The Sun. — London, England, 1857-03-11 00:00:00

lAMEN T HOUSE OF LORDS.-(YESTERDAY.) The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at 5 o'clock. _ The Duke of ARGYLL presented several petitions from different parts of Scotland for the rtipeal, or altera tion, of the Forbes Mackenzie Act, and also petitions against the grant to Maynooth. THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE HOUSE. Earl STANHOPE called the attention of the house to the report of the select committee on the minutes and journals of this house, and moved that the resolutions of the committee be agreed to by the house, and be made standing orders ; and that the standing order No. 25, directing that upon divisions in this house the " con tenta" shall go below the bar and the " not-cot-tents" stay within the house, be vacated. The noble lord said that when he last addressed the house on that sub ject there appeared such unanimity that he would not detain their lordships at any length. He then explained the mode in which the divisions of the house would be taken for the future, and said if the recommendations of the committee were agreed to a great improvement would be made in the mode of conducting the business of the house. The Earl of EGLINTON moved certain amendments to the resolutions of the committee, and said on the tak ing the numbers in a division the same rule as was ob served in the other house should be followed by their lordships, and that for the future strangers be not re quired to leave the galleries of the house unless specially ordered. Lord REDESDALE also made a few observations. After a few words from Earl GRANVILLE, and the LORD CHANCELLOR, the resolutions, as amended, were agreed to. COMMONS ENCLOSURE BILL. This bill passed through committee. THE IRISH MAGISTRACY. Viscount DUNGANNON moved for return of a copy of the memorial addressed by the members of the Dublin Protestant Association to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland relative to the conduct of Edmund Smith wick and Thos. Hart, Esquires, justices of the peace for Kilkenny, in a case of alleged assault, in which Michael Casten and Mathew Spellacy, two persons in the employ of the So ciety for Irish Church Missions, were plaintiffs, and James Ryan, defendant, at the petty sessions held in the City of Kilkenny, on Monday, the 19th of January, 1857 ; together with the reply from the Ca , tle of Dub lin, bearing date the 13th of February, 1357. , After a few words from the Earl of DESART, Lord GRANVILLE assented to the motion, which was agreed to. Moak lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YEsimpey.) The SITAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock. PRIVATE BILLS. The Cornwall Ititil way Bill was read a third time and pasilsd. The following private bills were considered and ordered to be read a third time :—Scottish Central Railway Bill, and the South Devon Railway Bid. The Birkenhead District Gas and Water Bill was read a second time and ordered to be committed. Tito Bagecals-town and Wexford Rail way Bill wa3 withdrawn. BELFAST IMPROVENIENT BILL. Pie second reading of he Belfajt Improvement Bill, after a lengthened disca3sion, W3l agreed to without a divi iion. LIVERPOOL DOCKS COUNIITTEE AND BIR KENHEAD DOCKS BILL. The order for the second reading of this bill was read and discharged. TURNPIKE TOLLS. Sir J. DUKE presented a petition praying for the removal of the turnpike bars of the metropolis within a radius of six miles of Cnaring•cro,F. MAYNOOTH. /Ir. SPOONER presented 15 petitions from places in England, Ireland, and Scotland, against the continu ance of the Maynooth grant. The hoe. gentleman gave notice that if be had a seat in th i e new Parliament be should take the earliest opportunity of renewing his mo tion for the repeal of the grant to Maynooth. (Laughter.) WAR DECORATIONS. Captain L. VERNON asked the Under Secretary for War whether the list published of the names of the re cipients of the Victoria Cross was final, and whether it coutained all the Crimean recommendations deemed worthy of decoration ; an d w h e th er , i n suc h case , th ere ' would be any objection to publishing the names of the officers and privates who had been recommended and rej cted, with the details of the services for' which they were recommended. Mr. F. PEEL said that the list was final as regarded the home regiments, and that the list did not contain the names of all who were recommended. There were some recommended whose cases did net come within the scope of the warrant, and it would be ot;j,ctionable to give a Fat of their names. (Hear. hear.) ARMY ESTIMATES. Mr. F. PEEL gave notice thlt he should move the army estimates on Thursday next, in supply. VOTE OF TELANkS TO TRE SPE ..k.KER. Lord PALMERSTON (whose rising was t'ie signal for breathless silence) said—Sir, it was my duty yesterday, to be the organ of the regrets of this house at - the communication which you then thought it your duty to make, and of their concern that the next Parliament were not to have the be nefit of your assistance in conducting their delibe ,rations. I have to-day a task to perform of a rature more agreeable to myself, and one which, I am sure, wi'l be more acceptable to the house. (Cheer.) I have to propose to this house to return, by their unanimous vote, their thanks to you, sir : for ybur able and distinguished service in the chair for the long period of 18 years during which you have occu pied it. That man must have been a very superfi opserver of the proceedings in Parliament who has not remembered in how essential a degree the usefulness, and respectability, and influence of this house must depend up6n the manner in which the person who fills that chair performs' the duties which he bas to discharge. (Cheers.) In a great assembly like this, composed of so many persons come from all parts of the country, it is obvious th:,t unless the pers)n who regulates the proceed ings inspires among the members of this house that temper and forbearance and equanimity which he himself possesses, this house might be led by the warmth of discussion, and, by the agitation of pub lic questions, to depart from that order and mode ration, and regularity of proceeding which are so essential to maintain in public opinion that respect which is due to this branch of the Legislature. It is needle7s, I am sure, to say in how eminent a degree you have performed that duty. It iseteedles to re mind those who have watched your proceedings how you have cAnliued promptitude of decision, justness ofjudgment, firmness of purpose, with the most conciliatory manner, and how that dignity, that natural dignity, which belongs to yourself, which is most striking when accompanied by simpli city of mind, and the absence of all artific'al affccta tio-a—how that natural dignity which alorn4 you:- self has been communicated, through your direc tion, to the general proceedings of the Commons' House of Parliament. (Cheers.) Not only have you performed is this exemplary and useful man ner your duties in the chair, but there are other duties—l will not say less import tut, b u t n:mtly as important—which the Speaker of this house has to perform out of that chair. lem sure I shall meet with the concurrence of every g(ntleman who hears me when I say that no one ever approached you for the purpose of obtaining that information with re spect to our proceedings, either public or; private, which it was his de - sire to receive, without expe riencing from you not only te most c Jur te ens re ception—not only the mlst ready hearing—but the most accurate information, in regard to Vie matte r in respect to which it was his desire and h'e duty to consult you. (Cheers.) There is another mater, also, in which you have been eminently c m ducive to the interests of this house. Our forms of proceedin g are founsled upon ancient us Lge ; many ofour forms Were no doubt the result of accidea t, and perhaps of dezigli,at periods when those forms were more essential than at present to maintain the prin ciples upon which they are founded. You ha,d, sir, b riucieclinical n l • the judgment t odiscrituin at ebet wcenose .4 which ought ever to ba Maint.ti ne d , n n,..1 t-, forms which m'ght Le varied tuned Without public inconvenience; and you h ave, by situg stions front time to time, contributed much to the dispatch of Fusiness in this houw, to the aivantar se of the public, and the convenience of membe rs of . this house. (Cheers.) lam sure that, in what I hav e been sayin g , I h ave b een no t only expressing th at which is passing throueh the mind of every mem ber of this house—but that, in moving the address which I propose to submit to the house, I shall only be embodying the sentiments nafnrally arising in th 6 mind of every one present. (Cheers.) therefore move— "That the thank s of this home be given to Mr. Speaker, for his eminent and distinguished services during the period of nearly eighteen years for which he has filled the chair of this house; that - he be assured that this house fully appreciates the zeal and abJI4 with which he ha 3 dischared the duties of Speaker and :r circumstlnces requiring unprejeden'ed ILOcour and exertion ; andthan this heute has th e s t rongest sense o f the lirathEZS r:nd diguity with which he has - maintained its ptivi- MPERIAL THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVNING, MARCH 11, 1857. leges, of his unremitting attention to its business, of the care which he has devoted t ) the improve ment of its forms, awl of the urbanity and kindness which have uniformly marked his conduct in the chair, and which have secured for him the esteem and gratitude of every member of this house." (Loud cheers from both sides of the house.) Mr. DISRAELI (who was received with cheers, and spoke in a tone of evident eraefon) rose and said I have, sir, the honour to second the motion of the noble lord, and to express on behalf of gentlemen who sit on the left of the chair their entire concurrence with the de scription of your high qualities and the estimate which he has offered of those