The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-07-16 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

In the HOUSE OF LORDS, July 11, the Lord Chancellor rose
before the commencement of public business, and, having
said that since their lordships last met the House had lost
one of its greatest ornaments and most distinguished and
honoured members, proceeded to pay a very feeling and
eloqu3nt tribute to the memory of Lord Hatherley. The
Lord Chancellor said,-1 have some diffizulty in endeavour-
ing to do justice to my own sense of the loss which this
House has sustained because I lived on terms of close inti-
macy for not less, I think, than 40 years with the eminent man
who, now in an honoured old age, has been taken from us;
and personal affection at once makes me seqsible of the diffi-
culty of doing justice in the few words which I shall ad-
dress to your lordships to his admirable qualities; at
the same time I am most desirous not to fail in expressing,
In some measure at all events, the feeling which I think
all your lordships must have on the subject of
his loss. (Hear, hear.) My lords, Lord Hatherley was
a man who, I believe, from his earliest years lived a
life of : much purity and as much diligence in doing
his duty in every grade of the profession and public stations
which he was called upon to fill-1 think he had as much
purity and simplicity of character, as much thorough con-
scientiousness, as much energy, and as sound judgment as,
!WI Onto account the infirmity of man, any of us could
hope to attain to. (Hear, hear,) My lords, from that
Intimate knowledge which I had of him, and which as I
have said lasted for forty years, I may even go further.
There are not a few men of whom one would say that as far
as one may presume to judge from public and outward signs
of character one looks upon them as examples to be held
up for imitation by other men, but of him I would presume
even to say that I am sure that judgment cannot be mis-
taken. Most men looking back to their earliest life must
be sensible of many faults and errors, known to them-
selves if not known to others. Certainly his modesty never
would have permitted him to claim to be more free from
tuarts and errors than other men, at,' yet I do verily
believe that such as he appeared outwardly to others he
Was from his earliest years inwardly in himself. A man of
the most remarkable gentleness and sweetness of character,
and at the same time of firmness and decision which never
• nailed or failed before the performance of any duty, and
Which enabled him, in all the different posts he was called
Upon to fill, to fill them to the admiration of all who were
able to observe his career, he was as little ambitious of
personal distinction as any man so distinguished whom I
have ever known. It might be truly said of him that he was
not one of those—
"who stoop, or lie in wait
For wealth, for honours, or for worldly state ; "
but was one—

"Whom they must follow, on whose head must fall,
Like showers of manna, if they come at all."
Hear, hear. Yet come they do, and it is well for this
otuttry that such qualities should be appreciated as they
deserve. He was called in due time to a distinguished place
on the bench of justice, first as Vice-Chancellor, afterwards
as Lord Justice, and then he was called to shed lustre upon
the office in which, when I think of him, I feel more than
ever ray own unworthiness to succeed him. He was called to
the great office of Lord Chancellor, and he carried himself so
meekly in the discharge of his public duties, so diligently
and so zealously supported every measure which according to
his judgment was for the benefit of the country and for the
advancement of liberty and justice, that when from failing
health, or rather failing eyesight, after four years' sitting in
this place and presiding over your lordships' deliberations
he was compelled to relinquish that office, he carried with
him into private life as large a share of esteem and
respect as ever fell to the lot of any predecessor of
his in that exalted position -as large as any who may
be called upon hereafter to succeed him can possibly
hope to obtain. Nor did he, even when his eyesight was
Partially destroyed, cease to labour in the public service to
the public advantage, for still as a Judge he discharged his
duties in your lordships' House with sound, accurate, and
extensive knowledge of the law, that calm, equal, and
dispassionate judgment, that desire to do justice, which
rendered him incapable of being biassed by any other
feeling than had previously distinguished him thoughout
his judicial career; and even when the heaviest calamity
which could fall upon him or upon any other of your lord-
fillips who may be blessed with domestic happiness as he
had been for a very long time fell upon him, a calamity
Which bowed him down with sorrow in his old age and
from which undoubtedly he never recovered, still as long
as strength and health remained he continued to lend aid
to the discharge of the duties of your lordships' House.
Itly lords, I feel how inadequate are the words I have used
to express all the value of such a man to the country to
which he belonged, to the House of which he was an orna-
ment, to the profession in which he laboured and in which
he rose, and I will say to the Christian society, to the Church
of which he was one of the most faithful members, though
he always found it consistent with his attachment to the
Church of England and to its principles to be foremost in the
application of the great principles of religious liberty upon
every occasion on which they could possibly come in ques-
tion. My lords, I will only say that I hope your lordships
Will pardon the inadequacy of the expression I have
endeavoured to give to the feelings which I am sure you all
Share, and believe me that what I have said comes thoroughly
from the heart. (Hear, hear.)

