The Express. — London, England, 1853-04-30 00:00:00

rum apermanent it had become • temporary tax. (Oh.) i And that hi contended changed the whole aspect of the *pi ••iOn. Witt n Mr. Merman brought forward his motion j a lets on the subject of this tax, one reason advanced by h ue w an, that having been impose d as a temporary measure, it bed assumed a permanent character, and though he aertril with the hon. member rev Montrose, that if an equal adjustment of the income tax could be obtained, con sidering the lerge amount it produced, it would be a valu able emcee of revenue, the argument for adjustment came with less force when they knew it was to be reduced gn u' e illy, and in a few y ears altogether abolished. Then the nn of th e principle of commutation:irons trades to er lifOft woe. . wee not to be reel( Weed as gleam to the pro advent:ye which previously wee only al the proposed exemptions on Be loved to the trader, Ana :3 Arne' Annuities and asuraneee, they were giving facili• tee fir,anteing provision for the future. It could not be thet those relaxations amounted to some eemeeneation for the inequalities with which the tag was undoubtedly chargeable. The great feature of the teeter?, however, was the extension of the legacy duty to peal pr• perry, which would brine that amount of revenue ahe h enehed the Chancellor of the Exchequer to provide in the simpitticatiou mud reduction of the a-trued taxes, the abolition of the soap dote, and the repeal of the customs duties en a I lege nuattxr of miner maid S. together with the reduction of the tea dui ies, compensation for the tem porary emitinuance of the inc o me tex in its present form. The ohjeeti tie to which the budget of the right boa. mem ber fer Bailee was fairly liable, by uo meanie applied to that now under cennideretion. There were some minor point: is the scheme to which objection might reasonably be urged —cud with retina to the increase in the duty on licenses he had received c irumunications from SOMA of his constituents complaining of it, but he understood that that point wee to be re.eoneidered ; and as the other minor details to which be alluded did not affect the general principle of the budget, he was Trade gratefully to accept it as a whole. Lent A. VANE trusted ,re member would be influenced in his vote ou this question by the threat which it was un derstmal the gover n ment hail thrown out, that they would dissolve parliament if they did not carry their budget— invead of taking the more constitutional coulee! which had been adopted by the late government, of resigning. Contrasting the financial schemes of Mr. Disraeli and that of the present Cheneellor of the Exchequer, he s tated that the inereax in taxation under the budget of the late government would have hem 1,060,000/., and the re missions wield have amounted to 3,490,000/ , white the in- ' crease of taeetion under the present plan was 3,130,000/., and the !enlistees :4315,0a0/., and he wished especially to call the attention of the Irish members to the fact, that their share of the additional taxation under this budget would be 698,0001., or 153,000/. atter deducting the remis sion of the consolidated ennuities, and including the legacy they on hind, the increased taxation to be levied on Ireland was 713,W e. a year. Mr. I'. URQUHART announced his determination to support the financial policy of her Majesty's government. Lord JOCELYN obser ved that the right hon. gentleman the President of the Board of Control (Sir C. Wood) had divided the opponents of the budget into two classes—the leaded iatereste, and the people of Ireland. There was, however, a third class—namely, those who dissented from eersils of the measure, and who, especially, thought that' the imposition of the income tax for seven years, without nia.ua or reform, would Co impolitic and injurious to the ebarecter and commerce of the country. As to Ireland, he contended that no sufficient equivalent was given; it would be an additional taxation of aimut 400,0001. (lieu, hear.) While he was an advocate fur Ireland bearing its fair share of the national burdens. he contended that it would be unjust to muke her pay the income tax. He was 'eery to oppose his respected friend the Chancellor of the Enbequer; but he felt floc this tax would be neither just nor equable. (Hear, hear.) Mr. CARDWELL said that, in 1812, when the tax was introduced by Sir Robert Peel, it had the advantage of his noble friend's support. (Hear, hear.) In 184 i, Sir It. Peel had most carefully examined the possibility of extend ing to the trading closes the considers ion cow claimed; and he came to the conelu.ion that it could nut be done. Nevertheless the hon. member fur Sheffield brought that Haile lord. before the house , and i t was o pp osed b y the ride lord. (Hear, hear.) The noble lord objected to the continuance of the income tax for seven years ; but he so highly approved the remissions of indirect taxation, and had such great confidence in those now proposed, that he believed they woul I be more rapidly . reproductive than the Chan cellor of the Exchequer anticipated, and, therefore, that, at an earlier period than seven years, it would be possible to remit the income-tax. (Hear, hear) His argument amounted to thin—that the budget was so much better than was supposed by its promoters, that he would not rote fur it. (Cheer') The Chancellor of the Exchequer, taking a prudent U. wand asked fur the income-tax for seven years ; if, at an earlier period,he,or some future minister, found that own sources of revenue would enable him to dispense with it, any hon. member might make a motion to that effect, anal nodoubethe house would bo happy toreceive the intelligence. The noble lord objected to the artisan being taxed; but in December last he had voted for the extension of the income to to incomes of 1041. a year. Ile spoke of incomes of 6/. or 61. a week ; but these were already liable as the tax stood, (Hear, hear.) Ile also opposed its extension to Ire land, but admitted teat Ireland might to bear its just pro. portion of the national burdens. lie said no equivalent was to be given ; but if it was just and right so to extend the tax, why should any equivalent be looked for? (Hear.) They ought to view all parts of the kingdom as one com prehensive whole, and to draw as few distinctions as possi ble. (Cheers.) Public opinion looked not an much to the comparative proportion of edvant To to be derived by Eng land, Scotland, or Ireland; they believed that a compre hensive measure had been proposed, which would be of great benefit to all. (Chem.) When they last made a great remission of taxation in 1851, the window tax, which was loudly called for by public opinion, Ireland did not directly participate in that advantage; but no objection had been raised to the measure on that account. (hear) The guts tioa at issue was this: were they so satisfied with the past financial improvements from this income tax, that they were milling to make another groat and deci,ive step forward in 1110 Name direction. (Hear hear.) The income tax was Imposed at a remarkable pe riod, when, by successive deficits for al years, a debt of 10 millions bad been incurred in times of peace—when other sources of revenue had been tried and tailed—when they had sought, by the imposition of 10 per cent. on one portion of the taxes, and 6 per seat. on another, to rentalc the exchequer—it was under this necessity, that the great engine of the income tag hod been muted to. And what WAS the first effect of this experi ment? Two =Wives of taxation were removed, and in throe years, the customs and excise produced as much as before. (Hear, hear.) In asking for the income tax foe three years, Sir Robert Peel had led the House of Commutes to believe that it would be in their option to remove it at the and of that period. That pledge was net falsified. At that time there was a balance in the Exche quer of 61 millions ; the income-tax produced only 6,100,0001. There was therefore • surplusof above 1 1 and half a year's income-tax woad have b ee n p a = the act bad not been renewed. Therefore, at lima dm% they might have removed the iaeoms-tax, and hen b a surplus of nearly four millions. But, so much lad 41111111- Filature been encouraged by that experiment, Hat lbw resolved to try it again on a larger sale. In 1841, Ese millions of indirect taxes were taken off ; ix Map *5 71 ;millions had been taken away from the MINN Sod excise