The Express. — London, England, 1848-02-22 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 22, 1848. were casual, and which could not again occur—such, for instance, were tne items charged for the transfer of convicts' establisbments to the miscellaneous estimates. The cheeses for harbours of refuge, the British Museum, and for the ex pedltion in search of Sir J. Franklin, were also of this na ture. But in the estimates of the year a considerable por tion of the increase would be found attributable to the m crease in the wages of petty officers, and in the loss which the government inctured by givieg up the poundage upon naval and military pensions. Another erroneous impression which had been made by the speech a his noble friend was, that the increase in the taxation was only the fore runner and beginning of a permanent increase in the esta blishments of the country. There had been nothing what ever said by his noble friend to warrant any such conclusion. There was nothing, he felt bound to declare, more deprecated by hey Majesty's government than any intention on their part of making preparations for war. As far as he understood his noble friend he believed him (Lord J. Russell) to have said that, in his opinion, nothing could be so dangerous as to have it believed them was anythisg_in existing circumstances which might lead to a war. What was proposed by the government was merely to maks up a revenue equal to the permanent defi ciencies which existed between the income and the expendi ture. But there had been nothing whatever to justify the belief that the government was making a parade of its pre parations. The house might rest perfectly assured that government would do nothing which they did not believe to be absolutely essential fur the preservation of the peace of Europe. He felt sorry that so much misapprehension had existed on the subject. (Hear, aud " Oh.") The govern ment had nothing so much at heart es to observe economy in its expenditure of the public money. (Hear, and " Oh.") The government wished for nothing so much as that the country and the house should be satisfied upon this point. It was therefore the intention of ministers to propose the ap pointment of a select committee to inquire into the expenditure of the army, navy, and ordnance, and this Inquiry would be proceeded with as soon as the parties who could give competent information on the sub ject and the proper pap: rscould be collected t igether. H is bon. friend the member for hluntroae had asked the noble lord (J. Russell) whether it was his intention to appoint a finance committee, to which his noble friend had replied " No." It was not the intention of the government to sub mit to the consideration of the proposed secret committee what were termed the " income and expeuditure of the country ;" but they had resolved upon confining the inquiry to the army, ordnance, and navy ► expenditure. The course which the government propose to adopt is that pointed out by precedents. In the year 1828 the right hon. baronet op posite (Sir R. Peel) moved for the appointmeut of a similar committee. In doing so, he reminded the house that a simi lar committee had been appointed i n 1796, after which others had sat at intervals of ten years. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) found on record, that in the years 1786, 1791, 1796, 1807, 1817, and 1828, were those in which ouch committees had been appointed. Those were periods of ten years; but twenty years had expired since the last committee of 1828 had sat. Such being the case, the inquiries of the committee would afford a more complete view of the cir cumstances which had rendered the additional expenditure of latter years necessary. With regard to the focus of pro. ceeding that evening, he must observe, that on referring to the year 1845. when the income-tar was renewed by the righthon. baronet opposite, he foundthere were no estimates brought forward between the period when the renewal of the tax was proposed and the passing of the resolution into a law. The government proposed to follow that example. But it was necessary that a vote of supply should be taken on account of the army and navy, and he hoped the house would not oppose his hon. friends the Secromry-at-War and the Secretary to the Admiralty in taking those votes. 74r. HUME telt bound to at.ite the reasons which had caused him to feel so much dissatisfied with the noble lore's statement on Friday evening. He had expressed himself warmly on that occasion for he felt so. But he would now proceed to state hi s reasons for the dissent which he had expressed to the motion of the Chan cellor of the Exchequer. The right bon. gentleman (Sir C. Wood) bad asserted that it was the duty of the house to look at the estimates first without baying regard to the means by which the money necessary fer the vote should be come at. He (Mr. flume) had always objected to this i order of proceeding, upon the principle that the house ought to know what were the means of defraying the expenditure of the country previous to consenting to vote any portion I Of that expenditure. He felt glad to hear it disavowed by the right hon. gentleman that the speech of the noble lord on Friday night was a warlike speech. But that was the im- I premien which be had received from hearing it. The same feeling was entertained by others ; and he believed it would be extended to France. Let him direct the attention of the house to one point connected with the motion before them. I He held in his hands twe balance.-sheete of the revenue — one dated 1346, and filmed by Mr. Cardwell , the other dated 1848, and signed by Mr. Parker. The total expenditure of 1816, I as shown in Mr. Cardwell's balance-sheet, was 51,000,0001. 1 in rand numbers. That of Mr. Parker was 51,340,0001., • to which must be added 4,000,0001. fur the expense of col- • lection, making • total levy upon the nation of 56,000,0001. in round numbers. On the sth of Januaty, 1847, he found 1 there was an excess of income over expenditure of 3,807,000 t, whilst in January, 1848, he found registered an exeees of 1 expenditure over income of 2,950,0001., making in the whole I au excess of 6,757,0001. between the balance-sheets of t January, 1817, and January, 1848. Now, he asked whether such an account justified boffin assenting to a fresh increase of expenditure ? Was it not time to make a stand ? He cer tainly did ask ministers whether it was their intention to , proceed with the imposition of the income tax, without giv- I mg the country an opportunity of examining, by means of a committee of that house, whether no reduction of the I expenditure could be effected ; for, if the inquiry were made, the government could not be in a worseposition than it at present occupied, for in that case their estimates would be I confirmed. But, when he heard the speech of the noble lord, and his proposal for an increased income tax, the sur prise he felt drove him to make the observations be had I done. In the present state of trade and commerce, the pro- 1 ceedings of the government were more unjustifiable than he 1 could express. Tradesmen could scarcely pay their way, I and the country generally was severely suffering. Under such circumstances, was the government justified in distri- I bitting the public revenue as the estimates before the house showed was their intention ? Look at he returns of the mode in which the ships of the navy were employed. In a I return which had recently been made, be found that there had been stationed for upwards of ten months 10 ships of war I in the Tagus, with complements of men amounting to 7,000. 