The Press. — London, England, 1855-03-03 00:00:00

202 strained to dismissal, of which no one heard anything, but this happened to be the case of a privy councillor, and one in hig'n connection with the political clubs. The charge had no specific shape, and, if it asserted anything, asserted that men in office were unable to choose the instruments by which they must work. Lord STANLEY said that the charge was not against any public man, but against a public department. Mr. Gladstone had turned round, and perplexed the question by making it a personal one. He denied that any appeal lay from his decision in the case of an error in judgment—that meant that the means and character of a public servant might be taken away without any chance of redress being allowed him. In the army or navy no such dismissal could take place without a formal inquiry. The Govern ment had themselves nominated the jury by which Mr. Kennedy was tried, and if that tribunal or that of Mr. Kennedy judged other public services, we were under an Administration more despotic than that of Russia. There was no course left to Mr. Kennedy except an appeal to the house. Mr. DRUMMOND said that all government would be impossible if the heads of the departments were not responsible for the conduct of those under them. He questioned for many reasons the fitness of Mr. Ken nedy for his office. Mr. MATINS thought that Mr. Gladstone had acted in a manner the most hasty and inconsiderate towards a long-tried public servant. Lord SEYMOUR argued that if each of the 1,600 servants of the Crown made the house a court of ap peal, it would have nothing to do but to listen to them. Mr. Kennedy had been zealous, but not dis creet. Mr. Gladstone had withdrawn any charge that might he supposed to be implied against that gen tleman's honour : his character was now unimpeached, and he trusted the motion might be withdrawn. Mr. STRUTT denied that a civil servant unjustly dismissed had a right to ask redress from the house. The Treasury had offered no reparation to their im putations against Mr. Kennedy's honour. The house should not interfere in such cases on trivial grounds, but the grounds here were not trivial. Mr. Wilson then entered into some details of the actual transactions of the case, and, after a few words from Mr. WHITESIDE, in favour of inquiry, Lord PALMERSTON proposed to compromise the matter by a definite admission of the honour and in tegrity of Mr. Kennedy, observing that by granting a precedent of this kind there would be an end to all discipline in the service of the State. Ultimately, on the understanding that a Treasury minute should be placed on record, in lieu of one previously existing, stating that Mr. Kennedy's honour, integrity, and veracity were perfectly unimpeached, Sir J. SHELLEY withdrew his motion. CAPITULAR ESTATES. The Marquis of BLANDFORD moved the second reading of his bill on this subject, which was similar to that introduced last year. The object is to take the management of the estates of the bishops, dean, and chapters, from those persons, and vest it in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The plea was the mismanagement of their estates, and the smallness of the sum paid out of them fur general Church purposes. The noble mover did not deny the pri vate liberality of the dean and chapters, but con tended that none could be less liberal in their cor porate capacity. He adverted at some length to the increased spiritual wants of the people, and said that his measure was framed for the express benefit of that noble institution the Church of England. Mr. LIDDELL opposed the bill, which he said would read to the utter subversion of the actual cathedral statutes. He believed that it would prejudice the interest of the lessee of the property, and denied that cathedral funds could be applied to general Church purposes. A discuss►on followed, in which the bill was op posed on other grounds by several members of dis senting and low church opinions, as tending to bolster up the present ecclesiastical system. Sir B. HALL, who represented the Government in the house on the occasion, said that the Church estates were sadly mismanaged, and that it was the wish of Lord Palmerston that the bill should be read a second time, and the committee deferred till the Cathedral Commissioners bad presented another report. This course was adopted, and the bill read a second time. ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS. The Soracrros-GENETut stated on Tuesday that his attention had been directed to a measure for the total abolition of these courts, but that he had not then leisure for so weighty a matter. He was, how. ever, prepared with a bill for the abolition of testa mentary jurisdiction, and the transference of that jurisdiction to another tribunal. That bill would shortly be introduced, and one of its provisions would be that probate obtained in any pact of the kingdom should operate throughout the whole of the kingdom. He could not extend this to the colonies, owing to in testamentary law. the difference 161/It _'+ r TEIE PIIESS. THE LATE MR. HUME. Lord PALMERSTON, on Monday, moved himself for the new writ for Montrose, purposely to pass a rare eulogium on the deceased father of the