The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-07-27 00:00:00

iIIiPERIAL PARLIAIVIE

_
In the House of Loris,jutyl2,Esrl Granard said that ii.
esonseqttence of the noble net (Russell) having put off his
question (in reference to his letter about the Judgment
of Mr. Justice Keogh) he wished to mike a statement
Mu (Lord Grattan]) had read the papers which had
been laid on their lordships tilde, but he found him
self unable conscientiously to modify the opinion h 3 formed
when he wrote the letter in question, or to retract
the espresgions he made use of ill reference to ‘ir Jostle.
Keogh. L-nder these circumstances, and being reluctant
that Lily acts of his should cause the slightest embarrais
mint to the Government, be had placed his resignation in
the hernia of the Lord Lieutenant of !rebind. Ile had
taken this step without the slightest pressure being put
Upon him, and his resignation had been accepted. Ile
thought, therefore, the noble earl would not find it necessary
to put that question which he bad postponed for a week.
The Earl of Derby gave notice that he should postpone
until Monday next calling attehtiun to the case of Dr. Hooker,
the director of Kew Gardens.

On the order of the day to tato Into consideration the
Queen's message as to the kountess of Mayo,
The Duke of Argyll mentioned the circumstances under
which this message had come down to their lordships, and
moved a reply to the Queen, ensuring her Majesty that this
HOIIIIO would cheerfully concur with the I)ther House of
Parliament in takirg such measures as would secure to
Lady Sligo a pension of Ll,OOO from the Imperial Ex-
chequer, and LIMA, from the Indian Treasury, and the
PM''Amid of a sum of 1:20,4X0 for the education and support
of her )(stinger children.
• • •• " ••

The linke of Richmond 'impelled the reply to the Crown,
and highly eulogised the servieus of the late Lord Mayo.

„
The motion was agreed to.
In Committee fort re-commitment) of the Acrobats Bill,
lord Shaftesbury said it was defective in not putting down
the system of training children for acrobatic performances,
whereby many wire crippled and ruined. Some amuse-
ment was occanionel by successive attempts to define
what is an "acrobatic performance,” and eventually, in de-
ference to a suggestion from the fluke of Richmond, Lord
Buelchurat consented to withdraw the bill, with a view to
Introducing a more complete measure next semi..

The Statute Law Revision (No. 2) Bill was read a second
time, alter an explanation by the Lord Chancellor that It
brought down the revision of statutes wholly or partially re-
pealed to the year 1010.

The Enclosure Law Amendment Bill was committed (on
rwcommitmout).

Lord Houghton said that in the present state of public
business the Bill had little or no chance of passing this
Seilision, and recommended that It be withdrawn.
• desultory discussion, comprehending the principle as
wells, the details of the bill, followed. Two divisions On
amendments were carried against the Government. and the
Duke of Northumberland, seeing, iss he mid, the condition
to which the bill was reduced, moved that the report
be not received, which would have been equivalent
to the rejection of the mesa.. Lord Kimberley dia
Med that the tiaefulnesa of the bill had been materially
affected, and the Duke of Richmond deprecated any at-
tempt to get rid of the bill without due notice. The motion
was accordingly withdrawn, on the understmeling that the
Duke of Northumberland will move to throw out the bill ou
the third reading.
The other bilh were forwarded a stage, and their lord-
ships adjourned,
-

_
In the Hoes. of Commons, Mr. Dalrymple gave notice
that on Monday he would move for leave to • Introduce a bill
to provide for the better treatment of habitual drunkards.
(Laughter )
. . . .

Mr. C. Forster brought up the report of the select com-
mittee, which was mad by the clerk at the table. It stated
that a petition beating 69,000 signatures, and praying for
uniformity of closing public houses in town and country,
bore a large number of signatures which were fictitious.
The committee felt it their duty to bring under the
notice of the House this scandalous abuse of the right of
petltionhig, as involving a breach of privilege.
Mr. Strieant Sillloll having presented the petition in noes.
lion, stated that he was secured by those who forwarded it.
to him that the signatures were perfectly genuine. loving
now examined sonic of the sheets of the enormous lioclunent,
Ice found that some of the names were " Louis Philippe,"
" King of Italy," "Prince Bismarck," kc., thus showing that
the persons who appended those signatures were unfavour-
able to the object of the petition.
Mr. Gladdens withdrew the Corrupt Practices Bill, but
announced, at the same time, that Sir. Disraeli'. ACt for
the trial of Election Petition, by the dodges would be re-
newed for a year in the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill.
In answer to Mr. Kavanagh, Mr. Gladstone confirmed the
statement that Lord Granard had retired from the Lord
Lieutenancy of Leitrim, and that his resignation had been
accepted by the Government.