1 The cost of the cruisers on the coast of Africa was enormous, and worse than that, the preventive service there was highly irritating to the French and the United States. All these I circumstances only proved how reasonable a demand he made in proposing to appoint a committee to inquire into the whole question of expenditure. The right hon. baronet (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) had only granted half what he (Mr. Hume) had asked; for his committee embraced inquiry into the civil, military, and naval exediture, the feet pert of which had been refused him. T h e n cost of the two establishments of the customs and the excise was 1,800,0001, The expense of maintaining the customs was ex &alp the same as before the tariff was altered, and the labours of the officers reduced and simplified. In the excise department there had been a *eying effected of 57,000/. dur ing the last few years. Why, therefore, was the Custom house establishment still kept up to its original level ? When the proper moment came for exposing this wrong system he would do so. The government could not refuse to enter into these subjects. There was also another important breach of inquirylto be gone into —namely, as to whethxation.er the coun try ought not to altar its present orstem of ta There was • great difference of opinion existing as to the questions of direct or indirect taxation. That might not form a subject of inquiry ; but at least the country had a tight to look into its expenditure. The right hon. baronet bad reminded the house that there was a committee ap pointed on the subject in 1828. But that committee had been burked. The first year of its sitting was devoted to in quiries into the whole subject of expenditure in the various departments of the public service. The next year the Duke of Wellington put an end to it. Had that committee been allowed to proceed with the inquiry, and to complete the task assigned to it, he was prepared to assert a great reformation would have been effected is the col lectien and expenditure of the income of the state. Sir H. Hardinge did mike some excellent alterations in the arrangements of the War-office in consequence of the infor mation he derived from an attendance at the sittin:a of the committee, and the mode in which Lord Hardinge effected those changes was highly creditable to him. The right hon. baronet had stated that the commee was brim a secret one. He saw no reason why it should be a secret committee. He submitted to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that such an inquiry would not be satisfactory, and its labours would not values the conviction on the public mind that all had been done that could be e ffected towards lessening the public burdens. It was not his intention to oppose the motion for the house to go into committee of supply. All he asked of the government was not to take ton much money, but to be I contented with • grant for six weeks, by which time the proposed committee would perhaps have had time to inquire and to report on the subject of expenditure. Mr. EWART said that, as the excise establishment had diminished its ex penditureov i n the last year or two, 50,0001 - or 6 0,0001., he begged to know how it was the Custom house had not dose the Name. He bad listened to the speech of the noble lord on Friday night, and he must say that he did not consider it to be fraught with pacific senta ments. He should be glad to find he was mistaken in so re garding that speech but he must confess that the right hon. gentleman (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) had not suc ceeded in removing his apprehensions. Mr. S. CRAWFORD entered hie protest against the financial proposition of the go ver nment. The noble lsenti- ord's speech was in direct opposition to his own recorded ments on the subject of reform, economy, and retrenchment. His ( Mr. S. Crawford's) opinion was, that the expenditure ought to be reduced. PASSENGERS BILL. Mr. CARDW ELL begged to ask the right hon. gentleman the President of the Board of Trade, what course it was intended by him to pursue with respect to the Colonial Pas sengers Bill ? LABOUCHERE said that if the bill were delayed until the seams for emigration had arrived it would be utterly useless. Recollecting the scenes of misery and horror which had occurred last year he was most unwilling to post pone the bill. His intention was ti have the bill read a second time that night, and to refer it to a select committee up_ suers . He hoped the hon. member and the house would offer no opposition to the course he pointed out. Mr. S. O'BRIEN asked whether it was the intention of the Canadian government to levy a tax on Irish immigrants thither, and whether the government had any objection to lay any correspondence which had passed on the subject before the house ? Mr. LABOUCHERE said that the information required by the hon. member had already been laid on the table of the house. He begged to as;: the hon. member for Liver pool wheter he had any objection to permit the Passengers to be r h ead a second time, as be Lod proposed se Mr. CARDWELL said that all he was anxious for as to secure to those interested in the bill *proper time for consi dering its details. Mr. STAFFORD said that • very strong objection te the bill existed in many quarters, and on his own part likewise. Mr. HUME suggested the propriety of amalgamating and consolidating all the acts relating to emigration into one bill. He had given • notice of motion on this subject. Mr. BROWN begged the right hon. gentleman to Peet' pane the bill for some days. Mr. DISRAELI objected to making such a hill the sub ject of an inquiry before a committee upstairs. The question was one which ought to be openly and freely diecuneed. Lord J. RUSSELL said he did not know whether the hon. member opposite had read the shocking details re specting the results of the Irish emigration which took place last year. The government had not thought proper to frame the present bill until the whole of the de tails were before it. It was now of contra that the bill should pass at an earl y . period, for thects were being made with the emigration agents. At the same time he act• witted that it was quite fair the shipowners should know what the bill proposed to''o. If therefore the bill was read a second time that night, and the committee fixed for Fri day. that might have been • reasonable course; but as his right hon. friend had ascertained that the proposed arrange ments would not do, in consequence of other subjects being before the house, he bad proposed a select committee upon the bill, reserving power to the house to consider the whole subject in committee afterwards. He prayed the house to recollect that it was most desirable speedily to diminish evils of which nobody could think with out horror. ENCUMBERED ESTATES (IRELAND). Mr. BRIGHT wished to kaow when the Encumbered Estates Bill was to he brought forward. Lord J. RUSSELL said it had been introduced in the House of Lords, and would be read a second time in the course of the present week. LEASES (IRELAND). Mr. S. O'BRIEN asked what progress was being made respecting the bill for regulating leases for lives renewable for ever in Ireland. Lord J. RUSSELL said that the bill was in preparation, but he trout JEWISH not immediately DISABILITIES Hs a da BILL. for its introdnction. Mr. BANKES said it would be a great convenience to many bun. members if they could be informed on what day , the committee on the above bill was to be taken. Lord J. RUSSELL --Friday next. NAVAL AND MILITARY ESTIMATES.—SECRET COMMITTEE. Capt. HARRIS said that the committee of receipt and expenditure which had been proposed by the government had very mm..h the look of a compromise with tbeir friends behind them. He thought that a much better course would be to let the matter stand over until Monday, and then to take the discussion in the usual manner. Mr. HUhl E disclaimed all idea of a compromise. Ile had heal no communication verbal or written with any member of the government. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The house having resolved itself into &committee of supply, Mr. WARD trusted that the house would allow him to propose a vote of 24.3,4101., which was absolutely necessary for the public service, being the amount by which the Ad miralty bad overspent the last year's estimate. Mr. liEßßlEb*said he had not understood that any votes were to be taken without discussion. Ile protested, there fore, against the present vote. He should also protest against the committee, but that was not the proper time for discussion. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER concurred with the right hon. gentleman that it would be improper to take any whole vote pending the discussion, but the present was • very inconsiderable one, and could not be affected by any reduction tl:e committee might recommend. it was merely a vote to make up an arrear of 1847. Mr. BANK ES wished to know whether this was the item on which the controversy had taken place between the Ad miralty and the Treasury ? If so, he thought it • subject on which explanation was imperatively demanded. (Hear, hear.) He wished also to have some information as to the nature of this secret committee. Would there be any means provided for ascertaining how the members voted ? In other select committees the house was made aware of all the pro. coding', and an accouut was kept of the votes. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it was perfectly true that the present vote woe that one respecting which the correspondence had taken place between the Ad miralty and the Treasury, aud the whole fts hail been laid on the table. In former times it had been ac the practice to hold over wh deter balances had been left of former votes, and consequently departments hail a full power of applying, and sometimes of misapplying, those balances. But now no balance could be held over after the sth of April, and there fore there having been • deficiency last year • subsequent vote was necessary. Gentlemen must know that it was nut always possible to keep accurately within the estimates. As to the next question, the secrecy of the committee, it was only into nded that all the world should not be made ac quainted with its price dings. At the termination of the committee the whole of its proceedings would be laid on the table. Mr. RISME said that the proposition for a secret commit tee was on many accounts most objectionable.' With respect to the vote, he thought it would be much better to take • certain sum on account. Col. SIBTHORP objected most, strenuously to a secret committee. Lord G. BENTINCK said he was anytbiag but satisfied with the explanations which had been given by the noble lord, and the right bon. gentleman , the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He thought it highly unjustifiable to propose a octet committee. (Hear, hear. ) Lord 11. VANE said that any select committee might ex clude the public ; but he thought it would be inexpedient to have the present a secret one. Lord J. RUSSELL, said that the question of the appoint ment of the committee wax not before the house, and there fore he should not discuss it at any length, but merely allude to the observations of the noble lord opposite. The noble lord seemed to think the committee pr-posed • novelty, but he begged to remind the noble lord that in 1786. 1797, 1807, 1317, and ITN, similar committees were appointed, under , the administrations of lelr. Pitt, Lord Grenville, Lord Liver- ; pool, and, lastly, of the Duke of Wellington. Committees , had been appointed to inquire into the whale expenditure, , including the army,navy, and ordnance, and all, he believed, ; were not only select but secret committees. That was to say, not only were the public excluded, but members of the house, not on the committee, were not allowed to be present. Why it should be unconstitutional to do that in 1848 which had been done so often before, he owned passed his compre hension. The course might be inexpedient or impolitic, but , certainly it was not unconstitutional. On one occasion Mr. Pitt gave as • reason for secreo,'that officers of department were examined, and might disclose fact which it might not , be convenient to publish to the world. He (Lord John Russell) thought that a practical reason, and that it applied to the present time. His impression was that a secret coin- mittee would he for the public advantage. As for the pre- , sent vote, they merel y . w anted such an amount as would prevent public inconvenience, but he had no wish to avoid public discussion. On the contrary, he thought it would be ; right to bring it forward at a time when a full attend ance of members might be expected. There should be a fair and open discussion on these estimates ; and, for his part, he took upon himself their responsibility, declaring that they , were net war estimates, nor had been framed with any view to a rupture with foreign countries, with whom cur relations were at present of the most amicable nature. (Hear.) Mr. HERRIES said that they were discussing the merits of a committee which had not as yet been appointed. A something was proposed to be done, and that something had not been explained. (Hear.) As to the former coin mittees which had bon cited by the noble lord, they were appointed in time of war, when great caution was necessary. (Hear.) He objected to any vote of money until the com mittee had been appointed. Mr. HENLEY complained that since 1830 the estimates had been annually increasing. This year there was an in crease, and government, instead of having them properly and publicly ventilated, proposed to have them referred to a secret committee. (Hear.) lie must say that to throw this responsibility on a committee, wee, in his opinion, to abdi cate the functions of a government. (Hear.) Sir R. PEEL said that it had been his duty, as represen tative of the government in that house, to move the last com mittee in 1828. Shortly after the appointment of the Duke of Wellington, and in fulfilment of • promise made by Mr. Canning, he (Sir R. Peel) proposed a committee to consider the military expenditure of the country. As the question of stereo bad been raised, he t apprehended that if precedents wete to be ("Bowel, the present would be a select commit tee—(hear, hear)—but would have full power of withhold ing any information, the promulgation of which might be prejudicial to the public interests. Sir H. liardinge was ex amined by the committee of 1828, and his examination was published at length, as was everything that could be published without injury to the public interests. In this sense he hoped no committee would be secret. (Hear, hear.) Sir H. Hardinge in the evidence to which he had alluded, preyed himself to lee actuated by the same spirit which had distinguished his career in India, and which had resulte hear. d in a saving of one mill ion p er annum. (Hear, ) Important evidence had been given before that committee, which would have never been elicited in a general dis cussion in that house. Some parts relative to the defences of Canada were withheld, and the committee in their ap pendix apologised for, and justified, the omission. He did d hope that no committee would be appointed, which wo not follow the course of the former one, that wall to say, give the public as much of the evidence as possible. (Hear.) Sir F. LEWIS would consent to a select committee, but not to • secret one. The committees which had been quoted were all select committee'. Mr. NEWDEGATE looked upon the appo t h ent of a select committee al a transfer of the powers fe govern ment to • commission. He believed there would be no objection to vote a round sum for current expenses ; but he, for one, could not consent to a specific vote. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER would adopt the suggestion which had been offered, and withdraw the vote which had been proposed (which was a whole vote) taking a vote onaecount instead. (Hear, hear.) Mr. ROBINSON thought, before the home was called upon to vote any money, its opinion should be taken as to the whole of the budget. (Hear, hear.) His constituents would not be mollified to vote the money first and then refer the estimates. (Hear, hear.) Ile must ask the noble lord whether any injury to the public service would result from the tponement of the navy estimates to a future day, as he understood the only ground on which they were now called on to agree to this vote, while the estimates generalvern ly were to be referred to a committee, was to enable go ment to get over some temporary difficulty ? Lord J. RUSSELL—The house may depend that we should not ask for money on account of these estimates if the public service would not suffer were it not granted. Mr. HILDYA.RD understood that, on Monday next, n the house was to be called upon to decide upon the permanence ci` the income tax—whieki tax the government had an noueced would be for tarn years at least increased in moult. Now was this committee to be appotated to take from milde ws the reopeatibdity of the Getman' which they had made the Wand of that announcement? (Hear, hear.) Was the eommittes to be at liberty to reduce the estimates ? If so it might torn out that after the increased property tax had ' been voted the addition might not be necessary. This would be to trifle with the country. (Hear, hear.) Was it the intention of the noble lord, supposing this committee were appointed, to ask the house previous to their reporting to agree to the resolution for increasing the income tax ? Lord J. RUSSELL answered that it was his intention to Olt OM Mint of the house , e on Monday next, to the resolu tion,' he had introduced on Friday last. Hill statement, how ever, did net appear to have been understood. H. had said that if we paid the 'images of th ose ar war, which could not well be avoided, seeing that expenses had been al ready incurred, and made no other increase in the estimates, there would be a deficiency of between two and three mil Boos—to meet which it would be necessary to resort to in creased taxation. Hit were possible that the proposed com mittee could diminish the estimates by that amount, they might, no doubt, go on without voting any increase of the property tax; but as he could not suppose any such reduc tion could be made, be should feel it to be his duty to ask the assent of the house to that proposition. He had no wish on the part of the government, in appointing the com mittee, to get rid of the responsibility which attached to them. His object was tether to show that government were anxious, in respect to the estimates, to undergo any inquiry hon. members might desire to institute by a select com mittee, over and above such inquiries as might be made in toe committee of the whole house. Mr. DISRAELI remarked upon the silence of hon. gentlemen who sat below the gangway on the ministerial side of the house—a silence which he conceived must be ' peculiarly