The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-02-14 00:00:00

THURSDAY.

In reply to Mr. S. FITZGERALD,
Lord J. Itcsanu. said there was no convention
between Fier Majesty's Government and the Emperor of
the French with reference to tile demands to be made

by both Governments on that of China.
Mr. M. MILN gn obtained leave to introduce a Bill to
amend the Act, the tith of Victoria, cap. IS. intituled
" sin Act to amend the Law for the Registration of
Persona entitled to vote, an.l to define eertain rights of
voting, and to regulate certain Prow:dings in the Elec-
tion of Members to aerve in Parliament, in England, aud
Wales." . . . _

Sir F. KELLY moved for leave to bring in a Bill for
the prtvention of bribery, and to amend "the Corrupt
Practice* Prevention Act,"
_lB4. lle referred to the
. . . .

em-it-s Tut which the practice' of Inibery had reached, and
the artifices and dexterity by which the existing law
waa evialeml, and explained the provisions by which he
propesed to maho it more stringent. Ilia object was,
he sod, to render bribery, now regarded often with in-
difference or lenity, a disgraceful crime; and the Bill, in
addition to the ordinary penalties of perjury for making
• false declaration would incapacitate • candidate who
should be convicted of giving a bribe from ever after
sitting in the House or holding any office under the
Crown. Other provisions in the Bill would enlarge the
functions and machinery of the election auditors, and
iinsure the prosecution and punishment of offenders.
Leave was given to bring in the Bill.
Mr. VANSTITTAIIT moved for a Select Committee to
inquire into the following questions connected with the
finances of India :-1, Whether it is practicable to in-
troduce • DOM civil service upon • cheaper footing;
2, Whether it is not desirable to abolish the Legislative
Council at Calcutta and the Supreme Councils of Ben-
gal, Madras, and Bombay, and substitute a Legislative
Council for each Presidency ; 3, Whether it is not ad-
visable to amalgamate the Supreme and Sadder Courts;
and 4. Whether it is not expedient to put a stop to the
existing system of raising loans at the present high rates
of interest. He discussed these questions seriatim, advo-
cating the affirmative of each by argument and
authority.
Sir t'. Woos, admitting that these questions were
inset important, and well worthy the attention of the
house, proceeded to assign reasons why he thought no
advantage would arise front the appointinent of the cotu-
mittee. The first, he said, had not escaped the &nen-
tiou of the Indian Goverannent, but he did not think a
reduction of the salami ice of the civil servants was called
for, and lie could not hold out an expectation that •
Civil Service could be obtained at a cheaper rate. Ile
was not prepared to say, with respect to the second
question, that a reduction in the Councils might not be
practicable and desirable, and a saving effected ; the
subject was under the consideration of the Indian
Govenonent ; but a change in the councils of the minor
presidencies would require an application to Parliament.
Upon this question Sir Charles threw out various sug-
gestions as to the composition and powers of an Indian
Legislative Council. With regard to the amalgamation
of the Supreme and Smolder Courts, he went along with
Mr. Taustittart, believing that it would be a most
valuable measure. It had been directed in 1854. but
the Government at Calcutta had hitherto nmet with
obstacles in carrying it out. On the subject of Indian
loans he briefly referred to the mlisetimions which it lied
undergone, and spoke in a cheerful tone of the prospects
of Indian finance.
Mr. BAILLie drew • deplorable picture of the condi-
tion of British India. Practically, in a financial point
of view, it was, 110 said, in • state of insolvency. A
vast portion of the finest land in India, formerly in the
highest state of cultivation, had become • desert waste.
Bin the great Indian-difficulty, in his opinion, was not
• financial one; it arose from our syatent of administra-
tion, which was calioas to the people, and had been one
of the chief causes of the late rebellion in the North-
Western Provinces. the temporary succession of which
bad been the result of the policy pursued in the Pun-
jaub. The result of our policy as regarded the present
position of India was that we were governing that
country, where we had 100,000 European troops, as
Austria govenied Lombardy—a system which could
never last. He believed that if • different system uf
govenomment was adopted in India half the nuiuber of
European troops DOM in India might be dispensed
with.
Colonel firges observed that the revenues of India
had increased in a greater ratio than the interest on the
debt, and that the pressure upon the resources of India
was in reality nut heavy. In the present condition of
India, with no native Prince who could resist us, and
the people disarmed, we did not require 100,000 Euro-
peas troops there ; roam° would suffice.
Colonel P. HERBERT said the general conclusion he
drew from what lie saw and heard in India was moat
favourible to the adminiatration of our countrymen for
the last 100 years.
After a few remarks by Mr. KINNAIRD and Mr. W.
Ew ART,
Mr. T. G. BAKING shortly replied to Mr. Bailhe,
whom lie RCCUNeiI of making • groundless attack upon
Sir John Lawrence.
Mr. H. 1). Sevinmen questioned the accuracy of Sir C.
Wotsrs exelanations regarding the licence-tax.
Mr. TmilIKENs having addressed sonic observations to
the House, Mr. VANSTITCAST withdrew his motion.
sir. srxuAirr moved a resolution, the object of
which was to effect an arrangement and classification of
the questions put to different members of the Govern-
ment on Fridays, on the motion for adjournment till
Monday.
Mr. DISRAELI thought the Houle should not agree
to this motion. which, recognising and systeinatizing
the practice, would aggravate the objections to it.
Sir G. LEWles took a similar view of the motion,
which was withdrawn.
Mr. T. llt:Neonlie moved for leave to bring in • Bill
to make provision that, at the election of members to
serve in Parliament for the city of Glocester and
borough of Wakefield, the electors thereof give their
votes by way of ballot. In a speeeh which created
much amusement in the House, he urged that time Cor-
rupt Practices Prevention Act had been tried and had
failed in checking bribery, and though others proposed
to make the Act niore stringent, and visit the offence
with heavy pecalties, his remedy was secret voting.
Sir G. LEWIii said lie was not prepared to vote for
this narrow and exceptional measure. If secret votiog
was a good system, let it be applied simultaneously and
universally, as part of a general system, not as • penal
measure to two places only. Supposing It not penal,
huts local remedy, dras it a proper remedy for electoral
corruption ? He bad always understood that the ballot
WAS a reuiedy not for bribery, but for intimidation. In
his opinion, the ballot would not render bribery more
difficult. In the United States bribery prevailed,
notwithatanding the ballot, to a considerable extent.
Mr. Citossi.Er reniarked that Sir G. Lewis had op-
posed time ballot as • general remedy; why, then, he
asked. did lie refuse to allow it to be tried in a small
way, and see whether it would answer?
llr. A. MILLS said this was an attempt to try in a
howaspathic form a remedy for the purpose of seeing its
effects upon • large scale, which had been so tried in
other countries without success.
After a few observations by Mr. Roureht,,
Mr. BENTINCE repeated los conviction that the effect
of the ballot srotilif be to prevent time detection of bri-
bery. To tat the efficacy of the ballot, lie recommended
its trial in that House on the question whether there
should be a IC,. Form
Mr. B. CARTER supported the motion. The ballot
would prevent the honest minority from being over-
ridden.
Lord PADIERSON said he had always opposed the bal-
lot on general principles. He had stated on former
occmions the grounds of his opinion; that, instead of
improving our eleetional system, it would tend to de-
moralize and degrade our national character ; and lie
could not consent to apply as • remedy a measure ha
considered an evil. We could not have secret voting in
this country unless • penalty was affixed to the divulg-
ing of a vote.
Mr. CHILDERS stated the nature and effect of the
ballot in the Australian colonies ; it was not the Amen-
can ballot, which was • machinery, not for sccresy, but
for speed. Ile admitted that the Australian ballot
was not perfect, and explained what was its weak
point. lie supported the motion, believing that the
eximerituent could do no harm.
Sir J. Stieti.ev spoke shortly amid much interruption,
and after a reply by Mr. IX:Seining, the House divided,
when the motion was negatived by 149 to 118.
Time Select Comtnittesm on Anchors, ke. (Merchant
Service), was nominated.
Mr. COLLIES moved for leave to bring in • Bill to
prohibit time payment of the expenses of conveying
voters to the poll, and to facilitate polling at elections,
explaining the present state of the law ul-on the sub-
ject, and his motive for proiming to amend it.
Souie obimetvations made by Mrr Piaui, Mr. Jolts
Loot, and other members, and leave was given to In-
troduce the Bill.
The House was counted out at 10 minutes past 12
o'clock.

