The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-04-27 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

lathe House of Lords. April 22, the Lord Chancellor gave
notice of his intention to move on Thursday next a re‘olu-
Con relative to the bankruptcy of a peer, to the effect that
all the debts under the bankruptcy beim; discharred. and
there being no other debts, their lordships were satisfied
according to the terms of the Act.
The Duke of Richmond gave notice that he should the
toll 'wing day ask the Secretary of State whether tier Ma-
jesty's Government serntlri assure the House that further
proceedings will ha suspended in the Seneca Arbitration if
Use Indirect ulaims are not withdrawn by the United States.
Ili. object would not be to raise a debate, but to obtain an
answer to the question
Lord Oranmore, ha asking for the correspondence with the
United States' Ouvernment and General S.:herick relative to
the Count*o rase, accused the Government of va ;illation,
and ettussesed an (minion that it was degradirm to this
country to ask the ameriean Government any question as to
the proi.riely of presenting our Counter-ease.
- . . . .

----- - -
Granule said that no motion had been put on the
'paper. lie had no personal objection to produce General
Schenck's letters if it was necormry to do so, for althmgh
they had been marked "private" in the first instance,
get that character had been Erubsequently renoved
from them. He denied the charge of vacillation
which the noble lord had made against the Govern-
ment. As to the Counter Case, there was a mis-
Undustandlng, for neither Government was bound to Pre-
sent a Counter-case at aIL If the arbitration did not take
Place it would be an advantage that such a document should
tra before the public. 'hole action hail not been dependent
Or. the position of the United States, anal the communica-
tions between him and General Schnook had necessarily been
confidential, but tn., were. so no longer. With regard to the
Americas reservation of rights it was impossible for him to
make any explanation.
The Marlins of Salisbury asked whether the American
Counter Case would be presented to Parliatnent T

Earl tiranville replied that he had put such a question to
Cameral Schenck, aho said he would telegraph to Ids Govern-
ment ws to what reply he should wake. The answer had not
yet two received.
The motion was withdrawn.

Lord Lauderdale, In aaking what steps had been taken to
carry ut the recommendations of the Megmra Commission,
condemned the employmel.t of a ship like the Al cycera on a
ve)age to the other end of the world.

Lord Comporttown gave reasons for declining to enter Into
a controversy on the subject, and said that the Admiralty
had issued regulations which would effectually prevent any
other ships going to sea ion unseaworthy condition.
The Duke of Somerset approved the suggestion that a
careful record should be kept tif the tickets of every ship.
The Act of Uniformity Atneudinent (1872) Bill and the
Reformatory and Industrial Schools Bill were read a third
time anti passed, and their lordships adjourned.
In the House of Commons, in connection with the
Alabama claims, Mr. Disraeli gave notice that to-morrow
he would inquire of her Majesty's Governm tit whether they
are prepared to give the Mouse an assurance that further
proceedings in the arbitration at Geneva will be suspended
unless the claims termed the indirecqclaims are abandoned or
withdrawn by the Cover:Anent of the United States.
• •

Mr. W. Fowler gave notice that on all early day he would
move for leave to bring in a bill to repeal the Contagious
Diaeases Acts, ISt% tin.
Mr. Cardwell, replying to Lord Elcho, said he had com-
municated with il kill the ['resident of the Patriotic Society
and v ith Col. Lindsay and they had no objection to devoting
a small portion of the Patriotic Fund to the proper main-
tenance of the graves of the officers and men of the British
army who fell in the Crimea, but he was informed that tt did
not fall within the duties and liabilities of the tun& lie
admitted that the matter was well worthy the conaideration
of the Government. .

The Lord Advocate, in answer to Mr. B. Cochrane, said
that the Scotch Education Bill would be proceeded with
when the Ballot Bill had passed through the House
(laughter).
In answering a question from Lord Elcho, Mr. Cardwell
stated that Salisbury Plain will be the scene of this year's
AutountMaiaeuvres. Auxiliary Forces from the Three King,-
dews will be asked to attend, and the manoeuvres will com-
mence on the 31st of AuJust.