gratifying to them. Ile rose, however, to request the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in proposing the appoint ment of a committee to-morrow (this day), to he pre pared with some precedent for the step he recommended. The precedent which had been referred to by the right hon. gentleman (Sir R. Peel), the committee of 1828, did not apply. That was a strictly economical appointment, the object being to ase'rtain whether the expenditure of the country might not be safely diminished. But the military estimates of the current year were not referred to the com mittee. And the various other cases which had been quoted were as little germane to the present. (Hear, hear.) \ Vhat the house was called upon to refer the military estimates I to a secret committee, no one could suppose that it was on the ground of economy. The general feeling would be, that the object was of a much graver character—(hear, hear) — that it was to inquire into the efficiency of our defences, sad the extent of military farce which might be made available in any case of emergency. (Hear, hear.) He gave no opinion on the general question. The Chancellor of the Exchequer might be able to adduce sufficient reasons for the course he proposed, but he doubted whe ther he could justify it by precedent. Ile hoped, also, the right hon. gentleman would state to-morrow fur what special object the inquiry woo to be instituted—for no one could suppose it was for economical purposes, or with the view of diminishing the amount of the current estimates. (Hear, hear.) The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER could, with out any trouble, refer to precedenes, but preferred waiting till to-morrow, whtn he would state the grounds of his mntion, and adduce precedents in support of it. Lord D. STUART observed that government could not but be aware that the statement the noble lord had made on Friday last with regard to the income tax, was unacceptable. It had been met with reprobation on all sides, and therefore they thouget it necessary to conciliate and remove °epee,- tion. But did the Chancellor of the Exchequer suppose he would disarm opposition by this proposition of a select com mittee? (Hear.) If he supposed that he could in this way re concile the country to the permanent imposition of this odious tax he was greatly mistaken. (Hear, hear.) Those who were prepared for the continuance of the income-tax, or even an increase, expected that its most objectionable Jeanie.* would be removed, and that it would be made tobear equal'y on all classes. (Hear, hear.) If the window-tax were re moved ; if the people had cheap teas or tobacco ; or if some other boon were given to the working.alasees in the removal of some of those taxes which more especially pressed upon them, the property-tax might have been borne for some time longer. He was glad to find that the present estimates were not brought forward as war estimates, and he rejoiced to beer what fell from the noble lord (l'almerston) the other night, so to the importance of maintaining peaceful relations with France. Ile wee, however, not ono of those who would wish to see this country in such a defenceless state as to offer a temptation to a neighbouring or warlike people to attack us. He trusted that the squadron now worse than %m -ind), employed in the suppression of the slave trade oe t' e coast of Africa would be recalled. With regard to the vote before the house, he had no objection to a round sum bee g taken on account, but he should oppose the vote for the whole excess. Mr. WAKLEY remarked that the gratification of ashes. tern at the silence of the members below the gangway (upon which the hon. member for Buckinghamshire had observed) would, he was sorry to say, be but of short continuance. (Hear, hear.) The hon. member, however, ought not to feel surprised that those members abstained from speaking on a very painful subject. It was his duty to in form the noble lord (.L Russell) that his proposition had been received by his (Mr. Wakley's) omstituents with astonishment, indignation, and disgust. (Hear, The public were not particularly pleased with the right hon. member for Tamworth (Sir it. Peel), when he tint proposed his 3 per cent. tax on property and income for three years , ; but there was so much blaeduess, such a fascination in his manner of proposing it, and he paved the way to it so smoothly, that it was impossible to be angry with him. (Hear, hear, and a laugh.) But the noble lord had resorted to no such expedient. He came out in a broad honest way with his proposal, and it was quite evident that he thought it would not be unacceptable to the public. It was his con viction that, though perhaps ministers might have succeeded in passing a renewal of the tax for three years more, it would he wholly out of their power to increase it to 5 per cent. (Loud cheers.) He might be wrong ; but, from what he saw and heard, he believed the people would make suck representations to their representatives, that they would not dare to support the govern ment in that proposition. (Hear, hear.) Should this increase be submitted to for two years, what man in his senses amid suppose that it would be afterwards abandoned —(hear, bear) —especially after the experience they liad had of the present income-tax ? The public were right, therefore, in resisting at once a proposal that involved one of the most dishonest and disgraceful modes of taxation that had ever been tolerated. (Hear.) If John Bull was content to bear this burden, then let government give him more of it— punish him for his stupidity—(a laugh)—and Ix fore the end of the session, make it 71 or even 10 per cent. He regretted the hon. member for Montrose had not persisted in his amendment, which he should certainly have supported. lie believed there would be no difficulty whatever if minis ters would reduce our establishments to what was really necessary in bringing the s xpenditure of the country within the income. (Hear, hear.) What a fudge it was to talk about war with France or any oiler country. (Cheers) Suppose a war did come, how long would it take to prepare for it ? But there was no danger of anything of the kind. The people of foreign countries were now too busily occupied in improving their own domes tic institutions to think of interfering with others. (Hear, hear.) If subjects were wise, war was a game which govern ments would not dare to play. (Hear, hear.) There was net the remotest chance or prospect of a foreign invasion. We were at peace with all the world, and yet our expendi ture for the naval and military establishments of the country was to be increased—(hear, hear)—and that, too, by means of a tax which, as regarded a large class of the people, was no better than a robbery. (Hear, hear.) All tase , , to be just, must be equal; but the income tax pressed heavily and unketly on the poor man—the man who came just within its grip—while the property tax scarcely touched the rich man. (Hear, hear.) The noble lord op posed the tax when it was first proposed by the right hon. baronet, and he had not adduced a single argument for changing his opinion. (Hear.) Why was not the sliding scale—which some hon. gentlemen were so partial to — adopted in the case of this tax ? (Hear, hear.) lie hoped between this and Mon da y the noble lord—who had given way on one point—would reconsider the question and propose a renewal of the tax of 3 per cent. only; and, as he valued the public peace, with draw the odious 5 per cent. onthe prefits of industry. (Hear.) Alter a few words from Mr. EWSII7, the vote w an with drawn. Mr. WARD then proposed a grant of 1,400,0001. in part of the navy estimates. This included no whole vste, but was 800,000/. on account of the first vote for wages, 400,0001, on the second (victuals), and 200,0001. military pensions and allowances. Ile said the Admiralty were most anxious to carry out the principle of economy in their dep,rtment, and shouldbe happy to receive any suggestion for that purpose. Mr. B. OSBORNE said he did not assent to thew esti• mates. He was not certainly very conversant with the navy estimates, but he was prepared to prove that the army esti mates might be reduced by 600,0001., without taking a single man from the service. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said (in reply to questions) that on the lat of January, 1848, there was a balance of the 8,000,0001. raised last year in the Ex chequer, but, without notice, he could not state the precise amount ; that credit would be given for the 450,0001. China money in this year ; and that 19,750,0001. would be the pro- Wile amount of customs for the year ending sth of April, 1849. The vote being put from the chair, Mr. ROBINSON said he felt it incumbent on him as a public duty to move that the chairman report progress, and wet leave to sit again; bat the motion, not receiving any favour in the house, was not pressed ; and on the question being again put, Captain I'ECHELL said he would not delay the public service by interposing his motion now, but on the fitting oc casion he certainly would call attention to the claims of the paymasters and pursers of the royal navy for a retirement, end to those of the commanders, lieutenants, and masters, for promotion. The resolutions, after a protest from Col. SIBTIIORP, against them, as unconstitutional, inasmuch as they were voting money without knowing from what source they were to o b tain it, wire severally agreed to. Mr. F. MAULE rose to ask for a vote of 1,800,0001. on ac count of the charges for land forces, the whale sum required for which was 3,800,0001. Mr. B. OSBORNE considered the amount too much to ask for under existing circumstances, and moved a vote of 600,0001. instead. Col. SI BTIiORP was of opinion that they ought not to vote a shilling until they knew where it was to come from. Mr. R. YORKE moved that the chairman report progress. Mr. F. MAULE assured the house that the turn he asked, which was not a moiety of the whole, was absolutely neces , tory fo carrying no the public service. Mr. BERRIES would record every effort to effect wbat- ever reductions tumid be made in the esdesatee, but would be no party to the amendments now proposed. Mr. B. OSBORNE (after an appeal from Mr. Houswax) consented to withdraw his amendment, but stated it to be his intention of going into the minutest details of the army estimates. The resolution was then agreed to, as was also one grant ing a rote of 500,0001. out of 1,200,0001., on accountd asked of the outpens i en ers. The Chairman reported progress, an leave to sit again. The house resumed, and the report was ordered to be brought up to-morrow (this day). PUBLIC HEALTH BILL. Lord MORPETH, in moving the second reading of this bill, said that • fair interval mould be allowed before he called upon the house to discuss its details. Ile observed (in reply to Sir B. Hall), respecting • bill for the metropolis, that the question was of so comprehensive • nature as to re quire not one but a series of bills, the first of which he hoped to present in a very short time. The present bill (the noble lord said, in reply to Mr. H. Benxi:Lev) would interfere largely with the local boards, but would not interfere with the functions of the poor-law guardians. Mr. MACKINNON observed, that great praise was due to the noble lord for his exertions on this 'abject; and (in reply to an objection from Mr. Urquhart) said that, so far from this bill being framed on the principle of centralisation, its machinery would be entirely in the hands of the local boards. Mr. WAKLEY regretted to find that while the govern ment were continually . patronising the legal profession there was not a single provision in thill bill for the introduction of a medical officer. He perceived that the general board was to consist of the chief commissioner and four persons &r:%:::ledthebynott lord conse nt w t h a s t t thesetwo, t who w ou ld I have to do all the work and must be mn of ability, should be legally qualed meinbers tel the med i c I profession ? Lord MURPETH said that the bill gave the Treasury the power of appointing a number of superintending inspectors, who he thought ought to be medical men or engineers. according to the peculiar exigencies of the case. Again, the bill gave the local boards the power of appointing officers to carry out its provisions, and amongst those alma he had no doubt that medical men would hold a prominent place. lt , specting the two paid memb.rs of the general board he could give no more stringent promise than that the govern ment would select the beet and mosteffieient men they could. Lord D. STUART hoped that hon. gentlemen would nut discuss the details of the bill in so thin a house. He thought if it was intended to carry the up' rats in of the bill into the metropolis it ought to be declared ; if it was not, then a clause ought to be introduced to exempt the metro- polis. Mr. HENLEY said, while he admitted the measure had been much improved since last year, yet he thought sufficient I care had not been taken to guard against the construction of too extnsive districts by the inspectors to be appointed in I the different localities. He also was of opinion that another difficulty would seise from the mode proposed of tme,,ferring all the burdens and debts of the existing local conirni.sion , rs to the new districts, who would not have the power to resist them. Some amendment he also thought would lie required in the clauses which had reference to existing waterworks, which involved great complication. Lord MOHPETH said the suggestions which had been thrown out should receive every consideration on the part of her Majesty's government. Mr. SLANEY expressed his thanks to the noble lord, for having had the courage to persevere with the measure, which, while it benefited the working classes, would, he believed, prove one of true economy. The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed. ANDOVER ELECTION. The SPEAKER acquainted the house that he hod re. ceived a letter from the petitioners, complaining of an undue election and return for the borough of Andover, stating it was not their intention to proceed with the same. The order for taking the petition into consideration was accordingly read and discharged. WAYS AND MEANS. Mr. BERNAL brought up the report of the resolutions adopted in committee of ways and means, which were agreed to, and leave given to bring in a bill founded thereon. JEWISH DISABILITIES BILL. On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCITE QUER the committee on the Jewish Disabilities Bill was postponed to Friday next. PASSENGERS BILL. Mr. LABOUCHERE moved the second reading of the Passengers Bill. Mr. HUME wished to knew what course the government intended to take with respect to this bill ? He regretted to find the his predictions on a former occasion of the failure of the enactmentsthen made had proved correct—that failure had really been preyed, and it had been shown that all the legisla tion whichhnd yet taken place had not prevented the abuses which exist. One point to which his attention had been called by a letter he had that day received from New York was well worthy consideration. He alluded to an improve ment in the ventilation of the emigrant ships, and the fixing the cook-house or caboose below, instead of on deck, to which, when the hatches were battened down in stormy weather, the poor emigrants could not have access in cases of severe illness and absolute need of the comforts which even a supply of hot water would afford. lie had no wish to stop the progress of the present bill, but to throw out those points as Dempsey to be kept in view, in order, :or the sake of humanity, to prevent the evils which at present had bean shown to exist on board emigrant ships. Mr. LABOUCHEUE concurred with the hon. member for Montrose (Mr. Hume) in the opinion he had expressed that something must be done by the government and the legislative to prevent a recurrence of the evils to which Canada had been exposed by the emigrants who had arrived in that country during the last year. The evils he alluded to had arisen not merely from the state of fever with which emigrants from Ireland had embarked, and which they had carried with them into Canada, but from the groan mismanagement on board ship, and the absence of proper regulations and :control on board the vessels in which the uaiortunate creatures were crowded. In this state of things, the Colonial-office and the commissioners of emi gration had applied themselves to the consideration of what alterations of the law they would recommend, and the re sult of their recommendation was the bill now before the house. The main alterations which were proposed were as follows: In the first place, the bill increased the space allotted to each passenger on board the emigrant ships, and the space was increased from ten feet to twelve feet for each passenger. Another alteration proposed was with reference to the quantity of provisions carried out. At present the owners undertook to provide a certain quantity of food for each emigrant during the voyage ; and it wan expected that every emigrant would bring on board some provisions of his own. Now last year, from Ireland, the emigrants crowded on boars without food of their own, relying on the provision made for them in their passage ; but that provision only amounted to a wretched pit tance per day, and was wholly insufficient. It was therefore proposed by this bill to provide that every emigrant ship going to North America, should be obliged, like the ships to Australia and elsewhere, to take out provisions sufficient to sustain the lives of the passengers during the whole voyage. The next alteration proposed in the law was one which had excited