ; and if hon. members wish to save their seats they must button up their pockets, and thus slop the system which makes their returns most questionable. Legal agents do not find their own funds for illegal expenses. Amateurs do not treat without a thought of repayment; and if candidates do not pay, it will soon be discovered that no one else will. Whether a more radical remedy might not be found to prevent rather than puniak be ibery at elec tions will be a matter for future consideration. GERMANY. PROGRESS OF REFORM. PRUSSIA.—The King of Prussia has published the following important address to his people and the German nation. In it he says that Germany is threotehed with external danyer froth more than one side. lie must mean from Russia. And there can be no doubt that the Russians will now march to put down the revolution in Cracow. The Prussian King, therefore, insists on a German army, of which he is to be the head, and he significantly hoists the old impe rial colours. The King of Prussia had better take care, lest his anxiety for the common fatherland might be construed into ambition and desire to re establish in his own favour a German empire. South Germany would protest against this, and does, indeed, already protest. Too much haste and eagerness on the part of l'russia might beget civil war instead of aunty. The following is the monarch's proclamation : To sty PEOPLE AND THE GERMAN NST lON.—The King spoke with confidence to his people, five and thirty year. ago, in days of great danger, and his confidence was not deceived ; the King, united with his people, saved !'russia from shame and degradation. I now again speak with confidence—at the moment when the fatherland is in the highest danger—to the German nation, of which my people may with pride be reckoned the most honoured branch. Germany ii in a state of internal fermentation, and surrounded by external danger, from more than one aide. Safety from trese numerous dangers can only be attained under the direction of one, by the complete union of the German people and princes. I now take this direction on myself, in the day of danger. My people will not abandon me, and Germany will join me with confidence. I have to day assumed the old German colours, and placed myself and my people under the honoured banner of the German em pire. Prussia henceforth rises along with Germany. The Diet called together fur the 2d of April offers itself as the means and the legal organ by which I will proceed, with the assistance of my people, to the salvation and pacification of Germany. I intend to propose to the princes and chambers of Germany to assemble ina general assembly. 'I his sell-formed German Assembly of Stake will provide measures without delay, and in common deliberation, to w.ird off the internal and external dangers which beset Germany. That which is now especially wanting is, lat. The formation of a general ?opular German Confederation. 'ldly. The declaration of an armed neutrality. Such a preparation arid declaration on the part of Germany will call the attention of Europe to the holiness and inviolability of the dominion 01 the German name and tongue. It is only unanimity and strength that can preserve peace in our fatherland, flou rishing by its trade and industry. Simultaneous with the regulations for warding off imminent danger, the Assembly of States will consider the regeneration and foundation of a new Germany—a unity, not a monotonous uniformity of Germany—unity in diversity, and unity with freedom. A general granting of real constitutional constitutions, with re sponsibility of ministers in all separate states, public and oral administration of justice, equal political and civil rights, freeistit to all religious shades of opinion, and a real popular free administration, will alone be able to bring &taut and strergthen suck a great and intermit unity.—Berlin, March 21.—Signed FitsnEsticte WILLIAM, Count VON Aa\ lM, Vow Rosa, Count SCHWERIN, BOItNEMANN, ARMIN, Ii ENKE. On the 21st also, the kin; appeared on horseback in Palace Court. He wore the German colours on his arms, and he was surrounded by the princes and ministers, also wearing the German colours. He was received with great joy by the people on his appear. ance, and spoke as follows to the assembled crowd : It is no usurpation on my part to feel that I am called to save German freedom and unity I swear that it is not my intention to dethrone any German prince ; hut I wish to ensure the freedom and unity of Germany, which must be guarded by German faith, and .the establishment of a con stitution, popular, German, and constitutional. The King then advanced with the princes and ministers to the Schlosaplatze, and was—says the paper from which we quote—received with waving of handkerchiefs and general joy, expressed in shouts and hurrahs. Speaking to the citizens who mounted guard, he said, " I cannot suffi ciently thank you for your services, believe me." One of the assembled crowd then cried out, " Long live the Emperor of Germany." " Not so," said the King, "I desire no such power." The procession then went by the statue of Blucher and down the I inden. At the university—where three students had brought the colours of the empire the students, headed by their professors, the rect , r 'Mul ler and pro-rector `Hecker, passed before the King, who addressed them from the monument to Frederick the Second. Ile said he had adopted colours which were not his alone, but he would usurp no thing, he