The House then went into Committee on the Ballot Bill,
and made more rapid progress than at any previous sitting.
Clauses F, 6, and 7 were agreed to after very brief discus-
sion and with a few verbal amendments. On Clause
8, which defines the general powers and duties of
the returning officer, Mr. Graves proposed to make
provision for taking the votes of officers in the Mer-
cantile Marine, registered seamen, and licensed Pilots
who may be compelled to go to sea between the nomination
and tile opening of the poll. It was supportet. by Mr. C.
81 ices, Mr. K. Fowler, Mr. Magninc, Mr. T. Collins, and Mr.
Sconeleld, but resisted by Mr. Forster, and on a division
the amendment was negatived by 241 10154.

Clauses S. 10, and 11, which also relate to the duties of
returning officers, raised no discussion; but Mr. Bunt moved
the omission of Clause 12, which provides that no voter
shall be compelled to disclose Int vote in any legal pro-
ceedings, elating to the election. Such is prohibition, he de-
clared. was secrecy run mad ; mei Mr. S. Rill, who sup-
ported him, s3id that the provision would wipe out the
Corrupt Practices Act. 51r. Foster refused to part with the
clause, which, he held, was necessary to prevent the object
of the bill being defeated, and on a division it was carried
by 193 tot!!
The arrangements for the polling-places in Scotland
(Clause 16) engaged the Committee for some time. Ulti-
mately the clause was agreed to as proposed, au amendment
moved lay Mr. Gordon to substitatte the sheriff for the Lord
Advocate as the authority to fix new polling-places being de-
(eated lay 155 to 90.
The Irish Palling-places dense (IS), which extends over
four pages of the hill, was alto discussed with some minute-
ness. Several verbal alterations were ma-le, but it only gave
occasion for one division, when Mr. Bruen plopesed that to
all Irish counties there shall be a polling-place within four
miles of inch elector, w.th the proviso, however, that a pill-
ing district need net be constituted for less than 10) electors.
It was nes:staved by 2:9 to 136, and when the clause was
agreed to the Caammittee was adjourned until Thursday.
The House then took up the Pacific Ishualera Tralection
Bill, which was consida red in Cummitthe.
The other orders were disposed of, and the Mouse ad-
burned at 5 minutes after 2 o'clock.

In the !louse of Lords. April 23, the following bills re-
eetred the Royal assent by comniission—vis., the Mutiny
Eill, the Marine Mutiny Bill, the Oyster and Must Fish-
cries Protection Bill, and the Bank of Ireland Charter Act
Amendment Bill. The Lords .Commhsioners were—the
Lord Chancellor, the Duke of St. Albans, and Viscount

Eversley.
The Epping Forest Bill was read a first time.
Earl Granville presented to thtir lordrhtps a copy of fhe
American Counter Case Late the previous evenin4 Gem rat
Schen!:la received a telegram stating that it had been pre-

seated to Congress.
Tile Duke of kchmond rose, according to notice to ask
whether her Maje<ty's Government are prepared to g ire the
House an assurance that forth. r proceedings in the arbitra-
tion at Geneva will be suspended unless the ci;eims termed
the indirect claims be abandoned or withdrawn by the
Government of the United States. The course which the

Opposition took, his Grace added, iv tild depend upon the

answer.
Earl Granville in reply said that notwithstanding the
threat which had jest been uttered, in the ipinion of the
Government it would not be to the public interest for theyn
to make a declaration of their intention until they knew
how the American Government received the despatch of the
20th March. They believed they wouni receive the support
of Parliament in maintaining their present position amt
that any declaration would only weaken their position.
The County Buildings (Loans) Bill passed through cum-
Mittee.
The Bishops Resignation Act (IS60) Perpetuation Bill was
read a third time and passed, and their lordships adjourned.
In the house of Commons, Mr. Newdegate presented a
lane numher of }anions in favour of an inquiry into the
subject of Conventual and Monastic Institutions.
Mr Gladstone, replying to Mr. Stacpoole, said that the
Government had no den-ton to communicate to the 1101180
with regard to the subject of a royal residence in Ireland,
and when they hail a decision to announce they would not
wait for the opportunity afforded by a question.
Mr. Stacpoole gave notice that on an early day he would
call attention to the sul.ject.
The P,trnaster-General, in answering a question put by
Mr. .b din Talls-t, said that he would give directions that for
the future lank holidays should be observed is the ii.t-
ortires as far as possible without inconvenience to the public
business

Mr. (athorne Barfly : My right hon. friend (Mr. Disraeli)
has asked me to vut the question to her Majesty's Govern-
ment ,d which Inc has given notice, viz. :—To inquire whether
her Majesty's Government are prepared to give the House an
assurance that further proceedings in the arbitration at
Geneva will he suspended unless the claims, termed the in-
direct claims. are abandoned or withdrawn by the ii oven,
ment of the United States.