_
In answer to Lord J. Manners, Mr. Chichester Fortescue
Mid that, though the Treaty of Commerce with Prance ex-
pired next year, we cannot, by Treaty with the Zollverelr,
prohibit the exportation of coal to the Zollverein States and
the other countries possessing the" favoured nation's clause"
until the year 1e77.
In answer to Sir C. Dilke, Mr. Gladstone said that, accord-
ing to the beat opinion he could form, the House, by passing
the Treaty of Washington Bill, would riot be committed to
any course in regard to the Canadian Guarantee
The House then went into Committee of Supply on the
Army Undulates, and the following votes were altetwards
agreed to :—C104,500, Army Reserve £.370,700, Control
Establishment ; .E 1,784.300 Provisions. Forage, ctc.; £751,700,
Clothing Establishments ; £1,196,800, Warlike Stores;
£055,0001., Worms and Buildings.
The House then went Into Committee on the Countess of
Mayo's Pension, and the Message from the Clown having
been read, Mr. Gladstone, withmt remark, moved a resolu-
tion granting to the Queen an annual sum of 4.1,000 to be
settled on the Countess of Mayo, which was agreed to.

On the moths for going into committee MI the Thames
Embankment Bill,
Mr. Harcourt moved that, at this period of the Session,
and under the pressure of public business, it is not expedient
to proceed with the bill, and after a short discussion the
resolution was carried against the Government by 154 to 133.
The bill is consequently lost for the 'bunion.
The Local Government Board (Ireland) itill was passed
through co onaittee, and the Treaty of Waahington hill was
read a second time.

several other bide were advanced a stage, and the House
adjourned at ten minutes to two o'clock.

In the ouse of Lords July 23, Lord Morley explained the
provision, of the Mines Regulation Bills, and moved the
second reading.
. .

Lord Shafte-sbury, tracing the history of this legislation
from 1542, when he passed a bill prohibiting tloy employment
of women and children iu mines, expressed his satisfaction
that It was now proposed to raise the age at which boys can
be employed in pits from ten to twelve years Advertiog to
the moral and physical degradation of the women employed
at the pit-bank, he said it might not be possible to prohibit
their labour altogethe,., and he, therefore, thankfully ac-
cepted • limitation of the hours during whigh they were
employed. The bill contained other pr .visions for improving
the education and ,oidition of the mining Population, and
he expressed his gratitude to the Government for bringing it
forward.

The hills were then read a second time.
Lord Ripon, In moving the sec cud reading of the Element-
ary Education (Elections, Bill, said that its object was to
confirm the provisional rules and regulations of the E Luca-
. . . .

the Department under which the School Board elections
were held. The Ballot had succeeded very well in Loudon,
and It was now prop-Weil to place the town anti country
elections under One lintilltni system.

Lord Salishory obje,ted to the introduction of the Ballot
Into School Board elections in the country districts. The
Ballot was at present only on its trial, and so distasteful an
Innovation would hinder the progress of educathm in the
country. Ile moved as an amendment that the bill be read
a second time that day three months.

Lord italitaz expres'sed an opmion that, the BAIA having
been once adopted, the country was not hkely to go back to
the f•Jruser system.

a Division, the Contents were 42 and the Not Contents
46; so the bill was lost.

00 the motion of Lord Kinnalrd, the Masten and Work•
men Arbitration Bill Was real a second time.

After some other buslueu had been disposed of, their
lordships adjonnied.