wanted no crown, no tyranny. " I wish," he added, " for Germany's freedom, unity, and order." " I swear " (and he raised his right hand to Heaven), " that I have only done that which in German history has often taken place, as did the powerful princes and dukes of old, place myself, when order was trodden down, banner in hand, at the head of the entire people." These words were received with loud cries of " Long live Frederick William." The people waved their hats and handkerchiefs, and the , German colours waved triumphantly in the air. Baron d'Armin, lute ambassador of Prussia in Paris, has become Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Von Arnim remaining Minister of State, without a portfolio. The appointment is announced in the Prox suitt Official Gazelle of the 22nd. The unpopular Prince of Prussia left Berlin on the 21st, for England. A proclamation, signed by the magistrates of Ber lin, states that a grand funeral ceremony will take place for the burial of those who fell during the disturbances. The number of dead is computed at 2,000 ; but this is probably exaggerated. A letter from Berlin of the 20th, speaking of the fight on the night of the 18th, says:—" The fiercest of the fight was in the Breitenstrasee, where citizens and students raised a barricade. Cannon from the palace gate fired grape during the four hours from 8 o'clock till midnight on this barricade. Three houses were stormed, and all found within them killed. Two houses in the Friedrichastraase were also stormed, and their inmates slain. The soldiers i flung men and women out of the windows; 600 pri soners were sent to Spandau, and were much ill treated on the road. They returned yesterday. wild for vengeance. I forgot to la s, the soldiers kept the Linden clear all the time, and the Brandenburg gate. Do not believe what you hear of joy and huzzas. The people remained discontented, and were not satisfied till they saw the burgher guard stand sentries at the palace. What saved the king was his ordering the arming of this guard. General Prittwitz and Count Schulenberg are amongst the slain. Our correspondent, writing from Aix-la-Chapelle, oa the 22nd of March, nays : " Last night and the preceding one there were I rather serious riots in this old ex-imperial city. The intelligence that a regular insurrection had bryken out in Berlin, caused the greatest excitement here on Monday evening, and thousands of persons soon as sembled in the main street. At nightfall, a dense crowd proceeded to the house of the head burgo masts.'. and, notwithstanding the presence of the civic gu ell, and the friendly exhortations of the lat ter, broke o i !'en the house, threw all the furniture out of the windows', piled it up, and subsequently set fire to it in front of We premises. An attempt to fire the house itself was prevoted by the timely appearance of the military. It appcire• that the burgomaster had given offence to numerous ortisans, and possibly to a great number of his other toallsmin, by having had all his furniture made iu Brussels, instead of giving his orders hare. During the evening accounts reached this place that the King had made all the concessions set forth in the various petitions addressed to him. Many persons immediately illuminated their houses, but another rumour having gained ground that this was wily a nianceuvre to pacify the people, the assembled crowds commenced breakirg the windows of several illumivated houses—a hint which was soon taken by . , - the occupiers of premises in which a similar demon stration was made, for every house had almost instan taneously the appearance of being both internally and externally in utter darkness. On my arrival here yesterday morning from Liege I was surprised to find the railway station ull but deserted, one solitary porter and an equally solitary cab being alone in attend ance. On reaching the interior of the city I found numerous groups at almost every corner reading attentively two proclamations issued by the common council—one stating that all persons applying at the town-hall for employment would immediately receive it or. producing certificates from their lormer em ploys ra, and the other referring to the disturbances of the preceding evening, with an exhortation to re frain from such excesses. The latter proclamation was drawn up in very mild terms. The following paragraph attracted particular attention For our part, we have proved that, so far as in us lies, we are desirous of powsing municipal and political freedom ; but we are, at the same time, desirous of upholding a state of things which not only does not threaten property and per sonal freedom, but eminently tends to prat ct both. Last night (Tuesday) a large crowd assembled on the Friedrich Wilhelm 'quiz, opposite the large hostelry ( IVirthshans), situate at one of the corners of the square. About 7 p.m. the civic guard some thousand strong, armed with muskets with fixed bayonets, and wearing white bands round the left arm. slowly patrolled the chief streets. On articing on the Friedrich Wilhelm Platz, the crowd which had increased to some three or four thousand, set up the most diversified cries, and began hoot ing an& hissing. The civic guard, however, had the good sense not to take any notice of such demonstra tione, but quietly proceeded on their rounds. Mean time• a large crowd had assembled in the Vorstadt, in which the richest inhabitants reside. The windows of microl houses end the gas-lamps were