services which, unfor tunately, are about to terminate. (Cheers.) We too, sir, have been witnesses to the blended firm ness and courtesy with which you have regulated our debates, and, when necessary, controlled them. We also can bear witness to the learning which has guided and enlightened our labours, and can bear witness to the high bearing which, at all times, and under all circumstances, even the most trying, has sustained the dignity of the exalted office which you have filled. (Cheers.) The eighteen years during which you have occupied that cha;r has been a me morable period in the history of the Parliament of this country. Some of the greatest measures that have ever been proposed in this council of the na tion have been carried during that period, and scene of the greatest men that have ever flourished within these walls have been under your guidance. I make no doubt that, in the page of history, your speakership, under these circumstances, will figure as no unimportant one in the history of the Parlia ment of this country. The severance of ties so long, so intimately, and so cordially maintained be tween you, Mr. Speaker, and this house, cannot be witnessed without deep emotion. I confess myself utterly unequal to the language of panegyric. I confess myself at this moment unequal to offer you those compliments which you deserve ; but I cin offer you for those who sit on this side of the house—and, I may presume perhaps to say, for all present—(cheers)—certainlyforhim whom you have often so condescendingly aided and guided by your counsel—the tribute of our affectionate respect— (cheers}—and the expression of the hope that when your name is mentioned in your absence in this house, you will believe that it will always be quoted with regard and reverence—(cheers)—and of our anxious and earnest wishes that in that compara tive retirement which may await you, you may enjoy that perfect satisfaction which you have so worthily earned. (Loud cheers.) The SPEAKER then read the resolution, which was received with renewed cheering. Lord J. RUSSELL then rose and said—Al though, sir, it may be quite unnecessary to add anything to the eloquent speeches, in which my noble friend at the head of the Government and the right hon. gentleman opposite have expressed the sense of this house of your merits, during the long period in which you have presided over it, yet for my own gratification it may be perhaps permitted to me—(hear, hear)—having ben brought into personal relations with you during that long period—to say that I cannot but feel that the manner in which you have conducted the busi ness of this house has facilitated the proper conduct of that business. (Cheers.) I cannot forget, sir, that at the period when you were elected you succeeded one of the most distinguished members of th's house —a man eminent for his learning, who for many years had taken a distinguished part in the debates of this house, and who contributed a long experi ence in the affairs of Parliament. But, sir, though that might seem a disadvantage, your merits so speedily attracted the respect and affection of this house—(cheers)—l may say you so won the heart of the house—(renewed cheers)—that the exercise of authority became comparatively easy, and every member, whatever his previous prepossessior s, whatever wish he might have had at the moment to persevere in some course you disapproved of, a single word from you was sufficient to cause every member to bow at once to your decision. (Loud cheers.) Sir, these qualities have not only been of the greatest advantage in conducting the ordinary business of this house, but you have been able by this means to facilitate in a great degree that transition in our procedure to a more speedy form, which has - been rendered necessary by the.increasing pressure of business in this house, and you have been able to discriminate with nicety of judgment whether it was possible to depart in some degree from ancient and accustomed forms which regulate our procedure without surrendering any useful privilege. You have correctly marked the line where it was advantageous to proceed, and where it was necessary to resist any inuovatiou of those established laws. (Cheers.) I believe that nothing in our whole institutions is more carefully contrived, or more useful in carrying on the busi ness of a great country than our mode of procedure, and the regular order of the debates in this hon-e. But at the same time, it is difficult to keep up all these orders in their strictness without in some degree delaying the business of the house. Fur ther changes may he necessary, and I can only hopethat in whoever may have the honour to suc ceed you in that chair the house may see the same qualities, the eamo excellent judgmenf, the same power of authority, and the same art of con ciliating the good-will and affection of the house which you have so remarkablyexhibited. I can wily further express my extreme regret, which is shared I am sure by.every member of this house, that this is an occasion upon which we have to take leave of you. (Cheers.) The SPEAKER having put the resolution in the usual form, which was carried amidst the mo,t en thusiastic cheering, proceeded to say—l can assure the house that, during the long period it has pleased God to enable me to d;scharge the duties of the chair, I have had abundant opportunity of wi'ness ing the kindness, forbearance, and indul.. en ce which the house has shown to me under all cir cumstances and upon all occasions. But I have not words at my command, nor can I sufficiently control my feelings so as adequately to express my gratitude f th's crowning mark or their fevour and approbation. (Cheers.) I can only assure the house that. I shall remember—l shall ever cherish —the proceedings of this day to the la,t hour of my existence ; and that the resolution to which you have unanimously ;greed shall ever be considered by me as a great and invaluable reward ter my public services —(cheers) —and in all sincerity, and from the very bottom of my heart, I thank you for the distinguished honour you have conferred upon me. (Loud cheers.) [Upon Mr. Speaker addressing the house, the mem hers all simultaneously took off their hate as a matter of respect. This courtesy is generallY offered on messages from the Queen, and on this occasion was most compli mentary and gratifying.] Lord PALMERSTON again rose and said—Sir, I am per-maded the house would not be satisfied if upon this occasion we abstain from following those precedents which wit find have taken place upo n former similar occasions. It has been the practice of this house, when deprived of the services o jority by which you were chosen ; but I believe from that day to this the members of that majority, and the members of that minority, have Leen all unanimols in a feeling of Brat tude for your kind ness, and admiration for the manner in which you have fulfilled your public duties, and of deep and sincere private private friendship, which I am sure has been felt by every one who has had the good fortune to approach you throughout that time. It is therefore with feelings of sincere and deep emo tion that I reciprocate the language held by the noble lord on the other side of the house, when I express my deep regret that we shall lose the great advantage of your services. I can only ad 1 it is my sincere wish that your retirement may be as happy and as honourable as your heart can wish. (Loud cheers.) The SPEAKER then put the motion as follows : —" That an humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying her Majesty that she will be most graciously pleased to confer some signal mark of her Royal favour upon the Right Honourable Charles Shaw Lefevre, Speaker of this house, for 11;s great and eminent services performed to his country during the long and important period in which he has with such great ability and integrity presided in the chair of this house ; and to assure her Majesty that whatever expense her Majesty shall think proper to be incurred upon that account this house will make good the same. This question was then un inimously agreed to. Lord PALMERSTON—I beg leave to move that the thanks of this house be given to Mr. Speaker, for what be has said upon this occasion, and that the same be inserted in the votes and entered in the journals of this house. (Cheers.) The motion was also unanimously agreed to. It was then ordered that the said Address be pre sented to her Majesty by such members of this house as are of her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council. LAND TRANSPORT CORPS. Mr. T. D UNCOMBE called the attention of the house to the grievances complained of in the petitions (presented 6th February) of she non-commissioned offi cers and drivers of the Land Transport Corps, who served during the late War in the Crimea, and to move that they be referred to a select committee. Sir J. FERGUSSON seconded the motion. Gen. CODRINGTON said there was no doubt that the formation of the Land Transport Corps was, under the circumstances, a matttr of great difficulty to the Government. A great number of the men for that duty were regularly enlisted for 10 years ; among these men many were very good, but many were ignorant of their iuties. When they were taken out to the Crimea they hid to be organised. He cer t a i n l y un d erstood that many of them ha l been regularly enlisted for 10 years, and ceesequenly they were i ntitled to their regular parch. went discharge, and so far as they had not received that discharge, and the pay consequent thereupon, an injus rice had been committed against these men—unless, in deed, it should appear that their accounts took a long time in settlieg. lie thought that several statements in the letter of Col. APlVlurdo werejustified. There was no thing in the Mutiny Act, nor was there any otherautho rity to show that these men were entitled to a gratuity upon their discharge. But these men were taken out to the Crimea under circumstances of great difficulty ; they were formed and organised out there, and they became a