The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-24 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

In the Dowse of Lords, reb. la, &number of private bine
were reed a second time.
Lord Airlie called attention to the question of Pestle ay
Amalgamation in connexion with the gigautie piolcets 0n..,
entertained. Adverting to the possibleperehaSe oi railways
by the State, which was beginning be :Oros itself on public
attention, he urgent the neeesetty hi inquiry.
Lord Dalifax said it *Ws Ilitended to proporat tie
meet of a Joint Ceillinittee of beth lkouitee to Consider
whether RuilwaY AnielgaruallotiXrhex ,or the public ant.
vantage, and if so what ,pree'tleos were necessary for the
public protettion. .11.elollit Committee, would, it might be
bellcd, Ise' &writ Prlliciples applicable to future cases : but
It would et lindesirable that it should enter upon the larger
questieh of the State purchase of railways.
Lord -alishury believed that the Joint Committee would
. o
we Most agreeable to Railway Companies and beneficial to the
public. Adopting lord Dalhousie s delluition that railway
competition .0011 became railway conibiteition, he complained
of the vacillating action of Parliement, which had encouraged
the formation of branch lines that hardly paid their working
expenses. The Joint Committee would, he hoped, let rail-
way shareholders know with certainty what they were to
expect.
The Duke of Richmond recommended that the terms of
reference should be distinct and explicit, and that the Joint
Committee should report with as little delay as possible,
Lord Redesdale regarded the inquiry as not only no.
necessary but useless. The real remedy was to be found in
a Board of Control independent Of the 00mm:tient and ap-
pointed by Partiainent-
Lerd ehefteslittry.,,ie !tilting the provisions of thwEeeleai.
helical trines filet Wee:l stiles tall, and the Ecclesiastical Pro-
rilitrb Bill, Said that their lordships had often affirmed
k,peleeiple of the that, inn it reformed the constitution
tile Courts. The second ii I embodied a clause proposed
by Lord Cairns, and adopted by the Select Committee.
Which enabled laymen to institute suits in the Ecclesiastical
Courts against offending clergymen without the permission
of the hilltop. The suits might be begun either by the
Bishop or by three mombers of the Church who must be in-
habitant householders of the diocese. This compromise for
the sake of peace anti harmony he had adopted.
The Bishop of Peterborough, with great warmth, humour,
and felicity of illustration, opposed the Peocedure kill, which
enabled three members of the Church, who might be the
greatest fools in the entire diocese, to prosecute clerks with.
nut the Bishop having any right of veto. Thus, any
three old women in the Channel Islands might prose.
cute for some minute violation of the Rubric a clergy-
man living within a stone's throw of that House. Such
• bill not enly degraded the Bishops front their Inflations,
but put the clergy into a worse position than any other pro-
feseion or class of the community. Ile drew a lively picture
of prosecutions lostitnted by rival Church Union and Church
Defence Associations and the perplexity of the clergy. Be-
lieving that the clergy ought to be protected against Vigil-
ance Committees, which under this bill would become the
real rotors of the Church, he warned Lord shaftestmey that
he was introducing a remedy far worse than the dance...
The Archbishop of Cankrbury confessed that he had
r.eatly ebjoyed the speech Just delivered, but he had not
been at all convinced by it. The clause proposed by Lord
Cairns had received the assent of himself and the Archbishop
of Work, upon the ground that the laity ought to have the
right to take action in cases of violation of discipline Unae-
COMpanied by false doctrine.
After remarks from the Duke of Richmond, the Bishop of
London, and Lon' Lyttelton, against the Procedure Bill, and
from the Lord Chnucellor in Its support
• • •• • ••

Io d Shafteelary, in reply, warned their lor,lshing that the
Chnreh would be thrown into a state of mutiny Slid litigation
U this hill were thrown out.

