The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-04-27 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.- MONDAY.

The report of the Committee of Supply was brought
up and agreed to.
The House having resolved itself into • Committee of
Ways and Means,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER made hhi finan-
cial statement. He began by adverting to the great
change which had taken place in the commercial condi-
tion of the country since the financial statement of his
predecessor, and disturbed the proepeota indulged in
1867. The American panic, he observed, had acted in •
disastrous manner upon our own commercial condition,
and towards the end of the year a monetary crisis, in
which the rate of discount reached 10 per cent., had
produced severe distress, and premed heavily upon the
revenue of the country. It was his conviction, how-
ever, that although the general condition of the country
was at the present moment sound, and although there
were indioatione of improvement, he could not indulge
the belief that there would be a rapid return of the
spirit of enterprise. He detailed the estiinated expen-
diture for the year 1888-59, viz.:—

Funded and unfunded debt ... £28,400,000
Civil List, &a. ... 1,900,000
Nevy
Miscellaneous gervioes 7,000,000
Revenue Departments 4,700,000
Liabilities . ... 3,500,000

£67,110,000
The resources to meet these charges he estimated as
follows
Customs ...
Excise
Stamps
Land and Assessed Taxes .
Property and Income-tax
Post-office

• 18,100,000
.. 7,1560,000
.. 3,200,000
... 6,100,000
... 3,200,000
... 270,000

Crown Lands :

... 1,300,000

£63,120,000
The expenditure being £87,110,000, and the estimated
revenue only £63,120,000, there would be a deficit of
£3,990,000. This deficiency, he remarked, was not occa-
sioned by any falling off in the resources of the country.
He considered it under two heads i—first, the amount
occasioned by our undertaking to pay debts; secondly,
the amount caused by the cessation of taxes. The first,
amounting to £3,200,000, was created by the War Sink-
ing Fund, £1,500,000, and the payment of £1,000,000
Exchequer-bonds. He reoommended the House to ter-
minate the special Sinking Fund system either by repeal-
ing the Act, which he considered to be false in principle,
and injurious in practice, or to resolve to suspend its
operation until the Exchequer-bonds were provided for,
which would relieve the finanoes of £1,500,000 a year.
With regard to the Exchequer-bonds, he might propose
to fund them; but that course, he considered, would be
unjustifiable, and contradictory to the conditions which
Government and Parliament lied entered into when they ,
were issued. If they were to be met, however, it must
be by a new tax. At all events, the spirit of the en-
gagement should be fulfilled; but they should be met
out of the revenues of the country, and there should not
be a permanent addition to the debt. He recommended
to the House to postpone for some years the payment of
the Exchequer-bonds—an arrangement that would
tenure their discharge out of the revenues of the coun-
try. With respect to that portion of the deficiency
caused by the falling off of the revenue, that had been
ocessiohed by the cessation of a tax of a very memorable
character—the Property and Income Tax. This impost,
unjust and inquisitorial as it was regarded, could not be
made a permanent feature of our fiscal system. But,
although this was his opinion, and, believing that the
agreement of 1853 aliould, in spirit, if not in letter, be
carried into effect, it was possible that the country, how-
ever anxious to obtain this result, might net be unpre-
pared to bear this year the burden it had borne so well
Ohs last; although a deficiency arising from the casea-
tion of taxation must be supplied by taxation, and the
deficiency would be converted into • surplus if the own-
mittee should continue the income-tax for another year