broken, some pistol shots were heard from time to time, and matters began to wear an alarming appearance, when suddenly the civic guard debouched from one of the bye streets. The rioters were then forced back into the city proper, and the Vorstadt was occu pied by the military—the protection of the city being left to the civic guard. About 9 p.m., however, the latter found that their force was insuffi cient to disperse the various assemblages, and strong detachments of cavalry were immediately posted on the Friedrich Wilhelm Plate, on the square opposite one of the bides of the old cathedral (where repose the remains—if there be any at this time of day—of Charlemagne), and in various streets near the town hall. Other detachments traversed the principal streets, and succeeded in separating the main body of the rioters, not, however, before it had smashed all the windows in the house of the governor (president) of Aix-la-Chapelle, and similarly damaged numerous other houses. Up to a late hour of the night isolated bodies of rioters entered various taverns where they acted in a menacing manner, until they were supplied (without payment) with their favourite schnaps. Herr Hansemann the 11.1'. (as we should say) for this city, addressed the crowd I several times on the first evening of the disturbance, and was loudly cheered. The rioters were exclusively composed of the lower classes, and the excesses committed are regretted even by the great masses of the operatives. The now certain in telligence that the King of Prussia has accorded or promised to accord nearly all that his people demand will probably prevent the recurrence of another out break, although apprehensions are still entertained for this night. There will be a meeting . to-morrow at Cologne of delegates from all the towns in Rhineland. The town couucil of Aix-la-Chapelle has already nominated a representative of this city. As I leave this afternoon for Cologne, I shall probably be able to forward to you to-morrow some account of the proceedings at the meeting in question. There have been serious riots at Elberfeld, at Mulheim on the Rube and at Crefeld. On the 19th all the houses in Dusseldorf were illuminated on the arrival of the intelligence that the freedom of the press had been conceded; that there was the prospect of the convocation of a German parliament, and that the new l'russian constitution would be based on the representation of the people. The citizens of Cologne have received permission to arm themselves, in order to preserve or restore public tranquillity. The pea santry are " on the move" in the neighbourhood of Munster, and they have already destroyed some seignorial residences. Revolutionary circulars are freely . distributed throughout Westphalia, and landed proprietors are literally taking steps to " save their bacon"—i.e. their hams. AUSTRIA.—VIENNA, MARCII 19.—FUNERAL OF TILE MEN WHO FELL ON THE 13TH AND 15TH.— At 12 o'clock the whole of the national guard, includ ing the corps of students and the burgher militia, assembled for the purpose of paying the last honours to the heroes who fell on the 13th of March. All Vienna displayed the most solemn sympathy. The procession, which was immense, was closed by a number of ladies, dressed in deep mourning. In the midst of this innumerable throng, which proceeded in profound silence, were eight funeral ears, contain ing 15 coffins, surrounded by the comrades, relations, and friends of the deceased. Corps of the university and the burghers attended the bodies to their last home in the Sehraelzer Friedhof. HUNGARY.—It is intimated from Presburg, of date the 18th inst., that the deputation to Vienna had returned the day before. The Archduke Palatine had been nominated Viceroy with full powers ; and Count Ludovic 13athyany had been charged as Premier with the construction of a ministry. In the so called circular session of the 18th the following resolutions were adopted : 1. Every deputy for a county, town, free district, or chapter, has a free personal vote. 2. The circular session declares itself permanent till the measures of reform rendered indispensable by the exi gencies of the time have been matured ; the Diet will only, after that hasbeen accomplished, continue in see sion until the weightiest general questions are ar ranged, and then the representatives of the people will be summoned to meet at Pesth to take council on the details. The 11 teller Zeiettiry of the 18th inst. contains an account of the proceedings of the deputation while in that capital. They arrived there on the 15th, and ! we-e admitted to the Emperor's presence on the ltith, to present the representation adopted at the aggregate sitting of the Hungarian estates on the 14th. The deputies proceeded on foot, in their na tional costume, to the palace, and their procession excited a great sensation among the inhabitants of Vienna. The representation is in substance as follows : It commences with stating that recent events had compelled the Hungarian estates to examine narrowly the condition and relations of their country. Refer ence to its history had convinced them that for three centuries the natural development' of their political constitution had been checked. The cause was " that the imperial government obeyed no constitutional laws, and that consequently our national independ ence and constitutional rights were violated." This course, if persevered in, must occasion unspeakable' evils. The Diet had been astembled to