The Sun. — London, England, 1850-03-13 00:00:00

rbtrt i SUN OFFICE, Seven o Clock. IMPERIAL PARLLUIENT. (THIS DAY.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly after Twelve o'clock. COMMISSIONERS OF RAILWAYS. On the motion of Mr. W. PATTEN it was ordered that the Commissioners of Railwa3 s be directed to re port their opinion to this House, in accordance with the provisions of the Act 9 and 10 Vic. c. 105, on any Rail way Bills which have been introduced during the present session, in which it is proposed to raise or alter the rates and tolls or charges authorised to be taken under existing Acts of Parliament relating to canal undertakings be longing to railway companies, or to impose any addi• tional rates or charges in respect of stn:h canal under takings. ATHY, CASTLECOMER, AND KILKENNY ROAD BILL. Mr. VESEY moved the second reading of this Bill. Lord NAAS moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months, on the ground that it was inexpedient and uncalled fJr, that it passed chiefly through an aricultural district, and that the greater portion of the agriculturists were opposed to it, on the ground that it would inflict a heavy and vexations toll upon them; added to which, it would divert the traffic of the county from its regular channels. Mr. SULLIVAN seconded the amendment. Mr. F. FRENCH supported the second reading of the Bill. Mr. VESEY spoke a few words in favour of the Bill. Sir WILLIAM SOMERVILLE supported the se cond reading, in order that the parties who had charge of the Bill should have an opportunity of proving its details in Committee. Mr. GRACE opposed the Bill from r.o motives of a piAvate nature, but because he believed its provisions would press too heavily on the inhabitants of the district through which the road passed. Mr. W. PATTEN observed, that if this Bill were not referred to a Committee, great injury would be inflicted on parties who had lent their money on this read, and he should certainly vote for the second reading. After a few words of explanation from Mr. SUL LIVAN, The House then divided, when there appeared— For the second reading ... 68 Against it ... ... 37 Majority —3l The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed. COUNTY RATES EXPENDITURE. Petitions in EtvGur cf this measure were presented by Mr. Stanford, Mr. Spooner, Mr. W. Patten, Sir John Pakington, Mr. Heywo::d, Mr. Cobden, and Mr. Cowan. Petitions were presented against the Bill by Sir HENRY WILLOUG II BY. Numerous petitions were also presented against the employment of Sunday labour in the Post office. Mr. PIGOTT presented a petition, most numerously signed, from the inhabitants of Reaiing f.:r the total and immediate repeal of the window tax. MARRIAGE WITH DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER. Mr. HARRIS presented a petition, praying the House to legalise the marriage with a deceased wifa's sister. Similar petitions were present:d by Mr. Cockburn, Mr. Denison, and Mr. Cowan. Mr. CAREW presented a petition signed by 500 Cor nish women against the BE?. Mr. COWAN presented petitions from various places in Scotland in fLvour of the Arbitration Bill, one from Edinburgh, praying fir the repeal of the game-laws, and also for the repeal of the duty on paper. CERTIFICATES TO ATTORNEYS. Several Memb?rs eiented petitions for th© abolition of attorney's certificates. SUNDAY LABOUR. Mr. HENLEY presented several petitions praying for the prevention of Sunday labour. DUTY ON PAPER. On the motion of Mr. BROTHERTON, a rt tarn of the amount of duty paid upon paper in the several Ex cise Collections in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ire land, for the last ten Sears, stating also the totals for Each year, was ordered. Mr. REYNOLDS presented petitions from the mas • ters and manufacturers of six paper-mills in the county of Dublin, praying for a repeal of the duty on paper. NE WSPAPER STAMPS. Oa the motion of Mr. BROTHERTON, returns of the aggregate number ( f stamp:; issued for newspapers in the year 1849, in Eeglend and Wales, Scotland and Ireland, respecciveiy, distinguishing the number at one penny and at one helypenny, were ordered. The returns were to show also the nu:o,•er of London newspapers, the number of alvertisements in them, the rats and amount of advertisement duty paid by them, in 1849. A similar return was also ordered as regards the Eng lish provincial, the Scotch, and the Irish newspapers. COUNTY COURTS. In reply to a question from Mr. DRUMMOND, Sir G..GREY said that the reason why the salaries of the clerks of the County Courts were not made unit irm, was because the duties of several clerks were very diffe rent, some having simply to attend to a single district, while others had to manage the business of large districts. COUNTY RATES AND EXPENDITURE BILL. On the motion being read for the resumption of the adjourned debate Sir G. B. PECIIELL begged to prcseat a petition from Brighton, against the heavy rates which had been imposed upon them, and praying for the enactnient cf the Bill. Mr. MILNER GIBSON also presented petitions from soma agricultural districts in Buckinghamshire, praying that the Bill might pass. Sir JOHN PAKINGTON then said that in resum ing the debate he was anxious to state that he had very serious objections to this Bill a 3 it now stood before the House, and that so important a measure ought not to pass without some previous full inquiry. —(Hear, hear.) It was evident tbat this Bill bad not originated in any theoretical love fir government, but from a squabble in the county of Lancaster.—(Boar, hear.) When the Right Hon. Member for Blanchester had formerly brought forward this Bill he had adduced the returns of the - Rochdale board of guardians in support of his theory—a fact which sufficiently indicated whence the Bill had its origin.—(Hear, hear.) Another fact was, that while in 1824 the county rates for Lancashire were 80,0001, in 1848 they had risen to 180,000 L The increase of expenditure in the county of Lan caster, between 1825 and 1848 had only been 2,600 L, and in this was included the cost of maintaining a con stabulary force amounting to 31,000 L There could not Le a better proof than this that the ma gistrates bad properly discharged their duties, and had eonduct-2d the financial affairs of the county with due economy and circumspection, especially when it was considered that during those twenty-fire years there had been a great increase in the population, as well as in the value of rateable property.—(Hear, hear.) It vt as to be recollected, also, that a large amount of expenditure was thrown upon counties by Acts of Parliament, and if th e y s p ent a great d ea l c f money in carrying out imp rove d systems o f pr i son discipline, in compliacce with those Acts, was it not unfair to accuse the magistrates with being extrava gant?—(Bear.) He was of opinion that, under the ex isting stfite of things, due economy was exercised by the magistrates; but if any grievance did exist, ho thought the present Bill would not afford any effectual remedy. Thera could be no doubt that the Bill was drawn for Lancashire alone, and was only fired for that county. They had cases in which three Worcester s hire pa rishes belonged to other counties, two in which three unions belonged to other counties, and one case in which one union was so constituted. How could the Bill be carried out in these casts? He knew of four ma- gistra'es in the county of Worcester who ought by no means to be off any county board, and yet by this Bill but ono only of them could be elected. In Worcest ,- rt.hire they had 192 magistratep, and hero he must prot-?it against tha fallacy which had lurked in this movement at every step, the distinction betwe2n magistrates and rat payers. Ho contended that the magistrates were the greatest ratepayers in the country. 'The Right ion. Gentleman opposite had been obliged to admit that the rotas were in tine paid by the owners and not occupiers of the land. Would it be fair then to exclude so large a body of ratepayers from these boards? contended that th e present system worked well, that the strictest economy was exercised in every cour:ty to as great an extent as it possibly could be. He doubter] that any great k flicient alteration could be intriduced into the superintendence of county expenditure, and he objec•ed to the second reading of this Bill, but he was pet fectly willing to go into Committee up stairs. The lion. Gebt!einart con cluded by moving that a Committee be appointed to ex amine into the method of county rates. Mr. WILSON PATTEN commenced by denying that this question was a Lancashire question, it was an English question. He regri tted that he should not be able to vuta with his Hon. Friend the Member for Wor-_ ce.tershisto, as he gad hoped to de, for there were many things in the Bill of which he disapproved. But he must remind the House that it was already committed to the principle of the Bill, recognising the principle that rate payers should have some control over the expenditure of the t atea, and that IA at the sole reason why he should vote for the Bill, reserving to himself the right ( f expressing his disapproval of many parts of the Bill. ll° thought that there would be great diffieu'ties thrown by this Bill in the way of raising funds for a propel& county expenditure, which cold(' be got over only by establishing a sinkeg fund, nhich would be a greater abuse than any at present exi6ting. Some parts of this Bill also it fanged upon the judicial functions cf the ma gistrates. He had a complaint to make against his Right H o n. Friend for Manchester, whom ho had met a; a meeting in Lancashire, where he (Mr. W. Fatten) was given to understand that the course about to he pursued was very different to what he now found. It was on this understanding that he and others bad pledged themselves to support the Right Hon. Gcntleme.v. Hs should, however, vote for the Bill } amuse he Leartily concurred in its principles. Mr. HUME was anxious to disabuse the Hon. Gen tleman who had sat down that the Bill was stall different b the one he brought in last year, or that the object of the meeting alluded to by him was at all changed. meNotigiu k - ma ., r o,pyisre that full inquiry b a d b een o t ,- -,and that reports were on the ta' e eliia,that he (Mr. Hume) had in 1 ,*44l,file.g. ill. Tha Bill of 1837 was ' ' *Ottie . • ith the opinion of the Com #44, . . 