at the same rate as that of last year, it was, neverthe-
less, the deliberate opinion of Her Majesty's BEDROOM
that the deficiency of the revenue ought not to be sup-
plied by an increase of this tax. But if its fall was not
to be disturbed, the House must feel that it was abaci-
lutely necessary to support the revenue by the imposi-
tion of new taxes. In discharging the unpleasant office
of selecting • new tax, lie was consoled, he said, in ro-
fleeting that every one would feel • relief in the fall in
the rate of the income-tax, and the mode in which lie
would attempt to supply the remaining portion of the
deficiency was by • proposition which he considered rea.
unable and wise—namely, to equalise the duties on
spirits, which, he calculated, would give to the Exotic,-
quer £500,000 a year, thus putting an end to the deficit.
But he thought provision should be made to secure a
surplus, and, as no form of taxation was snore popular
or less annoying than stamps, he proposed that when •
check was drawn there should be a stamp ;and this tax,
lie estimated, would produce 000,000. Mr. Disraeli,
in conclusion, took a cheerful view of the situation and
prospects of the country next year. He then moved cer-
tain resolutions.
A conversation followed, in which the propositions of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer underwent a variety of
criticisms, wine of them conflicting. The increase of
the spirit duties was generally approved except by Irish
members; the postponement of the payment of the Ex-
chequer-bonds was objected to by some members as in
reality a re-borrowing of money upon these bonds, and
it was predicted that considerable resistance would be
offered to the stamp upon checks.
Lord
in the
Rduisna income-tic, Mr. GLADSTONE urged a reduction of the expenditure.
Mr. CARDWELL recommended a continuance of the
2d nhjeo pomun
tncientd whilethat the payment of
the debt incurred in the late war should be practically

repudiated.
The CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER replied to the
objection made to his Budget, and insieted upon the ac-
curate, though temperate and cautious principles upon
which his estimates of the revenue for the current year

were founded.
The resolutions were then agreed to, and ordered to
be reported.
On the order for going into a Committee of Supply,
Sir DE LACY EVANS drew attention to the recall of
Lord Howden from the office of British Munster at
Madrid. He thought it of mucth importance that the
policy we had pursued with regard to Spain should not
be retrogressive, and, as no cause had been assigned for
the removal of Lord Howden, which had caused much
regret throughout that country, he hoped the Govern-
ment would be able to say that the change had not origi-
. . . .

nated in a foreign Court:
Mr. S. FITZGERALD said there was not the slightest
justification for any of the insinuations of Sir De Lacy
Evans, which were moot
the example would be epntedw,aliidifthe
course were to be followed moot
dangerous. The removal of Lord Howden did not
imply, and was not intended to imply, censure, and the
manner in which he had been recalled was not dis-
courteous.
Lord PALMERSTON quite agreed that it was expedient
that the advisers of the Crown should be at liberty to
choose their own diplomatic agents, but he did not see
the necessity of recalling Lord Howden in so abrupt a
manner.
The House adjourned at 20 minutes put 12 o'clock.
TUESDAY.
Mr. VANCE moved for • select committee to consider
certain duties on ships and other imposts leviable within
the port of Dublin.
Mr. HENLEY did not object to an inquiry.
The motion was supported by Mr. GROGAN.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, these tolls
originated in a compact to the advantage of Dublin,
and to the disadvantage of the Consolidated Fund, and
he should oppose any attempt to relieve the city from
paying. the amount of the tax. So far se regarded in-
quiry into any injustioe he should not oppose the COM.
niittee.
Lord PALMERSTON suggested that if the Committee
were appointed the order of reference should limit its
inquiry to the ascertaining whether an equal sum could
be levied in a less objectionable manner.
Mr. VANCE consented to modify the order of reference,
and the amended motion was agreed to.
Mr. Cox moved for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal
the Act of the first year of George 1., cap. 38, com-
monly called the Septennial Act, and to limit the dura-
tion of Parliaments to three years. He argued that the
ancient constitution of the country required that there
shotild be annual Parliaments, and that short Parlia-
ments continued to be the constitution until 1715, when,
unfortunately for the country, he said, a change of
policy took place. He described the circumstances
under which the Septennial Act was introduced, the dis-
turbed state of the country, with a Pretender to the
Crown, and the bade with which the Act was hurried
through both Houses, • petition against the Bill being
rejected. Ile characterised the reasons assigned in the
preamble of the Act—namely the heats and animosities
erected by the Triennial Act, and the expenses mused
thereby, as abaurd, and as a cloak to cover the iniquity
of those who passed the Act. He contended that the
shorter Parlistuents were made the less expensive would
be the elections, and that it was no answer to his argil-
ment to say that, on an average, Parliaments were
at present triennial, since they often lasted five and
six years.
Mr. WALPOLE observed that Mr. Cox had not read
the Parliamentary annals with sufficient accuracy, and
had mistaken the sittings of Parliament for new Pull'.
ments ; and he gave a more correct lilitory of the con-
stitution with reference to Parliaments. When Mr.
Cox called the Septennial Act a violation of the consti-
tution he forgot, he said, that if the Parliament of
George I. had simply repealed the Triennial Act, there
was nothing in the Common law, the Constitutional
law, or the Statute law, to prevent its sitting during the
whole reign of the King. The question was, whether
the extension of the duration of Parliaments from three
years to seven, which would have been otherwise un-
limited, was wise, and on the whole best, and lie en-
tered somewhat fully into the reasons which led him to
affirm this proposition.
Upon a division the motion was negatived by 254 to 57.
Mr. LIDDELL lulled attention to the delay that had
occurred In the construction of railways in India. He
moved for • seleot committee to inquire into the

subject.
The motion wee seconded by Mr. CRAWFORD,
Mr. HAILLIE thought that no great advantage could
be derived from an inquiry ; he believed the the rail.
ways wore going on as fast am could be expected, con•
siderlng the vastness of the works, and he could not
consent to a motion that would imply an undeserved
00111,11 TO.
Mr. AYRTON, although agreeing with Mr. Liddell
that there had been much delay on the part of the Go•
velment, did not think the motion would be of any
practical utility.
Mr. MANGLES defended the Indian Government.
Mr. LIDDELL having replied, the motion was agreed
to.

Serjeant DEASY, in moving for leave to bring in a
Bill to promote and regulate reformatory schools for
Juvenile offenders in Ireland, said there was a general
desire that Ireland should have the benefit of such an
institution as well as England and Scotland, but, with.
out • legislative measure, it must be inoperative.
The motion was seconded by Mr. OREM
Leave was given to introduee the Bill.
Sir E. COM/BROOKE moved for leave to bring in a Bill
to amend the law for the registration of the county ,
voters in Scotland.
The Lord ADVOCATE assented to the motion, with
certain reservations, and leave was given.
On the order for going into Committee on the Galway
Freemen Disfranchisement Bill,
Mr. WALPOLE drew the attention of the House to the
difficulties which surrounded the CAW The Bill, he
said, did not deal equal Justine to all ; it confounded
the innocent freemen with the guilty, and, while it dis-
franchised the bribed, it did not meddle with the briber.
He moved an instruction, empowering the committee to
include the purchasers of votes.
Mr. Crave, who had charge of the Bill, dissented
from the views of Mr. Walpole. He defended the
Bill, and declined to have anything to do with the
instruction.
Upon the instruction being put from the Chair,
Lord PALMERSTON said, he could not concur in it, but
would simply support the Bill for disfranchising the
voters among whom corrupt practices had prevailed.
Mr. WHITESIDE observed that the passing of the Bill
as it stood would exempt from punishment the bribers
who were not voters.
Mr. ROEBUCK denounced the measure, which, he said,
in its present state, was partial and unjust, and, under
the pretence of purity, would do an act of signal in-
justice. . .

Upon • dlvlBion the instruction was carried by 152 to
121.

Colonel FRENCH then moved to defer the committee for
six months.
Lord PALMERSTON, though he had voted against the
instruction, could not consent to get rid of the Bill.
The House having again divided, the amendment was
negatived by 226 to 51, and the House went into com-
mittee upon the Bill, when the Chairman was ordered
to report progress after • short conversation as to the
mode of proceeding.
The House adjourned at half-past 1 o'clock.
WEDNESDAY.
- • -