duties is those twopieridas, these two Mm Of revenue hadagain recover ed themselves. (Hear, hue-) What was their position now? In the ireful they had removed more than three millions of animism main In all many eleven millions of arlems sad win duties, or ratty one-third of the whale prime eg 11me tare; end agnia those sources of MONIS lad sesormed threaselvel. (Chem.) Such wea the Wait et tan which Great Britain had been baring, and homvilith Ire land was exempt. But had Ireland had no ohm la this benefit? Prohibitive duties had begs entirely regaled • protective defies which discouraged coseansption, had bees; reduced or remitted; articles of ant seesesity bed been freed from taxes, as bad the raw materials of newsletters,: trade had bean stimulated, industry excited, an larger ues and Feats had been created. (Hear, heiar.) And had Ireland derived no share of them &amours / (Cheers.) Had It been a lose to the starving multitudes of Ireland that the duties on the import of articles of first necessity had been removed? (Hear, hear.) Whose suf ferings had rendered it necessary for the imperial parlia ment to remove the duties on those articles ? (Hear, beer.) What had been the particular benefit in money value to Ireland ? The calamity which overtook Ireland in 1616 had cost us Mr millions of money ; but by the aid of the income tax we had been able to pay it. (Hen, hoar.) And had not these advantages been shared by Ireland ? The shipping of Bel fast was doubled; and in the last five yews the traffic upon railways in Ireland had been more than trebled. (Hear, bear.) Whence had come the capital that had .bees re cently invested in land in Ireland, and which had bees the mean• of conferring such great benefits on that ormatey, and developing Pm produce of Ireland?—from those Isar Mal reforms which had then effected here in the last is years—(shnn and " No" from some Irish member)—and which had stimulated the trade and increased the prosperity the United Kingdom. But they were not now dividing oaths question whether the income tax should be extended to Ireland, but upon the general proposition of Sir B. Lytton, that the tax was unjust and impolitic. (Hear, hear.) From the arguments which had been used in support of this amendment by the has. mover and others, he was convinced that this was really a protectionist amend ment in disguise. (Cheers.) The speaker, who had followed Sir B. Lytton, said that agriculture bad paid six millions too much in the last six years. Then, was it the object of this amendment to take taxes from agriculture and lay them on trade ? If so, let its supporters say so. (Cheers.) But let them not imagine that the India and professions of this country were so simple that, under the guise of a general proposition in favour of redressing inequality, the friends of agriculture could mend in re paving it from some three millions of taxation. (Hear, hear.) The proposal of the late government would not only have taxed incomes of 1001. year, but would have taxed them at • higher rate than the present measure proposed. The amendment was couched in general terms, and pointed out no means of redressing the alleged inequality. Mr. Cobden had told the truth, when he said that it was not so much Vert inequality as the inquisitorial nature of the tax that. was objected to. Adam Smith declared that an inquisitorial tax never would be submitted to by the nstion. <Cheers from the opposition.) The hon. gentlemen oppca sea cheered; but had they not made the same proposal? (Cheers.) It wriest to impossible to unravel the connexion between property and income; and justice could only be attained by doing this in every individual ease. (Hear, p e arl la properties as they &preached to justice, Hwy wo uld add to the inquisitorial n a ture of the tax. (Here.) With regard to Ireland the argument was, that it was un fair to extend the income tea to A pauperised country. That argument would not beer caanainatien, bett`PC Dre 8 , 0 , of the Consolidated Annuities would relieve the pre sent on the most pauperised didriets ; whereas the Mame tax wool: be borne by the comparatively rich and wealthy. (Hear, best.') If he was not misinformed the lion. member for Mayo, wilt. was so free in his strictures upon others, proposed in Dubin, in 1817, that an inc.mc tax should be imposed on Ireland, anstead of the poor-law charge. (Hear, hear.) And on the 17th March, I blB, when be was charged in that house with mahir.g such a proposition, he replied that " he agreed with the hon. member fur Mar, lebone in tbiaking that property in Ireland ought to be made amen able to the income tae. lie thought it just to the people of this country, sad 'memory fur the welfare of the people of Ireland that every ma and every description of property should be made to bear his -hare of the national burdens. (Cheers.) Whilst the tradesieen of England were coatriuutiag to the necessities of Ireland, and whilst I the farmer was trying to bear up against an impossible ex- j periment, wee it not 'monstrous that the man who received; twenty times the income of either sheuld be allowed to ; sneak out of the difficulty and escape tree. (Cheers) Su far from thinking that the present circumstances of Ireland exonerated her people from the payment of an income tax, lie was of opinion that the present condition of the country was the very reason why they should be taxed." (Cheers.) Mr. MOOItE said that speech was made in support of a proposition which lie had put on the paper, but which he was not allowed to make. He then advocated an income tax for the purpose of supporting the people of Ireland through the famine. (Opposition cheers.) Mr. CAIIDWELL—And now the hon. gentleman was opposing a proposition which would remit the burden which was contracted to meet that famine. (Hear.) He called on the house to consider what they had been able to effect in consequence of the income-tax. When they were driven to impose the tax, the capital debt amounted to 791,000,0001. Now, :et the expiration of ten years they had paid 9,000,0001.011 account of Ireland, and had reduced the original capital of the debt 12,000,0001., so that they stood better by 21,000,0001. than they stood before. But that was not all, for their balances in the Exchequer, which were then but 1.600,0001., were now hard upon 9,000,0001., being an increase of 7,500,0001. (Hear, hear.) It was that same instrument that euabkd his ri ght hon. friend, the member for Cambridge (Mr. Ooulburn) to remove from the annual pressure of the debt 1,2004-001. These were benefits conferred on the whole of the United Kingdom, and they were now called on to submit to the income tax for seven years more, in order that they might be able to carry for ward a similar course of policy. (Hear, hear.) They bad removed the duty on light and air; it was now proposed to remove the tax on cleanliness. They had diminished the duty on sugar, it was now proposed to diminish the duty on tea. (Hear, hear.) They proposed to extend the comforts of the people by measures which, at the same time, would stimulate trade and increase the resources of the nation. (Hear, hear.) That was the question which the house had now to decide. The first income tax existed for 18 years, and it enabled them to pass through one of the greatest revolutions that was ever known. At the tad of 18GU the second income tax would have existed 18 years, and would have enabled them to pass through a different and not less important revolution. (Hear, hear.) They were now engaged in a peaceful con flict with other nations—in a conflict of commercial enter prise, and without an income tax, which enabled them to relieve trade and industry of its fetters, they never would have prosecuted that conflict to success. (Hear, hear.) Sir H. Peel found England the dearest and most heavily taxed country in Europe: l:e removed many of her bur dens, and by persevering in the same course of policy this country would become one of the cheapest and most lightly taxed countries in Europe ; and no wait hereafter need re move to any other country fur the sake of economy. (Hear, hear.) Let them not therefore discuss which part of the United Kingdom would be the greatist gala' by the pro position of his right hon. friend : but let them, unless they could show that it would be anywhere uojust in its opera tion, cordially support a measure which would promote the liappine , s and comfort of all. (Cheers.) Mr. HENLEY hoped that