The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-07-22 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

In the HOUSE Or LOVODS July 17, Lord Denbigh, who had
given notice of his intention to move a series of resolutions
condemning the declaration of Paris of 1E56, in reference to
maritime belligerent rights, and calling on the Government
to withdraw from that declaration without unnecessary
deb y, said that he had expected that his motion would have
been preceded hy a full discussion of the subject in the
House of Commons, but as that expectation bad been
defeated by a MS7 cerivre, he now intended to postpone his
motion, stating at the same time tint the notions that the
declarations of Paris was in the nature of a treaty, and that
this country would profit more than sr y other from its
stipulations, were fallacies. He would now leave the
question in the hands of the Government, but if no step
should be taken in the matter before next session, he
would then bring the sul ject forward again.
Lord Derby thought that In the circumstances it would not
be desirable for him to enter into a general discussion of the
subject, but he maintained that the Declaration, though not
in the form of a Treity. was binding upon this country in
honour and of good faith and for himself, he stated that he
was not prepared to join in any demand that the country
should withdraw from the Declaration.

Lord Granville, though he could not admit that the fact
of the Declaration not havirg been diecussed in the 'House of
Commons was a good reason why it should not be discuseel
In the Bowe of Lords, thought, however, it was better that
the subject should not be brought forwana, and he believed
that any departure from tte Declaration would be an
immense mistake for this country.
The Poor Law Amendment Bill passed through Committee
after a discussion on some of its details.

The other Orders on the paper were disposed of, and their
Lordships adjourned.

In the HOUSE OF COMIONS Lord Henry Lennox, First
Commissioner of Works, speaking from one of the back
benches, asked hen, members to give him their indulgence
whilst he explained, as far as he was able, the part be bad
taken as a director of the Lisbon Tramways Company. Lord
Henry stated that hI3 joined the board at the instance of the
Duc de Saidenha ' • that he knew nothing of the pre-
liminary contracts or agreements between the con-
tractors and the promoters, or of Mr. Grant's connection
with the company; that he received ICO shares, and returned
50; that he purchased with his own money 300 shares, and
that, on the whole, he was a large loser by the failnre of the
undertaking. Under the clrcemstances he felt it his duty
to place his resignation in the hands of the Prime Minister,
for he would rather relinquish any official position than lose
the esteem of the House. The noble lord's explanation Was
received with cheers.

kr, Disraeli, in answer to a question from Mr. Baxter,
gave a let g and minute explanation with regard to the
alleged atrocities in Bulgaria. In the first place, he read
extracts from the reports of Sir. 11. Elliot as to the origin of
the disturbances in Bulgaria, which had been got up by foreign
agitators, and which commenced by the burning of Museut-
man villages and outrages on the Mussulman population.
The Circassians lock revenge for these excesses, although
their doings, according to Sir H. Elliot, had been greatly
exaggerated. This brought the affair up to Monday, June
16, when the first detailed accounts of these atrocities ap-
peared in the newspapers, and the Duke of Argyll and Mr.
Forster put questions upon the tutijt.ct, Mr. Disraeli enu-
merated the principal horrors of these accounts—the cart..
loads of heads, the sale of girls in the streets the thousands
of talgarians slaughtered, imprisoned, and tortured—and
read extracts from Lord Derby's despatches desiring Sir IL
Elliot to make 'retail:les, and irom Sir H Elliot's answers.
In his latest despatch Sir Henry stated that, tricugh there had
unquestionably been excesses, as were inevitable on both sides,
yet the details referred to, coming from Russian and Bul-
garian sources, were so monstrously exaggerated as to de-
prive them of any claim to attention. Ha himself had had
revolting vanities related to him so circumstantially
that it was impossible not to believe them, but which on
being investigated turned out to be entirely fictitious. The
Greek Minister had also informed our Ambassador that his
agents had heard of none of these details, and it was re-
markable that there bad been nothing like a religious war;
but according to Sir Henry Elliot's latest report nothing was
more striking than the unanimous feeling of the Christiaus
against the aggression of Turkey. A banner was preparing
for the Volunteers on which the Crescent and the Cross
would appear side by aide.
The House spent the rest of the evening in Committee on
the Elementary Education Bill. _ _ -

Commencing with Cause 15, the Committee made rapid
progress up to the end of the Thu. which contains 38 &awes.
Numerous points were raised, but none were of great
moment, and none of the amendments made were more than
verbal. For instance, in Clause 16 Mr. Birley proposed that
the charge made for a certificate shall be sixpence instead
of a shilling, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer agreed to
leave the clause in blank, so that the question will lie open
for future consideration.