On the order for going into Committee upon the
Church-rates Abolition Bill, moved by Sir J. TRELAWNY,
Mr. PACKS moved to defer the Committee for eix
months. He attacked the fundamental principle of the
measure, by showing from the evidence of Dissenter'
that the opposition to church-rates was not based al-
together upon conscientious grounds • that other motives
operated, some regarding it as a pocket question; others
resisting the rate out of dislike and hostility to the
minister, or for other personal reasons.
Mr. HUGESBEN, in supporting the Bill, said, the
grievance of church-rates to Dissenters lie held to be
incontestable ; as to robbery of the Church, he could
not understand, he said, how that could be the property
of A which B had the power to take away ; and, so far
from any danger resulting to the Church from the aboli-
tion of church-rates, he desired it for the sake of the
Church as well as of Dissenters.
Mr. POOH (Carmarthenshire) likewise supported the
Bill for the sake of the peace of the Church, urging the
religious discord and scandals which church-rates kept
alive.
Mr. B. SZYMER, after reviewing some of the objec-
tions offered to church-rates, taking a ooinmon sense
view of the question and of the whole position of Dia-
sentare with reference to the Church, argued that their
opposition really extended bo owl these rates, to the
separation of Church and State—a question which, he
observed, should be raised and discussed upon its own
merits.
Sir G. GREY urged the inconvenience of re-arguing
the principle of a Bill upon which the decision of the
House had been unequivocally expressed at the second
reading.
Lord J. MANNERS thought that the principle of the
Bill should receive further discussion, its Advocates re-
sisting anything in the shape of compromise.
Lord H. VANE spoke in favour of going into Com-
mittee upon the Bill.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUiR suggested that,
as Mr. Puller had put an amendment upon the paper
(proposing a substitute for the rates by • rent-charge
upon lend) which deserved the serious consideration of
the House, and as that amendment could not be dis-
cussed in the Coaninittee, and the amendment of Mr.
Packs would rescind • decision of the House, the latter
amendment should be withdrawn.
Mr. PACKS consented to withdraw his amendment. but
Mr. Hamar objected. He thought the House had •
right to complain of this course, and advised those who
were in favour of the Bill to divide the House upon the
amendment. He doubted whether Mr. Puller °odd