the imoosition of an inmate tax for 18 years, with all its inequalities unzaitiaated, would not make a revolution in this country, in the true sense of the word. (Hear.) The right hon. gentleman would not, at least, contend that these inequalitin produced any part of the advantages to which he referred; and the question which the house had now to discuss was, whether, if the income tax was to continue fur seven years longer, they ought not endeavour to remedy these inequalities. (Hear, bear.) Ile went into the committee on the income tax, under the impression that it would be almost impos sible to remove these inequalities; bat he we bound to say that, after hearing the evidence an the subject, he came out of it with a differeat impression. (Hear, hear.) He did not mean to say that mathematical justice and equality could ever be obtained; but he was persuaded that some of the inequalities in the present incidence of the tax could be removed. (Hear, hear.) li the could not precisely distinguish between capital and income in all cases, they could mitigate the in justice in the case of those incomes which were of a wholly different character. (Loud cheer') In regard to taxation Ireland stood in a different position from England, because they started in 1800 frem a different point, and they . must keep that distinction in view when they were considering the relative taxation of the two countrits. (Hear, hear.) This tax was proposed for seven years only, but he did not believe that it would be g iven u p at the eel of that time. Some of the supporters of the government voted fur the proposition because they believed the tax would be permanent, whilst others again voted for it be cause it was to be only temporary. (Our. hear.) Which was it to he ? How could bon. gentlemen reconcile such opposite views? (Hear, hear.) With regard to the relative merits of the two budgets, that of his right hos. friend and that of the right hon. gentleman the Chancellor of the Ex chequer, whilst he admitted the great ability and Moquette* of the right hon. gentleman, he must say thM the primula I tin of hie hon. friend was more favourable to the landed in- tercet and to the country !generally. These were some of the reasons which would induce him to vote for the amend ment. Another reason was that if it was to be a temporary tax, it was unwise to extend it to Ireland. Mr. CAIRNS said with reference to the imputations which had been cast on the members for Ireland, that he would never in that house demand for Ireland anything in the nature of • boon, and he would never roof to give his vote for what appeared to him a matte justice. He would say, with regard to the income-tax, that if it were to be • permanent tax, and if it were ad justed so as to get rid of its present inequalities, he should not refuse his vote to extend it to Ireland. Having said this he would state the grounds on which he would vote for the amendment. la the first place he came to the de termination on grounds concerning the income tax as much for England as for Ireland. Every one admitted that the income tax, as it now stood, was inequitable and unjust. The Chancellor of the Exchequer admitted it, but he did sot say It was impossible to rectify theseinerittalities; he said it was a matter of care and difficulty. So long as it was un equal and unjust he should gvs his vote against it. He thought when they were called upon to renew the income tax for seven years they ought to be satisfied as to the exact amount of another tax which was to replace it, and which was of a novel and untried description. He referred to the proposed tax on saccoesions. He was not going to argue whether it was a good tax or not. He would say at once that the exclusion of land from the tax ea seesendeste was an invidious exclusion. He should be irelllnd If the whole ageerm of taxation on succeed ,ns be eseneared, ME land brought into it, provided eery would iseliffihr thee*" duties to which land was now subject, the Miff. duty SS Vanden, and all the other duties ai which land Mae ealgent, GM which personal property was utterly Ximemll i e l t u t=Ml they would treat it is senjuaction the Imam of the transfer of land, provided they meld heat it with all those necessary adjuncts, he for on. MIMI be ready to enter into it. As regarded the IMMO tax, there was one special reason why it *ILONA to him impolitic to extend it to Ireland. to said it was tem porary ; and if they were serious in that state ment, he would ask whether it was worth while to subject the Irish nation for 'even years to a tax, the machinery of which neither they nor their fathers ever saw? (Cheers.) Sir Robert Peel, when he introduced the income us, said be did not propose to subject Ireland to it beeaaae the measure was temporary, and because in that eratars7 there was no machinery for levying it. At the sem* thee Sir Robert Peel proposed what he represented as ea equivalent for the lamas tax in an additional duty on linos and on spirits. (Hear, hear.) Notwithstanding the sobseqeent alterations, the stamp duties were still snarl double what they were before the income tax was im posed, and the spirit duty was now to be increased. Hear, hear.) The right on. h baronet the member for im posed, declared,the ether ulght,tbat he had alwaysheencon 'latent in his views with regard to Ireland. Now it happened that, in a speech mode Mt mostly manyt he was enti months since, the r ight bon. bon. baronet sta mostly tharely be des estuaries aft ammo tax to Ireland. (Opposition W, Se neer Millthet, when be spoke of Ireland, he Met the while Seuntry, but only certain tracts and dilledsts of it, not including such towns as Belfast. He Mil out to his own satisfaction that Ireland would be a Cm of some five or six millions by the whole cream- In this, however, he was guilty of two fallacies: one Ides that the income tax would last only seven yeles; the other, that, it the consolidated annuities wens not remitted, they would be paid. (Great laughter.) As regarded the set-off between the two, it was altogether an Irish piece of hum. Translated iato plain English, it meant nothing but this—that one past of Ireland was to pay the debt of another part. (Hear, Mar.) The northern counties of Ireland, which had no consolidated annuities, but a great deal of income, Were to have an Mouse tax put upon them, which was to he applied. in the payment of debts duo from the south of Ireland. It was as though the ; government tried to impose a tax on.Livespool for Ow relief 1 of land in Dorchester. (Hear, hew.) Tim right hen. gen- ' tleman the President of the Booed of Trade said his was delighted that the time had arrive/ when the Irish debt was to be made an imperial question. He Mr. Cairns) was afraid that his sonstMuents would suffer from this imperial vie w of the eau. (Hear, bear.) He !, could sot help here remarking that there were some places in this north which had so rats in aid, having paid it off ; I ; and it it were true that the remainder of the debt, gene- rally, ought to be paid ou t of thc imperial treasury—(" no, no," (rem the ministerial side)—how could the government rause to restore the money thus advanced ? At present, all the trivernment did in the matter was to say, in effect, W a give you an equivalent in the shape of an income taz ." (Laughter.) When any government had to legislate foe; Ireland, it always'aPpeared to do so in an Irish fashion I n this case, a party who had paid the debt was not merely put in the came position as the party who had not paid it, but was actually called upon to pay something else into the bargain. (Laughter.) Now he begged to tell the right hon. baronet (Sir C. Wood) , that he was not ungrateful for the complimentary manner in which he had spoken of his constituents; and he would add, that for the Merrill which they bad euloyed, the inhabitants of Belfast were indebted, under Providence, to their own energy, industry, and self-reliance. But the right hod bsronet had, he dare say, heard of • fable about a ea:rtsin animal, of which he thought he might say he had imitated the artifice, though he hoped he would not realise the success. No doubt he knew the story of • fox—(laughter) —which, by means of more compliments than were deserved, contrived to charm out of the month of a crow a contribu lion to his budget—(great laughter)—not of incomes, but of cheese. (Laughter.) The moral of this fable was instructive. The people of Belfast would of course