On reaching the 20th clause, which provides for the reqnisi-
tion of a pizith to the Guardians to put the Act in force, Mr.
Kay-Shuttleworth moved to expunge that p,Ttion which
stipula!es that the reqni:ltlon might be accompanied by
representationsas to the nature of the bye-laws, and to which
regard should be had in making and approving such bye-
laws. The amendment was opposed by Lord Sandon, and,
after some discussion, negatived on a division by 125 to 82.

Clause 24 was omitted, and on the 29th clause Lord F
Cavendish proposed an amendment, the effect of which was
to raise the standard of education for pauper children, but
It was defeated by 131 to 108.

On Clause 31, defining a child, an amendlnent was moved
by Mr. Rodwell, which would have substituted 13 for 14 as
the age at which an agricul drat child becomes a full-timer,
and escapes from the conditions as to education, but though
it was supported by many Conservatives, it was opposed by
Lord Sandoz), and rejected on a division by 197 to 103.
awing finished Clsuse 38—the last clause ox the Bill—the
postponed clause, the new clause, and the scdedule were
postponed until Tuesday.
The Crossed Checks Bill was considered in Committee.
The other Orders were disposed of, and the House adjourned
at twenty-five minutes to three o'clock.

In the HOUSE OF LORDS, July 18, the Commons BM was
reported, with amendments, Clause 19 being omitted.
On the motion that the Local Government 3oard's Provi-
sional Orders Confirmation (BirmiLgttana, ,Sr.c.) Bill be com-
mitted, Lord Redesdale called attention to the extent to
which legislation by Provisional Orders was carried. He
did not obiect to the principle of legislating by Provisional
Orders, but he thought the power conferred on the Local
Government Board ought to be exercised with a great amount
of diicretiou.
In the course of some conversation which ensued, the
Duke of Somerset observed that these Bills confirming Pro-
visional Orders were passed and the Houle of Lords knew
very little about the matters to which they related. He
suggested that they should be referred for examination to a
standing committee
The Duke of Richmond believed that legislation by Prc-
visional Orders was beneficial and saved expense. Re was
not aware whether the suggestion that the 131118 should be
referred to a standing commiitee would work well in practice,
but he thought some plan might be adopted a advertising
all Provisional Orders in the districts to which they were in-
tended to apply before the Bills confirming them were
brought into Parliament.

The BJI then passed through Committee, as did likewise
two other Bills confirming Provisional Orders.

The Public Works Loans Bill was read a third time and
passed.
Their Lordships then adjourned.
In the liousE OF COMMONS, at the morning sitting, in
answer to Mr. D. Jenkins, who inquired if the Government
had any information as to the cause of the bursting of the
boilers on board the Thunderer,

Mr. Ward Bunt said he was not surprised that after tte
terrible calamity which had taken place on board the
Thunderer hon. members and the public generally should
be exceedingly anxious to learn the cause of the disaster.
But at present the cause was only a matter of conjecture and
surmise, and therefore he was not in a position to inform
his hon. friend on the subject. Even it he had made up his
mind, he should not consider it his duty to stare weat he
thought was the cause of the disaster in his place in
Parliament until the Jury had concluded their investigation.
Mr. Yorke said a subscription list had been placed in the
cloak room of the House of commons, inviting contributions
for the sufferers ; had that list been placed there by the
authority of the right bon. gentleman, and was it the
intention of the Government to compensate the sufferers by
the explosion.
Mr. Hunt said the paper was placed in the cloak-room by
his authority, but his intention was that the fund should be
devoted to the immediate wants of the sufferers, and that it
should not be considered as any substitute for any grant that
might be made on the part of the Government in aid of the
families of the sufferers by the disaster.
In answer to Sir C. Mike, Mr. Bourke said the Foreign
Office had no information whether Roumania has called out
her reserves, or a;ked the Guaranteeing Powers for the Delta
of the Danube, but he had just heard from Constantinople
that a Memorandum had been forwarded to Sir B. Elliott by
our Consul at Bucharest.