In the House of Commons, Mr. Dodson asked the Under
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether her Majesty's
Government had, as the result of the instructions sent on
the 11th of July to Lord Lyons, received from the French
Government an explanation of the transmission from Dieppe
to Newhaven by the French police of seven men who in the
night of June 29 wore shipped on board the Marxrilles, in
the custody or under the escort of the police; and what was
the explanation, if any, afforded.
• • • - • - •

Lord Enfield, in reply, said that on the 12th of July, Lord
Lyons brought under the notice of M. de Remusat the case
which had been alluded to. He promised to make inquiry,
and to give a reply, but up to this time no reply had been re-
ceived at the Foreign (Mice. He might inform the House
that the British consuls at different ports had received in.
. . . . . .

structions to watch the departure of the different steamers,
and in every case in which they saw that foreigners were
shipped under the superintendence id the French police au-
thorities, they were to report at once both to the Home
Government and her Majesty's ambassador at Paris.
Sir R. Peel said lie wished to ask the Prime Minister a
question which sprang out of that which had recently been
answered. It would he in the recollection ef the House
that during the present session many questions had been
asked respecting the introduction of Communists into this
country, and the Government had instructed Lord Lyons to
use his best exertions to prevent it No doubt the Com.
munints were a very criminal class, but in many eases
they were misguided, and the victims of circumstances and
the state of affairs in France. The question which he wished
to put referred to an equally dangerous and obnoxious clans,
viz., the Jesuits. Ile put this question on account of the
recent exercise of spiritual power in Ireland. (" On, oh "I
Mr. Maguire : I rise to order. Is the right hon. baronet in
order in indulging in these remarks?
The Speaker : I am quite sure the right hon, baronet will
keep within the rules of order.
Sir R. Peel : I wish to ask whether any and what steps
have been taken in compliance with the provisions of the
Act of Parliament to prevent the hill. of Jesuits into ,
this comitry, which daugeroas order, as well an monks— :
laugh)—have been banished by the Parliament of
Germany by a large majority, for " plotting," iii the
langumie of Prince Bismarck and the Parliament of Ger-
many, " under the direction of Rome, against the solely of
the German State, and attempting to impair and imperil the
civil rights and status of the subjects of this realm." I wish
In, know whether, It the Government is not taking any steps
In the matter, they will be prepared to introduce a short
Act to repeal the provisions of tile Act of 1829, so as to en-
tilde that class of Jesuits and monks to exercise freely their
principles in this country?
Mr. Gladstone t My right hon. friend must be conscious
that he has put to me at a moment's notice a question of a
very arduous and serious character, riot at all one, I think, to
be received except with great gravity ; and I should wish,
whenever it is inentioued, to treat it myself in the same
manner. Ile can hardly expect mete announce the results of
any recent deliberations upon this subject. It is quite
true that in Germany affairs have tended to bring to
a crisis the question of the presence of the Order of
Jesuits in that country but there have been no affairs
el that kind in Ragland which have tended to WI.
press upon the montion at the present moment any
eliarlehr ether thee that which it ordiaarily bears. We
mutt consider, therefore, what that character is. As is per-
fectly true, there are provisions of the law which are directly
against certain out, rs of the Boinau Church, but as my
right hon. friend is perfectly aware, that law is, law of 1929,
now 43 years old, and at ni. p root since it was enacted, to
me knowle.ge, has any step whatever beee taken to give
effect to this particular provisiou of that law.

Sir It. Peel : Oh, yes. (Cries of No, no.")
Mr. Gladstone : I speak subject to correction, but I am
nit aware of any steps that have teen tak,n at any period to
enforce this provision of the Act. Without at all denying
the title of nay right hon. friend or any other member to
raise any que.tion upon the provisions of that law, and to
challenge the Government to consider whether they will
either act in on that law or repeal it—which it a very fair
matter to rarre—l am not prepared to place myself on either
horn of the dilemma without further consideration. I think
that that which has endured. for 43 years w ithout occa' inn-
lag any fatal iniabief to the country, may, so far as I am
concerned, endure a little longer. In say log that my right
Inca. triend most not ammo. that I think lightly of the
matter. I admit i hat the question mono via very grave and
serious order. (Hear, hear.)
Sir R. Peel I wish to say in explanation of the question—
(" Order, order.")
Mr. O'Reilly la the right hon. gentleman in order in say-
inganything in explanation of his question after it has been
answered?
The Speaker If the right hon. gentleman has any question
to ask the Prime Minister, arising out of the answer, he will
be in crder.
Sir It. Peel The reason i put the questa,m real
the other day in The Times newspaper— ("Order, order.",
The Speaker : The right hon, gentleman is not in order
I. making an explanation.
Mr. Newdogate: I introduced a bill to inquire amongst
ether matters into circumstances conneeted with this order,
and, as It is not probable that I shall be sale to proceed
with that bill this aession, I beg to glee notice that early
next session I will Introduce a similar measnre and I bops
the Government may think fit to afford me fair opportuni-
ties for proceeding with it.
Sir it. Peel; 1 alio give notice that early next Radon I