Bill should pass in its present.
therefore desired that the .
the interest of the
d the House, in e
form, and he ask
.•abash
an
unjust
and
Church itself, to pass it, and
attempt by Mx. STEUART to ob-
After an iinsuceessful
ake int the question in the
-n—r----sirßroiidv;eatwhineisreg amzdYseentlermanm:nnetd hat:
gfthtelloriußn3ii:Pdi.f.rtciailtrhoifol.,ir,hselleiwßmi;llat'oghheiye..
part of the question, ..
d no
h lapseaot at
or misapprehension
apparently throng
declared that the " Ayes" had it
by the dissentiente, lie
Committee upon the Bill, Br,
and the House went into
from moving his amend:
Fidler being thereby precluded
so::
goilttdhi
Te
es o
beingg is
1,7.1
should
uttered, i t
tn
to suspend the operatic)
which was
years.
This amendment, a
tived. ent of the same
moved an amendm . .
Lord R. CECIL
tion of the Bill to cities
clause, confining the opera
was ultimately with.
• boroughs, but the amendment
Upon the first clansefteofrtl:e
n of the the
for elect oil
thin
plr
dr
proposed
inrtoaa:riliA I.
e a rft:BniLb: eltethfthi naetoov:teht'edeb la
nvitrdhaem e
drawn.
This motion, upon a
to 104. narter to 6 o'clock, the furtherpro-
It being now past a 9
by rule, adjourned.
ceedinp of the Committee were,
The Howe adjourned at 6 o'clock.
THURSDAY.
upolnn
Mr. LYGON moved Ebel
jsuutheoCnh, sairmaaanneregaTinsodprobygrez..
BITHELL,
NICRAL entered into a and Sir
and
' et Dr. Bernard,
an explanation of the proceedings Rpm
n the capital
and stated that, after his acquittal inpo
the whole of the evidence
charge, and after considering.
to him that to
in the power of the Crown, it appeared
and put Dr. Bernard again
proceed with the prosecutioonol
ad
be a violation of a well-
Mr. ROEBUCK
the charge would
The ArrOßt:ltiy7l:eriea bl
be no further proceeded with.
ed for a more explicit answer to
Sir R. BETRELL press
question.as to whether the later proceedings hat
his
the direction of Her 3fajesty's present.
been taken under
law officers; but other -
The ATTORNEY
declined to give LT,
8;
knownirmipalfoimr coofnslapwir7yanwd therefore
Old Bailey, or else-
police magistrate, at the 0 , _
where, since the present Government came into office
and he became Attorney General, he stood there
.per;
to vincli-
sonallT responsible, and was ready at all times
faonssowtehrothan that for all that had been done, Ili be-
fore•
himself.
t D
Mr. WALPOLE said, in the proceedings against r.
ad been taken without the assistance
Bernard no step h
and advice of t e Attorney -General, and that before the
resent Government eame into office the late Goven-
SeBrjueanbil,llleinsitoliaiEne aunpsownetrhet4maa
ment had, most properly, issued a notice of • reward
' he observed,
meanour, lout for felony. Two %nations,
would arise under the Act of Par ient—first, whether
Dr. Bernard was • subject of Her Majesty within the
abject or not
for the apprehension of Mr. Allsop, not for • made-
Act ; secondly, whether any person, s ,
could be tried for murder committed abroad, either
between Dr. Bernard's case and that of Mr. Alla"
was that there was no doubt that the latter
was • Britiabi
as princincipal or accessory; and the only dillierencie
subject.
Yi`liii moved a resolution "That the diplomatic
salaries and pension' now charged upon the Consoli-
dated Fund should be brought under the more Mime-
nrseustejoenat,ltut . by Mr.
date view and control of Parliament, and be paid out of
Mr. S. FITZGERALD zhvoote pusisosaannuisl
,1, y provided by the House of CommonsCommonsfor
remarked that this very question
had been decided by the committee of 1831 appointed
to inquire into the matter, which had reported that it
was not expedient to include these salaries and pensions
in the annual estimates, and recommended that they
should be charged upon the Consolidated Fund.
Mr. HORSMAN observed that, under the present
system, the House was in • state of ignorance of our
foreign affairs which wee inconsistent with the principles
of constitutional government, and that Mr. Fitzgerald
had not resisted the motion upon constitutional grounds.
Lord PALMERSTON said, he could not contour in the
resolution, which tended to reverse • decision deliberately
come to as to the mode in which diplomatic salaries and.
pensions should be paid; and it was incumbent upon
those who objected to that mode to show its incon-
venience and the advantage of • change. He entreated
and conjured the House not to make a change by adopt.
lug this resolution, that would be attended with serious
consequences in connexion with our foreign relations.
Mr. KINNAIRD spoke in support of the motion.
Lord J. RussELL, could not vote for the resolution.
Upon a division the motion Was negatived by 142 to
114.
Mr. BAGWELL moved for • Select Committee Co
Inquire into the destitution in Donegal, the northern
part of which county, be said, was a wild, mountainous
district, in which there was • great deal of very bad
land.
Sir E. HAYES referred to an official report, which
showed, he said, that the representations of certain
Roman Catholic priests, upon which Mr. Bagwell had
relied, were without foundation. He did not object to-
t fair inip_iiry.
Lord NAAS read various statements, contradicting
and refuting the representations of the Roman Catholic
clergymen. In such circumstances he did not oppose
the motion for • committee, and (hoped the inquiry
would elicit the truth.
Mr. Roaming asked what was intended by the inquiry.
Supposing the case alleged to be made out, what could
general legislation do? Nothing. It was • mischief
which belonged, not to Ireland, but to human nature.
After some further debate the House divided, when
the motion wan carried by 147 to 111.
Mr. L. KING moved for leave to bring in • Bill to
abolish the property qualifications of members of Par-
liament. He reminded the House that this measure
had been rejected last session upon the second reading
on a suggestion from Lord Palmerston, that he had um
dertaken to bring in • general Reform Bill. As there
was no prospect of such a measure this session, he
thought it a fit season to introduce the Bill.
Leave was given.
The LORD-ADVOCATE moved for leave to bring in a
Bill to make provision for the better govennuent and
discipline of the Universities of Scotland and Mir roving
and regulating the course of study therein ; and for the
union of the two Universities alid Colic gel of Aberdeen.
partnerships, the
Lord GODERICH moved for leave to bring in a Bill to
that all pence*
engaged in trade, in partnership, or under the style of a
machinery by which he proposed to carry
.unchdaerracanteyr. other
company, not within the provisions of the Joint-Stuck
aovnexatradtioe
name than their own, should give the public exact in-
formation who and what they were. He specified the
out the object
he intended by the measure was to secure publicity.
The motion was seeonded by Mr. TURNER. 3'.
Mr. HENLEY, on the part of the Government, offered
ofopposition to the introduction of the Bill, the subject
f which was, he added, entirely new.
Leave was given.
Mr. ADDERLICY moved for leave to bring in a Bill to
amend the Public Health Act, 1848, explaining briefly
the series of legislative measures upon this subject, and
the reasons for introducing this Bill, the Conti
Act, with all its powers, expiring in September Continuance
he said, would not be a mere Continuance Bill',. not re-
pealing the existing law it would decentralize the whole
system by establishing focal boards, embodying
provisions with the law of 1848.
objectpc.rfohiiap:dveß:eiriillweola:ra
Lord RAYNHAK moved the second reading f th
Iruelty to Animals Act Amendment Bill. g o e
Mr. WALPOLE moved to defer th e second reading for
a months.
The amendment was agreed to; so the Bill is lost.
The House adjourned at 20 minutes past 12 o'clock.
hswtAjlgio;:eihitv: ehwimwr t,.
generalhinnrero registrationt
carrying
otirodldigu c t
oe t
requireli eHo ful
p.

