The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-05-23 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

CHURCH PATRONAGE IN SCOTLAND.

in the House Or Loots, May 18, the Duke of Richmond,
In calling attention to the state of Cloirch Patronage In Scot-
land, said that in proposing legislation on a subject involv-
ing the spiritual Interests of the Scotch kstabllnbnd('hurdh.
he was umlaut. ced hy any party or po itbal motives, his only
object being to strengthen the Establishweut, is-hitch he re-
garded as a blessing to the country all aft ording an example of
is public profession of religion. The question of Church 11,
trona& had agitated the people of Scotland for the last MO
years, during which period Scotch Church Patronage had been
twice abolished and Mkt restored, and in recent years various
resolutions adopted by the GencLal Assembly showed that &a-
satisfaction still continued to be felt with the existing state
of things in regard to Church Patronage. Last year he
Mated, when the subject was brought forward by Lord
Anne, that ill MS opititlets it wotilit be advantageous to
abolish Scotch Church Patronage, but that any nunvoire for
that purpose ought to originate with the Government. In
confomnty with that declaration, he now brought forward
his present proposal, in the principle of which he was en-
abled to say the Duke of Anple concurred. At the last
General Election a great majority of the constitueueies
of Scotland impressed on their representatives the
necessity of dealing with the subject as speedily as
possible, and as the people of Scotland were ev dently
not satisfied with the existing state of things, the Govern-
ment thought it desirable that the present Session should
not pass away without such a bill as he was now about to
lay on the table becoming law. It might be objected that
by dealing with Patronage at Scotland a precedent would
be established for dealing with Patronage in England ; but
there really was no similitude between the two eases, and in
proof of this the Duke of Richmond mentioned that the
value of advowsons In Scotland was only one year's lairchase,
and that a strong reason for dealing with the question was
alionled by the fact that, practically speaking, the right of
the Patron In Scotland was, in great majority of cases,
practically abolished. Tim bill, which he should ask
the House to read a first time, was a short one,
having for its object the abolition of all Church
Patronage from the Crown downwards, and the crea-
tion of a constituency by whom the minlstcr of a congrega-
tion might be selected, He did not mean to create any
fancy qualification foithisconstit eucy, but would take that
which existed in other Presbyterian bodies In Scotland, and
would propose that the Patronage should be vested in the
nude communicants. With regard to compensation to
Patrons, the bill would enact that it should not exceed one
year's stipend, and he believed that in the grest majority of
cases the Patrons would not require compensation at aIL
To effect these objects the measure was intended, and he
DOW.IVOIred the first reading of the bill, which he was col I -
bleed, would have the effect of extending the usefulness of
the Church of Scotland, and increasing its hold on the affec-
tions of the people.
Lord Angie expressed his satisfaction that the Duke o
Richmond was prepared to deal with the subject on the prin-
ciples explained, but he hoped that during the discussion
sonic amendment would be agreed to, with the object of en-
larging the constituent body. which was to elect the minister,
so that its composition should not be contined entirely to
communicants, but should be extended to all persons paying
tell rates. Ile hoped that the Government would succeed in
bringing about a satisfactory solution of this long-vexed
uestion.