feel very much flattered by the complimentary observations of the right hon. baronet, but he did not think they world be flattered into liking his income tax. (Cheers and laugh ter.) He could only say fur himself, as one of those to whom the right hon. baronet had especially addressed his arguments, that be hall considered those arguments, that he remained unconverted,and that he should vote for the amendment. (Cheers.) Sir W. CLAY then moved the adjournment of the debate. Lord J. RUSSELL mid he should not otject to the motion of his hoc. friend, if there were any members who wished to speak on the question, but he did hope that the debate would be concluded on Monday. There were • great many notices of motion awaiting discussion, and it would be very inconvenient if the debate were not finished on Monday tight. Mr. DISRAELI said there were several gentlemen who wished to address the committee, but so for as he could col lect their opinion, there would be no tlitficulty in coming to a division on Monday. The debate was then adjourned till Mendel. TAXING OFFICER, COMMON LAW BUSINESS (IRE LAN D), BILL. This bill passed through committee pro forma. SALES OF BULLION BILL. This bill was read a second time. - - - ENTAILS (SCOTLAND) DILL. The LORD ADVOCATE, in moving the second reading of this hill, explained that its object was merely to rectify some omissions in an act passed 601110 years since with refe rence to the same matter. The bill was read a second time. MERCHANT SHIPPING BILL. This bill passed through committee. AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS BILL. This bill was read a third time and passed. CHATHAM BOROUGH. Mr. COLLIER moved that a writ should issue for the election of a burgess for Chatham, in the room of `fir F. Smith. lie thought that the house would agree with him that writs ought not to be withheld, except upon strong grounds, and upon some definite and intelligible rule. It seemed to him that where a case was made out for a com mission a welt ought not to issue, but where a case was not made out that it ought. Upon the report of the committee in this instance no case was established for a commission. Only one case of bribery was stated in the report. It was true that the committee found that the Admiralty had great influence in the borough, and that the government candi dates were generally elected. But this was matter which could only be fitly dealt with by legislative enactment, and it might well be a subject for consideration, whether per sons employei in a dockyard ought to be entrusted with the franchise? Ile understood that the chairman of the committee did not oppose the issuing of the writ. A week's notice had been given to the electors. Sir J. SHELLEY wished to call attention to the report of the committee. After stating that oue elector bad been bribed by an appointment as a letter carrier, it went on to say, that it appeared to the committee that a large number of electors were employed in the dockyards who were under the influence of the government fur the time being ; that there was no initance of • candidate being returned who had not the influence of government. lie, therefore, thought that the house should consider whether or not the right of voting ought to be withdrawn from the borough of Cliethem. Mr. BRAMSTON . agreed with the hon. gentleman who moved that this w rit should issue. The committee not having felt itself justified in proposing a commission, he did not thine that course ought now to be followed. At ano ther time it might be well for the house to consider whether the i ieht of voting ought to extend to these dockyard bo- roughs. At the same time it should be remembered that out of 1,200 voters the committee found that from 300 to 400 were directly under the influence of government. Mr. HEYWOOD wished to call the attention of the beam to a case which came before the committee. It was that of a men named Charles Beveridge, a shipwright, who used against the goverament candidate in 1835, and who slue that time had been carefully kept back. He hoped that when the present representative system came under revision this cue would not be lost sight of in reference to the question of the ballot. Mr. AGLIONBY said it was very true that only . one case of bribery was reported as proved by the committee, but it was well known to hon. members that when one case o' bribery was established, considerable laxity prevailed in proving other vises; it did not follow therefore that only one case occurred. Lord J. RUSSELL said it seemed to him that this was a cave of a very peculiar character. It was not merely one of those cases which were dealt with by declaring that cor rupt practices bad prevailed, and decided that • commission shout' , issue, but one in which the committee suggested that it might be proper to withhold the privilege of electing members altogether. This appeared to him to be a serious question, and one in which other government dockyards might be interested. (Hear, hear.) The question of dis franchisement was a serious one, and he was not pre pared to go that length. But there was another remedy which, in his opinion, was worthy the consideration of the house, and that was, if there were in the royal dockyards • number of persons under government in fluence, and liable to be called on to vote for the candidate of the government, it might be a question whether it would not be proper that such maims should be placed on the same footing as revenue officers. (Hear, hear.) He did not say that such would he the proper remedy, but it did seem to him that the question raised such grave considera tions as not to be capable of settlement at that time of night, and after a long discussion on a totally different subject. There was no great injustice in withholding the writ for a abort time, and therefore he would suggest that the debate should be adjourned until Friday next, or some time when it would be convenient for the house to consider the case. Issue of writ postponed to Friday next. MAIDSTONE BOROUGH. Mr. CRAUFU RD moved the issue of a new writ for the borough of Maidstone, in the room of Mr. Geo. Dodd. Mr. DISRAELI ob served that the evidence in this case had sot been laid on the table. lie. PIiINN said that no evidence had been heard. Se- Sou charges of treating were brought forward, but the sitting member did not defend his seat. He would suggest the adjournment of this case also. Mr. CRAUFURD said that this was merely a case of treating. The sitting member was personally exculpated, and the committee had not thought it proper to issue a special report. After an °toleration from Mr. Dleakint, the issue of the writ was postponed. LAW OF BANKRUPTCY (SCOTLAND). The LORD ADVOCATE moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the law of bankruptcy in Scotlaad. The .cages he proposed to make were, fleet, to make sequestra tion attach immediately ; secondly,.to abolish the office of Nestor, and to make the sheriff take possession of the pro perty—(hear, hear)—thirdly, in order to avoid delay, he proposed to make the adjudication of the sheriff final ; and, lastly, he proposed to accelerate the time for the declaratioa of dividend. Its proposed, in addition to this, so to frame the machinery of the bill as to facilitate the discharge of the honest, and to retard that of the dishonest debtor. There were some minor details, but he trusted the outline he had given would sufficiently explain the object of the bill. After an expression of approbation from Mr. CowAN, Leave was given to bring in the bill. CASE OF LIEUTENANT INOLEDUE. Sir G. PECHELL rose to call attention to the case of Lieut. Ingledee, of the Royal Navy, which he designated as being of a imewhat an extraordinary nature. It appeared that in 1840 Lieut. Ingledus thought proper to leave the Royal Navy ; and, in consequence, a letter was addressed to him by Mr. More O'Ferrall, the then Secretary to the Admiralty, ordering him to hold himself in readiness to join his ship. On the 19th August in the same year, Lieutenant Ingledue wrote a most improper letter, de , eluting to take the appointment of lieutenant, but expressing his readiness to take that of captain, the ground of his refusal being that he had recently taken the their lordshipscommand fa mheercpbaurocetedskip. Wi a th ve out th t e h c e outry permission a i n o d n i o n f esmesquence his name was erased from the navy list. No OM was heard of him for two years, when