In answer to Mr. S. Lloyd, Mr. Cross announced the
names of the Royal Commissioners on noxious fumes—viz.,
Lord Aberdare, Earl Percy. Lord Sildieton, Mr. W. Egerton,
ALP Mr. Stevenson, Ml'., Professor Abel, Professor
Williams, Mr. Roscoe, of Owens College, and Admiral
Hamby. Their object would be to inquire into the character
of these noxious fumes, their effect on animal and vegetable
life, and the means by which an improvement might be
effected.
Amid some manifestations of surprise, Mr. E. Jenkins gave
not Ace of his intention to ask the Prime Minister on Thursday.
whether Lord Derby's speeches to the two deputations on
Friday Last may botregarded as official declarations of the
opinions of the Government, and, if so, whether he will lay
an authentic report of them before the House or, if that be
not army, nient, whether he will himself make some similar
decfination of the policy of the Government.
The. House then went into Committee on the Elementary
Eitication bill aud commenced the consideration of the post-
poned clauses. The best part of the afternoon was spent on
the new clause for the establishment of Day Industrial Schools
for the reception of " wastrel children." It provides that
these schools nay be established under the certificate of the
Secretary of State, to which children brought before a Court
may, if the Court thinks fit, be sent to he detained
for as many hours a day as the Secretary of State
directs. It also provides that a shilling per week may be
contributed by Parliament for the maintenance, custody, and
training of each child, and the parent shall be ordeted to pay
or contribute a sum not exceeding 2s per week, and if he is
unable the Guardians shall find the necessary assistance. A
child nay also be taken ctitto an industrial day
school without the intervention of the Court, if the
parents undertake to pay a certain sum. Its prin-
ciple was discussed at some length, and when the
time came for amending the details Lord F. Cavendish
B,.ruggled hard to strike out the Parliamentary Grant. Among
others, Mr. Lowe, Mr. Fa.wcett, and Lord E. Fitzmaurlce
supported hipo, ; but Mr. Forster concurred with the Govern-
ment in maintaining the clause, and ultimately it was agreed
to, Lord Bandon promising to consider whether further
securities should not be taken for the educational application
of the grant and its localization.
Two other new Clauses, moved by Lord Bandon, were
agreed to, one containing provisions as to the School Attend-
sauce Committee and the appointment of Local Committees,
which alio es other persons besides the School Attendance
Committee to be members of the Local Committee, and the
other a clause declaratory of the duty of each parent to edu-
cate his children, which was very much criticized,
Lord Sandon, in moving to report progress, explained the
nature of the clause which he proposes to substitute for that
in the Bill which makes provision for schools in poor
districts.
The Committee was adjourned until Thursday, and notice
was given that if there is time for any other business that
bvening It will be the Prisons Bill.
At the Evening Sitting, as Mr. Peel was about to call
attention to the administration of the Poor Law in England,
the House was counted out at five minutes past nine
o'clock

In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 19, a number of petitions
were presented in favour of the Contagious Diseases Act
Iteorrral ofl3tihlle,however, Mr.
dwahyich stood forotnhethoerdpearpewrag
Mitchell Henry rose and pointed out that the first order in
uhssion as first
v.dved very painful and repulsive details and asked if it
called,dßc
were in the power of the Speaker to order 'the Sergeant-at-
Arms to clear the ladies' gallery in the same manner as
source were cleared at assizes when certain cases were
coming on, and in case discussion might be wished for he
moved the adjournment of the House.
The speaker, in reply, said he had decided that one of the
galleries which was under his control, should be closed.
(Hear, hear.) With regard to the other gallery, as the
House was aware, that was available for the use of the
Wends of members on the orders of members in the usual
manner. Us had not felt at liberty t cl me that gallery, but
he had desired the messenger in attendance to inform all
ladies preeenting themselves of the nature if the dhca,sion,
and if after th it caution th-y chose to enter he did not fet 1
at liberty without the autln rity of the House to close the
gallery. As regarded the admission of children, he had de-
sired that youths should not be admitted to the gallery.
I (Hear, hear )
• " -

After some observations from Mr. Callan and Mr. P. A.
Taylor, the question that strangers be requested to withdraw
was put and negatived without a diviiduu.
Mr. Mitchell H6nry did not press his motion.

Sir H. Johnstone then rose to move the second resding of
the Contagious Diseases Act Repeal Bill. The hon. gentle-
man declared that the Aots were carried out by the porcain
a scandalous manner, and at the coat of much personal de-
gradation, and the continuance of the Acts amounted to a
grass public immorality.
Mr. E. Smith mored—" That considering the time which

MEINII

has dewed since the report of the Royal Commirsion,
it is desirable that the subject of the Contagious Diseases
Act be referred to a select committee." The hon. member
believed that it would be very desirable to remove the sub.
ject from the arena of political discussion. The question
was a disagreeable one for both aides of the House to
discuss. Re believed that the period;cal literature issued on
the subject had done much to impede the almission of
females to the suffrage.
- - - - - - -

After a debate, in which Sir C. Legaiid, Mr. Stansfeld, Mr,
Mundella, Mr. Hunt, and several other hon. members toojc
part, the amendment was withdrawn' and the House dividsid
upon the main question.—For the Bill, 102; against, 224;
majority 122.
The other business was disposed of, aul the House ad-
journed: