The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-03-15 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

In the House of Lords, March 10, the Archbishop of Cam
terbury presented 155 petitions, signed by ‘O,BOO pornol a,
and coming from Congregationalists, Baptists, Wesleyan.,
Primitive SI etii odlsts, New Connection, United Free Church,
Unitarians, Preshyterians, and other sects, in favour of the
bill for legalising marriage with a deceased wife's sister. His
Grace said he presented these petitions without in any way
committing himself to the support of their principles
Other petitions in favour of thu bill were presented by Lord
Houghton.

- --
The Duke of Richmond called attention to grievances of
Which certain officers in the Army complained, in con-
sequence of the abolition of of the Purchase Syideru in the
Army. A great many officers had deteiniined to petition
Parliament to institute au inquiry into their case, but as his
Royal Highness the Commander-in-chief deemed such a
course subversive of discipline sad good order in the Army,
no further steps were taken by them in the matt r. lie was
far Iron, saying that the course adopted by the Commander-
In-Chief was not a proper one; but as the Government, on
the passing of the Army Regulation Bill, asserted that it
would prove satirfactory to the officers of the Army, it
was rot unreasonable to ask, when it was found that
Site officers were dissatirfied, for the issue of a Royal
Commission to inquire into the operation of the measure.
Slaving pointed out instances in which he conceived holey
had been done to officers by the abolition of Purchase, he
asked whether the military authorities were prepared to take
into consideration the grievances of the officers, and what
were the proper steps to be pursued in order to bring the
subject under the notice of those authorities.
After remarks from Lord Delaware, the Duke of Somerset,
Lord Vivian, Lora Abinger, and Lord Lansdowne,
The Duke of Cambridge said he was glad to find that the
course he took with regard to the officers' petitions to Parlia-
ment had met with general approval. The proper way for
officers in the Army to make known their grievances was by
communication with the Commander-in Chief, and that course
was pointed out in the memorandum which had bees drawn
up. No doubt, when great changes were made in no in-
stitutlon. serious inconvenience might be felt in ape -tat
cases. He refrained at present iron) committing himself to
an opinion upon any particular case, holding himself free to
judge of the matter, without prejudice, when it should be
properly inquired into.
The Thames Embankment somerset House) Bill was read
S second time, and the intestates' Vi Blows and Children Bill
was reported with amendments, and their lordships ad-
journed.

In the Bruise of Commons, Mr Cavendish Bentluck asked
whether thore was any foundation for a rumour that Govern-
melt intended to present to each of the arbitraturs in the
late Geneva award a testimonial, to be charged to the public
account.

Mr. Gluistone sidd it was the latention of her Majesty's
Government, so far.. the Swiss. Brazilian, and Italian arbi-
trators were concerned, to propose to Parliament to grant a
SUM of m, cry to be &volt d to that purpose. Ilefore the
arbitration the United States Government proposed this
course to the English Cabinet, and it was mutually agreed to
present each arbitrator with a piece of plate. The expense
would be about a' 1,2 t 0 for each of the three arbitrators.