there was a bell heard of Admiralty, and be applied to be restored. lie did the case of Lieut. Wagborn, but was told that it stood en different grounds, and was refused. He again re mained unheard of for nine years, when, in December 1851, when another board being in, he applied again and was again refused. He appealed to his exertions to establish steam communicatioa with India, but his schemes were so wild that the Oriental Company were obliged to :veal him. This was when Sir F. Baring wain office in Jan. 1852. The hon. and gallant gentleman then went on to state that Mr. Stafford, on June 10th, Mr. Stafford then being Secre tary to the Admiralty, had referred Mr. Ingletlue to the decisions of former boards, that being in answer to a re newed application from Mr. Ingledne. On the 24th June Mr. Ingledue remonstrated; and was again rebuffed by a reference to the former answer. The general election then took place. At Southampton Sir Alexander Cochrane and Mr. B. Wilcox were the liberal candidates. Mr, Staff ird was at that time . frequently at Southampton, mid Mr. Ingledue's services against the liberal candidates having been made use of (so much so that his employers in the Peninsular and Oriental Company rebuked him), he made a new application on the 30th November, calling atten tion in his memorial to his capacity as gunner, and to his " ability to serve the government at South ampton," if he should be appointed superintendent of equipmeat vessels ; and on the 22nd December Captain Hamilton, the second secretary, intimated to him that his application bad been considered, and that he was at liberty to memorialise the Queen In council. He did so, and on the 3rd January the Board of Admiralty, to whom the memorial had been referred, recommended her blejesty to grant its prryer. This letter of the Admiralty was only signed by the two political lords, and the question was why the naval lords bad also not concurred ? The result was that Mr. Ingledue was restored, and when the new govern ment came in Mr. Osborne had to inform him that his half pay would re-commence at a stated period, and that he was to holdhimulf in readiness for an appointment. But in the mean time Sir A. Cockburn had gone down to Southamp ton for re-election, and Mr. Ingledue, restored to his posi tion, was at Southampton too. These were elm:matinees which ought to be inTestigated, it being palpable that the Board of Adiafealty, under the late goverssweat, had for political purposes, departed from the rule usually taken is such cases. The late board had, in feet, rewardet for services on the hustings, and sot for services on the quarter deck. And this was not the only ease that would be found out. (Oh, oh 1 ) The navy felt indignant at such practieis —(uter, hear)—sad he hoped the whole matter would be ,ie into. lie moved that the returns respecting Mr. he b. due be referred to the select committee on dockyard apro j g h.:ents. c, pta i n . SCOBELL seconded the motion; and also ex- Lredsee d we ti aire c ip...f • th tat thenavywhowleentransacas stake in the nihlntowurr. I S h T es AF r.) FORD admitted ... hat • Lieutenant Ingledue lad been struck off the lists, and haft remained off during year., but the board replaced lmo on the ground that he would be of great service in manninj; the navy, is 0011 ,,, 11 * - quotes of his connexion with the merca mite. marine. T his connexion was set forth in the second meo:enat "e"." 1 7•"" to the late hoard, and it was upon that reprea'atatten that he had been reinstated. The appointment could have nothing to do with the election, seeing that in June, wizen the first memorial was sent ill—that was on the very eve b f the ge neral election he met with a point blank refusal. :lad at the election Lieutenant Ingledue voted for both the con.wr votive and the liberal candidate. lie thought he had said enough to show that political motives had nothing to do with the proceeding. The late board in this instance had acted for the benefit of the service in restoring this gentle man to his rank, sod be believed that was the general opinion in the navy. If, however, the present board thought differently, it was open to them again to strike Lieut. Ingledue from the list. }lr. PIIINN suggested that the reason the reinstatement of Lieut. logledeu had not taken place in June was that he hsd not earned it by voting for his patron. And the fact that he voted on both aides only proved that he gave one vote for his conscience and another (or his interest. He had heard no answer to the question, whether the two naval Lords of the Admiralty had not di:wonted from their poli tical colleagues and protested against the appointment. Mr. STAFFORD happened to be from town when the appointment took place, sad if the hon. and learned gentle man would look at the document he would see that he had not signed it. However, he was prepared to share the responsibility of his co-secretary. With regard to what debate or division might have taken place at the board in refer. cues to this ap pointment . it would be unusual, and at the same time prqudicial to the public service, to report In that house or elsewhere. If such a practice were permitted it would be impossible to carry on the public service. Captain DUNCOMBE defended the appointment of Lieutenant Ingledue, end stated that he had performed the duties entrusted to him in an efficient manner. The motion was then put and agreed to. Oa the motion of Mr. BALL certain returns in reference to the Fee Fund of the Court of Chancery in Ireland were ordered. And the house adjourned at 20 minutes after 1 o'clock. THE COMMITTEE ON DOCKYARD PRO MOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS. On the committee re-nasembling yesterday at 11 o'clock—Lord Seymour, chairman ; Lord Heehaw, Sir Benjamin Hall, Sir Ferguson Davie, sad Mr. Beckett, Capt. Duncointie, one of the Lords of the late Board of Admiralty, addressing the committee said—Before they commenced the proceedings of the day he might be allowed on behalf of Mr. Stafford, and .any member of the late Board of Admiralty, to say that yesterday they abstained from potting any questions to the different witnesses, having received no intimation from the committee that they bad not their sanction to do so, but seeing that the I evidence taken yesterday had been published in the morning papers, be thought it was only stir that they should have an opportunity of putting . questions to the witnesses, either for the purpose of explaining any matters not pee- I feetly understood or with the view of contradicting any- I thing erroneous. They also felt extremely obliged to the cemmittee for yesterday proposing an sdjournmeot until Sa turday, but they were of opinion that under the circum names the examination bad better be proceeded with to- day. They hoped at that period that the case, if it might be so called, for the prosecution, would close ; and that then, by an adjournment of the committee to Monday, Mr. Staf ford would be prepared to enter on hie defence. The Chairman said—Witb reference to the matter of questions, of course any question desired to be pat to any witness may be properly put through a member of the committee, or through the chairman. That is the usual course, and it might have been adopted yesterday if it was thought desirable. The following letter, addressed to the committee by Sir Francis Baring relative to the subject of this inquiry, was then read : " 88, Jtrmyn-street, April 28. "My Lord,—l take the liberty of addressing you as chairman of the committee appointed in consequence of Sir B. Hall's motion. The committee may find it necessary, in the performance of their duty, to call upon those officers who served while I was at the Admiralty, and of putting to them questions relating to what passed between them and me. I take, therefore, the liberty of requesting that if the committee should see no objection, these officers should be informed when so questioned that I release them from any obligation of secrecy, and that they are at liberty and it is my wish that they should communicate to she committee without the slightest reserve any communication, either in writing or verbal, which they may have had with me which may in any way affect the subject before the committee. I am, my lord, your very obedient servant, " The Lord Seymour." " F. BARING. Captain Milne was then called and examined at greet length by . the chairman. He deposed to having been at the Admiralty