4 ='l4 public opinion abroad, he t ,e • - • 0 acting wisely to pass it. a , ." Cotnmissiou state? Why 8 that the expenditure of the county rate was looked upon with do trust; the salaries pail under it were excessive, and there was no efficient audit whatever cf the county expenditure. Now that teas the opinion the Com mission arrived at after the examination cf parties who were the best qualified to give an opinion upon the subject, and as that Commission felt that there ought to be a mote stringent audit of the county expenditure, how could the House refuse to pees this Bill with any shadow of justice? What necessity could there be for farther inquiry? Opinions might differ upon the expediency of establishing popular con trol, but confirm the principle of this Bill, and leave that question to be disposed of in Committee. For his part he would give the ratepayers entire control over the expenditure, but be the expediency of that step what it might, something must he done to re move the distrust that at present was felt in the manage ment of the county rates. Nut a petition had been pre sented in favour of the Bill which did not express that distrust, and he maintainel that after the expression of that opinion they had nothing to do with the details, but having confirmed the principle, leave it for a Committee up stairs to determine in what manner that principle should be carried out.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. PACKE said that since the report of 1835, to which the Hen. Gentleman who had just sat down re fereed, the power of the magistracy had been consider ably reduced; but, if it could be accomplished with safety, he far one bad no objection that the magistracy should be relieved altogether from the control of the expendi ture. This Bill, however, as it stood was quite im practicable, many of its claw es would give rise to much jobbing, particularly on the part of boards of guardian?, and instead of removing the existing evils they were highly calculated to increase them. The fact was, that the magistrates could do what they liked with the rate. There were four heads under which the county rate was expended. The first was fur the protection of life and property, or in other words, that portion which was appropriated to the pro secution of felons. The second was the direction and government of lunatic asylums, and it was quite evi dent that these boards could have no possible con trol over the expenditure for that purpose. The third head was the management of bridges; and the fourth was the regulation of the registration of voters. Such were the several heads under which the county rate was expended, and he could not possibly see how these county boards could control any one of them. It was therefore idle to reason upon the utility cf these boards. If the county rate, indeed, could be collected in a way dif ferent from that which was adopted for the collection of the poor-rate, he should be anxious to support the Blll— hear)—but not seeing that such could be the case he should oppcse it.—(llear, hear.) life. HODGES said that he was quite anxious to suppdet the Bill, ansi o should certainly vote fur the second reading, although there were several clauses in the Bid which would feanaire much amendment.— (Hear.) Sir J. GRAH - earJ said that his Lion. Friend below him had rightly characterised this Bill as being an attempt to institute a control by a poplar constituency over a large expenditure. But then he had said, also, that the passing of this Bill involved large changes. Why, he must think that this was a very strange argument to use in the House of Commons.—(Hear, hear.) Was the House of Commons so much unaccus tcmed to great changes that this should appear alarming?—(Hear, hear.) Why, was not the change of the municipal corporations throughout the whole of the country, by which the whole of the town expenditures were placed under the control of the ratepayers, a Great change ?—(llear, hear.) Then the greatest of all was the expenditure of the poor-rate, end yet that had also been pLeed under the entrol of a popular consti tuency of the widest basis.—(hear, hear.) Well, looking at these alterations, he must confess that the change proposed by this Bill did not greatly alarm him.— (Hear, hear.) The Honourable Gentleman had stated that the county rates were expended under four Leeds; but in this he must differ from him, for there were in reality only three, those of bridges, prisons, and lunatic asylums.—(Hear, hear) In all these matters it might well be supposed, as indeed was the care individually, that the House of Peers had a much deeper interest than Members of the House c f Commons; but yet it nevertheless had been discovered that it was advisable to irepose a check in this instance, as in other cases, upon the House of Peers, which was an irre sponsible body, by an elective assembly like the House of Commons.—(hear, hear.) And so it was with regard to the magistracy.—(Hear, hear.) In the county with which he was connected, the county of Camber land, it bad le en customary for the magistrates to meet with closed doom The public were excluded, and the whole of the proceedings were conducted in privacy, until, at last, it was found necessary to pass a Bill, which had probed very salutary in its effect, and which rendered it compulsory on the magis trates to transact their business in open court. He was not pre pared to say that tie details of the Bill were of such a nature as to effect a salutary change, but the question now was, whether the time had not now arrived when they should endeavour to intro duce a better system for the management of county rates, and whether they should not, by voting for the second reading to-day, give their sanction to some such principle as that involved in the Bill. As far as that went he would not hesitate to vote for the second reading. He was not prepared to pledge himself to the details, but he understood the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. M. Gibson) was ready to refer the Bill to a Select Committee, fairly and impartially constituted, and if that Committee amended the Bill in its most ob jectionable parts he had no doubt that it would then well deserve the serious consideration of the House.—(Hear.) Mr. AGLIONBY said he was prepared to give his cordial support to the Bill, and he rejoiced to find that the Right Hon. Baronet concurred in the views which he took with respect to a more efficient control of the ex penditure of counties. Although he believed that the magistrates had acted conscientiously, yet they did not give satisfaction to the ratepayers, who felt they ought to have some representative control over the expenditure of the rates, instead of entrusting it, as at present, to an irresponsible body. Mr. SPOONER still retained the opinion that the ratepayers ought to have a control over the county ex penditure, and thought the only question be fore the House was as to the adoption of some plan by which that principle could ba carried into effect with the greatest certainty. But, although he entertained that opinion, he greatly doubted whether the object which the Hon. Gentleman opposite had in view would not be delayed by sending the Bill be fore a Committee. He would advise his Hon. Friend (Sir J. Pakington) to withdraw his amendment, and suggest further that the Bill should also be withdrawn, and that a Select Committee should be appointed to consider, without being shackled or encumbered by a Bill, the best course which could he adopted to effect a reasonable control on the part of the ratepayers. Sir G. GREY said the principle of the Bill was the formation of county financial boards based on the repre sentative principle.—(Hear.) To that general principle he would give his concurrence, but he was bound to state that very great difficulties would arise in carrying it ioto effect by n_eens of a Bill. He differed very much from many of the details, some of which were of a very important nature, and thought the Bill could only be made acceptable to the ' House after due inquiry and very great caution. He clearly understood now that if it were read a second time, his Right Honourable Friend was willing to refer it to a &lea Committee in order that the details should undergo thorough investigation, and there was certainly an advanta g e in that course as com pared with that of the Hon. Baronet opposite (Sir J. Pakington). The mode and periods of election, the nature of qualification re quired in regard to the mem bers of these new county boards, were all matters of de tail, which might be considerably modified in Corn • mince. It was to be understood that he did not support this Bill owing to any charge which had been made against the magistrates for want of attention to their duties, for he knew from his own experience that they had dune their utmost to combine economy with efficiency in the discharge r f their labours. The prin ciplo was sound, and the demand just, hat those on whom rates were levied should have a voice in the expenditure of their money. For those reasons he should support the second reading if the Bill, hoping the Bill itself would be speedily carried Wore a Committee up stairs. Sir IL PEEL remarked that having be ea a member of the Committe e which sat in 1837, and paid a good deal of attention to this subject, ho was anxious to say a sv words upon it. Ile should not give his vote to-day from any impression that tie magistracy of this country had abuse 1 the power reposed in them, but from a conviction that there ss as a defect in the constitution of that body. Yesterday ho presented a pet' tion on the subject cf this Bill from a