The debate on the Second Reading of the Irish University
Bill, which was resumed by Mr. Vernon Harcourt, again
occupied the whole evening, and in which Dr. Ball, Mr.
Sentinels, Mr. Mils% Lord J. Manners, and other hon. seem.
ben took part.
Mr. Car lwell, in closing the cbate for the evening,
created a laugh by observing at the outset that no person
who voted for the Second Reading would be fettered thereby
for the future. The points which had been criticised were
all matters of detail, not of the essence of the bill, which
had been much misunderstood. The main object was to
establish a great National University in 'retain-I, but the
points to which objection was taken—viz., the dissolution
of the Queen's University and the abolition of Galway Col-
lege, the "gagging clauses," and the constitution of the
Council—were all open for discussion in committee, and
there was nothing to hind the House to abide by the big as
It stands. Over all these points Mr. Cardwell travelled again
Seriatim, repeating with regard to tachthat if the House would
go into Committee they would be open to amendment.
Replying to Mr. llorsman, he denied that the dissatisfaction
of the Irish Prelates was any reason for withdrawing the
RW. It was the duty of the Government not to be Ws-
conraged by this circumstance, and considering the impor-
tance of the object in view, he earnestly entreated the House
to read the bill a second time—to go into Committee to ex-
punge those provisions which were objectionable, and to
adhere to those which stood the teat of argument.
Colonel Wilson Patten unwed the adjournment of the de-
bate, but Mr. Liddell was of opinion that, after Mr Cardwell's
speech, the House should go into Committee at once without
further debate. Mr. M. Henry protested against any
attempt to shorten the debate, and Mr Dodsoi asked
whether the bill would be committdd pro formd and re-
printed with amendments Mr. Gladstone said it was im-
possible to give any decided answer at present, explaining
that the Government, in admitting the possibility, did not
admit the certainty, of certain amendments beng proved in
Committee to be advisable: but before going into Committee
ample notice would be given of the coarse the Government
Would take. The debate was then adjourned.
Several bills were forwarded a stage, and the House &d-
-immed at a quarter to one o'clock,

In the Mouse of Lords, March 11, on the motion for the
second reading of the Supreme Court of Judicature Bill, Lord
liatherley expressed his tilt e concurrence in its essential
provisions from beginning to end, and his great satisfaction
at seeing such a meesure in the very able hands el the Lord
Chancellor. lie believed no one would deny that the time
had arrived to take decided steps with respect to the entire
system of judicature, divided, as it now ass, between the
separate trinunals of Common Law and Equity, and by the
present 101 l the opportunity was affords:l of having a cause
decided without suitors being bandied from one Curt to
another. In forming the "Division." of the Court care
should be taken hereafter to prevent any Division being
composed of persons of one sort of legal training, so that
there should be gradually Infused throughout the whole
body of Judges a feeling in favour of joint administration.
It was important that the first part of the bill should be
tried without delay, but the Appellate part of the measure
was open to more discussion. It was desirable in the in.
terest 9 of the suitors that a single Appellate Court should be
formed, sitting during the whole of the judicial year, and
giving satisfaction by its uniform results.
After remarks from Lord Chelmsford, Lord Rorallly, and
Lord Salisbury,
• - • • - • •-

The Lord Chancellor expressed his satisfaction at the
manner in which the bill had been received. He acknow-
'edged that valuable suggestions had beeta thrown out,
Sod they would receive due consid,ration ; but it
must be borne in mind that in a process of transition
It was necessary to move by practic dile steps, and
avoid passing from one system to another with a vio-
lence wht h would prevent success. He showed by
reference to various clauses of the bill, that the state-
ment that the provisions of the bill would give to the
several Divisions of the C tart separate and distinct
jurisdictions was hiconect. With regard to the Appel-
lant Court, it had been suggested that ecclesiastical
appeals should be subject to its jurisdiction, and, if their
lordships concurred in the proposal, be should have no
objection to its adoption. his reason for reta ning the jar.-
diction of the House of Lords in the case of Scotch and Irish
appeals w., because there might be serious constitutional
objections to the transference of those appeals to an Etigilsh
Court created by Act of Parliament_ If the new Court of
Appeal should recommend itself to the Scotch and Irish
people, • futther development of the measure might be
looked forward tote course of time.
The bill was read a second time, and fixed for committee
projorimi on Thursday, and the House adjourned.

In the House of Commons, March 11, many petitions were
presented against the scheme of the Endowed School
menissioners with reference to the scheme for the man
&gement of Emanuel Ilcispitai, Ih'estmiutter. Other petiti .ns
were presented in favour of maintaining the principles of
the Elementary Education Act ( 70).
Sir I). Wedderburn asked the Lord Advocate what were
the reasons which had hitherto prevented him from re intro-
eucing any of those measures affecting S,otiand to which he
had in previous sent., directed the attention of the 'louse.
Mr. Young said that his eonsideration of ono measure
was nut completed, and, as to others, he could not way with
which of them the Government could proceed.