Lord Cairns joined in the Lord Chancellor's tribute, and
concluded by expressing his opinion that it was not too much
to say that, as a Judge, as a Christian, as a gentleman, and
Of a man, we had not seen, and probably would not see,
Lord Hatherley's superior.
Lord Granville, having referred to Lord Hatherley s
Private and public merits, expressed his conviction that
Whether as Page Wood or as Lord Hatherley, the late noble
and learned lord would be remembered as an honour to his
profession and to both Houses of Parliament, of which he
had been SO distinguished a member.
Lord Onslow called attention to a statement recently
Pilblished, purporting to be a census of the City of London
oltUrches, and moved for the appointment of a Royal
ootntnission of enquiry into the population of the City
Parishes and the value of the benefices attached to them.
After a discussion, in which the Bishop of London, Lord
Middleton, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord Hough-
ton took part, Earl Granville said he doubted whether legis-
lation would be facilitated by the appointment of a corn-
Mission, and, while he was unable to promise that the
Government would deal with the matter, if the Episcopal
Bench would frame a measure on the subject they need not
tear discouragement from the Government.

Lord Salisbury agreed with the spiritual and temporal
peers who had preceeded him that a grievance existed, but
ne did not think that there was any practical proposal for
Lt s removal then before the House.
The motion was withdrawn.
Lord Morley, replying to Lord Bury, said that in conse-
quence of the belief that hostilities would break out in
Ashautee it had been necessary to send the troops from the
West Indies direct to the Gold Coast, without detaining
them at St. Helena. The barrack accommodation was bad
00 the Gold Coast, and in consequence the men were put
Under canvas. Supplies had been sent there as rapidly as
Dossible, and he considered these were abundant. No
Complaints had been received at the War Office cr the
Colonial Office as to the quality of the meat. No doubt there
liad been a great deal of disease, because the season at
,hich an unusually large number of men had to be sent
are was a very unhealthy one on the Gold Coast.

The Duke of Richmond and Gordon and Lord Carnarvon
thought that a satisfactory explanation.had not hem given
bY the Under-Secretary for War as to Me date when the
inplies were issued.

-
Lord Kimberley said it was to be presumed that the stores
rre issued when they arrived, which appeared to have been
-good time. He expressed his fears that, whatever the
precautions taken, we should have from time to time to
lament the loss of many valuable lives on the Gold Coast,
$0 Poisonous was the climate.
A number of Bills were advanced a stage, and their Lord-
Ithilas adjourned at twenty-five minutes to eight o'clock.

In the HOUSE OF ComoNs, another attempt was made to
ascertain whether the Government had taken any steps to
dissuade the Turkish Government from putting Midhat
Pasha to death, but Sire. Dilke repeated what he had said on
former occasions, that Lord Dufferin is in communication
With the Porte.

In answer to Mr. Northcote, Sir C. Dilke said there was
SO truth in the statement that the French Government had
mobilized any portion of its troops.

. -
In answer to a question from Sir J. Hay, Mr. Trevelyan
Bald that the Naval Discipline Bill would not be pressed this
Year, but the Admiralty had sent round a circular to the
cornmanding officers directing that corporal punishment
atlould not form part of the sentence of courts-martial.
„ In answer to Lord J. Manners, Mr. Gladstone said he be-
,,,uered the French Government, in the negotiations for the
;nnlmercial Treaty, had insisted on specific duties, and
;101°,11,0 Her Majesty's Government could not in limine object
as a principle, their representatives were under the
Pression that for the French to insist broadly on it would
place formidable difficulties in the way of a settlement,
Illrengli which they could not at present see their way.
A question by Mr. Daly as to the arrest of two gentlemen
at Cork under the Coercion Act provoked one of the usual
rootions for adjournment.
31r. Forster, acting on the rule which he had laid down,
Iteclined to give further information than is contained in the
Zrarrant, though he offered to meet any motion which might
• Made on the subject.
i„,.11r. Daly, Mr. Parnell, Sir J. M'Kenna, Mr. Dawson,
irr• O'Connor Power, and Mr. M'Carthy joined in con-
vraning the administration of the Coercion Acts as a
elation of the pledges under which they had been ob
ibained.
„.14. T. O'Connor declared that the most gratefulimessage
n. Peace the Prime Minister could send to Ireland would be
'no dismissal of Mr. Forster.
Richardson delivered a hearty panegyric on the Irish
; and Mr. Macartney testified to the esteem in
.och he was held by his political opponents.
Mr. Gladstone said that " if there is anything severe, harsh,
Junwarrantable, either in the powers which have been
Pined from this House or in the laws of Ireland, Mr.
11. ster is not more responsible for it than the members of
Lae Government to which he belongs, and no line whatever
Fier! be drawn between us and him. And if, on the contrary,
ua the Bill now before the House, there is anything kindly
n beneficial to the Irish people, there Ls no member of the
Pre, vernment to whom the cr,dit is in any degree due more
‘unn to my right hon. friend." (Cheers.)
After speeches from Mr. Healy, Sir Stafford Northcote,
and Mr. Biggar, the motion was negatived by 305 to 20.
In answer to a question from Sir S. Northcote, Mr.
Gladstone said he was not in a position to announce the
names of the Irish Land Commissioners, and the clauses
relating to the Commission would be postponed.
The House then went into Committee on the Land Bill
resuming the consideration of Clause 25, which relates to
the reclamation of waste lands.
Some amendments having been disposed of, progress was
reported upon Clause 25, and shortly afterwards the Corn-
Inittee adjourned.
The House adjourned at a quarter to two o'clock.