SCOTCI.I anus launi.—The best of everything may b
bad in London, but it nevertheless requires some 'aperient:,
and knowlodsc to obtain it ; and those eh° are net a Illintr to
expire the sources of supply are frequently content nith •
noslciately good article wben • better might be had for the
',Eck log These remarks are addressed In particular to the
purchasers of Whisky, and their application is requested by
those also are satisfied c.lth Dish Whisky at present, and have
Hot tried D.D. Scotch Whisky. The preulWitles which re-
commend this Spirit are ita creamy and pleasant flavour, great
strength. undeniable wholesomeness, and cheapness, in cow-
ls:ism nib other Whiskies hitherto Lumen In London. D.D.
hisliy has not been long intssluced Into Fingland, though it.
fame Is sell established In Scotland ; )-et it N alreedy largely
mold In the Iletnlslis, and has superseded Irish Whisky in
numerous private families. A eample is supplied to prose the
swindlees of these remarks, for twelve floatage stamps. A
MSC, containing %Ache bottles. or a 2-gallon Jar of the D.D.
Whisky, forwarded for 40.. The same firm supplies the Royal
Dal. ral, a very flue mild and mellow spirit, at 15a. per gallon,
and the Princes Esquebaugb, a much-admired and delicious
spirit, at 185. pee gallon. Two gallons and upwards
of the above sent to any part. Ors from the country
mug contain • Poet-office order, made payable to Donald
Duncan, 6, Burleigh-street, Strand, London, W.O