The Ecclesiastical Courts Bill was read a second time.
The Ecclesiastical Procedure Bill on a divnion was lost
—the Not-contents being 21, and the Contents only Lt.
Lord Derby, in asking for returns relative to the number
of proprietors of land ami boosts, took the opportunity of
elprissing his convbtion, which was shared by the Duke 52f
kielinnaid, that the number is enormously underrated.
Lord Halifax consented to give the information, and de-
scribed how the returns should be made, and
Their lordships adjourned.

In the House of Commons, a large number of private bills
were read a Beef-Initial°, among them being the following :
Epping Forest 1011, Holborn Valley and Flu ringdon Market
Improvement Bill, International communication Bill, Lon-
don, Streatham, and Croydon Tramway Bill, Mid-London
Railway Bill, Mid-London Railway (western section) 11111,
South Kensington Railway Rill, Temple Subway Bill, and
Thames Embankment (norill Bill.

Mr. W. M. Torreus gave notice that In committee on the
Elections Bill he would move an amendment to the effect
that in contested parliamentary and all municipal elections
the poll shall be kept open until eight pm.
Mr. Gladstone, replying to a question from Mr. Ma-
guire in reference to the Purchase of Irish Railways,
said that it was perfectly true that Captain Tjler, one
of the inspectors of railways, has been authorised to
collect on his own account any information relating
to Irish railwajs, and the views of their proprietors,
which might be of interest and importance to the pub-
lic, but he did not do this on the part of the Govern-
ment with regard to any particular branch of the subject.
There had been no official communication between Captain
Tyler and any person connected with Irish railways. With
regard to a scheme for the purchase of Irish railways, he
(Mr. Gladstone had no announcement to the House.
•

Lord Enfield, in reply to Mr. Gilpin, said that it was true
that slave girls had been taken into Malta, bound for Con-
stantinople, but they had been urgcd on lauding to take
advantage of their being on British soil to regain their
liberty. This, however, they had refused to do. The super-
vision of the British consuls over the slave trade was very
vigilant, and they had been instrumental in rescuing hun-
dreds of persons from slavery.

lir. Disraeli inquired if the First Lord of the Treasury
Would state to the House the time and circumstances under
'which the American Case was first received by her Majesty's
Government I The right hon. gentleman stated the other
night that he had been in possession of the Case about a
month, and that it had then to be printed for the use of the
Cabinet. A statement had been made to him (Mr. Disraeli)
upon what he considered authority, that the Case was in the
possession of the government Sb ut the middle of Decem-
ber, and that within forty-eight hours after the case had
been transmitted to the Government, a sufficient number of
copies were also forwarded for the use of the Cabinet.
Mr. Gladstone said that it would be extremely inconve-
nient to answer in detail questions of that kind without
notice being given, lithe right hon. gentleman could give
that notice he would take care that the best information
Was supplied to him.
, Mr. Disraeli said that the question was exactly that which
be had asked a fortnight ago, and he had thought therefore
that the right hon, gentleman would have informed himself
of the facts.

Mr. Ayrton brought op the report of the committee ap-
pointed by the House upon the subject of the Thanksgiving
at st. Paul's. The report was to the effect that the House
should be represented at St. Paul's Cathedral by Mr.
Speaker; that each member should be admitted by ticket,
for which application should be made to the Speaker's settee.
tsry on or before the 22nd instant. A sufficient number of
seats would be reserved for members under the northern
part of the dome, and steamers would leave for St. teas
Wharf at 11.20 am., whence they would return to the House
at two o'clock The officers of the House would be in at-
tendance at the wharf and St. Paul's.