I
Sir, —During the last few months an unusual num-
ber of dogs have been affected with hydrophobia intim
metropolis, as well as in other part+ of the United
Kinsakun. From the circumstance that several cases
of the disease have very lately occurred in the practice
of the Brown Institution, as well as from informa-
tion received from other sources, there seems to me
to be sonic reason to fear that it is still rather widely
prevalent.
As the danger to the public which arises whenever
this is the case, however horrible in itself, is one which
can be avoided by the possession of the requisite infor-
mation, it is clearly desirable even at the risk of excit-
ing alarm in the minds of a few sensitive persons, that
such information should be communicated for the general
good. I have, therefore, put down in as plain words
as possible what appear to me to be the must useful
criteria for the recognition of rabies in the dog. In doing
so I have been assisted by the experienced Veterinary
Surgeon of the Brown Institution, Mr. Duguid, and
by my friend Mr. Hunting, of Derby-street, May-
fair, who has paid special attention to the disease. I
have also the advantage of writing with an actual case
under my observation.
Persons are liable to be bitten by mad dogs under
two seta of circumstances— first, when a rabid animal
escapes from home and is at large; and, secondly,
when a dog not supposed to be infected is caressed by
its master or those who have to do with it at home.
Consequently, it is quite as important that the public
should be aware of those slight indications which afford
ground for suspicion that the disease is impending as
that they should know the characteristic signs by
LEASES AN o D SALES r SETTLED ESTATES BILL. which it may be recognized when it has declared itself.
In the Hotel cie COMMONS, May 23, Mr. Gregory moved the The premonitory indications of rabies in a dog are
sayond reading of
to remove this bill, the olfject of which was, he said, derived alumst entirely from the observation of changes
certain restrictions which hatupered an Act of , • •
great utility, which was passed is the 19th and Oath Victoria. I us its demeanour; consequently, although they may
That Act wave to the Court of Chancery the power to grant I be too trilling to be noticed by a casual observer, they
facilities to the possessors of nettled estate to dispose of the are fortunately sufficiently striking to arrest the atten-
estate with the consent of the tenant in tai, but its opera- Don of any one who is about a dog , and is familiar with
tion
life was Munperedndtrust e l
by a clause w!.ichso
preset
required the consent .4 its Libits and in peculiarities.
tetiants for aees to h a obtained. The t
bill proposed to empower the Court of Chancery to dispense 1 A dog about to become rabid loses its natural liveli-
with such consent if it should think tit. ness. It mopes about as if preoccupied or apprehensive,
The Attorney-General thought that the bill would be of and seeks to withdraw into dark corners. From the
much practical utility it it were passed, and he therefore first there is usually a fore-shadowing of that most
assented to the second reading constant symptom of the disease—depraved appetite.
Sir John Kentiaway tlmught that the country did not at Mad dogs not only devour filth and rubbish of every
the present tune desire to have the whole question of settle kind with avidity, but even their own excrement—often
ments reopened by a large and sweeping change in the immediately after it has been passed. Indications
law. but submitted that the time had come when Paha- of this tendency appear early, and are more than
ment might fairly grant the relief which the bill proposol to • •
give. simpletons.
Mr. Lopesand Sir K Watkin also supported the bill, and Along with this peculiarity of behaviour it is of
equal importance to notice that an infected dog, from
The Attorney General for Ireland expressed a hope that
the first, snaps at other dogs without provocation.
'• the Court of Chancery ' would be cm strued to include the
Irish Court of Chancery. This snappishness in most dogs is very striking. If a
, The hill was then read a second time. dog previously known to have no such habit, snaps in-
discriminately at the first dog it meets in the yard or
SPIRITUOUS LIqUoRS (sCoTLAND) BILL, in the street, it is probably not safe.
sir R. Anstruther, in moving the second reading of this
very general or a So far I have had in mind chiefly what s to be ob-
bal. said there was in Scotland a desire f re-
foim of the existing law, and the necessity for sonic bads- served in dogs tied up or at home. A dog which is at
Whin was shown by the increased and increasing con- large is also to be recognized as in a dangerous state
sumption of spirits and the increase if drunkenness in by its demeanour. A healthy dog in its progress along
that country. In 1869 the constmtption of spirits in a street or elsewhere shows at every step that its atten-
Scotland was 5,295,329 gallons, or -1 59 gallons per head thin is awake to the sights and sounds which it en•
of the populatMn ; in 1673 it had increased to 6,632.487
gallons, 2 3 gallhe number if pons er head. in Glasgow in thef
convictions from drunkennem mrose ute counters. The rabid dog, on the contrary, pies sul
t period -
lenly and unobservantly forward as, nd is not diverted
from 4,961 to cos, or 30 per cent s and the number of by olitcts obviously likely to attract it. This state-
charges of assault, breach of the Peace, Ac, from 14.653 to ment, owever, is subject to the important exception
17,906, or 22 per cent. increase. In Dundee the cases of drunken- already referred to, that it is excited both by the sight
ness had increased by 56 per cent. The number of public- and sound of an animal of its own species.
houses in Scotland was considerably in excess of what was
required, and might advantageously be reduced. In Of the symptoms which accompany the final stage of
: Editibtirgh, including both public-honses and grocers the disease the most important and characterimic are