•
The adjournedt,debate n 'the Irish Untrereity Bill was
then resumed, and after speeches from several ben mem-
bers which occupied the 'louse until about holt past 10,
• • • -•

Mr. Disraeli began in a humorous vein by cautioning the
boast net to conclude prematurely that the points said not
to be "of the essence of the bill" had been withdrawn. No
doubt, Mr. Harcourt, in a speech worthy of an Attorn-y-
General (at this sally there was much laughter), had
assured the House that they were dead, and Mr. Card-
well made a speech in the direction of surrender; but
Immediately afterwards Mr. Gladstone disclaimed that
meaning, and declared that Mr. Cardwell's speech only went
this far—that these points were to be folly discussed.
Indeed, if the Goverement had given up every pint in their
bid, they ought to have withdrawn it iestead of insisting on
its being read a second time as a Vote of Confidence. Shout t
a Vote of Confidence be required ; some sincere (not a candid)
friend—Mr. Lecke King for instance—might he asked to
to propose it, and the Opposition certainly had no wish
to oppose it. There being, then, no proof that the
Govtroment had withdrawn any of the clauses, Mr Disraeli
proceeded to c-nsider the bill on its merits without in-
quiring into its origin or its consequences. An, first
he objected to the bill because it proposed to institute
an University which was lopt uoiversaL Not that he com-
plained of this University tut teaching every thing, but boos-
sorted that there was no instance in mediaeval or modern his. '
tory of an University being established with the }'amity of
Arts emasculated and mutilated as this bill proposed He
complained earnestly of the transfer of the The >logical
Faculty to the Disestablished Church, pointing out the
danger that there would be no power of conferring Protes-
tant degrees in Divinity in Ireland. On the proposed exclu-
sion of Mental and Moral Philosophy and M. dern History,
which he pronounced to be an astounding proposal from
the Leader of the Liberal pasty at this day, Mr. Disraeli ex-
patiated with much wit and force. Next he touched on the
" despotic and anonymous" C uunciL ask.ug for seme infor-
mation as to the quality of its members. Were they to be
Isles or clerics, paid or unpaid, resident or provincial?
Judging from previous experience, those who had to form
it would endeavour to pair IT one party against another,
and, like the House of C•immons, it would consist of two
well-organized parties arrayed against each other with •
few trimmers Inclining the balance. Speakieg on the
general qiiestion, Mr. Disraeli cautioned the House not
to be led away by the argument that because it was
opposed both by Protestant and Roman C dhoti°
the bill must he just Though the Roman Catholics
mightbs inexorably devoted to separate education iti prin-
ciple, they were men of the world ; and it thia bill became
law they would make the best of it, awl within a certain
time would convert the Ministerial compromise into their
own se premacy. Of th, Roman Catholics, Mr. Disraeli said
he pitied their position, but it was their own doing ; and
this led him into a long narrative of the negotiations of
his own Government with the Roman Catholic Bishops, and
Into • vindication of the principle of " concurrent endow-
ment," which, however, was held to be "dead." In the
middle of these neerdiatious, in came Mr Gladstone
with the policy of confiscation. The Roman Catholics fell
Into the trap, and lest sight of University E lucation, in toe
prospect of destroying a Protestant C torch. But the country
hail had enough of this policy of confiscation, and the vote
tonight, he expected, would show that it was suffering the
inconveniences of satiety. Disclaiming all wish to disturb
Mr. Gladstone, and declaring that he hail no communication
with any penon but his own immediate c Demon, Mr. Dis-
raeli said he should vote against the hill, as monstroes in its
principle, {pernicious in its details, and utterly futile as •
practical measure.
Mr. Gladstone remarked that two-thirds of the speech
just delivered had no connection with the bill, and drew
down loud cheers by calling on the House to note that
though Mr. Disraeli had declared "concurrent en•lownient"
to he dead, it yet lived in his mind, WWI might revive under
Ids magical touch. The attitude taken by the Govern-
ment le reference to the bill was riot due to any
words if his, but to what had happened during
the last three years on Mr. Fawcett's MIL On the
contrary, he deprecated sincerely the introduction of
religious heat and party temper into the subject, feeling
convinced that it must insure failure, and this led him to
animadvert sharply on the tone of Mr. Housman 's speech.
Repeating once more the grounds on which the measure
had been introduced—the grievance of the Catholics, and
the necessity for Academic Before] in Ireland—he replies
to Dr. Playfair's statistics on the matter, pointing out
t here he had made a mistake in his calculatbna
But now the question was, shall the House go into
Committee on the bill In &ening that the Houtie :
ought to have no other motive but to entleay. out to do
that now which a few years hence it would regret that I, hail
not done. In examining the reasons given why the House
should not go into Committee Mr. Glaciates denied that
the bill would lower the standard of education, urging that
the London University—a mere Examiciug Body—had
certainly raised education. The opposition in Ireland hail
been exaggerated and misrepresented, but in dealing
with • measure lake this it would be impolitic and
unparliamentary on that account to withdraw the bill
before it had been considered in Committee. The
general effect of Mr. Cardwell's speech he eutirely endorsed,
that the House 111111LL1,1 go into Committee to comgare
opinions on all the divergencies of views which had been ex-
pressed ; and be retorted on Mr. Diaraeli that the experience
of his Reform Ball showed how effective an inatrnment Coin
mittee may be for transforming a ball. On too of these
pslnts—the banishment of Ethics and Modern History
from the curriculum and the introduction of Collegiate
members into the Council--Mr. Gladstone Mated die-
ting* OW no would not minors lo Ow, ann. !nth