the greatest opposition on the part of the opponents of the measure, but to which he (Mr. Labeuchere) attached the highest im portance. It was a proviso that in every emigrant ship there should be appointed a responsible govern ment officer to protect the emigrants, to see that the rules and regulations were strictly obeyed and complied with, and, if necessary, to exhibit complaints to the proper (Hear, authorities on the arrival of the ship at its destination. hear.) At present the evidence before the house showed that nuke what laws the legislature pleased, they would be set at nought and derided, unless some such su perintendence was provided. These superintendents would be selected from warrant officers in the ?levy. It had been urged that a surgeon ought to be provided on board every emigrant ship, and he wished be was inea condition to re• commend the house to pus a provision to secure that object. His noble friend at the head of the colonial department (Earl Grey) had been anxious to make such a proposal, but, after the fullest inquiry, it bad been found to be impossible to venture to make it, inasmuch to a suffi cient supply of medical men could not be found to undertake the duty. His noble friend and the emi gration commissioner had reluctantly abstained from rogosing regulations to that effect,. but they were not wit out hopes that if the hou se sanctioned the regulation, requiring a superintendent to be taken out on board each emigrant ship, it would be the indirect means of inducing captains and owners to take out a surgeon in more in stances than at present they did. If for instance they ap pointed a surgeon who was a well qualified and experienced man, the Colonial-office would appoint him also to the office of superintendent, and thus the ship would carry a surgeon at half the expense that now was entailed upon the owners. The estimated expense of each superintendent was for the I voyage 201., and ls. p er head u p on the passengers taken out, and 10/. for his return passage home. Such were the general features of the bill, which it was of consequence Should be passed before the emigration season commencethed. With that view he shou ld p ro p ose , to refer bill to a select committee to examine its details, by which he trusted any lengthened discussion upon it would be saved. Before he sat down he must state that he had received an account of the state of an emigrant dtip given by Mr. Stephen Dc Vent, a brother of Sir Aubrey Delf e re, who last year had gone out as a steerage passenger, with a view to ascertain the real condition in which that dam were placed. His account showed fully the necessity of this or a similar measure. Under such circumstances he (Mr. Laboucbere) Dusted the house would accede to its second reading, and also to his proposition that the bill be I referred to a select committee. As to the consolidation of the existing law, it would requires bill of at leapt 70 clauses, which he could not hope to pass in time for the coming sea son of emigration. He was, however, willing, after the bill had been read a third time, not to move that it should pass, but to withdraw it, and embody its provisions in a bill of consolidation, provided the house would enter into a com pact with him not to re-open the discussion of the details, but to deal with the measure as merely a consolidation bill. Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL could not understand why this bill was to be hung up in a select committee. Above all measures, it ought to be passed through the house quickly ,• emigration had already co mmenced; 4,000 persons had sailed for Canada since December; and he believed that emigration from Ireland, instead of being checked by late events, would be increased. No one but the owners of emigrant ships could disapprove of this measure ; and, therefore, unless the government were dissatisfied with their own bill, why should they send it up-stairs for at least a fortnight? As to the consolidation proposed, he trusted it would not be tried with out ministers ware quite certain of success. Sir G. GREY thought it would be better to past the bill through all its stage, at present, and defer the proposed con solidation till a later period of the session. (Hear, hear.) Mr. V. SMITH consideted the consolidation of the passen- Act to ----------------- ' alleged have been insufficient to determine the house gers'act a very important object, in order that parties con- i right, it seems. Ministers admit that the rea m , e fo e u rn i ed acti mig . Ilifetbll.otiegbaiasetmureleernanowsep.d by a r t e i f:7ig . to ed thm , or and they therefore propose that a select committee should be appointed, to inquire into was not probable that another would be got through this the grounds sess to ly bv toeheek ems- . produced by for increasing the navy estimates, the evidence giv en I be hi* hed f ' being on yto pu ar as it may not inorthaeimpereleof present &el. Col. CONOLLY sincerely hoped that the measure would militate against the public service. gra the ti d i o o i n n w . ; that troThissemeffecbalutrrweas:aalmsu.ccohhticmhatohr:alidlibkeeellii:ey detailed.(Hear.) be successfully carried out. We have little faith in the dictum of a select com 1 Mr. WAK LEY thought the course hithert t o o a t do e pted un h u ad , mittee, and cannot imagine in our dugs the existence . been most disgraceful to the government_and Ist o ca f n an b y e portentous secret, en w p h ri ie c t s u case duals. But if the subetitntion of a committee may dltiewd_u.nozosatioistriatteidngthniatullt7. pe A r n ce a n t t te , m cif pt th o e ug e h m t ig u r , an w be ts m hi: d d e placed as s uperintendents in the emigrant ships ; and he had seem to add to ministerial powers to blind or perv a d e to precerc an adequate number of medical practitioners, to be no doubt it might be done, if an adequate remuneration were the public, the public on its side may reap ampl e offered. Ha hoped the righ t hon. g entleman would review the _van eis b t question, an d e ndeavour to find c ompetent medical practi- ad ag . .. thev delay , and the leisure which it tamers. 'lie believed that there would ben° difficulty is find- offers for examining and sifting the estimates—Me in them. public, as a member expressed it, forming its own Mr. BROWN was only a fraid that the provisions of committee to examine the subject as well as the house. • t he bill were not stringent enough to prevent the evils which The est i mate b e i ng t h us p os tp one d, Mr. WatitET made an occur red on board of emigrant ships. Mr. BROTEIERTON thought it important that measures excellent common-sense speech on the should be taken to secure the health of emigran's, and he income tax, and thus Icedrepai many o f t h e thought that the best mode of effecting that object would he omissions of Friday last. s indeed, asto. to prevent vessels from carrying out spirits. (Hear.) He nishing that, after the incessant complaints, thought that Doctor Diet. Doctor Quiet, and Doctor Merri- backed by unanswerable arguments, which have went would be found better physicians than those whom ,foe six years filled newspapers and pamphlets, the hon.meraber fur Finsbury recommended at large salaries. and Mr. A.NSTEY thought that much fraud might be intro- engrossed conversation—when the injustice with duced under cover of the clause relating to cabin passengers., which the tax is assessed on incomes of different and suggested that it should be omitted altogether. He was kinds has been explained till it has become a '. of opinion that a superintendent should be appointed over truism, and repeated into a common-place • the whole ship, and oelieved that naval surgeons on half- Pay would be the best persons to select for this purpose. is strange that the FIRST LORD or rue Taesseae have referred to the ' They ought to make the same provision for the poor cmi- shouldnever even grants which they made for their criminals. that his opponents or critics should so generally forget The bill was then read a second time, or neglect to remind him of the omission. Sir B. HALL, SHIPWRECKS ON THE SHETLAND ISLANDS. indeed, mindful perhaps of the professional and mer Mr. ANDEIISON, in moving for an abstract of the amount of money levied by the Trinity-house for the supply vanillahouseholders of Nlarylebone, intimated . that of the aorthern Cosa lights from the let of January, 184, to there was some unfairness in the distribution of the the 31st of December , called the attention of the house to 'the burden ; and Mr. F. BARING remarked that it might great loss of life and property which occurred front ship- perhaps become expedient to pay some attention to weeks in the Sheilani Isles, owing, he believed, in some cases lustice in the assessment of an increased tavatio to the great deficiency of coast lights. Within the last fcw s months no less than 14 shipwrecks