,Is -cusesthere was 1 to every 231 of the population ;in those which relate to the organs in which it localizes
Dundee Ito 235; in Kilmarnock, Ito too ;in Airdrie, Ito itself—the month and throat. Attention is often drawn
CO in Dumfries, 1 to 249 •in Musselburgh, 1 to 119 ; in to the condition of the mouth in an animal implicated
Haddington, Ito 108 ; Irvine, Ito ills d and DingwalL 1 .t 0
to 96 ; to• taking the whole of Scotland, there be healthy by the tibservm ion that it tries to scratch
. 7,692 hotels and inns, Sr I to every 425 of the population . . the corners of its mouth, as if attempting to get rid of
4.259 grocers' licenses or Ito every 180 of the popular the ropy mucus which is seen to be discharged from
tins . or, taking both together, there was Ito every 275 of it. In dogs that are tied up it is noticeable that
the population. The hon. baronet explained the principal I the bark has entirely hint its ring, and acquires
' features of the well-known Gottenburg system, end asked
that there should b soe opportunity of trj lug it in So•t- .
, a peculiar hoarseness, which can be recognised even
b the most unobservant. As the disease prigresses
land alr. Carnegiee hail moffered ElO,OOO to the Y first place in I -, .
Scotland that chose to adopt this system as an experiment 1 the discharge increases, the lower jaw hangs as if
lie explaitied the fosoisions of the preient bill and the paralyzed, and the animal has evident difficulty in
manner in which they 04.011.1 operate in carrying oust the swallowing. Along with this there is often loss of
Gott, nburg system, and concluded by impressing, on the Go- power of the hind limbs. If now the dog is watched,
vernment the desirability of giving the system a trial. the peculiarities of behaviour which have been already
After remarks from several hon members, . noticed are seen to present themselves in a much more
' Mr cross said he could not assent to the second portipn of marked degree than before. It is observed, first, that
the Tiff], which proposed the introduetion of the Gottenburg it is subject to paroxysms of excitement, in which it
system, beeause the House did not possess sufficient int
mafion in regard to it and be considered it rather a stron a--
g make softenreseated efforts to bite or gnaw all objects
measure
to be asked to accept the remainder of the bill when (such as woo work, straw, &c.) within its reach,
HOLD COAST. THE
I:iota of 40 clauses were swept away at one stroke. At the while at the same time it continues to exhibit the
same time he was not unwiliiim to accept the first part of tendency already mentioned to devour its own excre-
Mr. Knatchbull-llngessen asked the Under-Secretary for the bill relating to grocers' licenses and the issue of new ment ; and, secondly, even during the remissions its
the Colonies whether the Gold Coast policy of the Govern- licenses, if the hon. baronet would agree to their amendment or sound oii cut would involve any increase ot the Colonial Estimates
i t certain respectswhich h pointed out. excitement is at once renewed by the night d f
for the present year, and if so, whether he would take care ' - another dog.
that those estimates should come on at
would ensur an opportunity for th f such a
second tirue.
n hour as Sir Robert Anstruther assented to that conrse, and the bill
I It may be well to note that the disease occurs at all
e eir ull discussion. was then read a
I, seasons, that the mad dog continues to recognise its
estimate for the Gold Coast After Whitsuntide a statement to move for an PUBLIC MEETINGS (IRELAND) BILL. ! master and to manifest plea.sure when kindly spoken
would be made upon the subject, and ample Dine would be rM P' J. ' J Smyth moved the second reading of this MIL the ! to, that it does not shua water, and that in many
•
given for discussion to take place. object of which was to assimilate the law relating to public ; cases from first to last that wild fury which is com-
-1
meetings in Ireland to that of England. ! moldy supposed to belong to the disease is con-
VIOLENT Assat CM ON WOMEN. The Attorney-General for Ireland opposed the bill, and 1 anicimusly absent.
On going into Supply, Colonel F. Leigh brought before the contended that the law which it was sought to repeal was its- I '
Mouse the present inadequate punishment inflicted on tended to prevent illegal representative meetings, and not I , The moor effectual means for checking the apread of
woman-beaters, and moved a resolution that in aggravated ordinary public meetings. Ile moved as an amendment that 1 hydrophobia are—(l) to circulate information on the
cases an additional punishment should be inflicted. its did the bill be read a second time that day six Ino ails. subject ; (2) to enforce existing regulations as to
not press it to a division, on being assured by Mr. Disraeli, After a discussion, hi which several hon. members took licences and as to the destruction of ownerless dogs.
who agreed with him that every one must be disgirted at part. the House divided—Cor the second reading, et : it is to be regretted that the wise proposal of Mr.
reading the cases daily put.ltslosi of cruelty .' mit to the against, 216 ; majority, 13 wa 2. 'the Intl s therefore refectid.
weaker, but the fairer sex," that the Government would - . Fleming that a short description of the disease Should
bear the subject in mind. MUNICIPAL BOROUGHS (AUDITORS' ANL) ASSESSORS') be printed on the back of each licence has not been
THE NAVY ESTIMATES. BILL. adopted. The disease originates, whether in man or
The House then went into Committee of siD 1 r. Supply, NI hell the M 1 omoved the second reading of this bill, the ob• beast, exclusively by contagion. The carriers of con-
remaining Votes in the Navy Estimates, including the Sup ject of which, he explained, was to exclude the election of tagion are the ownerless dogs of large towns. —I remain,
plementaryEsHUMfes, were introduced. The discussion was auditors I.llli assessors in municipal boroughs from theopera- Sir, yours, &c,
of the usual discursive character, and to a great extent was, Don of the Ballot Act. J. BURDON SANDERSON, M.D., F.R.S.
. . .