very efficient corps. It became necessary to add a great number of other men to the corps, and all were employed at work as land transport men. When the war was over they were brought back to England and were entitled to their discharge and pay. These men were fairly entitled to the consideration of the Government and the country, and he hoped some means would be found to give effect to the proper form of discharge. Mr. PEEL said the motion and the speech of the hon. gentleman behind him (Mr. T. Duncombe) illustrated the d fficulty in which the Government were placed, for, on the one hand, they had to consult the feelings and opi nions of these men, who were enlisted in a time of great emergency, whose expectations had not been realised, and A hose hopes, v, hich they entertained when they joined the service, had been disappointed ; while, on the other hand, motions of economy were pressed upon the Government as soon as the emergency had passed away. The hon. member stated that these men had upon an average a claim against the Government of 141. or 151. per man. He could undertake to reply to that statement, and he felt sure that that; was not the case, for very few indeed of the whole number of men who formed the Land Transport Corps had any claim against the Government— Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said he did not say one word about average, but that men were walking abuut the streets who had claims against the Government. Mr. PEEL said he quite agreed that the corps was raised at a time of great difficulty, and when it was felt that some such corps was much wanted to. assist the army in the Crimea. The Government was determined to raise a special corps for that purpose, and these men were engaged without that scrutiny as to whe ther they were fit for the service for which they were designed. As fast as they were raised they were sent out to the Crimea; and upon the termina tion of the war they were brought back to England, and their number reduced, as was the case with al the other portions of the army. The hon. gentleman was not justi fied in founding upon his motion an attack upon the War Department, and upon the letter of Col. M'Murdo, who exerted himself to bring all these men back from the Crimea. He felt quite confilent that all the advice given by that gentleman was given by him according to what lie believed was correct upon the subject. These men complained because they had been sent out of the ser vice. Undoubtedly they had been eent out of the service as soon as the war was concluded, but that happened to a large number of men in all the other branches of the army. This was quite unavoidable if the Government wished to consult economy. They could not keep persons in an employment for which they were no longer re. quired, and i:, was quite impossible to keep these men in employment in a time of peace. The hon. gentleman had referred to the mode in which these men had been discharged from the service, The ordinary practice un doubtedly was, when a soldier who had served for a . ength of time was discharged from the service, to have a board of officers to inquire into his case, to record his services, and thereupon to grant a certificate of discharge. The discharge was one thing, but the document or certi ficate of discharge was another. It was perfeetly compe tent for the Secretary of State to furnish the person dis charged with a certificate ; but the services of these men were of short duration ; and therefore to those men who claimed pensions, partial certificates were granted in the form in which the Secretary of State thought fit. In con sequeace of these certificates being granted the men were s e e n r a v b ie le e d of to ra to a c y ur c e e e nip mr a d n o i y e. employment in it i were n w the e police, and i n th e thought that any imputation rested upon the character of any of those men because of these certificates not having been granted, it could be easly removed on reference to the Horse Guards. An objection had been made to the gratui ies given to the foreign levy ; and it was said that the land transport men had been harshly treated because they had not been placed on the same footing, but it was clear the hon. member did not know the difference between the foreign levy and the Land Transport Corps. The latter was a part of the army, but the foreign levy was an exceptional corps, en gaged for special services, and it was competent to the Clown to reward them specially; but if the Government had, upon the reduction of the Land Transport Corps, agreed to give gratuities to them, all the men in the army who were discharged might claim the same gratuities. No prorni e was ever made to these men upon their dis charge to give them any gratuity. No person in the army was entitled to a gratuity beyond the sum of 20s. upon his discharge, and therefore the claim put forward for this gratuity was altogether unfounded. The hon, meal tee said he should move for the appointment of a com mittee unless the claims of these men for compensation fer clothing were satisfactorily adjusted. It was quite true that these men were not furnished with clothing at the moment of enlistment, and they were sent out to the East without it. Those men who did not receive proper clothing were entitled to compensation. A great number of men had sent in claims • but he had been as sured by Co'. M'Murdo that very few cases remained to be di'posed of. He 'taped his reply would be considered satisfactory by the hon. member, and toat he would not press his motion for a committee. Sir J. TYRELL said be quite agreed with the hon. member who had just sat down that extraordinary diffi culties beset the Government in a tune of peace, and s c t e ic t e o t h o e t h h u e t s s e a r t vi c ce o . ich il es e k pr n e e v w eh o t f ed an th i e n m ,ta f i r l o c n o l i d n o r i e n f g e r j e r u t ter, where, in consequence of alt ere d circumstances, the former estimate of 14 0001. w hi c h was requ i re d to put them i u a s t a t e of e ffi c i enc y, h e d b een cut d own to 2,000/. It was th ere f ore qu i te i mposs ibl e to brigade a considerable number of troops. there. In consequence of the pressure of the doctrines of the peace-at-any-price party the Government were o!) iged to act meanly, and he had lately seen seve ral tioldi , rs wearing the Crimean medals who bad been puniehed fur trifling offences, and treated like felons. He hoped Vat after the next general election the noble lord would find himself able to do justice to the Land Trans port Corps, and to the other services of the country. He rei,retted to see, as a result of the present wretched and miserable economy, men who bad distinguished thein• selves in their country's cause, and who had a quarter of a peck of medals aenonget them, dragged through the town of Chelineford like felons for trifling offences. Sir J. FERGUSSON said that the hon. gentleman the Under-Secretary for War had denied the existence of the grievance and denied the remedy. The hon. gentleman said that the men of the Land Transport Service had been enlisted lake any other part of the array, and that they were liable to reduction on the return of peace. He (Sir J. Fergusson) was, however, of opinion that any body of men who took service for the benefit of their country ought not to be dismissed without the proper discharge to which every soldier was entitled. He complained that the men of the Land Transport Service were net treated with the same consideration that was extended to foreign mercenaries. If men of the German legion were provided with grants of land why should the soldiers of the regu lar arrry_be forced to beg in the streets I He contended that public faith had not been kept with the officers and men of the Land Transport Service, who were the lest men in the service who ought to be the victims of shabby or false economy. (Hear.) Attir a few words from Col. HERBERT in support of the motion, Mr. DUNCOMBE replied, andenid that, as the ans wer of the UndcreSecretary for War was far from satis- factlry he would accept his offer to take the committee. He differed with the hon. gentleman in his interpretation of the law, for he could not understand how it was that the Secretary of State could do away with the articles of war, which declared that every soldier discharged from her Majesty's service was entitled to his arrears of pay and a certificate on parchment. The treatment of the German Legion contiastiti very favourably with that to which the Land Transport service had been subjected. The men of the German Legion got 221. a-head, an acre of land at the Cape, and a free passage, and yet of the 2,100 men of the Land Transport Service who went to the Crimea only 600 returned, and many of these had to complain of grievances which they were prepared to prove before the committee. The motion was then agreed to. COURT OF SESSION (SCOTLAND). Mr. BLACK moved an address for returns of the number of extra sittings of the Court of Session in Scot land, since the let day of Jan., 1840, to the Ist day of January, 1857, in terms of the Act 2 and 3 Vic. c. 36 :- 1, of the whi la Court or either Division thereof; and 2, of all or any of the Lcrds Ordinary ; and by whose di rections such extra sittings took place. Of the number of causes standing in the short roll of each division of the Court and ready for hearing, at the meeting of the Court in November, during each of the last 10 years; and of the number of cases decided at each of the extra sittings by each Division and each Lord Ordinary. Agreed to. DUTY ON RACE HORSES. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved for leave to bring in a bi 1 to make an alterati , m in the mode of collecting the duty on race-horses. Under the bill of last year the duty was collected by the clerk of the course ; but it was now considered more desirable to place the collection of it i❑ the hands of the Board of Ii land Revenue. The bill had been prepared with that object, but it did not in any way alter the duty itself. Leave was given to bring in the bill. CINQUE PORTS. Mr. WILSON obtained leave to bring in a bill, to cor rect an error in the Cinque Ports Bilkof last year. SLAVE TRADE. Sir G. PECHELL moved for a return of her Majesty's ships and vessels employed on the coast of Cuba, and on the coast of Africa, for the prevention of the slave trade, from the Ist Jan., 1854, to the latest date, distinguish ing steam from sailing vessels. Agreed to. INCOME TAX. On the motion for the house going into committee on this bill, Sir H. WILLOUGHBY called the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the necessity of the Go vernment making provision in this bill to prevent per- sons from having to pay income and property tax twice over in consequence of the deficiencies arising from the defalcations of the collector. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said there was such a provision already provided in the act of 1854, with reference to the collectors of the lend tax, assessed taxes, and income tax. By a clause in that act any parish might appoint its own collector with securi ties, or petition the Inland Revenue Department to un dertake the collection of the income tax. Mr. ALCOCK thought it would be much better if the Govcrnment would make it compulsory, and not permis sive, for the Inland Revenue officers to collect the in come tax. Mr. W. WILLIA.MS said that the ve, rking of the act referred to by the Chancellor of the Exchequer had been beneficial to the metropolitan parishes. The house then went into committee on the bill. On cluuse 1, authorising the reduction of the income tax from is. 41. to 7d., commencing on the sth of April next, Sir F. KELLY said that, in moving the adoption of the amendment of which he had given notice, he had no motive or desire to obstruct her Majesty's Government in raising the necessary supplies. The Chancellor of the Ex chequer on several occasions that session had stated that he was not proposing an increase, but a reduction in the amount of income tax. His chief if not his sole motive in pressing his amendment was to record his protest against that their first departure from the act of 1853. He knew it bad been stated that the act of 1853 was at an end by the imposition of the war tax, and that the house had now only to deal with the latter, but to such reasoning he could not subscribe. He would not say that in pass ing the act of 1853 a compact was entered into, or that a pledge was made between the Government and the people, but that it was emphatically and expressly de clared that by it there should be a settlement of the question. It was now said that that act was at an end, but he could not subscribe to that statement, because, although he and the country had considered that the act of 1853 was a complete settlement of the income tax, though it was not a compact, but what might be called elsewhere a contract between the public and Parliament, because when the income tax was voted it was for seven years, and any arrangement since come to in consequence of the war was only a suspension and not an abolition of that act. There had been a contention between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the hon. member for the University of Oxford as to the term reduction—one speaking of a war, and the other of a peace income ; but in speaking of the reduction in a time of peace he (Sir F. K.lly) considered it an increase from sd. to 7d. After referring to the fact of the house being called on to vote the income tax without knowing the estimates, especi ally as the 2d increase on the income tax gave an increase of two millions, he concluded by moving the substitution of sd. for 7d. on the amount of the income tax for the ensuing year. Mr. W. WILLIAMS considered that a sufficient re duction might be made in the estimate to admit of the reduction of the income tax to sd. If the Government had to provide fur two wars he could understand how it was that there was an increase of four millions over the estimates of 1854. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the act of 1855, providing for the levying of the 16d. income tax, was as much the authority of that house as the act of 1853 ; and if it were not to be re pealed the high rate of duty must be collected after the sth of April next. He did not believe that any advan tage arose in continuing the discussion whether the duty of 16d. in the pound were higher than-the duty of 7d., and whether the bill he now proposed was or was not a reduction of the existing duties. Taking the law as it stood, and without going into the question of what the law ought to have been, it was a reduction. (Hear.) That being so, he thought that th e h on. member (Sir F. Kelly) bad failed on legal grounds, and the next consi deration was the moral grounds on which he had based his motion. The hon. and learned gentleman had referred to the contract entered into in 1853, and he (the Chan cellor of the Exchequer) quite agreed with him that had, there been uninterrupted peace from that time to the pre sent, and had the overninent then com e f orward and proposed an increase in this tax, that then there would have been some weight in his argument ; but the state of things with which they bad to deal was totally diffe rent. The foundation of the settlement referred to had been altered and subverted by the way, which rendered it necessary not only to increase the tax during par. years, but to make provision for debts which would be come due in subsequent years. In May next they would have to meet 2,000,0001. bonds according to the terms of the act of Parliament, and which debt was contracted for the purpose of the war, and 250,0001. as a sinking fund, therefore there was to be provided this year under the existing laws a sum of 2 ,250,0001, created by the war which broke out in 1854. It had been said that the Government asked for this money without showing a sefficient reason, but he could only say that be stated at great length on 4 former night his grounds for the pro bable expenditure of the present year—(hear, hear) — and the way the Government proposed to meet it. The estimates of the army and the navy had been laid on the table of the house ; and, though they bad not dis cussed their details, the details had been exhibited to the house. The hon. and learned member had expressed his ignorance of the estimates, whilst the honour. able member for Lambeth considered them too high; but, of course, the Government was not to be open to such opposite charges, of first not having produceil tl • n, and then that they were tqo high. The hon. member for Lambeth said that the Government, to justify an in crease of four millions over the estimates of 1854, must show that they were engaged in two wars ; but he (the Chance ler of the Exchequer) would be unable to estab lish that fact. Now, with respect to Persia, peace had been negotiated with the plenipotentiary at Paris, and there was no reason to suppose that there would be any further differencee. At all events it was a great step that the treaty bad been signed, and that there was no reason to suppose that the war with Persia had been ex tended. As to the expenses of the war, this country would have to pay one-half of the extraordinary expenses. Mr. W ILLIAMS.—What is the amount The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it would be impossible for him to tell until the accounts came in from the East India Company. At all events, whatever it might be, the East India Company would have to pay all the ordinary expenses, and only half the extraordinary expenses would come out of the Exchequer. With regard to the debts arising out of the hostilities at Canton, it would be impossible for him or any other member to speak with confidence. All he could say Was, that as far as her Majesty's Government were at present informed, they saw ne'reason to anticipate that the ordinary naval and mili tary expenses of the year would be materially increased, while sufficient protection would be afforded to the lives and property of British subjects at Canton. He therefore could not claim his hon. friend's vote upon any grounds of increased charges arising out of the two wars referred to. There were many difficulties in the way of reductions after a great war; and if hon. members would look to the de bates of 1816, they would find that those difficulties were distinctly pointed out by the Government of that day, and recognised by the house. (Hear.) When the estimates were examined by the committee, he thought it would be found that they had been framed upon reasonable principles. He trusted, o therefore, ftie hon, and learned i that the committee mittee gentleman would see that the proposition Kelly) to reduce th e i ncome tax to 5(1. in the poun(Sir IF wouldtz r Fitzroy derange the finances of the year, and would either lead to a deficiency or render the Government unable to discharge debts which ought to be paid off. Before he sat down he might call the attention of the committee to the fact that since the income tax was imposed by Sir Robert Peel in a time of peace, it had never been reduced below 7d. in the pound. It was renewed for several years at that rate until 1853, after which it was to bo continued two years at 7d., two years at 61, and two years at sd. But before it fell to lid. it was doubled, in consequence of the war, and in short it had never been below 7d. in the pound. Tho CHAIRMAN put the amendment, which was ne gatived without a division. Mr. W. WILLIAMS said he should move, as an amen di. ment, that the proviso should be struck out imposing a tax of sd. in the pound on incomes between 1001. and 1501. a year. The effect of his amendment would be to take off the income tax from incomes below 1501. a year. He was quite sure that the Chancelbw of the Exchequer wa° aware of the grievances which existed amongst persons with small iucomes, and of the oppression which they were subjected to. At the same time, he did not think they would meet i N u Vi c t o h niTs mUe w h h C o o h m a p d a t s o sio p n ay in t h th e a t t hell ax on w se e . le P d 0 r p s r