. ....
Dir. Gladstone : I never felt any surprise or expressed any
complaint that this question should have been pot, but I
hope the right hon. gentleman will not be surprised that if
I speak at the date at which it is put to me, I must adhere
to the declaration which I made about ten days ago, inas-
much as the consideration by which that declaration was dic-
tated Is still in foil force, we., that we do not think it advisa-
ble to announce any decist al whatever as to the course which
It may he our duty to takeregarding proceeding further with
the arbitration at Geneva, until we know in what manlier the
Government of the United States proposes to deal with the
note which was addressed by Lord Granville to General
Schenck upon the .2.oth Starch. The answer to that note we
understand to be upon its way. I would simply add a few
words t,, that decloratiom We have no doubt whatever that
we shall receive the support of Parliament in maintain-
ing the position which we have held as to the scope and in-
tention of the reference made to the tribunal at Geneva, but
I fear any early declaration at this stage al the diplomatic
correspondence would not tend to streagthen but to coateD
the position of the Governnierit. When I say this stage
of the diplomatic corre,pondeuce," I mean that stage that
it continues to hold, and must hohl, until we have re-
ceived the reply of the American Govenunent to which I
have alluded.
Lord Fnfield, in reply to Sir. G. Tent:Maori, said that Lord
Lyons reported that the French Government had considered
It necessary to communicate with the Government of Belgium
before deciding the question of the extradition of
Marguerite Dixbiancs. Ihe French Minister of Foreign
Affairs had explaioed that it was the invariable prac-
tice of the French Government, before deciding upon
the surretrler of a criminal, to communicate with
the Government of the country to which that criminal
belonged, lie was in communication with the Belgian
Government on the subject, and he presumed an answer
would be given at once, and that only a few days' delay
woold be caused. The Belgian Minister at Paris had
assured his Excellency that he had no doubt in the pre-
sent Con, his Government would at Once express their
concurrence to the surrender. Ile (Lord Enfield)
would remind the hon. member that there was no
extradition treaty between this country and Belgium.
The extradition treaty betweeu Great Britain and France
niado no exceptions as to the nationality of persons whose
extradition was detnataltd ; and so far, therefore, as that
treaty was concerned, the Belgian Government had no legal
right to refuse the surrender of :Marguerite Dithlanc. The
extradition treaty of the Unitad States was ptecizely similar
to that of France.

Mr. New &gate moved forks-re to bring In a bill for the
appointment of a Commiast n to inquire into the Increase
and character nil Monastic and C•mventual Institutions in
Greet Britain, into the condition' under which property or
Income is hold by them, and other patti :Mars Sith regard
to theme ; and also nailer what eiretunitances and securities
It may he ili•sirshle to promote the emigration of Nuns who
wish to quit their convent life.
Mr. Bruce briefly Intimated the assent of tito Government
to the introduction of the hill, remarking that there were
several points in the subject %hien deserved the attention
of Parliament, and leave was then given to bring in the hilL
Mr. Candlish neat moved lir leave to I wing lee a hill to re-
peal the 250 Clause of the Ed =Wen Act, and re mated at
some length the familiar argnments against the Clause which
have been urged on previous occasions.
Mr. 'T. Collins eppoted the motion, alleging as a reason
that the House had already I:tlet.TVd this Session apaiost dis-
turbing the Act, and maintaining that the country had
decided unmistakably in favour of religious education.
Mr, F. Powell also opposed the 1011, which would throw
back the cause of education, and argued generally in favour
of religion. instruction.
Mr. Dixon urged the Government to deal with the question
itt once, ail the grievance was spreading, and was felt chiefly
by those who bad been the Man.:heat friends of the Trims
Minister and the Government
Mr W. F. Forster regretted that Ile Candlish had not
been permitted. as a matter of courtesy, to bring in his hill
without opt, anion l•ut if Mr. G•illini premed his opposi-
tion lea should vote him, tor it would be noslenliog
the Gouge to hold on,: cyan tlie sem' I is lo o • ;.1.
the Govenanent would Help It any li4l:lll64“.Valird. Aker the
question had been so recently discussed slid decided, it was
unusual, to say the least, to renew the diseustion ; and
as a practical matter, this attempt to modify Clause 25
was premature. Until we had a much larger supply
of Board Schools, simply to repeal the Clause would
make it impossible to carry out the principle of compulsion
for it would be impossible to imprison a man for not sending
his child Oh school unless schools were provided to which he
could take no conscientious objection Acts the irritation *aid
to be produced by the Clause, Mr. Forster replied that however
that might be the work went on, and he instanced the case of
*Rockport, where compulsion had been worked most juin.