bad occurred on thew lb house, however, seems to have taken little' n. e islands. and in cases all the lives on board had perished. of these incidental remarks. The debate went on Accordicg to the last report there was a balance of 39,0001. into other regions. The possibility of war, the in in the hands of the commissioner., which could not be more prudence of provoking it, by weakness according to usefully appropriated than in providing lights where these one party, by strength according to their opponents, melancholy disaatcrs so frequently occurred. Mr. HOME was not surprised that the hon. gentleman the causes of the deficit, the merits of free-trade, should bring this subject under the consideration of the were all discussed in a debate on the imposition of a house. It WAS melancholy to contemplate the loss of life tax, while the justice with which it was to be levied which occurred from want of sufficient coast lights. was not thought worthy of a moment's attention. The LORD ADVOCATE eulogised the commissioners of The mode of accounting for the indifference or for- northern lights, and said their conduct would bear the strictest iuvestigation. They had constructed as many light- etf 1 RS of the house is more easy than sa • f F u ne. . tis actory. houses as the funds at their disposal permitted. It was their T he professional and trading classes have complained earnest desire to raise lighthouses in Orkney at the earliest of their undue proportion of taxation, and shown the puseible moment. Their funds at the present moment were unreasonableness of the assessment ; but they have diminished by the reduction which they had made to the not elected the present parliament. The members of extent of 14,0001. per annum in the dues payable within their jurisdiction. fixed house for the most part derive their incomes from withdrawn. fixed property, and the majority of their constituents The motion was then JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES' BILL. pay ed that the house do no income-tax whatever. The rich who are Mr. M. GIBSON mov go into atom- powerful individually , and the mass who have codee mittee of the whole house on the acts 7& 8 Vict ., c. 111, and five strength, are either uninterested in the equal die. 8& 9 Vict., c. 98, for the purpose of agreeing to a resolution tribution of the property-tax, or biassed in favour of on which to found a bill enabling joint-stock companies to wise up their affairs, roasters in chancery being empowered the existing injustice. The sufferers form a body to act as commissioners in bankruptcy for such a purpose, perhaps not unworthy of the attention of a RULES- The propowd bill did not interfere with any right on the man. They do a great portion of the work and nearly part of creditor-shareholdets, as against the partners in any all the thinking of the community. They teach the company. nation in schools and pulpits ; they write its books, its 1 he house then went into committee. Mr. P. WOOD urged the necessity of the proposed mea sure, as a meats of enabling the partners in bankrupt joint- health and settle its disputes ; they invent for it and stock companies to arrange their affairs, inter se, so that all fight for it, and trade for it ; they make or promise should contribute alike their fair proportion of the losses. for it every article it requires, they create and take Mr. TWINER also supported the measure. care of its wealth; they form, in short, the vital The resolution was agreed to, the house resumed , and the reeolution MR@ reported to the house. spirit, the brain and the nerves of the coun tr y , settin g CIVIL ADMINISTRATION OF THE ARMY. the working classes, who are the limbs, in motion, Mr. HUME called fore statement how far the following and supplying the wants of the body of proprietors, recommendations made in the report of the royal commis- whom All ...ENENIVS AGRIPPA immortalised as the belly siooers " for inquiring into the practicability and expedi- of the state. Notwithstanding all this, they are coin ency of consolidating the different departments connected with the civil admicistration of the army," and dated Feb. parativcly weak in the two elements of electoral 21, 1837, sigaed by Lord Howick , Vis count Palmerston, power, members, and individual wealth. It was for - Lord J. Russell, Sir J. Hubhouse, and other commissioners, merle said that Chancellors of the Exchequer kept as contained in the report presented to both houses of par a tablet in their private office, with the inscription, liament in 1837, have boo carried out, or what measures olt eaves trouble to tax the poor double." have been adopted relating thereto. He denounced the But statesmen now are wiser than of yore, present arrangements as cumbrous and most imperfect. They spare the rich by buying off the poor. Mr. F. MAU LE admitted that the recommendations con- Next Monday the question comes specially before Mined in the report referred to were most valuable; but at the the same time stated that the ditfizulties which attended owe, anhope i w hones, d we 4 their being hitherto treated. It is quite certain that Sir ill be largely ROBERT PEEL in their being carried out had prevented acted upon. He must oppose the return moved for. 1841, and Lord JOHN RUSSELL on the present coca- The motion was negatived. sion, believed that in equalising the rate of taxation The house then adjourned at a quarter to 12 o'clock. on incomes which indicate an unequal amount of property, they were consulting the wishes of parlia ment. Sir ROBERT alleged the difficulty of arranging a more complicated scale of charges as the reason for not attemptog it—an excuse so futile that it could only have been addressed to an audience eager to support the injustice. The present minister passes the matter over in silence, thinking, perhaps, that 'if parliament was determined on an iniquitous measure, it was well to carry it with as little scandal as possible. The absence of a reason is perhaps better than a bad reason ; but the excuse suggested by the late premier was at least an admission that there was an injustice to be excused. The impedi ments of detail which were alleged to stand in the way of a removal of it might be got rid of without the smallest difficulty. Twenty different plans might be suggested which would reduce the present amount of unfairness, and none of them would render the ma chinery of the income tax more inquisitorial, or even more expensive than at present. If the tax-gatherer had to make a calculation for every . individual case, Sir ROBERT PEEL'S difficulty might have had a real existence ; but he might have remembered, and probably did remember, that there are such contnyances as tables, that forms of returns have several columns, and might have two or three more; and that it would be as easy to calculate the amount of one-tenth of a surgeon's fees, as that of one-fifth of a fundholder's dividends. The present minister, by his silence, admits nothing, except, per haps, that there is nothing to be said in favour of the indiscriminate mode of assessment. He, too, speaks to swilling and favouring audience, favouring him on this point if on no other ; but we are satisfied that if par liament could be induced to support a more equitable course, Lord J. RessELL would willingly adopt the suggestion. It is not from any difficulty in proving the injustice which we have assumed to exist that we have rather dis cussed on the present occasion the views and motives of the House of Commons than the true principles of direct taxation. We have on many former occasions explained that a professional or commercial income, in other words, wages and profits, ought to be taxed in proportion to the property which they indicate as belonging to those who receive them. Rents and divi dends are exactly proportional to property . in one ratio: profits less exactly, in quite another ratio. In come is only fairly taxable as the index of wealth — profits are the compound index of wealth, labour, and risk. To this question it will be necessary for us to return on more than one occasion : but the proof is not called for by the classes who gaffer from the injustice. They are well aware of it: and it is at this moment chiefly important that they should be aware of the causes which prevent a parliamentary recognition of their claims. There is, no doubt, much isolated excitement on the subject; and some public speakers, as well as many public writers, have called attention to the grievance. The main argument will be found judiciously stated in a pamphlet called " A few Words on Behalf of the Middle Classes of England, on the subject of the Income Tax," encumbered, however, with some doubtful theories on the case of annuitants, and on graduated taxation, which were quite unnecessary to the main purpose of the writer. But it is evident that, as yet, neither the public nor