Mr. Look., sn,ke in favour of the motion, and Mr. Stewart
wairst it. On a division it was negatived to" 271 to (18, and
Mr. Allen's ziniendnient was agreed to.

MERCHANT SHIPS, &C.
Sir C. Adderley obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend
the Min chant shipping Acts in regard to the measumment
of tonnage , and, on the motion of Mr. MeMon, a select
Committee was appointed to inquire into the lash Regis-
tration Law.

POOR. RELIEF (IRELAND) BILL.

After this none hours were spent in discussing the Poor
Relief (Ireland) Bill, the object of which is to substituce
Union Rating for the present system of Rating by Lire-
tonal Divisions, The Second Reading was moved by
Mr. o.,haughnessy, and supported by Mr. Dunbar, Mr.
Downing, and others Its rejection wns moved by Mr.
Kavanagh, who was supported by Mr. Bruen. Sir. 31.
Beach admitted a case had been made out for some change,
and while pointing out various general objections to Union
Rating, on the store of extravagance, &c , he indicated an
opinion that its adoption for indoor relief only might be a
satisfactory settlement of the controversy. But he
promised to give the subject his best consideration during
the Recess with a view to legislation. On this as-
surance Mr. aShaughnessy offered to withdraw the but
Mr. Kavanagh, who had moved the amendment, declined to
allow it to be so disposed of, and, after an unsuccessful
attempt had been moved to solve the difficulty by a "count
out," the Second Reacting of the Bill was negatived without
a Division.

Several other bills were forwarded a stage, and the House
adjourned.

Lord Roselyn sad that. as Lord High Commissioner to the
Church of Scotland, he had much gratification in exprusslng
bin cordial agreement in the principle of the proposed
measure. lie did not believe that any objection would pm-
ceed frosts the Patrons, and he hoped that a satisfactory
arrangement of the matter would at last be come to.

The Duke of Bucclench supported the principle of the
Measure, reserving my expression of opinion on the details
until he saw the bill in print, lie thought it quite right
that the selection of the minister should be with the com-
municants, and with regard to the abolition of Patronage he
declared he should be ashamed to ask compensation, for he
always regarded the selection of a minister a most responsible
and onerous trust.

Lord Dalhousie quite agreed that any measure on this sub-
ject must be undertaken on the authority of the Goveniment,
but he remarked that the Church of Scotland was by no
means unanimous in condemnation of Patronage. He had
himself no objection to the proposed constituency for the
election of ministers, but he doubted whether it would Inc
acceptable to the General Assembly of the Scotch Church.
At present Church Patronage was virtually almost abolished ;
and if the question had not been stirred up afresh, there
would before long have remained nothing in the shape of
Patronage in the Scotch church, and no necessity would
exist for any bill on the sulqect.

After some remarks from other Peers. the Bill was read a
first time.

EAST INDIA ANNVITI FUNDS BILL.

The Last India Annuity Funds Bill was read a second
time, and the Betting Bill was read a thirst time and passed,
and their lordships then adjourned.

SALARIES OF CIVIL SERVANTS.

In the llorsu or Odorous, Mr. onslow naked the
Pint Commissioner of Works whether a memorial had been
received by him from the civil servants employed in the
ordnance survey praying for all increase intheir salaries.

- -
Lord Henry Lennox said his attention bad been called to
the memorial, which was based on the assumption that the
petitionens were permanent subjects of the Crown, which a
parliamentary committee had decided was not the case.

repetition of former debates. Admiral Elliott spoke at length Mr. Bell opposed the motion, and moved as an amendment
on the question of Dockward Administration, and repeated that the bill be read a second time that day six months.
his arguments as to the superiority of the " establishment" The bill eventually was '• talked out ," and the remaining
to the " hired " men Mr. Childers interpolated a Budget business haring been disposed of, the Rouse adjourned.
discussion by asking the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether
" " • • - •

be really thought the prosptcts of the Revenue were suffi-
ciently satisfactory to iu.stify the Committee in voting sup
plementary Estimates. The Chancellor of the Exvheinikr
replied that the Customs Revenue was perfectly satisf ictory,
813 d though the Excise might not he quite so satisfactory
there was nothing to cause any uneasiness.