regard to the other, he said generally that the Govern-
ment would not stand on lls dignity, but would meet
the House on equal terms. It would wet .ome any amend-
ium,ts which were improvements, mei ev,ii those which were
not improvements they would accept it the House should
desire, so I ng as they did not Impair the vitality of the hill.
anseering the question so often raised—what is the vital
principle of the bill—Mr Gladstone said there most be •
complete removal of the admitted religious grievance
by opening degrees under en impartial and uesectartin
authority to men of all opinions, whether educat-ul under
the nosed or separate system. The University must he
r elieved from the monopoly of Trinity College, and must
have an independent Governing Body and a competent en-
dowment ; and t^e Faculty of Theology must be separated
from it. After Borne observations in condemnation of the
inciple ol concurrent endowment, which gave him the op-
portunity of placing on rec,ird his belief that it would be a
serious error to give the slightest encouragement to a system
of separate endow must in Ireland (reversing the policy of
1.'0), Mr. Gladstone earnestly entreated the House to
meet the threatened agitation by removing the grievance
rattier than follow Mr. Disraeli's alternative of withdrawing
from the task. Finally, he discussed the political and party
which might flow from the momentary concord
of the Tory party and the Roman Catholics—concord which
would begin in the lobby and end when the Tellers came to
the table—and wound lip in a vigorous ant loudly-cheered
peroration by calif, g on the House—whose sacred duty it
had been to mete out justice to Ireland—to remove what he
believed to be the last of her religious and social grievances.
At two o'clock precisely, Mr. Bourke's motion having
be. n negatived. the Division was taken on the main question
—that "this bill be now read a second time." The counting
of votes occupied about twenty minutes, and when Colonel
Taylor. the Opposition Teller, took the paper from the
hands of the Clerk at the Table, a tremendous'. Hurrah"
burst fr,ni the Conservative benches, which wee repeated
again and again when the numbers were read out as

For the Second Reading .. 281
Agsinst it 287
Majority against the Government ..-3

Mr Gladstone then ruse and said that, after the grave vote
at which the [louse had arrived, the most fitting course
would be for the Home to adjouru until Thursday.
This motion was at once agreed to, and the Mouse ad-
journed.