cionsly and effectively, and with very small cost to the
Rites. Mr. Forster guarded himself against the supposition
that he had given a pledge to bring ins compulsory measure
next year. All he undertook was to urge on his colleagues
his claim to have the genes at question of C. propulsion con-
sidered. and in that case the 25th Clause must be dealt with.
But, while admitting the Clause to be open to re-collet:era
tb di in sow points (thongh he maintained he had no ground
for anticipating the conscientious objections taken to it),
Mr. leor.ter adhered to his former opinion, that in say
ntodiflcatt di the parent must have his choice of schools where
the materials for a choice existed.

Mr. lierestord Hope indulged in some severe observations
on the bigotory of the secularists, and Mr. 311)111 retorted by
comparing him to "Nick Bottom," who was always ready to
play any part, from "the &cies' vein" to "roaring like a
sucking dove." He denied that the Secularists were opposod
to religions instruction, but they desired that it should not
be given by the schoolmasters.
The discussion was continued by several otberhon. members,
aft, winch, the House divided and refused leave to bring
In the bill by a majority of 241 —Me to 115.
The Building Societies Bill was read a second time.
The Committee on the University Tests Dublin) Bill was
fixed for Thursday.
The other orders were disposed of, and the House ad-
journed at live minutes to one o'clock.

In the House of Commons, April 24, Mr. Faweott tusked
the First Lord of the Treasury whether, au it had been stated
that the Government would consider the decision of the
Douse on the instruction to the committee on Dublin Uni-
versity Tests Bill, of which the Chief Secretary for Ireland
had given notice as Involving a vote of confidence in the
.torcromect, lie would, according to usage, fix a day for it.
onsiderationt

Mr. Gladstone understood his hon. friend to mean that the
Government had stated this vote was regarded by them as •
vote of confidence. But he was not prepared to agree is the
correctness of that view or to test the bill on the footing of •
a vote of confidence (hear, hear). It was right that a vote of
confidence should be taken up at the earliest possible day, as
the existence of the Government depended on it. But he
frankly stated that he would not commit to treat the discussion
oil this bill on thtt footing (hear, hear). But he admitted that a
negative put by the a ouse on the motion of his noble friend (the
Alarquia of Ilartington) would imply that the douse was dis-
posed to agree to the bill of Mr. Fawcett on its present
general basis. But that would pla. the Gevernroent in
each a position that it would be impossible for them to
fulfil their pledges given at the end of lfi6B. And if they
could not NMI their pledges. they could not undertake
to continue to be responsible for public affairs. Ilear, hear.)
Ilut that bang so, he did not think that a bill having
such results ought to have the same preference
as a vote of weld of confidence. That would allow any
member toy means of a bill of his own, to stop the course of
further business. At the same time he was anxious that
thee question should be settled, and without putting aside
the public business he would assist his hon, friend as much
as was in his power to bring it before the lb .use. Ile would
promise that it should be brought forward within a working
portion of the session, but not that it should be brought f or.
ward on an early day.
Mr. Fawcett considered the conduct of the Government
within the last few days to be so fatal to the pri, lieges of in-
dependent members that he begged now to give notice,
unless the Government came to an understanding with him
sooner. that he would call the atteution of ihehloosolse to the
subject by moving the adjounnueut of the House the follow-
ing day.
. . ee