deliberate on reforms, and this task it cou!cl only accomplish by perfectly frank communications to government. The representation then proceeds : We have resolved to abolish the relations of the pnedial population to the nobility, granting compensation to the latter, in order to identify the interests of the people and the aristocracy, and by thus increasing the prosperity of our country, to establish your Majesty's throne. The reduction of the expenditure for supporting and quartering troops is one of our most anxious cares. The extension of political and administrative equality to the crown boroughs end the free districts is, we believe, oae of the most urgent reforms. We believe the time has arrived to extend political privi leges to the great body of the people. The nitien reasonab➢y expects that measures will be adopted to promote manufac tures, commerce, and agriculture. list our mord tutional existence requiter also representative institu tions ; uur moral and intellectual interests require • support based upon liberty. Apo .'. c u ri a" must be impressed on our system of national defence, and a complete remodelling to adapt it to the interests of all clams. The security of rout Majesty's throne, quite as much u the safety of the cots:qtr, slemands this. We can no longer refrain from undertaking the scrutiny and direction of the national income and expenditure; for only by imposing upon °nutlets this task can we adequately dis charge our duties, which relate to the maintenance of the imperial splendour, and to providing for the neciasities of the state." The representation then goes on to declare that it is necessary for the Hungarian Diet to have some legitimate constitutional means of taking council with the other hereditary provinces, in order to guard their own interests and make arrangements for the general advantage of the empire. They also feel deeply the want of an independent national ad ministration—free from all foreign influence—respon sible to the national representatives—as a prelimi nary to any sound reforms. Their earnest wish is to solve these problems practically, on a perfectly good understanding with the monarch. They long fur ilk• ternal peace, but it can only be obtained by govern ment ruling by and through a free and loyal people. They conclude by declaring that events are in the hand of God but they will do their duty, and by asking for a Hungarian ministry, standing with full powers between the King and the Hungarian people, in lieu of the procrastinating collegiate ministries of Vienna. The intelligence from Presburg given above shows that this petition has been granted. 11AVARIA.—We announced' yesterday, exclu sively, the intelligence received from our I'aris correspondent, that the Frenoh government had received a telegraphic despatch, announcing that the King of Bavaria had abdicated; no dates or other particulars were given, the telegraph having been in terrupted by bid weather. This news has not as yet been confirmed by the ordinary course, the dates of which reach to the 19th. '1 he Artgsi sty/ o,lzette, dated Munich, 18th inst., at 7 P.M., contains the fol. I lowing: " The town has been in a state of great f rment for some hoara past. An armed force, numbering from nine to ten thousand men, are stationed at, or are patrolling, various parts of the city. The crowds attracted to the streets by curiosity are in quiring amongst themselves what can be the meaning of this formidable show of troops? A coup de main has been attempted by the secret agents, who have actually made certain propositions to the citizens, who, however, easily discovered the projects which these propositions concealed, and im mediately informed the Minister of the Interior of what was going on, desiring him to assure the King of the fidelity of the people of Munich. It is said that yesterday a number of foreigners were buying arms and ammunition, and distributing money. Let ters containing serious menaces have also been disco vered. For these reasons, say the authorities, they thought it necessary to make an imposing display of arms. The troops as well as the civil guard are ani mated by the best spirit, and are resolved to resist every inducement to violate the law." Another letter from Munich, in the same journal, dated the 19th, says that the Chamber of Deputies had ' waited on the King and had been very well received. The openir,g of the Diet was to take place on the 22nd. Baton von Za-lthein had been chosen presi dent. HANOVER.—We have news from the capital of this kingdom under the date of the 20th. It is al ready known that the King conceded freedom of the press, publicity of parliamentary debates, right of as sociation and arming without exception. Still the people collected each evening and broke the windows of Falche and the other ministers. The magistrates and tie students of the Polytechnic School laboured to restore peace; and at last the Kingdismissed his en tire cabinet, and declared the old constitution (Staab Grunt, gesetz) to be re-established. The republic has been proclaimed in Dutch Luxemburg, with the exception of the town of Luxemburg itself, which is under the cannon of the fortress. This news is official. EXPULSION OF JESUITS FROM NAPLES. NAPLES, MARot 14. For some days past well dressed mobs hare col leved before .the Jesuits' College, hooting, hissing, and threatening to burn the building down. On Friday hat a sort of deputation from the concourse had an interview with the