Mr. Ayrtoti moved a resolution relating to the representa-
tion of the House by the Speaker, and the motion Was
Unanimously agreed to. . .

to reply to Mr. Kay.Shuttleworth, Mr. Ayrten Bahl that
the Lord Chamberlain would Issue tickets to the wives of
members, which, however, would not be transferable. Mr.
Ayrton added that the some regulations would apply to the
tickets issued for wives of peers.
Mr. Gleidstene replying to Mr. Bonverie, said that the
letter In itfetence to the A labuino claims, recently published,
purpoetliag to be written by him in reference to Ids speech
In the House upon this subject, was genuine, and had been
Written in reply to a letter from a Mr. Girard, who had re-
quested an interview with Lim.
In answer to Mr. Bernal Osborne, Mr. Gladstone said that
the Government had come to no decision as to submitting
to the House a proposition for some special recowiition of
the services of Lord Mayo, but the Duke of Argyll would
take it under his consideration.

Mr. Gladstone gave some further explanations as to Mr.
Justice Wiles' letter upon Sir Robert Collier's promotion,
the gist of which can that it was the embodiment of a con-
versation with the late Attorney-General and not of a
private letter as he had informed the House before; after
which,
Mr. Cross moved his vote of Censure on the appointment,
which was seconded by Mr. Goldney.
Sir Roundell Palmer moved, as an amendment, that the
Rouse sees no limt cause for censure in the appointment,
Which was seconded by Mr. Goldsmid.
A lengthened discussion followed, in which several. hon.
Members took part, and on a division, the motion was
tmiittimil by a majority of 27-2438 to 211. Sir Roundell
Palmer's amendment was then agreed to.
The other orders were disposed of, and the nom ad.
learned.

In the liouae of Lords. Febrintry 20, on the motion that the
Burial Bromide Bill be read a third time,

The Earl of Morley said, en the part of the Government,
that they could not look on the bill as holding out my
prospect of a settlement of this question.
Earl Beauchamp explained again the object of the bill,
tmd said he thought it would contribute to a satisfactory
solution of the question.
. . . . .

_
The Earl of Kimberley protested against it being supposed
that all who did not agree with the bill were actuated by
party motive!.
The bill was read a third time and passed, and their lord
!tithe adjourned.
In the House of Commons, Mr. Gladstone announced that
on Moihl ay neat he would move that the House at its rlsbig
do adjourn until Wednesday. •
•

Sir C. Dilke gave otiro that on this day month he wonld
call attention to the subject of the civil list, and move for

pnpra
..Nevelag,ate gave notice that on the oth March he
Would ,nn'-e for leave to Introduce a bill for the appoint-
ment of a commission to inquire into the increase of con-
ventual and monastic institutions, the conditions upon
Which they hold their property, and other circumstances in
connection with them.
• -
. _

Professor Fawcett stated that on that day month he would
tall attention to the remuneration received by the lavr officers
of the Crown, and to the grave inconvenience arising to the
public service from their being able to devote neariy the
whole of thoir time to private practice.
-- • •

Mr. Disraeli repeated his request for more information as
to the time at which the American Case was received by the
government, and Mr. Gladstone, in the course of a long
reply, stated that from the 20th to the 211th of December
last 25 copies of the Case were received at the Foreigu
Olnee, of which nee were retained in the Unice, and the
remainder were distributed among legal advisers, cola-
Toles where some of the events referral to happimeel,
awl other quarters which it was necessary to con.
wilt in drawing the counter Case. Only three were sent to
Cabinet Ministers, and that which was seat to him in the
country on December 20 had miscarried and no trace of it
could he found. The Case was sent to be reprinted by the
Foreign Ince on December 26, but the Department was very
much occupied just then. Consequently, it was well into
the month of January before the Cue was submitted to all
. „ .

the members of the Cabinet. -
Mr. Mncfie called attention to the hat Report of the Emi-
gration Commissioners, and moved for returns, with the view
of advocating a system of State-superintended emigration to
the British Colonies in preference to foreign countries. lie
Was seconded by Sir It. Verney, aud supported by Mr. Kin-
nein], Mr. Sinclair A) toun, and Mr. W. Bromley.
Davenport. Mr. Knatchbull-llugessen, in agreeing to the
returns, with a sliuht amendment, on the part of the Govern-
ment, discussed the conditions of State aided emigration,
and maintained that it would be impossible to use public
moneys for controlling the stream of emigration Mille man-
ner suggested by Sir. Mute.
31r. Cowper. Temple asked for leave to bring in a bill to
permit Pin delivery of occasional sermons in churches by
. . ..