o i n v s a lv iotfh manysm e comforts, and were hindered in many cases from educating their children. Amongst this class of persons were literary men, poor curates, shopkeepers, and even working men, who reads up the amount which rendered them liable by working over time. The hon. gentleman referred to the case of the poor man who was imprisoned for not paying income tax, in respect to which he hail been surcharged, the particulars of which have so frequently been before the public. He felt convinced that the Chancellor of the Exchequer could make the reduction he had suggested without any injury to the finances of the country. Mr. PELLATT mentioned the case of a widow whose furniture was seized for income tax twelve months after her husband, who was supposed to be liable to it, was dead. It was a most cruel case, and the poor woman, who had a large family, could obtain no redress from the com missioner, nor could she obtain any answer to her-letters. Mr. SMITH CHILD said that the cashier of Messrs. Minton, the eminent manufacturers of Stoke-upon-Trent, had been called upon to make a return of all the persons in their employ who had 801. a year and upwards. As this was a large firm, and the return would have entailed great trouble, the cashier demurred, but the commissioners said they had the power to enforce it, and would do so. Under these circumstances all the men who had 801. a year were assessed, and lost two or three days in appealing. This was attempted a second time, when Messrs. Minton in structed their cashier not to make the return, and informed the commissioners that they were prepared to take the consequences of the refusal. The application was not re newed. (Hear, hear.) The CIIA.NCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER did not agree with the hon. member for Lambeth in thinking that the class of persons whom he had described as being so greatly oppressed would meet with no compassion from that house. When the income tax was first imposed sd. per pound was charged on incomes between 1001. and 1501. a year, being 21. ls. Bd. per cent. As the tax now stood at this moment under the increase it was llid, in the pound on that class of persons, or 41. 15s. 101 per cent. If such a man were called upon each half-year for 21. Bs., that was no doubt a heavy impost; but the fact must not be lost sight of that the bill before the house reduced the amount from 110. to sd. in the pound. The total amount in question was 350,0001., and that was a larger sum than he should feel justified in calling upon the house to surrender. The other gentleman said he had inquired into the case of the poor man who had been imprisoned ; and he believed the commissioners had given him some relief. With respect to the case mentioned by the hon. member for Southwark (Hr. Pellatt), he would inquire 'into it if the hon. gentleman would favour him with the particulars. Mr. WILLIAMS said he wished to withdraw his amendment, and to substitute another. He proposed that after the word " gains" in the proviso, to add, he shall not be chargeable for the year commencing as aforesaid, of any tax upon incomes under 1501. a year." (Hear.) Mr. SMITH CHILD said the Chancellor of the .Exche quer had 'not taken any notice of the case he had men tioned. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he was not sufficiently acquainted with the details of the ma nagement and collection of the income tax to offer any opinion. He presumed that the local commissioners had returns on which they acted, and the persons thus ceargecl had means of income from other sources. The local com missioners were not Government officers, but if the hon. gentleman would give him the particulars he would cause inquiries to be made. Mr. WILKINSON opposed the amendment of his hon. colleague (Mr. Williams). If they excused persons who had incomes under 1501. a year from the payment of the income tax, he did not see why they should make people with 1511. a year pay. He thought that taxes should be adjusted as equally as possible ; and if one class were re lieved, it must be done at the expense of another equally poor. Lord H. VANE opposed the amendment. The committee divided, and the numbers were-- For the amendment 7 Against it Majority —46 The amendment was consequently lost. On the question that clause 1 be part of the bill, Sir H. WILLLOUGHBY observed that the word "pro perty " was left out of the proviso. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he was not aware that there was any reason for a change in the phraseology. Profits from gains and property were meant. Mr. BARRO W wanted more distinct explanations as to the clause. It was not sufficiently definite ; and for that purpose he moved the insertion of the word "property." The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the best course would be to recommit the bill, when the word " prop er ty," t o w hi c h h e h ad no objection, could be introduced. The clause was then agreed to. The preamble of the bill was agreed to. Mr. THORNELY complained of the trouble and loss of time to which poor persons were put in appealing under the bill. They were obliged to leave their homes, which caused both expense' and waste of time. He thought that some remedy ought to be provided. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he would consider provisions to obviate this inconvenience. Tie bill was then reported. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved that it be committed. Mr. GLADSTONE said that this was a novel proceed ing, consequent, he supposed, upon the new modes they had adopted. Some explanation ought to be given to the house. Amendments used to be proposed, not by recom mitment, but at a future stage of the bill. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that there aas a doubt whether more than verbal amendments could be introduced at that stage of the bill, and it was better to recommit it. The SPEAKER explained that this was the course adopted when errors were discovered which it was neces sary to rectify. The motion for the recommitment was then agreed to, and the bill passed through committee pro forma. SUPPLY—THE NAVAL ESTIMATES. On bringing up the report of supply, Mr. GLADSTONE rose to move the following resolu tion : That in order to insure to the country that relief from taxation which it justly expected, it is necessary in the judgment of the house to revise and farther reduce the expenditure of the State. He said that the First Lord of the Admiralty was guilty of an act of impolicy the night before in taking advantage of the forms of the house, and compelling him to postpone his speech. Speeches of mem bers did not waste during an interval like spirits in bond. It was the better policy to let them speak at the moment. However, it was not his intentionto trespass at any length. Nothing but the conviction that we were entering upon a mischievous course. and that before long we should see the consequences woald have induced him in the present state of the benches [there were about 45 members present], to enter upon such a vast subject as the finances of the coun try. He should move a resolution to the effect that it was expedient to review and reduce the expenditure of the country. He did not intend to enter upon any subjects that had been already disposed of by the house in previous debates. For instance, the house had determined not to take up any operation for the cessation of the income tax. It had determined not to abide by the resolution of 1833 respecting the tea duties. Again, the house was voting that the income tax should be kept up for the purpose of providing for the ways and means of the country, and did not consider the connection between the tax and further reforms in our legislation. There s eeme d t o h ave b een an extra change in th spirit of the house. When the house agreed in 1853 to the issue of Exchequer Bonds, it was understood to be merely in anticipation of revenue than due but not paid. If ithad been possible he might have solicited the house to apply these sums to the reduction of war obligations ; but this did not appear to be the wish of the House of Commons, and he should cea se t o ur g e it. Th e position of the house was peculiar and inexact. Great objections were taken in the early part of the session, by members from every quarter, to the amount of the estimates' now on the table. The noble lord the member for London expressed this in the strongest terms —and while ho declined to withdraw his support from the budget, expressed in some detail his ob jection to the amount of the estimates. If the house had not been affected by the dissolutio n , it would have agr e ed to the principle of f ur th er reductions in the estimates. Their position was thus a peculiar one. In 1841 they had passed votes on account, to enable ministers to dissolve Parliament with the view of taking the opinion of the country as to confidence in the Government. But these were estimates which the house had a general disposition to agree to. At present there was a disposition to question the esti mates. Parliament was about to vote for four months' esti mates to which it objected, because the Government was under a vote of censure. The effect of his motion would be not to upset abstract principles or interfere with supply, but to refer the estimates to the Government for considera tion by expressing in particular terms the opinion that it was the duty of Government in the intervalof the recess to apply themselves to the estimates with the view of reduction in public expenditure. He had no objection to votes on ac count, except when they were in contradiction to the opi nions of the house. He would ask the house to agree to his motion on the two grounds—first, that there was not an ade quate provision made for the necessities of the year;_ and se cen :which was the mostimport a nt, th a t theexpendLureof the country was not kept under due control—that it had in creased to the point which was embarrassing, and even threatened to become alarming. It had been seen that there was a deficiency in 1858-9 of live millions and a half, and the deficiency had been increased to sight or nine millions by the means of the severalchanges which had taken place in the proposals of the Government. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had made and abandoned a proposal for the in crease of tea and sugar, and there was a diminution in the amount which he had set down for the income tax, so that in addition t o th e o ld d e fi c i ency t h ere was the deficiency, and that of the failure in the provision respecting tea and sugar. Their last deficiency amounted to 1,400,000/. and the deficiency in the income tax was about two millions, waking a sum of 3,409,0001. to be aided to the deficiency of the permanent provision of 1858-9. It was startling to in the addition to the four or five millions formerly Shown debicient, making a deficiency of between 8 and 9 millions. In this he did not take into account any improvement in revenue which might take place, and hesupposed that the Government would fulfil their pledge with regard to the sinking fund. His right hon. friend had opened a retreat in saying that the sinking fund might perhaps be post poned. Neither bad he taken into account any reduction' in expenditure. His object was to show how urgent it w as that Parliament should consider seriously the expenditure of the country. The only other alternative was either making loans or imposing new taxes. He called their se rious attention to m what was require I for the next year ; but even for the present year the position was not eatisfac tory. The estimates of his right hon. Mend had originally , shown a surplus of 900,0001., which was reduced to 800,000/. shortly after. He would not inquire into the consequences of the war with China or Persia, His right hon. friend hal said that he did not anticipate any charge on account of China. Ho (Hr. Gladstone) thought this too good to be true, lent if there was to be a charge on the war with China, as there certainly must he on the war with Persia, a surplus of 500,00/. was not a satisfactory balance between income and expenditure for the current year. It was the duty of the house, before it dissolved, to make known its views on the subject of the expenditure of the country, so that the Government might consider the expediency of reduction before submitting the estimates to the now Parliament. They had done a popular act iu giving up the war ninepence. This was not done under the necessities of public business. The bill which they were then passing for the reduction of the income tax from sixteen-pence to sevenponce would not take effect till the first of July next —so that there might have been time for a now Parliament to have considered the subject.. If the balance was unsatisfactory, it was incumbent on them to place their views on record, since the reduction of ex penditure was the only plan on a fa,h , basis for giving satis faction to the country when a deficiency of revenue stared them in the face, Ho wished to say a few words on cer tain items in the revenue which might be capable of in crease. 'There was the succession duty. At the present time it produced only a small amount— The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER: Half a million. Mr. GLADSTONE—Thero had boon promises, which would have given great increase to the tax, but even when it arrived at its maximum, which would be in 1803, it would not produce more than 1,300,0001. N ow th e Governm e nt h a d not :yet introduced the supplement to the tax, tlint•on — sucoeosion of corpr.rationg, Why did they delay them ? It might be said that he might himself have done this in 1 , 54, but the reason was that the act had then only just come info operation—it might have re quired improvement, and therefore the further tax was kept back. But this reason did not apply to subsequent veers. He wassorry that more energetic measures were not taken wie the departmeot under which the tax came, that of Inland Revenue. Much was left undone in this department owing to the weakly way in which it was conducted. Money was in the hands of the department and not paid over, because it was never abreast of its work. Both the succession and legacy duties were greatly in arrear. He now came to the heads of the estimates for the military and civil service. In the military estimates the total had increased since 1853 by seven millions. Striking off much that would cease or be reproductive, they could not put the increase at less than six millions. A small portion of this was due to the charge of the war ; at was not more than 750,0001., taking the charge of the funded and unfunded debt together. This left about five millions and a half for the augmentation of our expenditure its four years. His right hon. friend had said that there was a difficulty in reducing estimates imme• diately after a war. But this was not immediately after a war. At the end of the financial year 15 months would have elapsed since we were virtually sure of peace, and 12 months since we were actually at peace. There might be small sums of arrears and leavings, but that was more th an balanced by i ncrease d demands, which might be expected. He looked upon the present estimates as peace estimates, and with this view he hoped the house would express its opinion that these estimates were susceptible of reduction. The military estimates for 1841-2 were 11,700,0001., at which period here was an increase of several millions since 1835. In 1846 there were large preparations on account of the menacing state of our affairs with America. The estimates were in that year 16,830,000/. For 1848 they were 17,60 000/. At this point they pasied the patience of Parliament, and the house showed such severe marks of its displeasure that the Government reconsidered the matter, and reduced the estimates by three mil. lions. They were increased again in 1852 to 16,012,0001. He would take that year for comparison, as it was a year materially affected by the large cost of preparation in view of war. At present, with so many causes of tranquillity— in Ireland, in our internal relations—there was no occasion for the large armies we once had. A small army, in pro per order, would answer the purpose better than large armies under the system of former times. In 1853, the expenditure was 16,612,000/. In the present year, includ ing the item alre dy allowed for the Persian war, the esti mate was 20,573,000/. ; so that on our military estimates there was an increase of four or five millions since 1852. He would now take the cavil estimates. He was not disposed to deal more lightly with th :in than with the military es timates. There was mere danger in the first than in the last, which came before them in a great lump, and which were theref ze better observed, and were subject to reac tions which would lead very probably in time to unwise and precipitate reductions. It was not so with the civil estimates. They grew up in a thousand ways, and were hardly ever brought into totals. The estimates required to be rudely overhauled. No doubt the Chancellor of the Exchequer did what he could, and those who pestered him seb extra, had done much to strengthen the hands of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which required to be strength en el both against his friends and against the house itself. Very often when they came to details, there was much dif ficulty in restraining the house. He could give many in stances. One was the immense charges voted by that house with respect to the Ordnance survey. Thosewho had supported the survey last year were not aware that the effect of their vote would be to entail a charge of four or five millions on the country, and which was hastily voted away in an hour or two, while mans of the persons who s) voted did so without knowing what they were voting about. Again, there were the votes on education. He frankly avowed that he viewed with jealousy the growth of votes on education, not that we had reached the maximum, but because, in conse quence, great extravagance prevailed in the several departments, each imagining that by spending money it stopped the popular movement in other directions than its oven. He had no love for the plan of the right hon, member for Droitwich or the hon. member for the West Riding, but he would not oppose them by illegitimate means. The heedless or even mischievous proposals were made to the committee of council, they were awe eerie ( ' by the proposal to find half the money, and unnecessary waste of public money was the result. Again, an act was passed last year for the appointment of a Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education. Last year, when the measure was carried, not so much was said about the duties of the office as about the usefulness of having a person in that house to answer questions. This was not a satisfactory reason, yet such as it was it had failed. When the right hon. member for Droitwich the other night had asked the Go vernment what course they would pursue with regard to his proposal on education, he was answered by a gentleman of excellent abilities, but who was not a Cabinet Minister, and who could only give his own individual opinions, and not those of the Government on the question. On one oc easion the office in question remained for five months vir tually unfilled, the gentleman who held it being abroad, and there being no immediate necessity for the actual exercise of its functions. He did not find fault with the Government for not exercising the power of filling up the post during his absence, but he certainly thought it wrong that an office should exist having functions which did not require the constant attendance of the gentleman who held it, but the functions of which requiring occasional attention, and b Aug that of great importance, could be much better discharged by a Cabinet Minister. He should not think he fulfilled his duty unless he frankly stated that he was not satisfied with the spirit of the Government in respect to public money, and his opinion was that the public