under several administrations. Was first appointed in December, 1847, under Lord Auckland, and then under Sir Francis Baring and Sir James Graham. Witness was in Admiral Parker's room, on the 22nd April, when Sir B. Walker brought his letter tendering his resig nation ; but neither Sir Is. Walker nor any of the Lords of the Admiralty consulted witness on the subject, neither did the Secretary of the Admiralty request him to speak to Sir B. Walker on the subject. Was present at the Board of Admiralty, on the 26th of April, when • circular was issued having reference to the previous one issued by the Secretary of the Admiralty. Did not notice that the original minute ran "Misconstruction having arisen with reference to to the circular," and that the printed copy given in as called for by the Rouse of Commons ran, "Misconstruction having arisen with reference to the (their lordships) eir ' solar. Such a circular, emanating from the Admiralty, In either form of expression, would be taken as sent in the Mile of the board if transmitted by the secretary. It was set usual, however, for the Secretary of the Admiralty to ham circulars of any kind, as their lordships' circulars, which had not been formally considered, discussed, and eseationed by the board. Any circular so issued by the neerietery would be an irregularity. There should be two Meaelleso present, with the secretary. The only case in which the secretary might use the name of a Lord of the I Admiralty without having first applied to them or obtained their sanction, was with reference to minor details and mat ters under his own supervision. For instance, the secretary having the patronage of appointments in the yard would have authority as regarded minor details to correspond or use the Larne of the board, l a sd et as the head of the store department, as witness authority to give orders on minor details. It was necessary in these matters to draw a discretionary line. had it was a difficult matter to dans, but as a general rule ebe Secretary of the Admiralty had no authority to give lay order at all, with reference to anything that affected • atlas principle. At that time all recommendations the Sur for and appointment went through of the Navy, who was the really controlling ter. The Surveyor of the Navy's position was this: he was responsible to the Admiralty for the whole of the works, for the estimates, and the expenditure with reference to those works, and to the employments in 'the yard. end it was therefore necessary that he should have the centred of the appointments taking place, so that they might neither get a-head of his outlay nor his outlay a-bead of them. The Chairman—Have you, Captain Milne, taken any part in polities at any time t None whatever, either directly or indirectly. I was first appointed on the express undentanding that I should take no part in politics. The same thing was stated to me on my subsequent macestion to the Admiralty, and I have faithfully adhered to that de alaration.—Do you think that promotions in the dockyard had, before the issue of the circular 19th April, been used politically ?—I believe not, certainly I have no reason to say so.—Have yon any reason to think that political Mrm aon either led to promotions or to persons being trEt ov er t— Certainly not. All the appointments made F. Boeing were on the distinct understanding that those receiving them were to take no plitical part in their departments, and that was the direction given by him to all the superintendents of the dockyards. By the Chairman—From your general knowledge of dockyards, and from having inquired into tuna with a view to promote the efficiency and economy of the service, do you think it would be desirable that the men in dock yard should cease to have votes I—Well, I think it would be advantageous to the service. The witness then went on to state that Mr. Stafford ex pressed to him a wish that he should endeavour to smooth matters, and when he went to Sir B. Walker he went for that purpose, and as the mutual friend of both parties, to use his influence as a mediator is an amicable way ; and witness by his influence with Sir B. Walker got him not to send the letters called for. It was due to Sir B. Walker to state that. Had not noticed at the time that the corre spondence was called for in the house, and thought it was better this should be done than that the whole matter should be raked up again. Witness thought he should hear no more of it. Captain Pelham, private secretary to the Duke of Nor thumlaerland, deposed to baying delivered Sir B. Walker's letter of 10th May to the Duke. He was his Graces con. fidential secretary, and submitted to the committee whe ther his answering questions might be dispensed with, though ;he thought it right to state the Duke had given him no directions whatever as to refusing to do so. Sir Baldwin Walker was here asked several questions with reference to his submissions for promotion. Had no copies of these. Had searched two days in the Record-office of the Admiralty, hut they could not be found. They might be foiled at Woolwich. Mr. Barrow, keeper of the records at the Admiralty,lind Mr. J. H. Ilay, chief clerk of the Admiralty, were then examined at tedious length with reference to the system pursued in the reception of documents and their deposit in the record department. I The Chairman then said the committee would inquire late the case of Cotsell. I Sir 11. Walker was accordingly called, and deposed to the circumstances connected with the appointment of James Wells as master smith in Portsmouth Dockyard, and the subsequent cancelling thereof, and the appointment of George Coned' in his stead. It would be surerfluous de tail of evidence to give this, it having been already fully made public faith in the proceedings before the Chatham election committee and in the debate in the House of Com mons on the 19th April. Mr. Bell, clerk in the Admiralty, deposed that he made out a warrant for Welles appointment on probatioa, but that it was sent to Wells. It was sent up to the Secretary after being made out. Sometimes warrants were not thought 'necessary, but a letter was. Mr. Tien, head clerk of parliamentary department, de pend to the warrant and letter for Wells's appointment on Ls phation coming before Capt. Hamilton, the Assist a n t Se kyksslre of the Admiralty, for signatere. When Captain :aw them he said, " Who could aspointed Wells master jl , %ith.? I know nothing at all theta his appointment ,' are a L: then desired witness to get the original minutes appointing Wells from the record office. When Captain Hamilton saw the appointment was minuted by Admiral Parker, he said, " Admiral Parker is not au thorised to make this minute." Captain Hamilton then oonsulted Sir T. Herbert, Lord of the Admiralty, and they agreed it had batter be kept over until Mr. Stafford re turned from the Mediterranean the following week, as it was well naderstood that dockyard appointments were vested in Mr. Stafford. By the Chairman—Did you see them ready for signa ture ?—I did. They were given into my hands by Captain Hamilton, and I was desired to keep them until Mr. Staf ford returned. And then what did you do with them ? On Mr. Stafford's return I gave them either to him or to Mr. Grant, lam not certain which. I considered it imma terial to which I gave them, because if I gave them to Mr Grant it would be for Mr. Stafford. It was the day Mr. Stafford returned or the day after. I have not seen these papers since, either in the hands of Mr. Grant or Mr. Staf ford. I bad nothing to do with the papers after that time. The Chairman—Mr. Stafford, I understand, now wishes to defer his evidence on the first point involved in this in quiry, via., on the circular of 19th April, until Monday. Mr. Stafford—Yes. The Chairman—And not to go on till to-morrow. Mr. Stafford—And not to go on till to-morrow ; but I would rather be examined to-day on the subject of the letter I sent to the First Lord. The Chairmaa—Then the committee will take that part of your evidence, and afterwards, on Monday, examine Cotaell and Scott. Mr. Stafford—My only reason for wishing to be examined on that letter is that it seems to cast some imputation on the character—the professional character—of my collet= I wish to remove all difficulty and imputation from by simply fitting that I remember to have received *a . The Chairman—Then I would just ask you—you heard the evidence given by Mr. Piers respecting