The Press. — London, England, 1854-02-11 00:00:00

26 •••••1•INIII• the Crown; and he could conceive no greater injury result. lug to the country than would arise from such a state of things as that." Lord J. RUSSELL concurred in the doctrine that every salaried office should include the performance of definite official duties. Waiving all personal con sid3rations, he 'wised on to consider the alleged un constitutionality of holding a seat in the Cabinet, and representing the Government in the House of Com mons, without also holding responsible office. The noble lord examined some of the historical prece cents adduced by Mr. Walpole, and combated the conclusions he had drawn from them. As a general principle he admitted the inconvenience of sepa rating the leadership of the house from official re sponsibility. Mr. CAYLEY, after a few remarks in reply, con sented to withdraw his motion, which accordingly fell to the ground. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. A committee was appointed on Tuesday, upon the motion of Sir J. PAKINOTON, to consider whether the despatch of public business could be more effectually promoted by any alteration in the forms and pro ceedings of the house. The right hon. baronet con fessed that there was some truth in the impression entertained out of doors that the members them selves impeded business by their much speaking. In the last session he remarked that three speeches had occupied fifteen hours and a half. Describing the multiplicity of work which devolved upon hon. mem hers or absorbed the time of the house, in the shape of committees, petitions, private bills, public plea sures, and prolonged debates, he contended that seriout3 evils resulted from the present system, among which he pointed to the postponement of im portant measures, the enactment of others without due deliberation, and last, though not least, the physical exhaustion of the representatives. Sir G. GREY anticipated little benefit from the pro posed committee. The fact was that business, and especially private business, had accumulated upon the Legislature until it almost overwhelmed them. Something, however, might be done if members would practise self-denial, and never speak except when they had something to say. Sir H. WILLOUGHBY mentioned, as a proof of legis lative rapidity in certain cases, that an act was passed last session at the rate of ten clauses a minute. CONSOLIDATION OF THE CODE. Lord LYNDHURST having inquired, on Thursday, what progress had been made in the revision of the statute book and the consolidation of the British code, The LORD CHANCELLOR explained the results which the commissioners engaged on that vast work had already reached. Computations were made in the reports which these gentlemen had published that, out of MOW) or 17.000 statutes actually passed, about 2,500 were still in force. The commissioners werA now proceeding to consolidate these laws, having classified them into groups for that purpose ; but the plan could at present be looked upon as only experimental. LIMITED LIABILITY. Mr. COLLIER on Tuesday moved for leave to bring in a bill " to define and regulate the cost-book sys tem in mines, and to limit in some degree the lia bility of partners in cost-book mines." The hon. member detailed some of the inconveniences and responsibilities attending partnership enterprises under the existing law, and enforced the expediency of contriving some means of introducing a system of limited liability. By such a change there would be an opening made for the profitable investment of small savings, speculations of sound promise would be rescned from the hands of adventurers, and capital and labour brought into closer approximation. The ATTORNEY•GENERAL, without pledging himself to the details of the proposed bill, approved of the principle of limited liability, if carried out by proper precautions, and stated that the Government were themselves considering the subject. The motion was supported by Mr. Hume, who de dared himself a convert to the principle of limited liability; by Mr. Moffat, Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Vivian, and Lord Goderich. It was opposed by Mr. Brown. Mr. CARDWELL said that the Government would express no opinion upon the question until after the report of the commissioa now inquiring into the subject was presented. Leave was given to bring in the bill. RAILWAY ACCIDENTS. Lord MONTEAGLE alluded to the subject of rail way accidents on Tuesday, complained of the in creased frequency of such catastrophes, inquiring as to the Ministerial intentions with respect to their promised bill, and pressing for a more prompt and frequent publication of the official reports always transmitted to the Board of Trade concerning every accident of consequence. Earl Frrzwii.Lum having interposed with a suggestion that the bill in question should be introduced in the Upper House, THE PRESS. Lord STANLEY (of Alderley) recognised the extreme importance of the subject, and stated that the Go veniment bill for the better prevention of accidents on railways was in preparation, and would speedily be laid before the Commons. He undertook