money was not administered with that strictness which, in his opinion, ought to obtain. He did not think that the whole blame ought to rest on the Government, for he thought that even in that house quite a different set of ideas and of rules obtained from what were in vogue and had the sanction of all public men 15 or 20 years ago. Instances of this were to be found in the appointments to the judicial bench. The occasion would he fresh in their recollections when a sum of 50,000/. a year was set aside for the purpose of relieving the suitors in the county courts of what were thought to be too heavy charges. He thought at the time that this was a very doubtful measure. But if the nation was to be subjected to so heavy a charge, that suits in the county courts might have justice partly at the public expense, might they not look nearer h ome and consider if the duties of the judges in the courts of ‘Vestminster had not fallen within and be low the powers of the staff there maintained ? He was afraid he was touching upon a sore subject, but he felt that a public duty required that he should make those observa tions. This griestion having been mooted last session a promise was made that it should have the consideration of the Government during the recess. Late in the recess a commission was appointed, but since that period two judgeships fell vacant. Instead of making temporary ar rangements pending the decision of that commission, the Government fillet up both vacancies, and on a third va cancy, on the death of the late lamented Baron Alderson, the same course was taken ; but he was bound to say, without the expression of any dissent on the part of the house. Having spoken of Baron Alderson, he must pay a tribute to the m.: , inory of that lamented man—(applause)— who, when this quest on was being mooted, wrote to him (Hr. Gladstone) at Y. rk, being at that time abroad, a let ter which he (Mr Gladstone) now held in his hand, in which he declared that it was indisputable that 12 judges would be sufficient for the term business, and further sug gested arrangements by which the circuit business might be so arranged that no inconvenience would arise from the reduction. He (Mr. Gladstone) asserted that if in the administration of Lord Melbourne appointments had been filled in which such a commission as that he had referred to had been appointed, Sir Robert Peel, as leader of the Opposition, would have risen in his place in that house to propose an address to the Crown upon the subject, which would have been car ried not by the Opposition only, but by the support of the whole house. So it Sir Robert Peel had ventured upon such a step, Lord John Russell would have risen against it, and would have been supported by the whole house. But he was doing an injustice to Lcrd Melbourne and to Sir Robert Peel iu supposing anything of the sort; f or th e feeling both of Governments and of Parliaments in those times would have rendered such proceedings impossible. It was impossible to bring down these estimates to what they were at the time he had referred to, but that was no reason why the same strictness should not be applied to the outlay of public money as used to bo applied during the memory of the ,present generation. The time was come when this matter must be considered. Political predictions were always unsafe, but be would venture to say that the Government would not be able to go on an other year in the present course without a strong move ment of public opinion. He defied them to meet the re quirements of the public finance next year without open ing up the whole question. He would advise them to employ a portion of the comparative leisure which would shortly be at their disposal in reconsidering the estimates, which appeared to him to be beyond what the necessities of the country requ;re I. Having satisfied a sense of duty by making this statement, he would leave it to the house to deal with the matter as they might think fit. Sooner or later it must be met, and such a question was always better handled in proportion as it was earlier attended to. It might be dealt with to the greater satisfaction of the public, and with less risk of precipitancy, being taken in hand in good ti me , th an if they w a it e d till pulic impa tience compelled them to do foolishly what they would not do wisely in time. The right hon. gentleman concluded by observing that he did not intend to oppose the votes on credit. Mr. WILLIAMS said that the right honourable gentle man had made so clear a statement that he (Mr. Williams) should not trouble them at any length, feeling that he could not add to the unquestionable proofs advanced by the right hon. gentleman. He must observe, however, that he had no doubt, looking at the present operation of the income tax on personal property, from a million and a half to two millions might be added to the national in come. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that in the wide survey of the present situation of the finances of this country, which the right hon. member had illus trated with the experience gained in the office he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) now had the honour to fill, there was much in which he concurred, and as to that por tion that contained matter to which he could not assent, he fully admitted that there was much that was worthy of consideration. As the right hon. gentleman's principal object was satisfied, namely, that of bringing the subject under consideration, he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) hoped he should not be thought to treat the right hon. gentleman or the house with disrespect if he did not fel" low him through the whole of his remarks. With regard t r taxation, he had no apprehension of any deficiency; and in respect to future years, he would only observe that he placed all future years out of the question, considering that as they were only about to take votes on credit for a part of the present year, it would be a waste of time to enter into the consideration of future years. It would be the duty of the Government to take measures from year to year to meet the expenditure out of the ordinary resources of the country, and not to resort to credit, which he considered was not a legitimate resource in time of peace. (Cheers.) Whether this was to be ac complished by new taxation or by reducing the experedt ture it was not for him now to say. This was the in-s i t year since 1853 that it ha 1 not b e en the duty a the financier to exhibit a great deficiency. In granting this vote on account, the house were not pledging them selves to any approval of the estimates, oven for four months ; but on the assembling of the new ItAt arliaithenrr it would be competent for the house to discuss ees mates of the year as a whole. In respect to the aipointmoa of 0,10 judges, it appeared to him that pending the i ecision of the commission it was iuipessible to take anyot h et er course th an what b had been adopted. The duties must e perforated, which c aild only be done by the filling up of the vacancies; nor could any change be made till the commission had re. ported. He trusted that having attained Ins o' ject of d r tw . ne attention to the subject, his right hon. friend wouldnot think it necessary to press this question to a division. Mr. CARR GLYN said that the first year after a war afforded no criterion of the expenditure in years of pe ace, but it would be the duty of the new Parliatneut, when they should meet, to take the whole question int o it s veryserious consilseetien. In his opinion much good would be done, .f harnedt...tely on the re-4. , -, , ,::;olJuing of P ar li ament, a COM • Speakers who have ably filled the chai r of the house, not to eo:it-mt tllem3elves simply with an expression of their own thanks, but to give to the Crown an opportunity of going hand in hand with this house in its acknowledgments of great and meritorious services. I shtil therefore, withou further preface, following 111.3 example of previous occasions, move that a humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying that she would be pleased to confer some mark of royal favour upon you, sir, and assuring her Maj,:sty that this house will make g°° ,l any expendit ure th a t may b e atten d ant upon such merks of the , royal favour. (Loud cheers.) Skil.. P AKINGTON—Si r , th oug h I cannot hope to add anythinE; to the eloquence with which the last vote was moved and seconded by the noble lord and my right hon. friend, I may be allowed the very great gratification of seconding the motion w hich the noble lord has now made. Sir, lam one of the members of this house —I believe, compara tively spe,king, now small in number —who have hid the honour of a seat in this house during the fill e d th a t c h air. Eighteen years of the long period of 18 years during which you have so ably whole chair, I was ago, when you were elected to th a t y' then, as now, sitting on this side of ill, h ouse ; and . it was not my fvrtuno to coistltuto ono of that mittee were appointed to consider the whole question and, if it were un lerstood thist the estimates for 1853 and 1 85 1 . sh.,uld n o t b. pro d uce d t ill t h at comm i ttee h a d r eporte He had beard with surprise and alarm suggestions for meeting the expenditure in time of peace, by resorting to credit ' • he trusted th a t suc h a course wou ld nev er be 'lnc' tinned by the house. At the close of the French war core: plaints were made of what was then termed an "ignorant sn impatience of tax a ti on " on th e part o f t h e pu blic, a though that ph rase h a d b een l aughed at, he t h oug ht ther e was a good d ea l o f reason i n the idea it conveye d . Mr. NEWDEGATE, while contendin g that full fly:11 was necessary, th oug ht it wou ld b e useless to turn thelrea taxation over to a committee in a lump, but urged that every department should be submitted to a distinct mittee for a rigid investigation, and that the house sh i ea ld ..