In the IiOUSE OF LORDS, July 12, the Lord Chancellor
Moved the second reading of the Supreme Court of Judicature
kill,

Lord Cairns, atter indicating the parts of the measure
'Which had his approval, observed that that portion of it
Zi:hich related to the future constitution of the Appellate
become
required serious consideration ; for that Court having
uecome the keystone of our Judicature, it was desirable to
strengthen it. and give it solidity and firmness.
. The Lord Chancellor said he was willing to postpone for
future 'consideration that part of the Bill relating to the
'selection every year of three puisne judges by the other
itidges of the Courts of First Instance to sit in the Appellate
toUrt.
After a short conversation, the Bill was read a second
4bze.

"On the report of amendments in the Summary Procedure
"eutland) Amendment Bill,
...Lord Balfour pointed out that the Bill proposed that if a
t;llwPre fined merely up to a certain amount, he should
-UIY have to pay a limited amount for costs. This would in-
-11..te a punishment on the successful prosecutor, by throwing
r.lirn the rernrinder of the costs if the whole exceeded that
anted amount. He moved, as an amendment, the omission
the Provision.
Lord Dalhousie, for the Government, opposed the amend-
ttlent.

b,..Thir Lordships divided, and the amendment was carried
a majority of 13 to 9.
Their Lordships adjourned at a quarter past seven.
In the HOUSE uF CoMMONS, at the Morning bitting, Sir C.
like, answering a question from Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett,
Ita Id the Government had not heard of the occupation by the
aians of Kuchan, in Persian Khorassan ; and, in answer
r Mr. Labouchere, he said the Foreign Office had no official
"ovaledge of the alleged illegalities at the Bulgarian
elections.
ti„TheCommittee on the Land Bill resumed the cousidera-
a,.."4 of the Reclamation Clause (25), which was eventually
bZa Clause 26—the Emigration Clause—Sir G. Campbel
tre \red an amendment requiring the Government to obtain
ra the Canadian and other Colonial Governments sufficient
seelirity for the repayment of moneys advanced.
Et,oale discussion followed, and at length the debate stood
ad
JaUrned until the Evening Sitting.
At the Evening Sitting, after Sir G. Campbell's amendment
been negatived by 66 to 9, Mr. Torrens moved an amend-
_
aE9L meat which contemplated the creation of a special commis-
in for the purposes of emigration. In the course of his
aZ,lfl arka in support of it, he objected to the preference
bough the clause to the Dominion of Canada, and
petnda._ae admitted that Ireland was not so much over-
fed or over-crowded in some parts, he heartily approved

emigration as a means of improving the condition of Ireland,
even though the operation resulted in a pecuniary loss.
IW._Ewart also approved emigration, though he thought

this clause would not work.

Mr. Forster opposed the amendment, holding that there
was no necessity for an additional commission, but intimated
that the Government would consent to the omission of
Canada from the clause.

The clause was opposed by Mr. O'Donnell, Mr. Biggar,
and Mr. It Power: and a motion to report progress having
been made, advantage was taken of this by Mr. Parnell, Mr.
Healy, and others to appeal to the Government to withdraw
the clause.
No response was given to this, and Sir S. Northcpte
expressed a hope that the Government would not give
up a clause which he regarded as a valuable portion of the
Bill.
The motion was negatived, as was also Mr. Torrens's
amendment after it had been discussed for some time. Mr.
Biggar then moved an amendment limiting the operation of
the Bill to the end of this year, which, after some discus-
sion, was negatived, and the Committee adjourned.
_ _

The House adjourned at a quarter to two o'clock.