the minute that was missing ? Mr. Stafford—l did. The Chairman—Can you give the committee any infor mation on the subject ? Mr. Stafford-1 put in a letter I wrote to Sir .1. Graham, the First Lord of the Admiralty. It is as follows : " 6, Old Bond-street, April 30,1853. "My dear Sir,—l did not quite understand last night in the House of Commons what was the missing document to which Admiral Berkeley referred in his speech, but I see by the Times of this morning that it is the submission of the yor of the navy recommending Mr. Wells, on Sept. 9th, 18.53 (sic.) " I most distinctly remember receiving that document. To the best of my belief the letter or submission in the Parliamentary Paper 271, is an exact copy of it. 1 am quite willing to state this in the House of Commons. " Truly yours, Auci. STAFFOIID. " Sir James Graham." Mr. Stafford—l thought it better not to raise the question again in the House of Commons during the discussion of this matter in this committee, hut as it seemed to affect the conduct of Piers and Grant, I was anxious to take the responsibility on myself. That is I want to say now. The Chairman—Are you aware whether the warrant for the appointment of Wells was made out? Mr. Stafford—No; I believe it was never made out, to the best of my belief. • The Chairman—Do you know whether it has been made out, even without reference to its being sent? Mr. Stafford-1 know it bad never been sect, and I think Mr. Piers told me it had not been made out. Sir B. Hall—He said he made it out, and gave it to Mr. Grant and yourself. Mr. Stafford—l stated nmy place in the House of Cow mons, that of course the warrant was stopped when no appointment was granted to another. A warrant would not be sent to a man where there was no appointment fee it. Of course the warrant was never sent withuut a signs. ture. It would be waste paper. The Chairman—Do you remember receiving the warrant for the appointment not signed, but ready for signature ? Mr. Stafford—l cannot say I do, but most probably it was with my papers. At all events, there is not the least responsibility attaching to Mr. Piers or Mr. Grant. It will rest on me. They are not to be blamed. I did not wish any further question now, except distinctly to mention that I take the whole responsibility, end remove it from Mr. Piers and Mr Grant, and take it on myself. The Chairman—Then on Monday you will be prepared, after we have taken Cotsell and Scott, which will not occapy many minutes. Mr. Stafford—Very well. The Chalrelav—Theu we shall not sit to-morrow. Adjourned to Monday. '6 be Court. The Duke of Cambridge visited her Majesty on Thursday. The Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary have likewise visited the Queen. Tue Duke of Norfolk, K.G., Lord Steward of the House hold; the Marquis of Breadalbane, K.T., Lord Chamber lain ; and the Earl of Mulgrave, Treasurer, had an audience of the Queen at three o'cluck yesterday afternoon, and pre sented addresses to her Majesty from both Houses of Parlia ment respecting the Canterbury and Kingston-upon-Hull elections. The Duchess of Kent, the Princess Adelaide of Hoben lohe, and the Prince Ernest of Leiningen dined with her Majesty last evening at Buckingham Palace. The following were presented to Prince Albert at the Levee on Wednesday: Rear Admiral Wallcott, M.P., by Admiral Sir (1. Hammond, Bart. ; Rear Admiral Sir Oeo. Tyler, M.P., by Admiral Sir G. Hammond, Bart. ; Deputy Assistant Commissary-General Fitsjames Edward Watt, by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Duchess of Kent, accompanied by the Princess Ade laide of Hohenlohe, and attended by Lady Anna Maria Dawson and Sir George Cooper, honoured the Royal Italian Opera House with her presence on Thursday evening. A deputation of the rector, churchwardens, vestrymen, and trustees of the New Burial Ground of the parish of Bt. Giles's-in-the-Fields had an interview with Viscount Pal merston yesterday, at the Home-office. The deputation consisted of the Rev. Robert 13ickersteth (rector), Messrs. Rowland and Hunt (churchwardens), Messrs. Samuel Angell, F. A. Carrington, Thomas Waring, W. Rogers Seward, and H. Harrison (vestrymen end trustees), Mr. J. D. Robinson (vestry clerk ), and Mr. Robert Finals (clerk to the uustees of the New Burial Ground). The Cathedrel Commission had a meeting yesterday. Present : The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York, the Marquis of Blandford, the Earl of Harrowby, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Oxford, Sir John Dodson, the Rev. Dr. Wordsworth , the R ev. Dr. Hook, the Rev. Canon Selwyn, and the Rev. Richard Jones (mcretary). A deputation consisting of the Rev. W. Stone (rector of Ch. Ch, Spitalftelds), Mr. Wyllie (upper churchwarden of Ch. Ch. Spits Melds), and Mr. Tayler (vestry clerk of ditto), had an interview with Viscount Palmerston yesterday, at the Rome-o Mos. Despatches were sent yesterday from the Colonial oleos to the Governor-General of Canada, and the Governors of the other North American Provinces. EXHIBITION OF CABINET WORK.--FOUT van loads of highly valuable specimens for this exhibition have been removed this week from Windsor Castle to Gore-house, Kensington. Besides the contributions of her Majesty the Queen, the Dukes of Hamilton, Buccleuch, Devonshire, and Northumberland, the Earls Spencer and Amherst. the Lords Willoughby d'Eresby, and De l'lsle, Sir Anthony Rothschild, Charles Mills, Esq., C. B. Wall, Esq., M.P. H. Maguire, Esq., James Morrison, Esq., George Field: Esq., J. K. Brunel, Esq., E. Pownall, Esq., John Auldjo, Esq., J. Swaby, Esq., D. M. Davison, Esq., the Rev. G. M. Taylor, H. Ferrer, Esq., and other gentlemen, hays liberally consented to lend valuable examples for public instruction in the production of cabinet-work. TILE MANCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE BUDOET.—The following is a copy of a petition for warded from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Manufactures, to Mr. Bright, M.P., on Thursday night, for presentation to the House of Commons: " That although your petitioners do not entirely approve of the financial propositions made to your honourable house by her Majesty's ministers, and especially object to the retention of the tariff of differential duties, and the duties upon the import of silk manufactures, yet believing that the scheme is on the whole so constructed as to give security to the crowing interests of the country and to render those corrections which they would gladly have seen now soon and easily attainable, they humbly pray that the measures proposed by her Ma jesty's Chancellor of the Exchequer may receive the assent ei your honourable house." FRIGHTFUL OCCURRENCE AT BOOTLE.—An event 1 1 of a most melancholy character took place at Bootle, on 1 Tuesday last. Between nine and ten o'clock on that morn ing the son of Mr. Abraham Wren tea merchant, who mides in Baliol-road, a youth about 10 or 11 years of age, was sent up stairs to fetch some garden seeds from a drawer, in which, unfortunately, there was a loaded pistol. At this moment the servant girl, Sarah Jones, aged about 17, a native of Chester, entered the room, and the boy taking up the pistol, and playfully remarking that he would shoot her, thoughtlessly pulled the trigger, and the contents of the pistol entered her body. The ball is sup posed to have lodged in the hip of the unfortunate young 1 woman. After the occurrence not a moment was lost in procuring surgical assistance. Mr. Reed, surgeon, of Roo- tie, was in immediate attendance, and Mr. Wren's family Surgeon, Mr. Long, was also sent for, both of whom used every exertion which human skill could devise to save the life of the female. Those efforts unfortunately proved un g availin, and the young woman, after lingering in great agony until Thursday afternoon, died between two and three o'clock. The boy, it is a said, has been fin sconed at home for a considerable time, sad is just as fom protracted illness. THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING APRIL 30, 1853. enntoo. TO CORRI3SPONDENT3. 4 Noma lattices ef " The Esproce." &attaining the runs erenioes " (Mune,' is published every Tuesday and Friday eight, ui time tar poet. tverusetuestsintendad fce " The Eames," Godes Everette paper, mad be at the °dice, 10, Bouverie-strect. by Tau o'clock on the lay of publication. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Isis Day Cs. 54. .AfterLoon. 31m. I.o.ll:ll3bew—lavrninl{, ha. 