persons not in liOly Orders of the Church of England, In a
long but interesting review of ecclesiastical history he
maintained that the present restrictions (which rested
neither on statute nor common law, but oh a doubtful
construction of a rubric and a statute together were
comparatively modern; and he recommended his measure
on the general grounds of conciliation, unity, comprehen-
siveness, and freedom. Mr. lieresford Hope and Mr. Glad-
stone expressed s me doubts as to the propriety of permitting
persona to occupy the pulpits of the Church who were not
subject to her discipline, and leave was then given to bring
In the bill.
Leave was also gives to Sir It. Anstruther to bring In a
bill to amend the Law regulating the Sale of Intoxicathig
Liquors.

The NI arriagea (Society of Friend.' Bill and the Public
Parks(lreland) Bin were real a second time.

After two unsuccessful trials at a "count," the Rouse
took up the Burials Bill, and Mr osborne Morgan, in
moving to go into Committee, expressed his willingness to
accept Mr. J. G. Talbot's annAniment that the service per-
formed in the churchyard by Dissenters, " if not according
to a published ritual, should consist only of pra)ers, hymns,
or extracts from Holy Scripture."
. .

Mr. Li:. Talbot, however. was not detemil by this con-
cession from moving to defer the bill for a fortnight, in
order to permit the bill now in the Lords to be brought
down. On the eubttance of the bill Well he thought the

time was come for the friends of the Church to assert thent-
selves, and he Indulged in some sharp rettections on Churchmen
who, like Mr. Morgan, would Impose hard conditions on her.
attributing it to their political neeeselties. Mr. Read, Colonel
liartselot, Mr Crawley, Mr. Charley, Mr. Salt, and Mr. items-
ftro Mope were also in favour of a postponement, but Mr.
Morgan declined on the gromel that in the present state of
the Order hook delay was defeat, Mr. W. Williams tlnd
Mr. Vow! spoke agabutt pnstpenetnent, and On 0 Phrialoit
the Skater *as moVed cit ot the Lhalt by 7210 52.
CHtnmittee the discussion on the principle was renewed,
on the preamble, by Mr. Mowbray, who pleaded for a short
postponement, and by Mr. Cross, who pressed fore declara-
tion whether the bill was Intended to remedy a real griev-
ance, or es a step towards Disestablishment.
-•

Mr. Bruce, who denied the right of the Mouse to insist on
the Government as a Government, giving Its epinion on the
Nil, spoke fir himself, and supported it as a practical remedy
for a grievance, seeing no reason why the question should
not now be settled. Mr. Morgan spoke in the same strain,
and Mr. Misli repeated that he was not interested
in the hill except as part of the larger question. Though he
admitted that every billet this character was another step
towards Disestablishment, nevertheless, every such grievance
left unredrossed gave him an additional handle in Ids enter-
prise. Mr. Si. Gregory made seine remarks, and the Com-
mittee then applied itself to the details of the clauses.

The first two clauses only were settled, and the Ihnue ad-
journed.