right
of the

shall call the attention of the House and the country to
the state of the law respecting these classes of persons.
The Attorney-General for Ireland announced the course
which he intends to take with regard to Mr. Jostle Keogh's
Judgment, after careful consideration of the evidence and
consultation with the other Law Officers. The Judge had
reported 36 persons as guilty of undue (Whew* and Intimi-
,ation, inoluding the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam and
'he Bi•hops of Clonfert and Galway. and Captain Nolan and
nis hr ther. Ile had also reported 12 priests—all of whom
were included in the 86—as having resorted to altar denun-
cl itione In order to Influence the sleetion. In the discharge
of the duty cast upon him by the Statue, he had arrived at
colligation:l that there was evidence to support • pr.ecn-
;ion of the Romani Catholic Bishep of Clouted. and Captain
Nolan and hi. brother, and 19 of the priests nientiolied by
Sir. Justice Keogh ; and a prosecution would accordingly be
instituted against them.
The House then took up the adjourned debate on the
Second Reading of the Military Porter Localization (Ex-
penses) 11111 and the rejection of the bill was moved by
Mr. liolnis, who maintained that it was a departure from
the original policy of the Government, and that it would be
an obstacle to the establishment of a sound military system.
The fallacy on which it rested was that a Militiaman could
made into a soldier in three months' training; hut no
mch system could he carried out without a strong Reserve
which had been passed through the Regular Army. So far
from being an ecitioniy, the scheme would lead to the largest
Estimates ever known in time of peace, and its certain
failure would inflict a great blow on the Liberal party.
Sir .1. Pakinaton declined to say "No" to the second
reading, but threw the responsibility id the sch. me on the
Government. lie pointed out to Mr. Holm that we musl,
ale ays have to fall back on the Milltia for home defer,,
and this scheme, be believed, would increase the effi-
ciency of the Militia.

Mr. Gladstone, reminding the House that it was now July
23. and that the policy on which the hill rested—short
service and the 1301110,i011 of the Rsgulars and Auxiliary
Forces—had already been discussed and sanctioned more
than once, urged a prompt division on the second reading.

- -
The liscusaion was continued until the hour arrived at
which the debate by the rules of the House stood adjourned.
The Ai ' Ipal Corporations (Borough Funds) Bill passed
through Committee without opposition, Mr Leeniau having
reluctantly assented to the withdrawal of Clause 6, to which
so much obje lion has been taken.
- - - -

At the Evening Sitting, the House went Into Committee
on the Licenaing Bill. Ou Clan% 7, which forl•bis the sale
of spirits to children under 16, Mr. 0. Morgan proposed to
prohibit the sale of any intoxicating liquor to children
under 14 but, after a somewhat animated conversation,
the amendment was rejected by 129 to 60.
- ••

The first of the Penalty Clauses tl2) engaged the Corn-
niittee for some time, and various amendments proposed In
it were discussed with much spirit. The clause proposes that
every person timid drunk in any highway or other public
place shall be fined 10a. Sir D. Johnstone first proposed
to increase this line to 404 , but subsequently withdrew
his amendment S and Mr. Dent then proposed that the
tine shall be increase) to 204 for the second offence,
arid 40a for the third offence within the twelvemonth, with
the alternative in the latter case of imprisonment, with or
without hard labour, for a term not exceeding one month.
The amendment was accepted by Mr. Bruce, but the pro-
posal to inflict imprisonment WAR so generally distasteful
that Mr. Dent abandoned It. In the end, the amendment,
with this alteration, WWI carried by 152 to 141.
- -