Crleiti,

FRIDAY.

In reply to • question by Lord GODERTCH, whether it
was still the intention of the Government not to with-
draw their India Bill,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, he Unmet
It more convenient on the whole that the original un er-
standing should not be departed front, and that the Bill
should be suspended until the diaoussion of the resolu-
tions which he had laid upon the table.
Lord .T. RUSSELL said, he did not consider that there
had been any understanding of the kind on the part of
the House, which ought not to allow the Bill to be
suspended, and at the same time go into committee upon
the resolutions.
Sir E. PERRY asked whether instructions had been
sent to India, that terms of amnesty, including protec-
tion to life and property, and full toleration in matters
of religion, should be held out to the inhabitante of
(hide, excepting in gross cases of heinous crimes.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in reply, said
that instructions had been sent to India, the general
tenor of which was that, consistently with the
principles of justice, an Act should pass for the protec-
tion of property and full toleration in Oude. To Sir C.
Trelawny (who had asked for • day to go on with the
Church-rates Bill) he intimated that, instead of going
on with that Bill, the Government would prefer intro-
ducing a Bill themselves ; but in the meantime Mr.
Puller, he observed, had given notice of • Bill for pro-
viding a substitute for church-rates which he thought
well worthy of consideration. With regard to the
India Bill, although ho thought that if his resolutions
were assented to by the House it would be in his power
to adapt his Bill to them, yet it would perhaps be better,
he said, to introduce • new Bill embodying the resolu-
tions. Be would not, therefore, insist upon proceeding
with the India Bill (No. 2).
Lord PALMERSTON observed, that the course which
Mr. Disraeli proposed to follow was, in his opinion, the
only coulee open to him consistent with the forme of the
House.
Mr. Mauer likewise agreed that this was the most
oonvenient course in the awkward position in which the
House was placed in reference to this question. With
regard to church-rates, he protested against the question
being suffered to fall into abeyance, and recommended
Mr. Disraeli to reconsider the matter, and to offer a day
for the Committee upon Sir J. Trelawny's Bill.
The House then went into • Committee of Ways and
Means, when, on the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the
EXCHEQUER, a resolution was agreed to impaling • duty
of Id. upon bankers' cheeks.
On the order for going into • Committee of Supply
various matters were brought under notice and dismissed
relative to the military defeuoe of the country and the
disembodiment of militia regiments.
Lord A. VANE TEMPEST called attention to the
allegations contained in • petition from the officers of
the Land Transport Corps, and moved for • select Qom-
tuittee to inquire into the petitioners' complaints, that
they have not received the rate of half-pay to which they
are entitled.
The motion was seconded by Mr. COWAN.
Sir J. PAKINOTON said, there would be no objection
on the part of the Government to the committee, and
suggested, in order that the Speaker might be allowed
to Wave the Chair, that the motion should be with-
drawn, upon the understanding theta committee wetild
, be appointed.
The motion yes ultimately withdrawn, and the House
went into Committee of Supply on the remaining Navy
Estimates, and various votes were agreed to, after
. undergoing a long dismission.
; The order for the secondgreadi of the Government
, of India (No. 2) Bill warndlsctga
; After other business had been transacted, the House
adjourned at 20 minutes past 12 o'olook antil Monday.