body that was highly calcu lated to exercise an unprejudiced and dispassionate judg ment in the matter. It nas from the board of guardians of the district with which he was immediately connected. Ic was unanimously agreed to by the board, and con curred in by innst of the magistrates who gene rally came contact with the guardians. It prayed for tl:e establishment of some concurrent control w;th the magistracy, - and looking at the opinion - which prevailed out of doors relative to the duties performed, and the control exercised by a body of gentlemen having n strength among s t th em b ased upon the representativeo principle, but were appointed ewe a r b e so a lu m- te . lyand uncondition sintrate the he h would uncondition ally by the Crown—if h not far one moment objet to anYthi n gi inquiry. If an inquiry were refused, the magistracy s an of would be placed in a very invidiuus position, a their duties would become more irksome and difficult, and they ought, therefore, to acquiesce rather than dis sent to any proposal for calmly and dispassionately con sidering their position, and the manner in which their constitution operated upon the public purse. In alcord once, therefore, with the wish e f his constituente, he was inclie ed to support the second reeling of this Bill; thus approving of its principle, but reserving to himself the right of considering important modifications when it reached the Committee. There ought to be some concurrent control with the magistracy upon the ptiociple of representation, and without implying the le, s% suspicion of the fidelity and care with which the nelgistrecy of this country had hitherto performed their function of managers of the county-rate expenditure, he .hould vote for the second readirg of the Bilk.—(Hear.) Mr. R. PALMER could assure the Right ion. Baro net who had just sat down that the magistracy of the county to which he belonged had no objection to the principle of repro sentative control, but he, with others, doubted whether the provisions of the Bill were practi cable, and on that account be thought it was useless to enter a discussion upon it. It would be much better to refer the whole question to a Committee ; but after the Expression of an opinion against that course from such high authorities as they had heard to-day, ho would suggest that the amendment should be modified, so as to meet the views of the sipporters of the Bill. Mr. HENLEY did not object to the principle of representative control, but he should be glad to know to wh,ct extent that control was to Let carried. The Bight Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home De partment seemed to place no limit to that control; he appeared to be absolutely for county financial bcards. Sir G. GREY obseived that his opinion was that those boards ought te - be based upon the representative principle. Mr. HENLEY said that did not dispose of his objection as to the extent to which the control was to be carried. No man, therefore, could say what was the principle or what was not, and it was for that reason that he rather inclined to the amendment. When the Right Hoe. Baronet the Member for Ripon, on talking cf the reduc tions which had been made in his county, had not stated whCther expenses relating to bridges and gaole, and such permanent buildings, had been incurred 'before or atter the reductions be talked cf. Again, the Bill which was to be introduced confsrred the very responsible office of auditors upon the same persons with whom it now found fault. He should vote with his Hon. Friend if he pressed it to a division. Sir G. STRICKLAND wished to set right the asser tion cf the Honourable Member for Droitwich, that this was a Lancashire question—ho knew there was a very general feeling in favour of the Bill in many coun ties of England. In the county in which he resided (Yorkshire), no subject had excited so much interest as this question cf control over local expenditure.— (He at) A worthless and extravagant expenditure had been gone into for building a great wall round the gaol, which was more fitted to resist a Danish invasion than to serve any useful purpose at the present day. lie should certainly support the second reading. Mr. DENISON had presented the greatest number of petitions, perhaps, that had been presented to the House from one district except Lancashire—namely, from the West Riding of Yorkshire, and he had examined all those petitions carefully, but though they prayed for the establishment of county boards they did not say a word in favour of this Bill. He had never heard a Bill so cordially pulled to pieces on all sides of the House as this had been. No other Bill had been so much pulled to pieces as this, and he did not think that any Member competent to express a worthy opinion would give his vate for any one of its clauses.—(Hear, hear.) If it could be shown that the principle of popular representation could be mixed up with the usual offices of the magistracy, no doubt the Bill would be useful, but of that he had a ery great doubt. It was unquestionable that the county rates hadof late years pressed very heavily upon the rate-pay err. But to what was this owing? Why, to the building and improvement of prisons, and thus the very outlay itself had been instrumental in saving expense at future times.—(Hear, hear.) The legislative functions, if he might so term them, of the magistracy were plainly ir reconcileable with the action of a popular influence.— (Ilea-, hear.) Nowhere had there hem so great an ex penditure for these purposes as in Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire. In the latter district ten years ago the expenditure was 49,0001. a year; within the last two years it had been respectively 102,030/. and 93,0001.; yet this outlay had already been productive of great advantage, and he be lieved that if the Bill could be cleared of its faulty qua lities it would be very useful, and believing that it might, he a hould vote for the second reading. Sir H. WILLOUGHBY did not see why the Govern ment should impose upon the country fifty-two county boards, and he thought it would be fir better for the Government t) provide for any excess of expenditure rather than inteife:e with the present principle of the county migistracy. Mr. 1. GIBSON said that lie wisl el particularly to impress upon the House what they were asking fur.' Those who advocated the Bill only desired that they should adopt the principle of giving the ratepayers the power of controlling the expenditure of the county rate. He did not wish to enter into the details of the Bil 1; all he desired was that the principle should be affirmed, for the derails would be submitted to a competent tribunal, where every objection to them might be settled. He did trust, therefore, that the Hon Baronet who opp ose d th e Bill would not divide the House. Sir 11. HALFORD said, that having introduced a measure very analagous to this, he might, he trusted, be xemed for detaining the House fur a moment, to say that, however he might disapprove of some of the de talla, he should vote for the Bill. Sir JOHN PAKINGTON was gla 1 to find himself in a very different position to that in which he was placed last year. Now he was supported on all sides of the House, yet Nuking if he divided he might be in a mi nority, he should refrain, in the hope of amending the Bill in Committee. Ile should therefore withdraw his amendment. Mr. M. GIBSON then moved for the appointment of a Select Committee. PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS. _ _ Mr. EWART, in moving the second reading of this Bill, said the object of it w as to give a permissive power to tow n-councils to levy a small rate fur the establish ment of public libraries and museums. The power was exclusively permissive, and was founded on the same principle as that contained in the Bill which was brought in four 3 eers ago to enable town councils to establish museums, as well as on the recom mendation of a Select Committee, and the express wishes of the iuhabitants of several of the largest towns in the kingdom. The Bill would afford means cf instruction and improvement to the people by supplying aerie with books, and works cf art, and on that ground he would press the second reading, hoping that no objections, except those of detail, would be offered to the measure. Colonel SIBPHORP questioned whether it was legal or in conformity with the rules cf the House to introduce a Bill levying a general tax on the subject without submittir g it, in the first instance, to a Commit tee of the whole Home. He thought the country was not in a position to bear farther taxation, and instead of the people requiring food for the mind, he considered they wanted a little more food for the body.—(A. laugh.) He did not see how the object of the Bill could be carried out by means of a rate of a half!. enny in the pound, unless they could erect museums and reading-rooms by the influence of a magic wand, as they did in the theatres.—(A laugh.) There was another objection he had to this Bill, and that was the manner in which the funds were to be raised for the building cf these libraries. He was not averse to the honest recreation of the people, but there was no ne cessity for an Act of Parliament to accomplish that ob ject; and as it was unconstitutional for a private Member to introduce a Bill for levying a tax upon the people he should certainly oppose the Bill. Sir G. GREY did not apprehend that there was any thing unconstitutional involved in this Bill, as the cor porate bodies who would have to carry out its provi sions already possessed the power of levying the rates. Colonel SIBTHORP said, under these circumstances he should move, as an amendment, that the Bill be read a second time this day six months. Mr. BUCK had no objection to tha establishment of libraries in large towns, but as the provisions of the Bill would very materially affect the lanc'el interest, who were already too heavily burdened, he should give it his most decided opposition. Very few of the large towns, certainly few of the boroughs of this country, were aware of the existence of this Bill, and ho was not surprised at reading this morning that a;certain town-council in the west if England expressed some surprise that this Bill had been introduced. The local rates in the large towns of the west of England bad reached no loss than 4s. 6d. in the pound, and no sentimental desire to afford recreation and amusement to the masses oug ht to b e t:Llcen by the House as a justification for an addition to these rates.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. BROTHERTON confessed that he was mach surprised at the speech of the Honourable Gentleman who had just sat down. In the first place, the Bill was only permissive, while the rate could only ex tend to a halfpenny in the pound, and wh en he remembered the vast influence which public lib: aries had upon the moral instruction of the people, he was really astonished that any Hon. Mewlor could be bold enough to oppose the Bill. He denied the assertion that this Bill was, comparat'vely speaking, unknown in the large towns; on the contrary, be believed it was mo s t extensively known and equally approved of throughout the country. The cheapest and best police they could have was public institutions for the instruction of the peop'e, and thenfore he contended that both in a com mercial and political point of view this Bill ought to be adopted.— (Cheel s.) Mr. GOULBURN said the fact that libraries had bean established in nearly every large town in the country was a sufficient proof that there was no neces sity for a Bill of this nature. He could not agree with those who thought they had affirmed the principle of this Bill when they passed the Museum Bill, nor could ho bring himself to believe that it was an expedient to tax the poorer classes for the benefit of the middle class.--(flear, hear.) If this Bill passed, a portion of the funds would be devoted to the purchase of news . papers, and in point of fact those libraries would be established for the gratuitous benefit of those who had the taste and leisure to read periodical publications. —(Hear, hear.) But there was another question which ought to be raised if this Bill passed, and that was who should have the authority of selecting the books to be deposited in these libraries? So long as the establishment of these institutions were left to voluntary exertions there could be no objec tion to the reception cf any description of books that had a moral tendency, but the case was altered when these libraries came to be founded under the sanction of the Legislature. In fact the Bill was objectionale in many other respects, and ho should vote for the amendment.—(Hear, - hear.) Mr. BERNAL would nut go into the abstract merits of the Bill, or atempt to speculate upon its moral re sults, but ho objec;ed to it on the ground that they Lad no right to give power to a town-council to levy a rate of even a halfpenny in the pound, for carrying out the objects contemplated by the Bill. However noble the object of promoting the moral instruction and intel lectual improvement of the people might be, it could not justify the levying of a tax, as proposed by this Bill, since the power (,f lev3 ing was not confined to particul4r amount:, but was unlimited. He could support no sueb species of legislation, however laudable its object might Le, and be should chcidedly oppose the second reading of the Bill. Mr. HUME said that there could be no doult that the right of taxing the ratt payers for the establishment of libraries ought not to be granted without great caution, To the principle of the Bill he cordially agreed. Ho thought that what was to be inquired into was, the best way of effecting the object. There were some objections to the method proposed in the Bill. Ile should recommend to the promoters of this Bill to study the method laid down by a Bill passed by this House, to enable towns to avail themselves of donations to ligh t their streets without going to the expense of an Act cf Parliament:. He thought that nothing could be cf greater importance than that working men should be made to read; reading led to reflection, and that would prevent many ill-advised actions to which they were now prone. He should give his cordial support to the Bill. After a few words from Mr. HAMILTON, Lord G. MANNERS wished to know why churches, hospitals, and schools, should not have the same benefits as museums and public libraries. No man could give a heartier asset to the principle of the. Bill than he did; but in these days the public looked with grout suspicion upon anything which threatened to impose an increased amount of local taxation. Thorn were cllsscs in the country, such as agricultural labourers, whose wages had been reduced by the late legislative enaet aents, who would have t.) pay increased rates and would not be able to take advantage of the librz, ries which it proposed to establish. He thought that if this Bill wero passed a revision of the law of mortmain would Ease a fair claim fir the attention of the Lx gislature. After a few words from Colonel SIBTHORP, Mr. LAI3OUCHERE said he was very much inclined to take the same view of the subject as the Hon. Member for Montrose had done. He thought that Hon. Gentle man quite misunderstood the motion. Some of them thought that the managers would either select such books as were either of mere utility in a business point of view, or such as were merely adapted for amusement. He did net think that any such evil was likely to arise, and he did then fare vote for the second reading.- -(Herr, hoar.) Yet, while allowing that, he thought that the Bill required very considerable altera tion, but thinking that those alte ra ti ons m i g ht b e eas il y made in Committee, he should therefore affirm the principle of the Bill.—(Cheers.) Mr. W. MILES had many objections to the Bill, and he felt that the opinion of his Hon and Gallant Friend the Member for Lincoln was well worthy of notice. The result would be in his opinion to make the rates much heavier than they were already, and that was needless. That his objection was not groundless was evident from the 31 clause, which gave a power to secure the ex penses for the purchase of land, and the erection of buildings was secured on the borough rate. Now those expenses were to be levied without the consent of the rate-payers, and thin, in his opinion, was fatal to the Bill. Mr. BRIGHT was sorry to see that any opposition to this Bill was grounded on a misappreheaaion, when it was evident that expenses for the house and land only was levied on the borough rates. It should be remem bered that the books and the necessary furniture, and the objects for the museum were to be furnished by volun tary contributions. It should also be recollected that the borough rate was to he limited to a halfpenny in the pound.—(f tear, hear.) Ile should be ashamed of him self and of the House, if there was any difference with respect to the object of this Bill. Believing that such would be the case, he should certainly vote for the second reading of the Bill.—(Cetera.) Mr. SPOONER said it appeared from the statement of the Hon. Gentleman that the rate was only fur the construction cf buildings and for furniture, but he thought the best furniture of a library was its books. It would be DO use to establish public libraries if the Ten Hours Bill was not carried out and factory labourers were pre vented availing themselves of such institutions. He ob jected to the principle of taxing a whole community far objects by which only a few would be benefitted, and he should then f ire support the amendment. Mr. SLANEY thought rio good objection could be made to the • principle of the Bill. Instead of such libraries entailing a great expense upon communities, they would hale the effect of keeping the lower classes from the public-house and from dissolute amusements, and by diminishing crime entail leas expense upon the country. Mr. R. PALMER agreed with the principle that we ought to have public libraries in all large towns; but the principle of this Bill was that of taxation.—(Hear, hear.) It was apparent that it had been intro duced for ulterior objects, which might be car , ried into effect by amendments proposed in Committee. such, fur instaece, as purchasing books, curiositiee, and works of art, and Erecting lecture-rooms, which were beside the cbj'ct of the Bill, which was simply to erect buildings, in the hope that some charitable persons would fill them with books or curiosities. He had al ways been opposed to the compulsory as against the voluntary principle in matt Ts of education, and should 'eel it his duty to go to a division if the Hon. Member pressed the second reading cf the Bill. Sir R. INGLIS said thu only power given to the town councils by the Bill was, the power to build certain empty houses, with a potentiality to receive boeks.— (Laughter.) That being so, and having an objection to a compulsory rate for the purposes of this Bill, he would oppose its second reading. Mr. HEYWOOD believing that the measure would be received as a boon by the working classes in Man chester and other large towns throughout the kingdom, was disposed to support the second reading of the Bill. Mr. WYLD bore testimony to what he had seen in the way of improved morals and manners among the people in towns where mechanics' institutions hied been established, and inasmuch as this Bill had for its object the promotion of an object kindred to that of Mechanics' Institutions, he would support the Bill. Mr. PiiILIP HOWARD objected to imposing upon the poor and unlettered people of large towns additional taxation, which was contemplated by this Bill, and he would, therefore, give it his steady opposition. Mr. OSWALD also expressed his intention of voting against the Bill, being favourable to a voluntary rather than a compulsory education of the people. Mr. EWART briefly replied. After some observations from Sir J. Graham, Mr. Muntz, Sir George Grey, Mr. Law, and Mr. Greenall, strangers were ordered to withdraw, and the House divided, when there appeared:— For the second reading ... ... 118 Against it ... 101 Majority for the second reading... --17 The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be conatuittel. Tte other orders of the day were then diipsed of, an, The House adjourned at Five minutes Lefore Six. PORTUGAL. Advices have been received from Lisbon of the 2d. The Viscount Santa Marthar, who had been offered the command of the Lisbon district, has declined to accept it, and has declared his intention to oppose the Government of the Count de Thomar. GERMANY. The iJeutsclee Zeitung, of the 9th inst., states that the Interim Commission of the German Empire is to be prolonged for another period of three months. The additional act, which is to be submitted to the Erfurt Parliament, was agreed upon in the sitting of the Administrative Council of the 26th ult. The following is a translation of that document : "Articles to be in force until all the states of the German Confederation shall, of !their own free will, have consented to the constitution of the empire:— " Article 1. The totality of the staves which recog nise the conEtqution forms the German Federal Stat, under the name of German U n i on, ' and the two houses (the Upper and Lower) are named ' the Par liament of the German Union.' "Art. 2. The relations of the Union to the German States, which refuse to join it, are to be determined on negotiations. as apolitical totality, exe4rAcirset's 3.w rights and fulfils all those duties which have hitherto belonged and fallen to the charge of i ts var i ous compo nent parts. " Art 4. The international representations of the whole of the federal states belongin, to the Uni on ( paragrap h s 6 and 7 of the Constitutions) is exercised with regard to those German States which are not members of the said Union. 66 A r t. 5. The powers of peace and war (see paragraph 10 of the Constitution) belo ng i ng to the Union a e not to be exercised with regard to the G erman S tates, which are not members of the said Union. The relations of the said Union to the said states are d e t erm i ne d b y t h e provisions of the federal legislature o f 18 15. The mili tary establishment of the Union is to be f orme d i n a manner corresponding with the military establishment of the Germanic Confederation. 66 A r t. 6. The College of Princes consists of the fol lowing votes:— " 1. Prussia. "2, Saxony, Saxony Weimar, Saxony Meiningen Hildburg-hausen, Saxony Coburg Gotha, Saxony Alten burg, Anhalt-llessau, Anhult-Bernburg, Anhalt-Kothen, Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, Sehwarzburg-Rudolstadt, Reuss Major, Reuss Minor. "3. Hanover, Brunswick, Meeklenburgh-Schwerin, irlecklenburgh-Strelit z, Oldenburg, Lubeck , Bremen, Ilamburgh. Hessen, M I6 - of States joini ng " 4. Bader.s a u " , s w . a E i l d e i c k t , o s r a e l h IL% s b e u n r , the Union take their places according to the pr ov i s i ons g G L ra ip u p d e, D L o i e p h p y e of paragraph 67 of the Constitution. " Art. 7. In the present condition of the Union the members of the Upper House are sent in the followiug proportion:—Prussia, 40 members; S axony, 12; H 5 0.. over, 12; Baden, 10; Electoral Hessen, 7; Grand Duchy of Hessen, 7 ; Mrcklenburgb - Schwerin, 4 ; Nas sau, 4; Brunswick, 2; Oldenburg, 2; Saxony Weimar, 2; Saxony-Meiningen Hildburghausen, 1; Saxony Coburg Gotha, 1; Saxony Al ten burg, 1; bleeklenburgh-St re li tz, 1; Anhalt Dessau, 1; Anhalt Bernburg, 1; Anhalt then, 1; Schwarzburg Sondershausen, 1; Schwarzburg Rudolstadt, 1; Waldeck, 1; Reuss Major, 1 ; Reuss Minor, 1; Sebauenburg Lippe, 1; Lippe Detmold, 1; Liibeek, 1; Bremen, 1; Hamburgh, 2; making a total of 120 members. German States, joining the union, send their members according to the provisions of paragraph 85 cf the Constitution. " Art. 8. Those members of the Union who are actu ally eagaged in commercial or tariff treaties with states not members of the said Union, cannot be prevoated from discharging the duties impotel upon them by the treaties aforesaid. Conn equently the provisions of the Articles 2 and 7 of the Constitution are suspended until the expiration of the term or terms of the aforesaid treaties. " Art. 9. The restrictions of Article 8 apply also to Articles 2 and 9 of the Constitution, in so far al there may be treaties on coinage, paper money, measures, and weights. " Art. 10. The a 4h ei i on given by a German state to the Union does not en t a il an y alteration in the Con3ti. tution: it takes free by a velolation of the Union Power." The project put f ir war d by Saxony, Bavaria, and Wurtemburg, of a b an d or union in opposition to that of Prussia, by w hi c h it proposed to unite all the States that ere members lof the old Con federation, has been Published. It is simpler than that of Erfurt; the Executive is to consist of seven member=, and the representative of three hundred deputieF, of whom a third are to be returned by Austria, a third by Prussia, and a third by the other States collectively. There is to be no &cond Chamber. If the 'assent_ of all the States to the plan can be obtained, its executive is to take the place of the present Interim Commission, and its future code of fundamental laws, of the acts based on the treaty cf Vienna, which established the old CoLfederation. GREECE. In the sitting of the Greek Parliament of the 21st tho. following note was read by M. LON DOS : NOTE ADDRESSED B Y M. TROUVENEL, ENVOY EXTRA °EDINA R Y AND MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY OF TIIE FRENCH REPUBLIC, To M. LONDOS, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CF HIS MAJESTY TB E KING OF GREECE, DATED FEBRUARY, 21, 1850. "I confined myst?!f on the arrival of the steamer, which touched at the Pirrens on the 19th inst. to inform you ver' ally of the intelligence I had received from France. Iliad hopi - d that the Minister of her BriLnnic Majesty, advised also by his Government, would have been placed in a position to make you a communication analogous to mine; but the silence he has as yet main tained towards you makes me fear that he has not re ceived the instructions which were to inform him of the new turn which the agreement (entente) estab lished between the C..l3inets of Paris and London has given to the affhirs of Greece. I consequently think that I am called upon to provide you with the means of knowing, as exactly as possible, what has taken place. " The Government of the Republic, at the same time that it deplores the events which it was my duty to make known to it, eagerly desires to see the Govern ment of his Hellenic Majesty remain on the same foot ing. On the receipt of the news from Athens, it (the French Government) immediately sent on a special mission to London M. Drouyn de Lhuys, and on his first interview with L or d P a l merston, the latter favour ably ree,ived (uccuciait) the propositions he was charged to make to him. AftE.r the presentation of the officia' note, in which the ambassador of the Republic, who had formally come to an understanding on the subject with the Principal Secretary of Stlte 1:r Foreign Aflairs, offered the good offices and rce.liation of France, the English Ambassador at Penis communicated to General Lahitte, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the textual copy c f the instructions, which were to be sent to Mr. W 3 so by the courier of the Bth February. If they have been delayed it must be attributed to a cause totally in • dependent of the will of Lord Palmerston, who posi tively declared, on tLe sth of the month of' March, to M. Drouyn de Lhuy, that 11,1 would immediately give instructions to suspend the coercive measures adopted against Greece. The Government of her Britannic Majesty, after tl.c engagemer.ts it has taken with so much spout tneous gcod-will tiwards the Government of the Republic, wilt regret as much as we do the prolongation of a state of things which, I cannot doubt it, it was its intention to put a stop to, and which the arrival of the m xt, courier cannot tail to terminate. How ver this may he, Sir, I feel it my duty to make you aware of these facts. You will behold therein a proof cf the sympathetic support of F.ranc, joined to a praiseworthy moderation on the part of the British Government, and ou may await with greater confidence the termination of the regrettab!e incident which Greece will be deli• voted from in a few days.—l am, &c., "ED. TTIOUVENEL." M. LONDOS expressed a hope that the affair would speedily be terminated. The Courricr d' Athenes states, howsver, that the blockade of the Piraeus was enforced more strictly than ever by Admiral PARKER. In his note of the 13th Feb , addressed to M. LoNnor, Mr. WYsz says— " To avoid the possibility of any misunderstanding, I have the honour to declare to you, in the most explicit manner, that unless I receive new instructions, no steps shall for the future he taken either by Vice-Admiral Sir W. Parker or myself relative to this question, but that it is not in my power to inform you of the ulterior in tentions c f the Government of the Queen on this subject. (Signed) " T. Wrsr'." The following note was addressed by Count NES SELRODE to Baron 13auNNow, as soon as it became known at St: Petersburgh that England had accepted the good oflies of France for the settlement of the Greek affair : COPY OF A DISPATCH FROM COUNT NESSELRODE TO BARON BRUNNOW. " St. Pt t.n.sburgli, Is 8-20th Feb., 1850. "Monsieur le Baron,—Almost at the very moment when v e were addressing to you our dispatches of the 7-19th of this month, we learnt by your report (No. 17) that Lot d Palmerston, relaxing those extrema measures which he has adopted twainst the Hel'enic Gov e rn men t, had consented to susp en d them on accepting, in this dif f,rence, the mediation of France. "As in our eyes the interest of the Greeks is supe rior to every other personal consideration, we will not insist upon the w ant of courtm , y of which we have felt ourselves called upon to complain; and our inten • Lion is nut to ark to enter, after the neqotiation has be gun, into a mediation already commenced, and which, perhaps, at the time we are writing, may have borne, as we hope, fruits profitable to Greece. If the good offices of France can act efficaciously in favour f the Government of King Otho, and can contribute to lighten for him the weight of the pecuniary claims raised against him, wo are ready to congratulate ourselves sincerely on such a result. Nevertheless, M. ha Baron, in regard to what relates to the cession of the Greek islands, equally claimed in the name of tLe Government of the lonian Islands, as this is not purely a question of money between England and Greece, but is a question of terriOry connected with the delimitation established by a treaty concluded between the three cabinets which founded the Hellenic Kingdom, it would at all events, be impossible for us in our quality of signers of that act; to admit that this question should ba treated by England and France to the exclusion of Russia. We feel it our duty therefore to make the reservation of our rights in this respect, and you will declare this to the English Government in communicating to it this dis patch. Receive, M. To Baron, tho assurenca of my very d ingttizhcd consideration. (Signed) " NESSELRODE." STATE OF TRADE. (From the Manchester Guardian of this day.) MANCHESTER, TUESDAY.