A division was taken on the Clause as a whole, but it ivu
carried by 219 to 49.
'

The next Clause contains the penalties on publicans for
permitting drunkenness in their houses, and it requires that
every conviction shall be entered on the licence. Mr.
Barclay proposed that this shall not he imperative, but shall
be left to the discretion of the magistrate. Mr. Bruce
strongly opposed this mitigation of the clause, and after a
long discussion the amendment was negatived by 123 to
93. After the clause had been agreed to, the Committee
adjourned. _

•
The other orders were disposed of, and the House ad-
journed at half-past two o'clock.

In the House of Commons, July 24, Mr. P. Taylor gave
notice that early next session he would move a resolution
declaring the desirability of granting greater facilities for
the recreation of the working classes, by permitting the
opening of museums, librarits, &c, on Sundapi.
Lord E. Fitrinaurice gave notice that early next session he
will call attention to the subject of university reform, and
the necessity of bringing university education within the
reach of a larger number of her Majesty's subjects, by re-
ducing the vest of the same.
Mr. Stapleton gave notice that next session he will move
for leave to bring in shill to enahle owners of estates in laud
subject to mortgages to sell portions of the land in order to
discharge such mortgages.

-
Mr. C. Gilpin, in moving the second reading of the Capital
Punishment Abolition Bill, argued that the great deterrent
of crime was the certainty and not the severity of punishment. .
He quoted numerous cases in which, of late yeara persons had
been convicted of murder and sentenced to death, and after-
wards reprieved on the ground of insanity or some other ex-
cuse. This, he said, showed that the punishment of death
for the crime of murder was wanting in the element of
certainty, and he added that the Judges and the Home
Secretary recommended the exercise of the prerogative of
mercy whenever they found it possible to do so. The
gentleman eit,:d various eminent authorities in support of Ins
views that capital punishment was not deterrent, that it was
repugnant to the CUMMI,II potions of huniani,y, and that it
Would be much better to replace (thy a system of Imprisonment
which, while it would be certain of execution, would have a
deterrent effect. He also called attention to cases in which
the innocence of persons who had been convicted, and In
some instances executed, on capital charges had been
afterwards clearly established He mentioned the different
countries in which the punishment of death had been abo-
lished, and added that in those countries the abolition of the
capital sentence had not been followed by any increase in the
cases for which it used to be awarded. He stated that
the II Commission which had considered the sub-
ject were almost unanimous in the opinion that the
punishment of death ought to be abolished, and that they
had all joined in the recommendation that it should be
felt to juries to lay whether murder had been comniitted in
the first or second degree. Were this recomnienilathm
adopted, he contended that, such was the feeling on the eub-
ject throughout the country, it would be next to impossible.
to gets conviction in the first degree. In conclusion he
urged the House in the strongest manner, upon the grounds
of justice, humanity, said religion, to passtliLa bill.
Mr. It. N. Fowler seconded the motion.

Mr. Lopes moved that the bill be read a second time that
day three months. In.doing no he argued that before his
hen, friend who had moved the second reading of the bill
cuuld make out his case, he ought to show that there was
a reluctance on the part of juries t 4 convict in very bad
cases. Ile admitted that there was a certain amount of
uncertainty in the present ruide of ad e mustering the law,
but insisted that this a-as rather an argument in favour of
a modification of the system now in vogue, than in behalf of
the removal of the chance which still remained of the de-
terrent operation of the law.
Mr. Scourfield seconded the amendment.
After remarks from several hon. members,

The Attorney-General for Ireland said he admitted that in
particular cases there might be a difficulty in getting con-
victions, but he denied that this was a reason why the law
should he altered. lie held that the punishment of death
should follow c..uvictions for murder on the ground that
that puni.,Mneut was deterrent.
- -•- .

Mr: Bruce argued iu favour of the law as it stood.

Mr. Gilpin re-plied, and on a division, the motion for the
second reading was defeated by 167 against id, and the
Ilentin then adjourned.