'Jr.. !durum,. S 34w. LONDON, SATCRDAY, APRIL 30. Tin debate on the Budget last night in the House of Commons was languid enough, and any wronger, unversed in Parliamentary tactics, after looking on the empty benches and listening to the comparatively unimportant ape eches which occupied the earlier por tion o f t h e even i n g, might have been led to think that the House was ma iflerent as to the result. Not so. The Budget was, and is still, the touchstone of the Ministry and of their strength, and upon its fate depends the solution of the problem whether we are to go on with the present Parliament, or to see the summoning of a new one. Nobody feels this more than the members of the Lower House, not withstanding the languid look of their proceedings last evening. The truth is that the Commons are only on their mettle when there is to be real fighting, or when a division is nigh; and lost night, it was clear, neither the one nor the other was on the cards. The real struggle of the hour was in the Lords, where the Jew Bill was in debate; and where it was clear that bigotry and prejudice were mustered in great force. Parliament is not strong enough to bear two excitements at once. It cannot be lively in two Houses at the same time ; and hence, whilst the flag of the iutolemnta was raised on the Tory benches of the Peers, the Budget discussion was allowed to drag its weary length along under the discouragement. of empty benches and a drowsy auditory. Up to last night the friends of toleration confidently hoped the day bad come when we might be permitted to set at rest this question of the Civil Disabili ties of the Jews. They expected to find the strong hold of English prtjudices, the House of Peers, content to be guided by the general feeling of the nation,—that no man should suffer persecution on account of his creed. We have permitted Ito monists, Quakers, Sceptics, and Jews to vote in tho election of members of Parliament ; we permit them to occupy posts of honour and emolument in the State; and yet whilst permitting the first three see tiohs of the un-orthodox to enter Parliament, we exclude the fourth. Tolerant to other creeds, we still adhere to intolerance on this one point, thus made all the more discreditable by its being the exception to a wise and lenient rule. Even Lord ABERDEEN has declared his conver sion from the old belief that Jews should be ex cluded from Parliament, and points to the fact that our colonies have in this case shown us an example of liberality. Canada and Jamaica exclude no man on account of his creed from their Assemblies. Are we, then, to be put to shame once more by America? Surely the voters are the people to decide who is the best re presentative of the public interest, and they having settled the question it becomes a double sin against freedom for the House of Lords to say that if such an elected representative be of a creed not acceptable to tho aristocracy he shall be excluded from the house of Commons. It is stepping again between the elector and the elected—it is adding another to the intrusions by which the Upper Houseof Landlords,—in spite of coustitutionsl theories to the contrary,—help to pack the Lower Chamber. Arch bishop WHATELY threw some new light on the discus sion last night. He brought his powerful logic and his liberal mind to influence the decision of the Peers. He showed how irrational, as well as illiberal, the course of the Lords has been in their treatment of this question of civil disabilities,—but in vain. The public, who thought the House of Peers open to conversion, were wrong. They will not, after all, be tolerant. They still persist in clinging to the old plans of persecution, as they did in the days of C4EUR DE LION, and, if they cannot draw the teeth of Isaacs of York, will at least visit his brethren in our time with as much persecution as the laws of 1833 permit. Romanists, Sceptics, Quakers, may all be seated in Parliament if constituencies consent to send them there. The Ultramontanist,who believes in the POPE ; the Unitarian who doubts the Trinity ; the Sceptic who suspects everything, may be chosen, and may serve in the House of Commons. But in tolerance still clings with doable fondness to the one rag of the old banner of bigotry which it has been able to preserve, even to these our better and more truly Ch ristian times. The bigots are still able to keep one favourite object of political hatred and personal aversion. They must spit on somebody, and for that purpose they determine to keep the English Jews in civil bondage. And we are not alone as a nation in this intolerance. Even Prussia has its haters of the men who abide by the faith of their fathers of the days of MOSES ; but there, as here, the more enlight ened citizens cry shame upon the istolerants, just as in England, we see men of undoubted patriot ism, unblemished honour, and literary and scientific eminence, array themselves on . the side of an oppressed minority, so in Prussia amongst those Germans who pray the removal of mill disabilities on points of faith, we see high up upon the list the name of the veteran philosopher ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT. With him, as with those in England who have most consistently urged this act of justice upon Parliament, the eman cipation of the Jews has been a cause adopted, and persisted in, from simple faith in the justice, the wisdom, and the policy of extending to the fullest degree the principle of civil and religious liberty. To put a brand of inferiority . on one sect, merely on account of its religious faith, is to stamp disgrace on all the rest ;—a truth that may be written 'by those who have no affection for Jews, but who love complete religious freedom. FRANCE. PARIS, FRIDAY "YINING. The Prefect of the Indre and Loire has addressed a circular to the mayors in that department, informing them that the enemies of the government are en gaged in spreading false reports, accusing persona high in authority of forestalling the grain market. The subscription for the new bank at Darmstadt, opened at Frankfort, at the banking establishment of Bethmann Brothers, produced in one day 106 mil lions of florins, instead of 25,000,000. The shares are quoted at a premium of 24 per cent. The Moniteur contains the formal promulgation'of the law for calling out 80,000 men to recruit the army for the year, and several laws recently paned by the Corps Legislatif, and " not opposed" by the Senate; and also the following official paragraph: A company has offered to execute curtain works of canalisation in the department of the Manche on condition of having ceded to it the land which is left dry by the ' receding of the sea in the bays of the Veys and of Mont • bt. M i c hel. As this question may affect the preservation of the sea sand, and as the government, being convinced of its utility in agriculture, is decided on permitting nothing which can interfere with the deposit, or render more diffi cult the collection and transport of this valuable manure, it has wished, before coming to any decision, that the people themselves should be consulted on the advantages or incon veniences which may attend the proposition which has been made to it. For this purpose, enqueles are now open in the departments of the Manche, the Calvados, and lla-et- Vilaine. Far from seeing in this measure a pre-conceived opinion which will be unfavourable to them, the inhabitants of those parts of the country will regard it as intended to enlighten the :government, and as a proof of its solicitude for their interests. Letters from Constantinople of tho 15th, brought by the Mentor, have arrived. They contain nothing new. The Russian negotiation was still carried on with the most entire secrecy. Constantinople was quiet, and nothing was krown about the alleged tinente of Broussa. An electric despatch from Trieste, giving news down to the 18th, is as insignificant as the correspondence of the Mentor. Several more arrests have been made in Paris within the last two or throe days. The Council-General of the Seine yeeterdly voted a sum of 7,219,893 f. for the completion of the improve ment of the Pala% de Justice, making in all a sum of upwards of 20,690,000 fr. contributed by the city for this purpose. This expenditure is independent of that occasioned by the rebuilding of the Courts of Appeal and Cessation, which is undertaken by the state. It appears to be felt necessary to say some- r