The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-03-08 00:00:00

TUESDAY.

In replying to questions put by Mr. M. MILYPIS,
Mr. S. FITZGP.RALI) stated that it was intended for
the future that there should be • special training for
persons appointing to consular offices in Japan, who
would he instructed in Japanese.
Before proceeding with the motions on the paper,
Mr. WALPOLE rose and said, as he found that mis-
conceptions had been circulated as to the reasons why
he had left the Administration, lie desired to offer an
explanation to the House. When he was asked by Lord
Derby to form a part of his Government, he wished
upon private and public grounds, to decline the offer ;
but Lord Derby, in the kindest manner, allowed him to
join on condition that if he differed with the Cabinet in
respect to the Reform Bill he should be permitted to
retire, and it was in consequence of such difference
that he was no longer a member of the Cabinet. He
admitted that it was obligatory upon the Government to
bring forwarl • measure of reform ; but as soon as lie
learned the nature of the measure they proposed he had
no either alternative than to desire Lord Derby to place
his (Mr. Walpole's) resignation in the hands of the
Queen. On the 2lth of January lie addressed a letter
to his Lordship (which he read to the House), awiigning
the minion why he left office—namely, that he found it
' impoosible to sanction the policy of the Government on
the subject of Reform ' • that the reduction of the
its
county franchise and it equilisation with that for
boroughs was contrary to every principle of the Censer-
votive party, • complete destruction of the distiuction
between the borough and county constituency, and •
most dangerous innovation. lu the great difficulties
with which the Administration VMS then surrounded in
respect to our foreign relations, Lord Derby requested
him to withhold the avowal of his intention for the
' present, and lie consented, provided he should be allowed
to retire before the Reform 11111 was actually announeed.
Mr. lIVILICY said lie agreed with Mr. Wa;pole in
almost every particular. The only condition lie made
whim lie joined the Administration was that he would
not join it unless it undertook the reform question, and
the only ground upon which he differed with the Go-
, verniuent upon this question was that stated by Mr.
Walpole. He believed that the identity of suffrage
between counties and boroughs was fatal to the Consti-
tution. He cared not whether it was I:10, or A:l5, or
A:5 ; the identity could not be got without a large
measure of disfranchisement, and he could not consent
to obtain identity on such terms. As early as the end of
December lie wished to retire; but he was pressed, like
Mr. Walpole, to remain ; but at the end of January lie
hadplaceil his resignation iii the hands of the Minister.
As to lowering the franchise he thought the borough
franchise ought to be lower. It had been said that be
did not 'id the boroughs so lung as he could take
care of the counties. That was one way of putting
, the case ; but when he looked at the improvements
among the working classes, he did not see that it was any
degradation to the boroughs to say that that portion
I of his fellow-countrymen ought to have a voice in
! elections. .

Mr. Lignesi called attention to the present con-
dition of the shipping interest, entering into long and
minute details to show the effect of the free trade policy
upon British slipping—a policy which he maintained
was sound and wise not only as regarded the nation at
large, but for the shipowners themselves. By enforcing
reciporocity upon other nations our shipowners, he
observed, would injure tbeinselves more than their
neThighebomuorsta..Hwimuiveodmiedfor abyseulecrt. committee n) inquire
into the operation of certain burdens and restrictions
especially affecting merchant shippjni.

Mr. Cuawroao moved, as sn addition to the motion.
to extend the inquiry to the operation of the Act for
compensating the families of persons killed by accidenta,
the Merchant Shipping Acts, and the Pasaangers' Acta,
explaining the object and purpose of this amendment.
After • few remarks by Mr. SIPAIGIIT and a reply from
Mr. Lis Deur, the motion, with Mr. Crawford's addition,
was agreed to.

Mr. Mll.ttioN nioved for leave to hring in a Bill to
secure a right of appeal in criminal cases.
The AMIN:YET-GENERAL made no opposition, and
leave was given.
Mr. Dibt.wrs eti for leave to bring in • Bill for
the better regulation of endowed schools, observing that
he had niodilted the measure so as to obviate the objec-
tions to the Bill he had withdrawn.

The niotion, after • few words from the SOLICITOS.
ORSKIAL, wiui agreed to.
Mr. &Jul-L. moved for leave to bring in • Bill to
amend the law relating to petitions of right, to situplify
the proceedings, and to make provision for the coats.
The present process (of which he gave an outline) was so
dilatory and expensive thst it operated, he said, to •
complete denial of justice, and it was so Intiquated that
few members of the legal profession were acquainted
with its forms. He explained the simple process which
he iproposed to substitute for the present cumbrous one.
The ArronNXT-GIINERAL said, there was no objection
to the motion on the part of the Crown, and he thought
the country was indebted to Mr. Boydl for introdu-
cing so iimortant a measure, upon the details of which
he reserved his opinion.

Leave was given.
Mr. BovILL likewise obtained leave to bring in a Bill
to enable the Judges to appoint Commissioners within 10
miles of London, and in the Isle of Man and the Channel
Islands, to administer oaths in coinmoli law.
The orders of the day were then proceeded with, and
the House adjourned at half-past 12 o'clock.