In the House of Commons, February 21, Mr. M. Guest
asked whether, in the event of inarried members being
allowed a ticket for the thanksgiving at es. Paul's for their
wives, unmarried members w uld be also allowed the privi-
lege of a ticket for their sisters or other lady ; and, if not,
upon what ground it is dented them.
Mr. Secretary Bruce, Is the absence of the First Commis-
sioner of Works, said that he thought the question was one
for the Lord ChaWserlain rather than for Ministers. The
Lied Chainiserlain lent gone beyond the precedents on
former oca,slons in granting tickets for members' wives,
and to extend the concession still further would involve
tl4 occupation of a large amount of space which would
otherwise be available for other persons, and also a similar
concession to the House of Lords. Ile thought, therefore,
that the lufd Chamberlain had advanced as far as was
possible.
Mr. liardcastle, in moving the second reading of the Game
Lawa Amendment Bill, stated his willingness to have the
measure referred to a select committee, and hoped therefore
that the House would consent to read it a second time. It
provided that in future all game in England should be
considered to be the property of the occupier of the
soil, and that persons guilty of stealing game should
be punished, not for interfering with the sport of
others, but for an act of dishonesty. It proposed also to
alter the law with respect to game agreements, and also
with regard to licensing. The crime of teaching had in-
creased four-fold, and he contended therefore that some-
thing ought to be speedily dune to amend the existing law,
and if acts of poaching were punished in a similar mariner
to other acts of dishonesty, very much would he done to
ester-mar a mei° hoalthy tone of morality among those classes
which were addicted to poaching.
After remarks from Mr. H. Straight, Mr. West, Sir IL
Selwin.lbbetson, Mr. M'Lagan, and Mr. C. S. Reed,
Mr. Carnegie moved that, without reading the bill, a select
committee ahould he appointed to consider the ivhole ques-
tion of game laws, with A ViCW to their amendment.
Colonel Ruggles-Brise seconded the anismdinent. lie ad.
milted the exustence of an evil, but thought that the remedy
lay nut in legislation, but In the education and improve.
merit of public opinion on the subject.

Mr. Minds strongly opposed the bilk
Mr. B. Hope was opposed to the over preservation of
game, especially of ground game; but he thought the 4th
clause of this bill, which aimed at making game the pr,perty
of the occupier, was highly objectionable. and that it would
be a great injustice on the man who had spent a large suns
of money on the rearing and preservation of pheasants to say
that his next door mighbour should be at liberty to entice
them on to his land and ths re appropriate them.
- • •

Mr. Secretary Bruce was of opinion that the question which
was practically at issue was as between the advantages of a
general inquiry in the whole subject of the game lawn and a
limited inquiry into the details of the measure before the
House. In the event of a general inquiry there would
be all the advantage attending a comprehensive in-
vestigation of the entire question, but this would be
coupled with the dinad,antage that the great length of
the inquiry would probably preclude any practical
legislation for tea or three sessions to come. The
advantage of referring the present bill to a select committee
would be that it might be speedily considered, and made the
subject of legislation. Still there were difficulties which
had been pointed out in the course of the debate, and he
thought that upon the whole the wisest course would be to
adopt the amendment, and have the whole matter thoroughly
inquired into.
Alter a few words from Lord C. Scott,
Mr. Ilardcastle said that after the expression of opinion
on the part of the Douse he would withdraw the bill.
Some further discussion took place, in which Mr. 'T.
Collins, Mr. I'd, Mr. Anderson. Sir 11. S. Ibbetson, Mr.
Bromley Davenport, and 31r. it. IV. Duff took part ; and the
motion for the second reading was then negatived, and the
amendment agreed to without a division.
Mr. T. Chambers, who presented a large number of peti-
tions in favour of the Marriage with a Deceased Wile's
Sista r Bill, moved the second reading of the measure,
. .

lir J. Talbot, after presenting a large number of petitions
against the bill, moved as an amendment that it be read a
second time that day six months.
- - - .

A lengthy discussion ensued, in which several hon. mein.
ners took part, alter which the louse divided—For tne
second reading, IS6 ; against it, 133 ; majority, Sc.

The bill was then read a second time,

The 31arriage8 (Society of rriends: Bill passed through
committee.
-

Leave was granted to Sir C. Dilke to bring in a bill to
provide for the better security of the panne in Finds and
commons, and to Mr. liathbone for a bill fig the snueran,
uuation of niunicipal unit:ens in Englatol
tome other bliginese Wait ditposed of, and the House
adj. limit.