also to lay the Board of Trade reports relating to those casual ties before Parliament at shorter intervals than here tofore. Earl GREY pointed out that, as almost every com pany was applying for some new bill every session, they had a ready means of reaching them by legisla tion, and might insist on any inquiries, or require the insertion of any clauses, they deemed necessary to protect the public. CLAIMS AGAINST PORTUGAL. _ _ The claims of a British mercantile firm (Messrs. Yuille, Shortridge, and Co.), carrying on business in Madeira, against the Portuguese Government, were advocated by Mr. T. Chambers in a long speech on Thursday, and a motion made for the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the case. These claims were urged for compensation on ac count of losses incurred through breach of treaties existing between England and Portugal. The hon. member detailed the circumstances under which the losses in question had arisen, and which he traced to certain decisions of Portuguese tribunals, given in violation of international treaties, and resulting in the ruin of the firm mentioned. The motion was seconded by Mr. Horsfall, and supported by Mr. Atherton and Mr. Digby Seymour. Lord J. RUSSELL warned the house of the incon venient precedent that would be set, and the trouble that might hereafter arise, if they interfered lightly with private grievances urged by British subjects against foreign Governments. Such interference was expedient only in rare and important instances, of which the present case did not appenr to be one. He would, however, consent to lay on the table all the despatches relating to the subject, and the house might then decide whether the injuries sus tained by the Messrs. Shortridge demanded their interposition. The appointment of a committee was still urged by Mr. Butt, Sir J. Shelley, and Mr. Oliveira. On a division the motion was carried against the Government by a majority of 120 to 74-52. PROTESTAN r BURIAL 'GROUND IN MADRID. Replying to Mr. M. Milnes, Lord Jour; RUSSELL stated that the Spanish Minis try had offered a site for a Protestant burial-ground near Madrid, which he had insisted should be en closed in such a manner as the British Government might approve of. The subject was referred to the Board of Works, and measures would be taken for enclosing that ground. According to the Spanish law it was not permitted to have any ceremony of Protestant worship in burial-grounds previous to in terment. But they would not interfere with the con duct of Protestants within the enclosed site. These interments, therefore, would be carried on with de cency within the enclosure. CUBAN SLAVE TRADE. In answer to Mr. Hume, Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that, in consequence of the remonstrances of Government, the late Governor of Cuba had been recalled, and that since such recal the state of matters connected with the slave trade had been improved. His lordship, however, declined to produce the correspondence on the sub ject at present. POST•OFFIOE ARRANGEMENTS. In reply to Lord Vivian, Viscount CANNING said that he had been in communication with the directors of the principal railway.; on the subject of the delays and irregularities which had so freqnently occurred in re ference to the maihtrains, with the hope of removing the incon veniences complained of. He hoped this might be effected by some amicable arrangement; but, if the present powers were not sufficient to remedy the evil, the Government would apply to Par liament for the means of doing so. OCEANIC OBSERVATIONS. Mr. HEYWOOD having inquired whether the British Admiralty intended to co-operate with Lieut. Maury and the American Government in preparing and collecting scientific observations respecting tides, currents, winds, temperature, and other oceanic phenomena, Sir J. GRAHAM was happy to say that, amidst more pressing duties, this subject had not been neglected. The Board of Trade bad sent Captain Beechey to attend the conference on this subject at Brussels; and, in consequence of his report, it was intended to establish an office to which the observations made might be re ferred. A vote would be taken in the naval estimates for this purpose, and orders were issued to her Majesty's ships to have nautical observations made every four hours, in every part of the world where the Queen's ships might be employed. Similar orders would be issued to a certain number of merchant ships. The whole of the observations made would be returned to the Board of Trade, and communicated to Captain Maury. The ob• servations already made, which were iu possession of the Ad miralty, would be made accessible to the head of the proposed office. SLIGO ELE CTION.—A committee was appointed on Monday, upon the motion of Mr. I. BUTT, to inquire into certain incidents at the late Sligo election, as set forth in a petition presented by Mr. J. P. Somers. The motion was seconded by the sitting member for the borough, Mr. SADLEI rt. THE MlLlTlA.