house. He spoke thus : I think that I should not be doing justice to the feelings of this house if I were not, however feebly, to express the regret and respect which 1 feel assured I share with all who now hear me towards the member whose loss we are now going to replace. ( Hear, hear.) It was said of an eminent man in former times, that he " To party gave up what was meant for mankind." Now the very reverse of that might be said of our late colleague, for the party to which he devoted the labour of his life was his country; and, that served, his study was the general interests of mankind. (Cheers.) Many men have gained for themselves an eminent position in this house by placing themselves at the head of faithful bands of friends whose object was to acquire political power for the purpose of governing the country, but Mr. Hume was a remarkable instance of a man who gained an eminent position not only in this house but in the country—who established a name and reputation not only throughout Europe, but far beyond the limits of that part of the globe, by exertions wholly disinterested, as regarded himself individually, and equally without the motive of securing political power for his friends. He was a man, in short, of whom it may be said that be took the lead in promoting every measure of improvement which has of late years been carried into practical operation, as his exertions were spread over the whole range of matters which concern the interests of this country ; and he pursued them with a perseverance which defeat could not bathe, an energy which no obstruction could abate. (Cheers.) But Mr. Hume had still another claim on the grateful recollec tion of this house. Although in the long course of his struggles to carry out his opinions to success he was fre quently opposed to more than one party in this house, he passed through those rough conflicts without leaving any unpleasant reminiscence of the strife. He met obstacles as every man should meet them who means honestly to enforce his opinions in this house, but nothing ever passed between him and those who were most opposed to him which left one trace of resentment, one particle of bitter ness behind. (Loud cheers.) And whereas I remember it to have been said of a person who held a high position in this house that whatever acrimony might be generated in party conflicts he never carried it beyond the door of the house, I may say of our deceased friend that with him the remembrance of party conflicts never went even so far as the door. A man of greater industry, a man who more perseveringly devoted his whole life to what he considered to be the good of the country, never sat within these walls—(loud cries of "Hear, hear")—and I am per suaded that those who most differed from him in opinion respecting matters which he felt it to be his duty to bring before the house must do him the justice of admitting that he acted from that purest of all motives, a sincere desire to advance the welfare of his country. (Cheers.) Those who differed from him will be foremost in doing justice to his integrity ; and those who agree, as well as those who differ, will admit that a man possessing his ability, industry, and disinterested character, must, on passing away from amongst us, be deplored as a heavy loss to this house. He was a man peculiarly belonging to the age in which he lived. He had his party feelings—that is, he asso ciated with those who agreed with him in principle ; but, without any notion of political ascendancy, he endeavoured to do what was good for the whole country. (Cheers.) In conclusion, he was a man on whom we must all look back with admiration and regret ; and no man feels more sincerely than I do the sorrow with which any one must propose the motion which is now before the house. (" Hear, hear," and cheers.) Sir J. WALMESLEY and Mr. BROTHERTON, as Mr. Hume's particular friends, added their testimony to his private worth. CRIMINAL JUSTICE. Th• Government bill, which provides that cases of petty larceny under 20s. should be summarily dis posed of by two magistrates at petty sessions, without the intervention of the jury, produced a short debate in the Lords on Monday. The LORD CHANCELLOR explained that the present bill differed from one that had been previously intro duced, inasmuch as it permitted the justices to send the cases to the assizes if they thought proper. Lord BROUGHAM warmly approved of the bill, say ing that out of 1,500 cases of larceny, 895 were under 55., and 400 under ls. In many cases, those accused of these petty thefts had been kept in prison waiting for their trial for a longer period than they would have suffered if they had at once been found guilty. He found great fault with the irremovability of the acts, which were productive, ho said, of great abuses. Lord CAMPBELL said that the bill would give uni versal satisfaction throughout the country. The system already worked well in Scotland. Lord St. LEONARD'S objected to the term of two years, which the magistrates had the power to name as the term of imprisonment. It was too great a power to be granted without the intervention of a jury. The bill was then read a second time. When the bill was committed on Tuesday, the LORDICHANCELOR altered the maximum