„ thus resume its power of controlling the lavish expendl t `",.; which he admitted to exist. He as much as any 013 1; gretted the increase of expenditure alluded to by Pr e7 ":l speakers, but if they were determined to s ubetituteP ai r for unpaid officers, and to deprive the people of the PI, of local self-government, they would not only depart frel a wi , e and constitutional system of government, but wow find an increase of expenditure inevitable. ba t Mr. DISRAELI did no t thi n k t h ey ought to tslics what they intended to do in the next Parliamen", b hoped the next P ar li amen t wou ld b e a vigorous one, ir/a from the embraces of the people—(laughter)—and be tresi bi the suggestion of the hon. member for Kendal would n ot adopted, because th a t wou ld b e s i m p lyremoving th e deti t of the Govern men t t o a comm i ttee. He protested agstl.o the principle. A comm itt ee t o prepare the estimates the very last resource. The estimates ought to be preP a i o by the Government and defended by the Government. hoped that the ne w P ar li amen t wou ld hold the Governor'" to the due performance of their dutie.. llell Sir H. WILLOUGHBY sa id th at from what had .s u o from the Chancello r o f th e E xc h equer he thought they 'oed to prepare for either a reduced expenditure or / 13 0 1 - 6 ,be taxes. In a few y ears th ere wou ld b e a reduct i on income tax of four millions and a half, and that roar course be either mad e u p or th ey must have reduce' I) penditure. The amendment was then negatived without a divi giolll and the report was received. EXTRA-PAROCHIAL PLACES BILL: On the motion for going into committee on this bill , . Sir G. PECHELL o bj ec t e d t o i ts b e i ng proeee d e dl o The house then went into committee on the bill. On clause 1 being proposed, Sir G. PEC HELL complained bitterly of the proc--, A .0 of the Poor-law Bo a rd. E ver s i nce t h e pr es ent Prowwi i i of the Poor-law Bo ar d h a d b een i n office he had beo l constant collision with th e var i ous b oards o f g uardle o e d throughout the country. Th ere was not hi ng connoebi, with the poor law which the right hon. gentleman Pt.„ l " hand to that he succeeded in. He moved that the chn"'" should report progress, bill Mr. BARROW was an x i ous th a t th e objects o f this 0 should be carried out ; but h e th oug h t i t oug ht t o be le to the new Parliament. Mr. BOUVERIE said the bill, which was to make es tra-parochial places contribute to the relief of the P;i; had received general a pp rova l, an d h e was anxious to r it in the present Parliament. tbs i Mr. MALINS thou g ht th e bill b a d no t rece i v ed general support which the right hon. gentleman boa! mated. be Sir H. WILLOUGHBY hoped the bill would oe tb proceeded with in the present session. He objected tO_ b i o bill because it gave i ncrease d power t o t h e mos t cletesil' of commission that ev er existed in this country--tbe Law Board. Mr. MALINS thought the bill was not of inuo—, necessity, and theref ore it ought not to be persevere ( ' 2 0, Mr. SMYTHE also objected to proceeding with ar. 6 111 Lord PALMERSTON sa id th e bill h a d been slLiellbs appointed for th a t even i ng, an d th erefore he trusted bill would be allowed to pass this stage. t le ° After some furth er conversa ti on t h e amendrooe withdrawn, and th e rema i n i ng c l auses were agreed 0° the house resumed. o ti. The Ecclesiasti ca l J ur i s di c ti on Bill , th e Customs D,,-0/6 Bill, the Ind emn ity Bill , th e C opyhold an d Ines Commissioners, &c., Bill, and the M u ni c ip a l CorPo Act Amendment Bill, re l, were read a second time. POST HORSE DUTY BILL. a le Ou the motion of th e CHANCELLOR o f t h e E-- Q ITER this bill was read a first time. The houso adjourned at 20 minutes past 10 o'clock. Country Markets. LIVEen 10. „ye. At to-day's market t R here POOL—MA was a fair attendance of eV and rather a b e tt er consump ti ve d emand was exper',7ls for wheat, at the rates of Friday, or 2d. to 3d• pe r H ite under the currency of Tuesday last. Flour continue°,,l e l neglected, although offered at a decline of is per act barrel on the week. O a t s an d oa t meal met a slow 4.1 for late rates. Barley, beans, and p e a s rema i ne d withnit i change in value o r d eman d. I n di an corn was i nq uir7 t he at 335. per qr. for fine mixed, and anything offering e' price was readily di s p ose d o f : h o ld ers, however , W insisted on better terms, which checked business. LEEDS, MARCH 10. e ; for Our supplies of grain are only moderate. The tilw o o wheat is s till s l ow , an d p r i ces o f l as t wee k are withlso alteration. Barley as clear, but no activity in We. " in request, at late rates. Other articles as before. I ra Average prices of grain —Wheat, 55s 3d ; bailell4 l; lld ; oats, 28 s ; beans, 41s 4d ; peas, ;4 00 rye, —s. —d. HIILL--MARoff 10. tli To-day, with a fair supply of wheat, the market .s, lower for English wheat, and f ore i gn a l mos t m l Ol6ll l l Barley is dearer ; other grain without a lt era ti on . Li a r dull, but cakes 5s dearer. 8 . I a• Wheat, English, red 56 t o 60 Peas, grey and black Wl f Ditto white 6O to 63 Linseed, Black Sea_ 68 to Dantzic and Konigs- Ditto Petersburgh 66 W - p, 1 berg Pomeranianand Ham ! burgh Danish, Holstein, and Friesland 54 to 58 Russian and Odessa 58 to 631 Oats, English Ditto Danish Ditto Friesland Ditto Russian 27 t o 30 Barley, malting Ditto grinding 32 to 38i Beans Ditto foreign Peas, white and yel 4O to 42i Ditto Riga mad Arch angel Ditto Konigsberg and Meme1.. Per ki ll !Ling. e., Hull 0/ Os to 10 115° . u 7... Ditto fine for.B/ 103 Od 10 v.: Ditto inf. for. Oi 080 d to 01 ; Rapeseed 001 Os to 001 ,A Ift.ape cake—s"--s Od to 1 11 7 iTares, English Ol. to of ;iDitto foreign to. i t ilua ne n s o OOl Oa 81 to l3l Od t01 35 00,' '(Flour, per brL ......... COURSE OF EXCIT MSterdaln .. 11 15% Ditto, three months .. 11 18X, Rotterdam ............ 11 18% Antwerp • • • • •• • • • • •• • • 25 50 Brussels .... 25 50 Elamburgh ............ 13 8 Altona •• •• •• •• •• •• •2 •• Paris .... .• 25 27% Ditto, three months .. 25 65 Marseilles . • •• 25 67% Bourdeaux _••••• • • • • •• Frankfort-on-Maine 1107,, Berlin •• •• •• •• .• •• •• Vienna •• •• •• . • • • • • • • •• 10 29 Trieste........ • • 10 30 Petersburg •••••••• •• •• 37 X Madrid •• • •• • • •• •• Barcelona Seville— .......„,::: ANGFE.--YESTERDAY• Gibraltar ......•• •••• 49 40 Leghorn •• /93. Genoa ...... .••••• •• •• ! Milan Venice...............• SraPles •• •• ••..••••••••• , t 43 Palermo ..... ...• Messina ... l .O Lisbon .. ..•. .. • .. ••••• Oporto ....... . ......• Rio Janeiro •• Buenos Ayres.... .• •• •• Now York,6o d ays'sight Philadelphia PRICE/ Or BC,LLION, Pss 0 9 Foreign Gold in Bars £3 1 7 0 Portugal Gold Coin OO 0 Mexican Dollarr.... 0 0 • Now Dollars 0 0 I % Sliver in bars ...... 0 5 LOCAL SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, MARCH 10. STOCK EXCHANGE. —The market has been doing fait business to-day, an d p r i ces were ra th er eas i er . ''Blacti burn, 9—Caledonian, 341 Manchester, Sheffield, 61 11 Lincolnshire, 36,-f i—North British, 114 —London , *,:r North Western, 104 8 ex d.—Eastern Counties, 101.,1 3 e' 9d.--North Eastern, Berwick, 21#—South Eastern, 2311 —Lancashire and Yorkshire, 101 k —Grand Trunk C %nada, 121. Vs. 9d.—Great Western of Canada, 264 - 1 Ditto, now shares, 31 p.—Lancaster and. Carlisle , thy' shares, new, 83 p. MANCHESTER, Merton 10. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The market was quiet, with rather easier prices. Dovers, 23 1-16—Great Western of Canada , 264—Shetilelds, 36 1—Ditto, Pref., 12k- Leeds, 101 i" Great Northern A, 10. BIRMINGHAM, MARca 10. STOCK EXCHANGE. The market was active to -day , but prices were firmly maintained. South Staffords, London and North Western, 105 f -Midlands, 8182 r - 371—Birmingham Canals, 921., • THE NATIONAL GALLERY.—The total expenditure in• curred in the purchase of the Kruger collection of (64) early German pictures amounts to 2,8001., and the ev penses of tram-mission to 1161. 19s Bd. Seventeen pia tures were placed in the Gallery in October, 1814. los! month a certain portion of the collection was sold In t Christie and Manson's, including 37 pictures. The 0 10 realised 2491. Bs. BIRTHS. OF A SON, On tho 9th inst., in Kensington-square, the wif e o f the Rev. Edward Thompson, D.D., vicar of KJngton, Hereford' shire. On the 10th inst., at 8, St. George's - square, Bolg rav e-read the wife of Samuel Warren Burton, Esq. OF ♦ DAATOLITER. On the 10th inst., at Alexander-street, Westbourne.parks Bayswater, the wife of Edward Williams, Esq. On the 9th inst., Mrs. T. Spencer Howard, of 56, Groot' nor-street, Gresvonor-square. MARRIED. On the 7th inst., at St. Alphage, Greenwich, Frederick, i youngest and only surviving son o f Charles Bennett, Copthall-chambers, city, and Coborn-terrace, Bow, t o Louie.. F r ances Margaret, the youngest dati,hter of the late Robert Barnes Twelftree, Esq., of St. Paul's-churchyard, London. On the 7th inst., at Bath, Captain S. G. G, Oir, Madras Army, Commandant 3d R egt. of Cavalry Hydrabad Contin gent, to Alexandra, eldest daughter of Fred. Leighton, Esq'i 9; Circus, Bath. DIED. On the 9th inst , at 13, Primrose-terrace, Gravesend, WID• Kin,gbara, Esq., aged 66. On the 10th inst., at Richmond, James Croke, Esq., late Solicitor44eneral for the Colony of Victoria. On the 9th inst., at Reading, Elizabeth, the wife of Riehd• Light, formerly of Watling-street, aged 72. On the Bth inst., at Chelsea, Mr. Nicholas Carter Morrison, aged 75. On the 9th inst., Mary, the wife of Edmund Kerby, of 64, Chcapside, aged 41. On the 4th inst" at nurston-place, Storriugton, Richar d Emery, Esq., aged 63. On the 3d inst., at Nice, of decline, brought on by expo' sure and hardship in the campaign of the Crimea, maj o r Charles Aldersey Stevenson, 47th Regt., second son of the Rev. C. B. Stevenson, rector of Callan, in the county of Kil• Lenny, aged 26 LONDON : Printed and Published by 2,117RD0 YOUNG. of No, 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Mike, NO. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, is the county of Afiddle?ex, Wednesday, March It, 1857. -