director of the community, and declared that its leaving was emential to the peace of the city. After much reluctance the director promised to do so on the next morning. From this time the Ist battalion of National Guards to,k posses sion of the college, an inventory was made of everything, and every portion of the building searched/ The next morning I went up to see the finale : an immense crowd had assembled in the front of the college, as also in the streets. The national guards were stationed in the in terior, on the roof, anti the outside, where they were etrengtha ened by a regiment of Swiss. Every now and then a person addressed the mob, amidst vivo or expressions of disgust nor was there lees interest manifested by the well-dressed persons we° thronged the windows of the Toledo and the Largo di Carita. At four o'clock p.m. the long-expected moment arrived : fifteen carriages issued from the gates of the colt , ge. bearing in them the holy fathtrs. On the box of each carriage was a national guard. Two more on horseback rode on each side, and round each carriage was a hedge of bayonets. Behind followed a bat. talion of the national guard, a regiment of the Swiss, and • squadron of cavalry. The people at this moment observed the most perfect silence. The last carriage war , open, and there, amongst others of the padri, sat one, with a counte nance that indicated deep grief and anguish. It was a rib tore well calculated to produce a deep impression. The procession descended by Monte Olive to the Fontana Medina, until they at length arrived at the Mole, where the steamer Vesusio was in waiting for them. The crowd here was most dense and on the steamer leaving the land there was one general about of joy. be Court. The Duchess of Kent visited the Queen yesterday morning and evening. Prince Albert presided yesterday afternoon at a meeting of ,the Commissioners for Promoting and Encourag ing the Fine Arts in the Rebuilding the Palace of West minster, His Royal Highness arrived at three o'clock at the new Palace, attended by Col. Bouverie, Equerry in Waiting. The commissioners present were the Earl of Aberdeen, the Earl of Lincoln, Viscount Mahon, Viscount Morpeth, Lord Colborne, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Right Hon. Sir R. Peel, the Right Hon. Sir J. Graham, Sir R. If. Inglis, Mr. Hallam, and Mr. Wyse. The Secretary, Mr. Eastlake, was in attendance. The meeting broke up soon after five o'clock. The Princess Sophia is indisposed, at her resident* at Kensington. (From last night's Gazette.) ADMIRALTY, MARIA, O. The following promotiaas hare thie day taken place, consequent upon the death of Admiral R. Macaw: 'Vice-Admiral of the Red PIM A. Drummond, K.C.11., to be Admiral of the Blue; Vice-Admire' of the White O. Whalley to be Vice-Admiral of the Red; Vioe-Adrairal of the Blue sir S. Pym, K.C.8., to be Via-Admiral of the White; Rear-Admiral of the fled J. R. Decree to be Vice-Admiral of the Blue ; Rear.Adminel of the White lion. J. Percy, C. 8., to be Rasa- Admiral a. the lied; Rear-Admiral of the Blue Hon. sir P. B. R. Pelsew, C. 8., K.C.11., to be 'tear-Admiral of the White; Capt. IL Sotheby to be Rear-Admiral of the Blue. SCOTLAND. EDINBURGII„ MAwli 24. The colliers at Dalmarnock and vicinity have now returned to work, their employers having agreed to 3e. 6d. per day of wages. The commissioners for British fisheries have ex. ksended, on building and repairing piers and quays in Scotland, since sth April, 1829, 42,138/. A board of examiners has been appointed for the Educational Institute of Scotland, consisting of mem bers from Edinburgh aad Glasgow , as well as the country towns. The examinations for diplomas are to take place in September, iu Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrew's, Aberdeen, Perth, Dumfries, Inverses. For the degree of junior licentiate candidates are to be examined in English, Latin, and the more common branches; for that of senior licentiate there are to be strict examinations in Latin, Greek, algebra, geo metry, geology, and the physi cal sciences. PROVINCIAL. - LINCOLNEIRE. EXTRAORDINARY DlSCLOnt:REn.—Travis, who wu acquitted at the late assizes at Lincoln, on the charge of murdering Mr. Copeman, of Blybro', in December last, is again in custody. A man has come forward to give ',idea*e against him, who deposes that he was under shelter of a hay stack, on the night of the murder, and heard the whole scuffle. He followed Travis home, and &misted in canoeist iug his boots, and was to receive a large sum of money if Travis got off. On applying for that sum it was flatly refused, and he was told if he informed he would abeam transported. The man, however, has made depositions be fore the magi strates. A singular part of the story is that the witness mig ht have eecuredthelOOl. reward had he informed before the trial.—Another correspondent communicates the following additional particulars : — ln consequence of a railway bricklayer having stated in ae.veral public-houses lon Saturday and Sunday, the 11th sad 12th instant that \4 raw Joseph Travis murder Charle's Copeumn, the sdicitor who had been engaged in the prevention of Travis sent to Mr. Luard, a magistrate, request; ray him to investigate the matter. Fell (the bricklaye-) 04,0 i.go custody, and • warrant was issued for iptashension at Travis. Oa Wednesday week sevem4 tes attended at the Sete sionshouse, at Kirton.r. ' attended tot the prates- Lion, lad another on et' Traria. Delors he business