The Press.
London, England, 1855-05-12 00:00:00

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LONDON, SATURDAY. MAY 12, 1855.

POSTSCRIPT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-FRIDAY.

The House of Lords last night was chiefly engaged
in a conversation, begun by Lord St. Leonards, on
the subject of the legal bills of the session.
Lord BERNERS afterwards offered some remarks
on the militia.
Some bills were advanced a stage, and their lord-
ships adjourned at seven o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.--FRAY.
THE CONFERENCES

Mr. MILNER GinsoN gave notice, that on the
earliest available day he should move an address to
the Crown, returning thanks to her Majesty for
having directed the communication to the Legislature
of the papers relating to the Vienna Conferences,
expressing regret that the opportunity of bringing
the negotiations to a pacific issue then offered had
not been improved ; and asserting that the interpre-
tation of the Third Point conceded by Russia
furnished the necessity of renewed conferences, and
a good basis for a just and satisf4otor7 peaces
ja reply te Mr, GIIOQAXI

Lord PALMERSTON recapitulated the tenor of the
despatch received that day from Lord Raglan,
announcing the repulse of further Russian sorties.

MAYNOOTH.
rOn the motion that the house, on rising, should
adjourn till Monday,
Mr. HORSMAN vindicated the accuracy of the
version of the evidence given before the Maynooth
Commission, as published in the Blue Book. The
addition of their territorial titles to the names of the
Roman Catholic bishops he stated to have arisen
from an oversight.
Mr. Spodfizu justified his own assertion that the
Commission had been one-sided, and the evidence
garbled.
STATE OF THE NATION.
Major REM called attention ta the unsatisfactory
state of public affairs, and urged a heavy charge
against the Government of not having fulfilled the
popu►ar wishes, and brought forward the reforms
which had been promised and demanded. He called
upon the Prime Minister to make a declaration of
such character as would satisfy and appease the
anxiety of the country.
Lord PALMERSTON admitted that the chief of a
Cabinet should fill the high offices of state with men
selected solely on account of their proved ability,
irrespective of all party or family considerations. In
practice, however, it was found impossible to realise
the idea. The men who were best endowed with
capacity for official service were often embarked in
private business, which prevented them from under-
taking political duties. Adducing instances of the
difficulty thus occasioned from the experience of
Lord Derby as well as his own, Lord Palmerston
submitted that the members of the present Adminis-
tration were qualified for their functions, and entitled
to the confidence of the public. With regard to
Administrative Reform, he acknowledged the neces-
sity of making considerable changes in different
departments, declaring at the same time that the
Government were not neglectful in this matter
having achieved many ameliorations, and prepared
others. On this point he entered into a prolonged
detail of changes completed or in progress, giving an
outline of the reforms that had been efiected in the
War-office, the Commissariat, the hospital service,
the land and naval transport service, and then pro-
ceeding to sketch the plan upon which the consoli•
dation of the several military departments was to be
accomplished. He repudiated the charge of apathy
or inactivity, asserting that the Ministry in every
department were inspired by the single object of
advancing the public service, and rendering the most
efficient cooperation in carrying the country through
the struggle in which it was engaged.
Mr. DISRAELI commented upon the inconvenience
of irregular discussions on by-motions, and in re-
ference to Lord Palmerston's statement, contended
that he had furnished but a meagre and frigid pro-
gramme of reform.
Mr. BULLER called attention to the state of the
nem; service, alluding especially to tilt) vow of

the Seringapatam, which had been hired for the con-
veyance of troops, notwithstanding her recognised
unseaworthiness.
The First Lord of the Admiralty explained the
constitution of the new transport board, which be
believed insured the future good management of
that branch of service.
After some remarks from Admiral Walcott, Colon(1
Knox, Captain Scobell, and other members, the sub-
ject dropped.

NEWSPAPER STAMP BILL.
The adjourned cgbate dh tliti third reading of the
Nevispaper-Btimp Vitties till was resumed by Mr.
PACEE, who protested against the measure.
Mr. Macguire, Sir J. Walmesley, Mr. Barrow,
Mr. Montague Chambers, and Mr. Bentinck having
spoken, a division took place, on which there
appeared—For the third reading, 138 ; against
60-7 S.
Mr. NAPIER moved a clause allowing journals to
pass through the post under a penny stamp if not
above six ounces in weight.
The clause was opposed by the CHANCELLOR of the
EXCHEQUER, and negatived without a division.
The bill then passed.
The Spirit Duties (Scotland and Ireland) Bill
went through committee.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER announced
his intention not to persevere with his measure for
imposing a penny stamp duty on banker's cheques.
The bill, which stood for second reading, was accord-
ingly withdrawn.
Several measures were advanced a stage, and the
house adjourned at half peg twelve o'clock.

Enibusity ~ntcli tote.

OXFORD.

The following degrees have been conferred ;
D.C.L.—Rev. Frederick Godfrey, Wadham.
B.D.—Rev. John Sedgwice ( Fellow), Magdalen.
M.A.—George G. Eiger, Trinity; Rev. Albert Banff,
Pembroke; William Butterfield, St. Mary Hall; Rev.
Donald Cameron, St. Mary Hall.
B.A.—William Douglas, Exeter; Richard H. Colley,
Christ Church ; Dormer Fynos Clinton, Wadham ; John
R. Steare, St. Mary Hall.