—There continues to be a fair demand for 40-inch shirtings, on India account, at tha rates of last week; and a moderate business has been done to-day in printing cloths, and some other articles, though, tha most part, at some further disadvantage to the sellers, as regards prices. In such articles as are hero referred to, the fall which has taken place has latt,rly _lel to the execution of numerous orders, which e:e pieriously lying in al cyance. Heavy goods, hoe e‘er, are much neglected. Yarns suitable far India e in fair request, particularly 40's mule; and prices are well sustained. The buyers for Germany, hoe ever, and for the markets connected with the Medite-ra near], ate rather more indisposed f)r business than they were last week. This is mainly attributable to the rather disturbed asreat cf Eurolesn politics. Our home conaumers are buying only from hand to mouth. On the whole, there fire, the value cf water twist and of yarns for home use is not fully sustaino. In both yarns and goods, however, much irregularity in the quctstions is found to exist, according to the varying positions and views of the producers. ROCHDALE, MONDAY.—The flannel market has un dergone little change to-day from that of last Monday. The wool rr it , ket has been slack, and the mannf .cturers show little disposition to purchase. Prices may be quoted in favour of the buyers. MACCLESrIELD, TIIESDA.Y.—The throwing Its cm tinue fully employed; but the complaints, mentioned in our last, of inadequate prices for thrown silks, contlnue. Manufacturers of 561711 Q descriptions of goods suitable for shipping are tolerably brisk ; others, making chiefly for the home trade, are comparatively dull; the low prices offered rendering business difficult at present. The dyers are reported slacker of work. There is no altera tion to notice in the raw silk market. HUDDERSFIELD, TUESDAY.—Our market has scarcely been so lively to-day as last week, though the demand for light goods has been somewhat brisker. Most of the business continues to be done in the warehouses. HALIFAX, SATURDAY.—There has not been much ac tivity in our Piece Hall to-day, and the inquiry h as b een principal:y for lastings, which are still very soiree. The demand for fsncy goods is hardly so brisk at it was, though ti ere is a good deal doing to order, and the qm taions have slightly recede 3. Yarns are also rather easier to buy, as the export houses area e out of the market ; but the spinners are all fully em ployed. The wool market does not show much anima tion ; and the staplers are free sellers, at a slight decline in price. LEEDS, TUESDAY. —We have no change of moment to notice in the cloth trade since last week. There is not much doing at the Cloth Halls; but still a good steady business doing to order, and prices are very firm. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. MALTA, MARCH 4.—The French fleet, under com mand of Vice-Admiral P. Descl.ones, which left Vourlah, as has been already stated, on the 20th ult., has not yet touched at Athens. They hove off the island yesterday, and the three steamers, Cate, Magellan, and Descartes, came into port. The Magellan re joined the Admiral, who was steering to the west, at two o'clock this morning, and at three o'clock, r.m., the others are to sail. None of the officers are aware of their destination. The Ripon arrived yesterday, at two o'clock, r.sr., and the overland part of the mail by the Medusa on the same day. at eight o'clock, P.M. On board the Ripon was Vice-Admiral Austen, who goes out as successor to the late Sir F. Collier, Commander-in- Chid in the East Indies. PORTSMOUTH, MARCH 12.—A collision took place yesterday morning, off Beachy-head, between the English barque Tay, of Greenock, 572 tons, Captain Loogmill, in ballast, from London to Panama, and the Prussian barque Commerce, 378 tons, Captain Knight, from Torre Vecchia to Memel, laden with salt. Both vessels sustained considerable damage. The Com merce had her bowsprit, jibboom, &e., carried en•• tirely away, stem gone, bows stove in, bulwarks and cathead carried away. The Tay has received con siderable damage, and has been hauled alongside the Dryad hulk in the harbour to repair. The Com merce has gone alongside the Town quay to dis charge. These vessels made this port in the course of the night. APPOINTMENTS. WooLwicrr, MARCH 12.—Mate Gerald F. H. Westley (1848), to the Stromboli steam-sloop at Deronport. Masters' Assistant George Bundock, to the Hastings flag -ship, on the East India and China station.F. Clerk George Pocock to the Hastings ; Gunner George Wills to the Sharpshooter at Portsmouth. CArpcntor William Dean, to the Assistance, fitting for the Arctic expedition. Captain H. rE Austin, C. 8., returned to town to day from Portsmouth, and nine healthy and robust men arrived from the same port at Woolwich in the afternoon, having been engaged by the gallant officer fir service in the Resolute, fitting for the flag-ship of the Arctic expedition. The Magicienne steam-sloop; left Woolwich this morning under the charge of Lieutenant Robertson, far the purpose of being tried in deep water at the eight miles run between the Nore and Mouse lighte, with ballast and water tanks on board equivalent to. her armament stores and crew and every other article for sea-going service, and she is to return to Wool wich to-morrow evening. The preparations for the launch of the Nankin, 50- gun frigate, are proceeding rapidly, her anchors have been suspended at her bows, and an ample supply of strong new cable taken on board to-day. A con siderable space has been fitted up as booths on both sides and under the bows of the vessel, and on board of the hull of the 0:d Mastiff, surveying vessel, to afford the friends of the Admiralty and the authori ties of the dockyard a fine view of the launch when it takes place, at 230 P.M. on Saturday, March 16. The figure•head is a representation, carved by Mr. Hellyer, of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.8., Commander-in-Chief of the fleet at present assembled on the coast of Greece. The vessel pre sents a very fine appearance, and her weather and main decks have been payed with Jeffery's marine glue. The Nankin is to be christened by Miss Parker, daughter of the Gallant Admiral whose bust is so appropriately placed at the bows of the vessel. The following are the dimensions of the Nankin : Ft. in. Length between the perpendiculars 185 0 Length of keel for tonnage ... 153 01 Breadth extreme ... 50 10 Breadth for tonnage ... 50 2 Breadth moulded .. ... 49 6 Depth in hold ' ... 15 10 Burdens i n t ons ( o ld measurement) 2049 6-94 An admirable and most commanding view of the launch will be obtained from the thoroughfare through the parish churchyard of Woolwich. /11 , id. _acadamized streets are the worst that possibly can be made. In such a street the soft absorbent material becomes soaked with liquid filth, which, putrifying, sends its noxious exhalations into the atmosphere. Where there is a great traffic, the road wears so fast as to be constantly under repair, while, by every indentation of the surface, and the laying on of loose materials, the friction is immensely incr.( asd. In wet weather it is covered with mud, and in dry weather the air is loaded with the dust of the disintegrated stones mingled wit'i the filth caused by the traffic, producing disease of the respiratory organs, and rapidly deteriorating food and clothing in the houses, and the articles exposed for sale in the neighbouring shops. If to these evils it is added, that a macadamized road is the most expensive to keep in repair, and costs four times as much to cleanse as a paved road, I shall be borne out in saying, that such a road in a town is an expensive nuisance which should be done away with as soon as possible.—Builder. THE CULLODEN MONUMENT. The Inverness Courier says :—" This monument has now progressed to some height, but the fund receives accessions so slowly, that the possibility is anticipated of seeing the monument stuck in a half-finished state, and so left soon to become a shapeless heap of rubbish, not much to the credit of that enthusiasm out of which the pro posal arose." YORE, NEWCASTLE, AND BERWICK RAILWAY.- The Admiralty have given their consent to this com rany's Bill for alteration in levels of Bishop Auckland branch, being satisfied that the proposed crossing of the river Wear is unobjectionaLle. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, March 12. PROTECTION. Lord REDESDALE presented petitions from North umberland and Worcester complaining of agricultural distress, and praying for the imposition cf a protective duty on the importation of agricultural produce. He complained that, en the opening of Parliament, the Noble Marquis (Lansdo ene) had stated that there was every prospect of a diminution of the distress of which the landholders complained, but, six weeks had elapsed and that prophecy had not been fulfilled. The petitioners attributed the depression under which they were suffering solely to the alteration which tad taken place in the law, and they considered that nothing could save them but a return to the farmer system. The free-trade system was repudiated by America and by every other country, and he thought it was a most bold assertion to say that we could net return to a protective system. He believed they could, and he tholight they would sooner or later return to protection. The Noble Lord Rho had so long led the other side of the House had declared that whoever should propose a free import of corn must be mad, yet the Noble Lord had seen that free import proposed and carried by one who had all his lifa long opposed it. He, therefore, did not despair (f a r e tu rn t o p rotect i on . The strength and happiness of a nation depended upon its wealth, for the richest would always be the most power ful nation, and always be enabled to give its people plenty of work at good wages. Taxation was;greatly increased in burden by everything that tended to lower income, and thus the burden of the malt tax had been greatly increased as a burden by the fall in the price of barley. There had been throughout the country a large reduction of wages, amounting to a falling off in the income of the labouring population of 52,000,000/ a year. The Hon. Gentleman who moved the Address in the House of Commons said that the country had gained 91,000,0001. by the repeal of the corn-laws. That Hon. Gentleman had taken a famine year as his standard of comparison; but if he had taken an ordinary year as his standard of comparison, ho would have found that his saving would have been only 40,000,000/.; and as it was money that ruled, Lot produce, be (Lord Redesdale) contended that there was a loss, because more had been lost in the price by the famine than had been gained by the consumer. The operation of the alteration had been to make wages low, and yet the moment the landowners attempted to lower wages there was an outcry against them in the public papers for endeavouring to reduce wages to a starvation point. An attempt had been made to draw a distinction between the agricultural and manufactur ing interests.—(Hear, hear.) There was no such distinction—the growing of corn and the conduct of a pasturage-farm was a manufacture, and the land lord, instead of being the drone which he had been re presented, was a master manufacturer. But the agricul tural manufacturers laboured under difficulties which did not affect the manufacturer of textile manufactures. The agricultural manufacturer had to pay tither, he could not work short time, and he had to fight against a perpetual glut of his commodity in the market, as this being the only country in which corn was admitted duty free, we had the surplus of all other countries poured into our market. Such was the case at present, there was a glut; the complaint was that there was nothing doing. It was the duty of the Government to take care that they should not suffer from the glut which Providence had created, and when there was a glut in the market created by the super abundance of the produce cf our own land, the agricul turist was entitled to the exclusive possession of that market until the glut should be cleared off. It would not do to try the experiment of free trade too long. He wished to havo the question argued calmly on its own merits, he did not wish to excite party feelings, but he felt convinced that our national prosperity depended on a return to protection. Ile wished to ask Noble Lords opposite to what they attributed the present state of agricultural distress; and, secondly, whether they could hold out any hope of an immediate enhancement in the present price of grain, and if they could not, whether they considered the present extent of land could be cul tivated at the present price of corn. Much had been said of high farming, but high farming was an ex pensive proecse, and could not be carried on at the present prices of corn. He also asked if the Government could form any idea as to whet the future price of corn would be under the present system. There was nothing unreasonable in asking a Uovernment what, in their opinion, would be the price of corn under tl.e present system. They were working under a system of which they were perfectly ignorant, and which, in the opinion of all practical men, would lead to ruin. Ho hoped, therefore, to receive an assurance from the Government, either that they enter tained a hope of some rise of the price of agricultural produce under the present state of things, er that they contempla'ed some alteration in the present state of the law. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE was not surprised at petitions of such a nature emanating from the inhabi•- ants of those agricultural districts in which a certain amount of distress did undoubtedly exist, but he was surprised to find that a Member of that House could gravely state with the petitioners that the cause of that distress was the removal of the/duty on foreign corn, and that the only remedy to be applied was a return to a system of protection. The Noble Lord had put four questions to him, and he should endeavour to answer the first two with as much clearness as lay in his power; but he must be excused if in dealing with the others he displayed a greater amount of caution. He had been ono of those who had combined their efforts far the removal of restrictions which pressed heavily on articles of food, and he had joined in those efforts from a belief that the change which was thereby effected in the commercial policy of the country, would ultimately prove beneficial to the people at large, but he bad never supposed that that change could be effected without coneieerable dif ficulty, and pressure of a temporary nature. But he considered that the period of that difficulty and pressure had now passed away, and that the distress under which the agriculturists were now labouring arose from causes wholly independent of that change, one being the agitation which had so extensively existed throughout the continent of Europe for the last two years, and an other he felt bound to add being the apprehension and panic created among the agriculturists by those who en tertained ill-founded notions respecting the effect of the removal of proteCtive duties. The Noble Lord com plained that the agriculturists were suff er i ng from a glut, from an overabundant supply of for e i gn corn. But what was the fact? Why, that nev er i n the history of the country was stock known to be lower, for as far as could be collected from all the docks and warehouses in Lon don the amount of stock in January this year was only 242,028 quarters, whil e at t h e same time last year it was 1,354,000 quarters, which was followed in the month of February by an importation of 384 , 0 00 quarters,and in the month of M arc h b y 623,000 quarters; the importa tion porta tion in February of this year being only 180,000 quar ters, the importation in the pre.eat mont h o f March be ing -sensibly declining. Nor had they any reason to expect that there would be any extensive impo r t at i on from abroad this year, as he had been informed th a t the demand of other countries was now very great. Taking the poorer classes as a whole, there never was a time when the consumption of fJod amongst hem was greeter. It had increased, and would he trus'e I ,°t ill increase, and lead the country to a grea ter degreo of enjoyment an d prosperity than we had experienced hitherto. There wa s a progress towards wealth an d pc . pauperism, and the ti me he hoped was not far distant when the benefi c i a l resu l ts of t hi s grea t exPerlinen would be visible to ers ) The Earl of MALMESBURY said he believed that the Noble Marquis was himself deceived, and tbat µn 3 f the reason why he was attempting to deceive them . the stock of wh ea t was l ow in the docks it was net to the farm-yard s . Th e most important part of his spe ech ; rata that the time h a d not yet come when Govern:ne n could do any tbirg to alleviate agricultural distreeiz Thousands would read that declaration to. morrow N 4th pain and sorrow. Lie had three letters from clergYte e n . in Wiltshire, from di s t r i cts pure l y agr i cu l tura l, eeien b e kg the difficulties with w hi c h th e poor were cont o1 e .; big. The deposit s i n t h e savings banks were st esd % decreasing. Th e b est f arm labourers had but se ven shillings a wee k, an d the majority b ut s i x shillings a wee k. The vicar of Bere said, in his letter, that they were in the very last state of depressil Families wer e li v i ng on f our sh i llings a wee k. So 'nue for the Noble Marquis's statement thst wages were being raised .—(The Marquis of Lansdowne here made a movement of di ssen t,) W e ll , h e thoug h t h e had Did so. The Noble Lord here read more extracts to the same effect from var i ous commun i cat i ons be had re ceived. Th ere h a d b een a general depreciation in og t. ' e cultural prod uce . H e reg Thuretted the declaration of the Noble Marqui s th a t he could offer no alleviation. "d unjust positron in which the agricultural interest stop 0 was greatly the r esu l t o f t h e pol i cy of f ree tra de. 1. 0 „. poor-rates had increased one-third during.the last years. Public opinion was daily growing in fsea r the the substitution of a national rate for the relief of ost poor, The tenant-fermers had always been the in i, quiet and loyal race in the country. Depend upo n " nothing but distress had compelled these men to n°7 o out and join in a g it at i on . It is a common enresa°d now to say—" The sma ll f armers, t h ey mus t go. A p ta for what were th e y t o b e sacr ifi ced ? T o t h e prosr% of Manchester. Th e y b a d spent a w h o l e evening . 1 2 . discussion of a motion resting on no broader g roan '" than that a m an ' s gar d en had been cut through hoy. a railway, and y e t now t h ey d e lib era tely O a doned 200,000 families. The Noble Lord here read 'V.. statistical details in reply t o some sta t em ents of Cobden. That gentle m a n h a d app li e d t h e term ~ bee l ; ,f shoe interest "in reference to these sufferers. Sorne4d the members of her M a j es ty' s G overnmen t bad applie d to them terms sc a r ce ly more tender. H e thought time was not far distant when the foreign ma rt e n would be glutted, and the manufacturers would look I. vain for a home m ar k e t. T he dep res sion of the cultural interest w ou ld affect Manchester and other ma nufacturing towns, fur any great c l ass o f the commo n : h i e could not be permanently d e p resse d w i t h ou t aejurit'e te others. But before h e sa t d own h e wou ld as k the u i ` a Marquis a questi on — not w h et h er t h e Government, the present depress e d s t a t e o f t h e agr i cu l tu ral intee es, : would return to protection—but whether the Galante' would not in any case relieve their burdens utfi placing the agriculturists upon an equality taxj other classes of th e community as regarded Lion ?—(Hear.) Lord REDESDALE wi s h e d t o know distinctly from her Majesty's Government if it were their s i ::f tention to bring in any measure for the rat io agricultural distress, now so prevalent England? trf throug. Earl GREY said that if the condition of the c00° 35, at present were compared with what it bad brea in ' g ot , there would be found a very considerable advantage•l! A withstanding all the murmurinthat had been raeit about the want of protection. Ho was also astonished_ that Noble Lords had not considered what the condition of the continent was for the last few years, an d w e i l l e facilities had been afforded to the English farmer for conveyance of his p ro d uce b y the railways. lie shoo; say that he deplored the agricultural distress al I nn as any person could, but he felt at a loss to wh yaccount, „ no measure had been introduced in either House of 6 4 liament to indicate whether they wished for the law 1848, or that of 1835, or that of 1815, or whether t!' e l e wished for a fixed duty on corn, which they some tl in . since so strongly denounced. He denied that there l' ed anything of the agricultural distress so loudly consela i ; ) , of; and that whatever share of it did exist was not o rit re 7. to any change in commercial restrictions; and, more over, over, he contended that the condition of the farmer 1849 was far bett er t h an i n 1835, f or i t w as eviden t from the Gazett e th a t t h ere was more corn so ld last year than in many ef th e p rece di ng years, an d that, too , ' s a higher price, whi c h we ll accounted f or " t h e farmyar d being devoid o f corn - stac k s. He wou ld ca ll the at tention cf their Lordship to the difference 1,.0 Vie price of corn i n 1849 and in 1835. In th e lat ter year the l owes t p r i ce o f w h eat was 369, p er er quarter; in the former it was no l ess t h an 338. • e quarter, and in a dditi on t o t h at , h e was prepar ed to Prov o that there was doubl e th e cro p i n 1849 t o that of 1 83. e i Thus there was a greater p ro d uce an d hi g h e r prices, an: how, he asked, could agricultural distress be so woe' complained of? He would also wish to remind their Lordships that since 1835 there was a very con siderabl e reduction in the price of artificial food f o r ca ttle; for, in looking to clover and other necessary food, it would be at once seen that the price was much less last year th an it had been in 1835. He did no t thi n k i t nece ssary e`" allude to the falling off in the exportation of corn front abroad for the last year, as his Noble Friend (the Mer• quis of Lonsdowne) had proved that matter to the Wit' faction of the House. He complained much of the Jar guage used by some Noble Lords relative to the falling off of prices in corn, because he believed that such /Or guage tended to create an unnecessary panic in the court" try, and would only require those Noble Lords to look to France and Belgium, and they would find that Franca , up to the late revolution, obtained 51s. 2d. per quarter, whereas at present she gets only 235. ; and Belgium go,' 525. 2d. some few years s i nce , b ut at present o b ta i ns owl 38s. 2d. per quarter. Lord REDESDALE explained that he had not called on Parliament to prevent a glut. That would have been calling on Parliament to interfere with the course of na' tare and of Providence. But he said Parliament could prevent a glut of produce of our own land being egg"' vated by an importation of foreign corn, and bad done so by means of the corn-laws. The petition was ordered to lie on the table. Lord STANLEY presented a petition from the C!re of Good Hope, praying to be exempted from receiving transported convicts. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, March 12. TAXATION OF THE COUNTRY. (Continued from our Third Edition of last night.) Mr. F. MAULE rose and said, he thought it was the duty of the Government to state at once to the Howe and to the country the course which they meant to take with reference to that motion—a motion indefinite its terms, and almost admissible by all parties. 130 which had been supported by the mover and seconder in speeches of a totally different character. He fcund in the motion a series of resolutions ending with a cor elusion in which be entirely concurred.—(Bear, bran) He certainly could not differ from his Hon. Friend in the assertion that taxation was a disagreeable burden; and neither could he differ from him in the conclusior, 1115; the best means of lessening the pressure of that burden was the diminution to the utmost extent practicable of the expenditure of the country. But when Le came to the speech of his Hon. Friend, he thought he could dis cern in that sp e ech a pr o p osa l t o d ea l w i t h t h e pu bli c he.' , come withont any reference to the faith which was due to the public creditor.—(Hear, hear.) He thought, too. he could see in that speech a reckless attack on the salaries of one part cuter class of individnals—he meant the judges—whose position should be approached, if it was to be approached at all, by that House with the most careful consideration. His Hon. Friend had concluded his speech by a general attack on the policy adopted in this country in the year 1846, not in subsequent years; and his Hon. Friend who had seconded the motion had made that question entirely a question of protection or free trade. His Hon. Friend had told them of the many evils which would result from their perseverance in that policy. Now, he (Mr. Fox Maule) was pre pared to contend that all'their recent experience showed that that policy was one which bad conduced to the hap piness of the country, and to the promotion of the com fort of the great mass of the people; and come from what quarter it might, her Majesty's Government were prepared to deal with all the contingencies to which that policy might give rise calmly, but with a firm resolution to proceed in the steps which, in their opinion, they had all eddy successfully trod.—(bear, hear.) He was nct at alt clear that his Hon. Friend was himself quite con sistent in the course he was then pursuing. He thought he remembered a time when his Hon. Friend, instaad of considering cheap corn as the greatest bane to the agri cultural labourer and the farmer, considered it as one of the greatest benefits they could enjoy —when he consi dered that the heaviest tax the people had to pay was the landlords' monopoly of corn —and when he called on the landlords to abandon that monopoly for the benefit of the community at large.—(Hear, hear.) His Honour able Friend said that the supporters of our recent com mercial policy left out of their calculation the cost of production. But seed formed one article in the cod" d oAfndhorsaegailnabouthr° cf production, and the price of seed had been lowered' m by anu t a h rlab i l icY an simi larly lowerel His Honourable Friend had, in his opinion, fal!en into an error into which h c a o d st be b en otho the advocates of protection frequently fell, by sup peeing that the labouring classes of this country con sisted exclusively of agricultural labourers. But the fact was that there was in this country a larger class of labourer.; employed in commercial than in agricultural pursuits. He was further prepared to maintain that in the whol e hi s t ory o f this country the labourers generally, with the exception of those in a few, and only a few, agricultural districts, had never been in a better position then at present, when all the great articles of subsistence were at an unusually low price. The only reduction which his Hon. Friend could point out were reductions in the salaries of the judges. But his Hon. Friend had hinise!f shown that not many years ago those salaries had been reduced; and the House was also aware the; there was at present before them a Bill for legalising as immediate reduction of the salary of the Lord Chief" Justice of the Queen's Bench from 10,0.00/. to 8,000/. and a pros[eetive reduction of the salary of the Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas from B,OOOL to 7,0001. Those, however, were no doubt large salaries as compared with the sala"ies paid in some other countries. But any gentleman, and particularly any gentleman who lived on his estate in the country, must know that one of the proudest boasts of this country was the unquestioned uprightness with which justice was administered in it to all classes. It was manifestly desirable that the services of the most corniet mt men in the country connected with the profession of the law should be se cured for the discharge of the functions of judges, and in order to attain that end the House should consider, not what were the salaries paid to judges elsewhere, but THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 1:3 1 11150