of the amount of larceny from 20s. to 108., and the maximum of imprisonment from two years to one, amidst general approval. The bill, as amended, ccntains the option of a jury, and omits the elective magistracy from its operation. SATURDAY, LORD JOHN RUSSELL On Monday Sir. J. PAKINOTON complained that the absence of the Colonial Secretary would be produc tive of serious inconvenience. Persons were in town on important business connected with the new con. stitutions of Victoria and New South Wales waiting for a hearing. Mr. ROEBUCK said that a gentleman from New foundland, charged with a mission of no less im portance than the removal of the Government, had told his tale to three colonial secretaries, and was waiting to tell it to a fourth. Lord PLLUERSTON did not believe that the absence ° of Lord John Russell would be as protracted as was supposed. There was a permanent under-secretary, as well es a political under-secretary attached to the office, and care would be taken that the department did not suffer. TRANSPORT SERVICE. The Earl of HABDWICKE, on Tuesday evening, made a long and forcible statement of the errors committed by the Government agents, both in the transpost arrangements, and in their bargains with the steam-packet owners, in which last they had committed the folly of paying after the builders' measurement instead of after the registered tonnage. He detailed a multitude of instances of mismanage ment and carelessness, to all which Lord NNMURE replied by pleading that the late Government were in a great hurry, and the present was now inquiring into the matter. Lord DERBY wished to know if a sufficient supply of forage was insured. Lord PANNURE answered, that a supply was now sent every fortnight. LORD LIEUTENANCY OF IRELAND. The Marquis of WESTMEATH elicited from Lord Granville a declaration that the Government had no intention of proposing any measure for the abolition of this office. On Thursday Mr. Rozaucx reported from the Sebas topol Committee that, in their opinion, the objects of the inquiry and the•public interest would be best served if the committee were one of secrecy. It was agreed that the Lords be requested to permit the Duke of Newcastle to be examined by the committee. Mr. HArrna moved three new writs—for Stroud, in the room of Mr. Horaman, who has become Chief Secretary for Ireland; for Athlone, in the room of Mr. Keogh, w ho has become Attorney-General for Ireland; and for Ennis, in the room of Mr. John Fitzgerald, who has succeeded Mr. Keogh as Solicitor• General. AMONOsT the numberless new inventions of engines of destruction to which the war has given birth, one much talked of at present in the scientific world of Paris is a shell invented by M. Chaslin, a member of the Council-General of the Yonne, which he asserts will not only double the force of the powder used, but being without a match will have the inestimable ad vantage of falling on the spot desired without giving, notice to the enemy by that stream of light in the air which accompanies the present shell. Ignition is brought about by a chemical process, which is said to be so completely under control that a shell may explode, according to the will of the projector, either in two minutes or twenty-four hours after its being projected. Thus it would be possible to throw any number of shells successively upon a given point, and to adjust the period of their explosiDn, so that all should burst at the same moment. This shell would explode as certainly under vater as on land, and it is asserted that the principle will complete the idea of the boulets asphixonts, which hitherto have not been very effective. THE bill to alter and amend the laws relating to the stamp duties on newspapers, the printing and publishing of newspapers, &T., has been printed by order of Parliament. There are eight clauses in tl.e bill, and a schedule annexed of the acts to be re pealed. The first section repeals the stamp duty on newspapers and the acts relating to the printing and publishing of the same. The second has reference to the arrears of duty. The other sections state that of printed books or papers the duty is to be one penny for four ounces. A relief is granted to exist ing newspapers by the post exceeding four ounces. Rates and duties are to be denoted by postage stamps. Newspapers and other printed papers sent by post not in conformity with the act are to be charged the letter rates of postage. The day when the new law is to come into operation is to be filled up in committee. A Bii.r.for the incorporation of an undertaking, to be called the Fibre Company, for supplying the serious want of a cheap material for paper by means of the fibre of common flax , was introduced into Parliament on Monday, after vain endeavours to avoid that trouble and expense by obtaining a charter of limited liability. The decision of the House of Commons last year in lavour of such limitation acted injuriously on all persons seeking to promote useful enterprises, since, instead of inducing Mr. Cardwell, the late President of the Board of Trade, to miugatis the existing law as far as possible until a measure could be introduced for the purpose, it had the effect of causing him to refuse all applications whatever. .Y ~... • i s