Sir IL Selwin-Ibbetson, after explaining the objects of the
Public Health and Rural Plaees Bill, proposed to withdraw
from moving the second reading. He thought it would be
unwise to proceed with it while the Government had a bill
ou the subject f public health before the House. In that
measure, he would propose to embody an amendment,
which would enable committers composed partly of guard-
lam and partly of other ratepayers to act for the boards of
guardians in the initiatory stages of their work as regarded
sanitary matters.
Dlr. Stansfeld expressed his willingness to accept such an
amendment to the Public Health Silt
Sir C. Adderley urged the Govenirnent to lose no time in
pressing forward their bill, of which it seemed to him they
had not shown a due appreciation. The country was, he
added, astonished to lied the Public Health Bill post-
poned from time to time while much inferior bids were put
before it.
• •

Mr. truce defended the conduct of the Government, and
after a few words from Mr. F. S. Powell, the order for the
Second reading was discharged.
Sir Colman trLoghleu moved the second reading of the
Religious Disabilities Abolition Bill, which proposed to
throw ooen to Roman Catholics and Jews the offices of Lord
Chancellor of England and Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.
Re argued in favour also of repeadcg the law under which
monks were liable to be outlawed. lii reference to the sub.
Jed of moi tmain, the hon. baronet alluded to bequests for
religious objects, and asked, amidst much laughter, why, if
he wished to leave money to say masses for the repose of the
soul of the hon member for North Warwickshire (Mr. New.
&gate). or of the hon member for I'rrth(ilr. Kinnaird), out
of kind remembrance to them, and the many days they had
Spent together in this llmue, should the law stop in sod net
aside such a bequest?

Sir J. Gray seconded the motion.
Sir T. Chatubet s moved that the bill be read this day sin
months. He said that even admitting a great deal of what
hat been said iv the mover of the second reading, that
would not Justify the House in altering the law. The
grievance was the smallest that could be iniaglned, and I,
agree to the argument in reference to the Lord Chancellor
and the Lord-Lieutenant would be to give up the Protestant
Constitution of this country.
• •
-

Mr. W. Johnston complained that one after another the
provhious of the Homan Catholic Emancipation Act haul
been swept away, awl he called upon the Government to
resist further encroachments, and to maintain the safeguards
which were necessary for the support of the Protestant Con•
atitution of this country.
Sir J. Gray asked that Doman Catholics should have the
same freedom as that which was enjoyed by the Noncon-
formists.
Alter remarks from several other hon. memturs, •
Mr Waters said he feared that, owing to insufficient in-
t °vitiation, the House was not in a posAion to come to a
pr per decision en the bill, and he therefore moved the ad-
journment of the debate.
This was seconded by Mr. Mitchell Henry.
Dr. Ball said that as the House had not heard the opinion
of any member of the Government, he could give no coun-
tenance to the proposal for adjournment.
The motion for adjournment was negatived without a

NIL Downing, who rose to resume the debate amidst loud
erica of " Divide," thought that the Itiman Catholic re-
ligion, which the midway of the Irish people professed,
ought not to be proscribed aa regarded the highest °dice in
their country.
- - - • - •• •

Mr. Bruce complimented Sir C. O'Loghlen on the tem-
perate speech in which he moved the swiond reading of this
bid, and in which ice appealed to principles of religious
liberty. He was disappointed in not having heard any ex-
Prvssi.o of opinion act' this Measure from the Nonconformist
members. This bill, however, mixed hp a variety of ques-
tions, some of which involved very important political con.
siderations. Ohmic point the right him gentleman was mis-
taken, fur there was no exclusion of Jews from the °dice of Lord
Chancellor. The proposition to repeal the present law in
that respect was one which he thought could not re-
ceive the approval of the lionise, and it would not receive
the support of the Government for the public feeling was
decidedly against it. As regarded the I..wd Lieutenant the
Micro hail already 'expressed an opinion in favour of the
' change. With respect to th i repeal of other disabilities, he
asked whether the Government could be condemned for not
enforcing the present law, even by the hon. member for
North Warwickshire f
1 Mr. Neivilegate said be supported a Liberal Government in
re-enacting them.
-Mr. Bruce thought all must regret the existence of laws
which were violated daily. Many of the mohastic orders
were very usefully employed, and it would be a matter
of regret if they were put down Ile advised Sir C
Ologhlen to be satistied with the discussion, and not to
. press the bill further against the evident sense of the Rouse.
After a few words from Mr. Collins,
Sir C. O•Loghlen replied, and was still speaking when the
time had arrived for the adjournmept of the debate.
The other orders of the day were disposed of, and the
j House adjourned.