The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-04-19 00:00:00

DORSET COUNTY EXPRESS

DORCHESTER, TUESDAY. APRIL 19, MO.

HONESTE AUDAX.

IN the House of Lords on Monday Lord MONT-
ZAOLI called attention to the recent contract
for the acceleration of the Irish mails, contend-
ing that it was made in violation of the law, and
that it ought to have been submitted to public
competition. The Earl of DWI` defended the
legality of the contract, and stated that the '
expenses were to be paid out of the funds of the
Poet Moe. A desultory discussion followed in
which the Duke of AZOTLL, the Marquis of
CLAXILICAILDI, and other peers condemned the
abuse of the contract system, and urged the

propri•ty of submitting them to general comps-
tition, if not to the immediate control of Parlia-
ment. On Thursday the Earl of Deese moved
B vote of thanks to the Governor General, the
Commander-in-Chief, and the other civil and
military authorities of India, describing the
services rendered by each in the pacification of
India, and enlarging upon the claims of all on
the gratitude of the country. Earl Gamivms
seconded the motion, which was supported by
the Duke of Camiatnos, the Earl of Ruin-
sosouou, Lord GOUGH, and other peers, and
unanimously agreed to. The FAZI of MAL/M-
-EI:FRY postponed the statement he had contem-
plated making on that evening respecting the
affairs of Europe until Monday (last) night.
In the House of Commons on Monday Lord
PAL/CRESTON again called attention to the
prorogation and dissolution of Parliament,
and called upon the CEA.Nosuka of the
Racial:lose to state with more precision the
time when Parliament would be dissolved. The
Csanomos of the Exonseusa in reply said
that the prorogation might take place on Tues-
day week; but he declined to name a day for the
dissolution, insisting that no person in his
position ought to be called upon to fix a precise
day. The House then went into committee on
the Railway Ticket Transfer Bill, when a strong
opposition was offered to some of its clauses.
After considerable discussion, Lord Lovaixe, on
the part of the Government, withdrew the 13iIL
On Tuesday Sir B. Harz called attention to the
recent changes in the Board of Admiralty,
and asked if it was true that Captain CAR-
smut had been dismissed because he refused
to stand for Dover, and if Sir R. BUNDLE
and Admiral Miami had tendered their
resignations from the same cause. Sir J.
Pauxoxox, in reply, said the Government
were anxious to have in the House of Commons
some naval members of the Board of Admiralty
capable of dealing with professional subjects.
He explained the reasons which had led to the
retirement of Captain Cameo's and the subse-
quent resignation of Admirals DORDAS and
bliarix, stating that circumstances had since
transpired which rendered it imperative that the
best naval advice should be retained at any coat
of personal inconvenience, and that at his
request Admirals BUNDLE and MARTIN had con-
sented to remain members of the Board: Mr.
H. BERKELEY then moved for leave to bring in a
Bill to cause the votes of the Parliamentary
electors of Great Britain and Ireland to be
taken by way of ballot. The motion was
opposed by Mr. Earcookr, Lord JOHN RUSSELL,
and Lord Paussairrox, and was negatived on a
division by a majority of 3 only, the numbers
being 102 to 99. On Thursday Lord STANLEY
moved the thanks of the House to the Governor-
General, the Commander-in-Chief, and the other
civil, military, and naval officers who have taken
part in the pacification of India. Lord Pale
"maw( seconded the motion, which was sup-
ported by Lord J. Ruseux, and unanimously
agreed to. Mr. Waxsots, in accordance with
the recommendation of the select committee on
the Jews Act, moved a resolution to be added
to the standing orders, to the effect that on the
meeting of a new Parliament no resolution for
admitting members professing the Jewish reli-
gion to be sworn at the table be taken into con-
sideration until after 12 o'clock on the fourth
day appointed for taking the oaths required by
law. The resolution was agreed to, and made a
standing order of the House. The Arrc,aNsy-
GINIRAL obtained leave to bring in a Bill to
consolidate and amend the statute law of Eng-
land and Ireland relating to offences against the
person.

_
as
U
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24

Tits chances of peace or war are still, it seems,
pretty evenly balanced; and the state of Italy,
with the attitude of Franos and Austria, still
form an exciting topics of political discussion.
The construction of treaties and the real and
ostensible motives of the Powers immediately
concerned, have, of course, given a wide scope
alike to the apprehensions and the speculations of
the journals, many of which are undoubtedly
purely inventive, and put forth more in accord-
ance with individual predilections and secret
longings than with a desire either to elicit the
truth or to give an honest support to the justice of
the case. Moreover, there are so many undoubted
complications involved in the dispute with
Austria, that the question has never yet been
fairly before the pubhc. The explanation of the
state of our foreign relations promised to be given
to Parliament by the Government this evening
(Monday) has been looked for with very natural
anxiety; but that that information will dis-
appoint expectation we are much disposed to
believe, feeling, that where the preliminary
arrangements of a Congress are hedged in with so
many and apparently insuperable difficulties, the
maintenance of peace is • thing of which the
Government will hardlr have it in their power to
give us an assurance. Put what the country is
most concerned about is die neutrality of Eng-
land in the midst of aNII these threatening
rumours, and still more threatening prepare
tions for war. From all thAt has yet appeared
there is nothing whatever to forbid the adoption
of this safe policy on the part of England; and
the responsibility of the Cabinet would be great
indeed in precipitating this country into the
horrors of war by giving any real support to
either France or Austria in what still appears to
be the coining struggle. That, as between
France and Austria, the arbitrement of the sword
Is the only compromise of which circumstances
win sdmit &poen, indeed, on all accounts,
likely enough. A London contecnporar!, claim-
ing to speak with moderation and a certain degree
of authenticity, informs us tbat " A.nstria insisted
upon the dieeramment of Piedmont m a neeeseary