The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-02-25 00:00:00

HOITSE OF COMMONS.

Mow.—On the question of supplemental estimates
being brought up, Mr. Bright took the opportunity of
introducing a discussion on the Trent affair, in which
he expressed his belief that the money expended in
preparing for war was worse than thrown away !—Mr
Baxter and Lord Palmerston justified the conduct
of Government and the subject dropped. The Parochial
Assessments Bill sy,s read a second time and referred to
a select committee, and the select committee on Fires in
the Metropolis was nominated.
TUEBDAY.—Mr. Cox asked whether Government
intended to introduce a Reform Bill daring the present
session of Parliament. Lord Palmerston played his
part in the force which had been got up by the member
for Finsbury, by briefly answering that Government
had no such intention. Mr Roebuck obtained leave to
bring Lisa bill to amend the law relating to trade
marks.
WaingleD4l,-4 varietz.ot imapcgdent bflaiiisitt 114
altliOugh-Wedneeday is generally oonsidered
an "off" day. The first matter that came under
discussion was Mr. Hadfield's Bill for the abolition of
the somewhat antiquated And unnecessary declaration
made by persons undertaking corporate offices, that
they will not exercise their influence or authority to
injure or weaken the Protestant Church of England.
Mr. Newdegate was, of course, opposed to such "an
act of hostility," but the Home Secretary intimated
that the security obtained by the Act was so inappre-
ciable, that Government did not much mire which way
the matter was decided. The second reading was
carried by a majority of nine. The next question
debated was the second reading of the Bill brought
forward by Mr. Monckton Milne*, to legalise
" marriages of affinity "—in fact, the Marriage with •
Deceased Wife's Sister Bill, under another title. The
discussion was interesting and animated, but the argu-
ments pro and can did not vary from those winch
have previously been used. The rapidity with which the
Measure has been pushed forward was denounced by
Mr. Lygon, who was fortified in his opposition by
Lord Robert Cecil, Mr. Walpole, and others. Among
the advocates for the Bill were two ministers—Sir
George Grey and Mr. Headlam. Mr. Milnes replied
on the whole debate, and eventually his pieasure
ttiumphed by • majority of 11. The Bill comes before
the Legislature this year under the most favourable
circumstances, and it will be for those who support it to
take advantage of the opportunity, and, by a strenuous
effort, to carry it through Parliament. Irish marriages
were the next topic. A Bill brought in by Sir Hugh
Cairns, similar to his meson» of last session, for the
amendment of the marriage law in the sister isle, was
read a first time. Mr. Scully warned the Government
against meddling with Roman Catholic marriages; but
it is certainly desirable that the anemones exposed by
the Yelverton ease should be cleared away.
TBortansY.—The sitting was short, but the pro.
wedinge were of general interest. Mr. Walpole gave
notice that on the 11th of next month he will move
that the House resolve itself into • committee to con-
sider the hest mode of distributing the Parliamentary
gracts for education, and he announced that he would
at the same time be prepared to move certain amend-
ments on the revised cede. In reply to • question
the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated that the
Financial Statement will not be introduced till after
Raster. Mr. Berkeley brought forward his motion with
regard to the writ for Gloucester, and after some
discussion, in which Mr. Disraeli stited that he re-
garded the suspension of • writ by one branch of the
legislature as an unconstitutional proceeding, the
motion was agreed to. The election will, thereto»,
take plasm shortly. A similar motion wag made with
regard to Wakefield, and was also agreed to.
FBIDAT.—The chief subject of discussion was the
alleged distress in Ireland, which was painted by Mr.
Maguire in the darkest possible colours.—Sir Robert
Peel gave the bright side of the question, adding that
the House most have been struck with the tut that
this alann of distress was oonfined solely to a few indi-
viduals in the House of Conimons who had • repre-
sentative in the hon. member for Dungsrvan, whose
knowledge of Ireland was of the most limited and sub-
ordinate character.— Mr. Maguire's motion for returns
in reference to the distress was, after soma discussion,
withdrawn.