—Replying to Mr.Balllie as to the Scotch and to Col. Dunne as to the Irish militia, Lord PALMERSTON stated that "he saw nu reason for putting the three kingdoms on a dif• ferent footing as regarded that force. SATURDAY, CHURCH RATES,—In reply to Sir E. Lacon, Lord PALMERR TON stated, on Tuesday, that he hoped to bring in a bill during the session on the subject of church rates. MASTERS AND WORK NtEN.—Mr. T. S. Deacomnii gave no tice, for the 22nd lust., that he should wove for leave to bring in a bill to ennead the law relative to the arbitration of disputes be- tween 1111181.4r3 and workmen. EDUCATlON.—lteplying to Mr. Adderley, Lord JoitN lit:s eam. said that the Education I3ill of last titl3ioll would not be introduced, but that Government would wait to see the fate of the Scottish educational tumour() of the Lord Advocate. MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.—Mr. Bnarovr obtained leave, on Tumidity, to introduce a bill for the registration of qualified practitioner., and for amending the law relating to the practice of medicine in Great Britain and Ireland. sort* and Colonial 3nttiliguat. FRANCE. The Russian Ambassador in France, M. Kisse leff, left Paris on Monday evening, travelling to Brussels by the express train. He reached the Bel gian capital next morning. All the personnel of the Russian embassy quitted Paris at the same time. Before leaving M. de Kisseleff addressed a circular to the Russians residing in the capital, requiring them, in the name of the Czar's Government, to leave France within the next month and return to Russia, on pain of imperial displeasure. At Brussels M. Kisseleff expected to meet Baron Brunow. He is said to be the bearer of an autograph letter from the Emperor Napoleon making a last appeal to the good sense of the Czar. The Mon iteur of Wednesday announced o cially the departure of the Russian Ambassador, and in the same number commenced the publication of the French documents on the Russo-Turkish question. A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday at the Tuileries, when the Emperor manifested his desire that, now that diplomatic relations were broken off between France and Russia, the most effectual mea sures should be taken forthwith to bring matters to a speedy and successful conclusion. Decrees are ac cordingly expected to appear immediately calling out the remaining moiety of the contingents of 1841) and 1850, and the whole of the contingent of 1853—a total of 100,000 men ; so that in a short time the French army will be raised to 550,000 effective men. One manufacturing establishment in Paris has received an order for the supply of 150,000 haversacks, and another for 20,000 shirts, and other minor establish ments have similar orders in proportion. Large orders have also been given for au immense supply of harness and similar equipments for the artiller:. Orders have been received at Metz for the manufac tory of 114,000 rockets, and a contract for 25,0(X) pairs of shoes has been entered into at the same place. An extensive ironmaster in the department of the Pas de Calais has received an order fur 3,000,000 cannon balls of various dimensions. Letters from the departments announce that the young soldiers are already en route for their destina tion. The most active preparations are going on, and iu some branches of the military service the Emperor does not allow of repose either by night or day. Orders for the march of the first division of a French army to Turkey have been sent to /Utica. The Chasseurs d'Afrique ii Cheval, the Zouaves, and the Chasseurs de Vincennes, now in Algeria, will be the first to leave. Generals Bosquet, Pelissier, and Canrobert will have commands, and in all probability the latter will be appointed Commander in-Chief of the army of the East. General Pelissier has returned to Africa to orga nise the forces, said to consist of from 20,000 to 25,000 men, which are to join the army of the East. In a few days more it is said that divisions both from the French and African armies will be ready for em barsation. The total number that will be sent to Constantinople is not positively known, but it is sup posed to exceed 70,000. Candia has been spoken of for a depot. Orders for the immediate departure of the Atlantic squadron, commanded by Admiral Bruat, were re ceived in Brest on Tuesday. The fleet was expected to sail for the coast of Algeria. There are at present in the French navy 2 admi rals, 11 vice-admirals, 20 rear admirals, 30 captains of the first class, 74 captains of the second class, and 227 captains of frigates; in all, 370 superior officers. The French Government have concluded a loan for an amount equal to 8,000,0001. with the Credit Mobilier against Treasury Bonds, bearing 51 per cent. interest, the option being allowed of exchanging them for Three per Cent. Rentes at the price of 72. It is said that the Bank of France have made an ad vance to the Government of 2,400,0001. The operative brassfounders of Paris, to the num ber of nearly 1,000, who struck about a month ago, have come to terms with the masters and returned to their work. A duel was fought in the Bois de Boulogne on Monday between the Prince Roger de Beautremont and the Count de Ludres. The combatants fought with small swords. The Count de Ludres received a 11..- a• I r I 1 ! \