the House of Commons is disposed to pay sufficient attention to the grievance. Many members will probably content themselves with the authority of Mr. BABBAGE, for the maintenance of equal taxation of unequal means • and largely repeat his pedantic sophism, that burdens should be proportioned to the want of protection on the part of the tax-payer. It is true that this postulate is neither true in itself nor consistent with practice. Taxation is not based upon it, ought not to be based upon it, and never can be based upon it It is an hypothesis as imaginary as the " social compact" of former times, and infinitely less consistent with the phenomena 1 1 which it professes to explain. But any abstract pro position is useful to those who have objections to answer ; and if it is sanctioned by a celebrated name, it often serves for a reply to all arguments. Here after it may be desirable to expose the fallacy of Mr. BABBAGE'S argument ; but at present we refer to the pamphlet merely as showing the line of defence which will probably be taken if an amendment is proposed on the ministerial proposition. We conclude for the present with one further re mark. If the old tax is unjust, the same apportion ment is still more unfair, when applied to the addi tional 2 per cent., which is professedly temporary. A perpetual tax on all incomes contains the minimum of iniquity, because the perpetuity of enjoyment in some degree corresponds to perpetuity of payment; but a two years' tax on incomes which may only last for two years, levied at the same rate with a tiro years GENERAL CONIMITTEE OF ELECTIONS. This committee eat yesterday, and stxack the fol lowing committees: PEEBLES,-Sir W. Clay, Mr. Henley, Mr. Marshall, Sir W. JoWife, Lord K. Grosvenor chairman. LANCASTEIL—Sir B. Hall, Sir E. Colebrook, Lord Mahon, Mr. Moody, Mr. Deedes chairman. Cheltenham, Badmin, and Leicester postponed until alter March 27. ELECTION CONIMIrfEES.—YESTERDAY. LYME REGI9.—NIr. Bird, the witness whose ab sence was complained of on Saturday, wan the first and only witness examined. Witness was contractor of the works at Moreton-in-the-Minh, and had employed Glide as overseer of the plant, at the recommendation of Mr. Abdy, at a salary of 21. 10s. per week; had found him incompetent at first, but he afterwards improved. Mr. Abdy's recommendation was by letter, and was confirmed by letter from Mr. Harris, of Bristol. Had never found fault with Glide in his work ; if he had he should have dismissed him, notwithstanding Mr. Abdy's recommendation. Mr. Alexander, Q.C., then carefully summed up the petitioner's cue, after which the committee adjourned to this day. KINSALE.—Mr. Serjeant Andrews replied for the sitting members, carefully recapitulating the evidence which had been given, and commenting upon its discrepancies, and proceeded to call witnesses to rebut it on behalf of the sitting members. The first witness called was the Rev. Mr. Ryder, the clergyman whom the woman Ryan had spoken of as one of the party she had shaved on the morning of the election. The witness positively denied having left his own home until nine o'clock on the morning of the election. Mr. Ryder un derwent a long cross-examination from Mr. Serjeant Wring ham, the object of which was to show that he (witness) had keen an extremely active partisan, and had acted in such a manner u was calculated to excite the Roman catholic popu lation of the town.—The committee adjourned to this day. PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. DIVISION IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS IN CON NITTES ON THE DIPLO'ATIC RELATIONS (COVET OP ROME) BILL.-A list, professing to give the names of the noble lords who voted for and against Lord Eglinton's amendment, which was published in some of the morning journals of yesterday, did not appear in this paper in conse quence of its incorrectness. The numbers declared were 67 for the amendment, and 64 against giving a majority of 3 against minister*. But the list names only 66 peers, in chiding the Duke of Wellington, who spoke against the amendment (if his own were adopted, which it was under stood to be) but is represented as haviug voted for it. It may be proper to observe that the divisions in the Lords are not published in their proceedings, as in the Commons ; but are presumed to be supplied at the discretion of noble lords taking an interest in their publicity. Zile OpprtAs. MAILS ...... The overland eloaed made, rie Marseilles, to e Mediterranean. r4rypt, Aden, Ceylon, India, Ilcag Kong, Mc., the made up on Lb( evening of the 24th February. The mails for Britian North America, Bermuda, and the Ilnitad itates, will be made up on the evening of the 23th February. The mails for Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Madeira , Cadiz, sad Gibraltar will be made up on the morning of the 27th February. The mails for New South Wake Van Dlemen's Lend, and New Zeeland will be made up on the evening of the 29th February. The malls for the West Coast of Africa and Madeira will be made llP T ° L ' t ' e Wee the e' t India ;1h11:11., ine t l e u b d r rg ry. Bermuda, Neelau, lianinna, Rondonia, New Orleans, vera Wu, Tampico, and Porto Rico, and excluding three for ?dadeira, Jacinel, Carthagena, Santa Martha, Chagree, Panama , West Coast of South Amence, and St. Juan-de- Nicaragua, will be made up on the morning of the 2nd March. The overland mails for Gibraltar, Malta, Greece, the lonian Islands, Egypt, Aden, Ceylon, India, Hong-Kong, and China, Me Southampton, will - lie made up on the morning of the 3rd March. The mails for the brazils, the River Plate, Monte Video, Panama burn, Bailie Madeira, and Buenas Ayres, will be made up on the evening of the 4th March. NOTICE. Tan number of STAMPS issued to the DAILY NEWS by the authorities of the Stamp-office, during the year 1817, was: From JAN. 1, t 3 DEC. 31, 3,447,009 This, we believe, is within eight per cent. of the number issued to the Morning Herald, Morning Chronicle, and Morning Post, ALL PUT TOOETHEIt. In addition to the above, issued to the DAILY NEWS, Mornina Paper, there were issued for the Evening Editio n, THE EXPRESS, From JAN. 1, to Dan. 31 778,714 Which was more, we believe, than were issued either to the Globe or Standard, Evening Papers. TO CORRESPONDENT% • • liventonutaw !lambed fbe •TM pa bowbew *mislay moy. mow . b• at Um. ••••• lialrlfill•CMPl. by Two delool ow Lk. day 1 HIGH AT LONDON ISIDOIL Tvls Dot—ltenANA. 4 NAIL pre 4 Afterseda. minims* 4. Wm. prt 4. LIMMODS. II W. 4Y2 4. LONDON, TUESDAY, FEB. 22. WE suggested, yesterday, that u minister' had certainly stated no sufficient reason for our increased estimates, no doubt other motives weighed wi.h them, which they were unu illing to disc ose. We were tax on an inotne outrage on Pistil' u rged with ref erer s pas perhaps less that the tax wou is not to the new p e rcents DECIDEDLY the than despatches of notalcatton which the year, sweeps Lively unprohtabl , from all the ports liarly graceful in amelioration has legislative act of as pointedly, Ix away, has shown the pursuits of o essity of humps a description of fold dangers. I authority of one have ever repro. greatest of its col will live in somet Metes of the East should be consun heart has ever y and the arts wit the European e , perpetuate his marble, he will spontaneous gra . natives of the bi country will cool Cons WA Lt.'s and will be known at mind and the people. The abrogatiot the European eel a decided influei pith China, chic) both under Br free for a los ation, a duty levied on all countries eastwaz (or double) if the bottoms. These ad talurent duty, price of the artic lieve that the rt than 6 or 7 per o The mere abol whole of the i raised between foreign colours LordArtima.e fold homage to has not only an , has also retormc concern the arth The followitu; magnitude of tt represent in pc cotton, and the year for which presidencies: Calcutta Idaaras Boo~hap ..... Later return , of this branch , decisively illu change. The research growth of cwt. , satisfactory an the very &lick , BRIMIT in part settled decisive part of the pro an adequate su The question longer any . ate considerations settled point th, and the last, it report, "as we country and expected." Starting, th proceeding nos abed, the coll the Onzerat valleys of the broad and am; tenancy of Ag and from the including eve] at least Leslie a district bet we say, a sun out the whole nous shrub, e an article of arise, are e has not India not at preso, every motive the most abu It is not di why the raw from the tro the eastern British peopl the product canon of St. assigned to infinite whic and repreese of Good Hoi couragenn nt terprise. In ful monopo were utterl rival partici] possessions. meree, even an assertion few defend( cantile ser] senior mercl were a tard of detail any the very in culiar orbit jeopardy. from the fie] not yet be of our don