The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-06-20 00:00:00

ItiFEktiAL PARLIAMENT.

F. the House of Lord., on Urine 16, Earl Stanhope rose to
WI the attention of the itonse to tile report of the Public
schools Commission in 11164, with the view to some further
'measures beyond the bill now pending in Parliammit ; and
moved for copies of any petitions or memorials on the sub-
ject of public schools which have been received by her
Majesty's Oovethment since the tat of July, MU.
The Earl of Clarendon, as one who took a lively interest
In this • ibject, expreseed his pleasure that it had been thus
brought oefore their lordships by the noble earl.
to the House of Conimons, Mr. Ayrton asked the Vice.
President of the Board of Thole when the return relating to
Electric Telegraphs ordered by this House on the 21st April
will lie presented ; and what is the cause of the delay in pre-
paring this return, and the annual returns relating to rail.
MA!, companies
Mr. S. Case said a second circular had been sent to some
of the railway companies, and until the returns were
received the report would be incomplete.
In reply to Mr. loyard, Mr. Disraeli said the moment the
despatches were received from Sir It. Napier, he would
move a vote of thanks to Sir It, Napier and the army in
Abyssinia.
In reply to Mr. Morrison, Mr. Disraeli said his primary
motive sons to dispose of the necessary legislation before
.other matters were taken tato consideration. Ile believed
the hon. member had no cause to coniplain of the manner in
w h iok the Revenue Officers Disabilities Bill hail been treated;
Is fart the hon. member had experienced unexpected
facilities. One of the necessary consequences of those
unexpected facilities was that a discussion would arise on
the motion for going into committee. He thought at present
it could be taken as the first order en Friday.
In reply to Mr. Childers, the chancellor of the Exchequer
esid the Electric Telegraphs Bill would be taken first on
Thursday.
Mr. Disraeli rose to move that on Tuesday, the 7th
of July next, and every succeeding Tuesday during the
present session, osiers of the day have precedence of
notices of motions, the Tight beingreserved to her Majesty's
Ministers of placing Government orders at the head
sof the list Ile said it was an indulgence granted to the
'House some years ago, almost habitually in July. It
undoubtedly interfered with the privileges of private
members, and he hoped that under present circumstances
they would have no objection to sacrifice those privileges.
As concerned the Scotch Reform Bill and the Boundary Bill,
It might be considered that they were virtually settled.
'When the Irish Reform Bill was in the same position he
would be able to take a general view, anti he would be better
able to reconiniend what course should be adopted.
Morning sittings were certainly very advantageous when
'bills were in committee, hut when second readings were
taken in the morning, lone discussions followed as a matter
of course, and time soon slipped away. lie hoped the House
would consent to the motion he had made, and there would
then be a probability of speedily getting through the neon,-
5517 business,
Mr. Gladstone cheerfully assented to the motion, and after
some slight discussion in reference to the policy or inipolicy
of morning sittings,
The moteui Wa.9 agreed to without division.
Mr. Disraeli then moved that to-clay the House do meet at
two o'elock, subject to the resolution of the 27th of May,
1867,

•
After a slight conversation this was also agreed to.
On the motion for abing into committee on the Represen-
tation of the People Ireland, Bill.
smitiford criticised the redistribution features of the
imeseture. He complained that it did not disfranchise the
mealiest and most insignificant boroughs. The truth was that
the scheme was unsatisfactory to all parties; and he advised
that the measure should be converted into a simple fran-
chise bill, leaving the question of redistribution to be dealt
with in a future se_sion.

Mr. Henley supported this view of the question, tin the
ground that in its present shape the bill would provoke much
disenesion, and interpose considerable delay in bringing the
aession to • close.

-
In the course of a brief discussion, in which Mr.
Bagwell, General Dunne, Mr. C. Fortescue, Mr.
cregory, Sir. 11. Bruce, Mr. Lawson, Mr. It. RaiHie,
and other hon members took part, the redistri.
!anion scheme was generally condemned as defective;
hut after Mr. Disraeli had promised that the arguments ad-
duced against it should receive respectful consideration, and
:remarked that nothing had been urged to alter the course
which he proposed to take, that the bill should he further
eonaidered, the House went into committee on the bill.
The ard clause was rapidly reached, audit fixes the borough
franchise at £4 rating.
Mr. Lawson objected that as the words of the bill stood it
,enfranchised only persons who were rated at "more than
£4," and moved an amendment in accordance with such
iew.

The motion was opposed by the Government, and on a
division was negatived by 108 to 177.
Subsequently the 10th, 11th. and 12th clauses, relating to
the redistribution of seats, were postponed.
On the clause which prohibits the payment of the expense
of conveying voters.
Mr. Morris moved an amendment excepting the county of
the town of Galway, which led to a division, resulting in the
adoption of the amendment by 134 to SS.
The several boroughs of Carrickfergus, Cork, and
limerick, for local reasons, were also admitted as
samptions to the operation of the clause. Propositions to
crcept the city of Cork, together with Drogheda, Kilkenny,
nail Waterford, were negatived.
The remaining clauses of the bill (save and except those
postponed at an! earlier stage of the evening were then
agreed to and progress MU reported.
. . , " " "

it was .undeiratoOd that the further consideration of the
measure should he resumed on Thursday as the first order,
in lieu of the Teleirraph Bill.
on the order for the second reading of the Registration
Bill,

Mr. Baines called attention to the fact that in the bill no
Provision was made for the registration of lodgers, nor was
there any arrangement for service of objections on this
newly-made class of voters
. . .

--AKer"..i.fewtwords from Mr. Labouchere. Mr. Pugh, and
other members,

—...—..,
The Solicitor-General remarked ongthe difficulty at present
of makuig out the claims of lodgers there would be a list
of persons in that capacity who had been omitted, and who
made claims, and that would be revised by the overseers.
Sir G. Bowyer said that everyone was agreed that a disso-
lution mild take place as soon as possible; but still the
matter ought not to be hurried. The neat Parliament would
be the most innartant in the history of England.
The discussion was continued by Mr. Melly. Mr. Leeman,
and other hon, members, and the bill was read a second time
ant. referred to n select committee.... .
. . . . . .

....... —.„.
--The remaining business was rapidly disposed of. and the
Hausa adjourned.

In the House of Lords, on June 16, the House went into
committee on the Poor Relief Bill.
. . . . .

On Clause 9,-a discussion arose AS to the provision to be
made by guardians for lunatics and incurables.
The Earl of Devon referred to a new clause introduced by
Loni Portman, in,tead of the one which had already been
adopted by their Lordship, on the subject. The clause of
the noble lord tbord Portman) he was prepared to support
If pressed to • division. The clauses proposed by the Earl
of Carnavon and added to the bill when previously in com-
mittee, he felt bound to oppose,
The Earl of Carnarvon defended the clauses referred to.
and affirmed that the asylums which he had proposed should
be constructed would be on the most economical principles
which could be adopted.
The Marquis of Bath said he should be compelled to vote
for the clauses of the noble lord opposite as an act of justice
both to the ratepayers and to the courts of quarter sessions.
The Earls of Stradbroke. Shaftesbury, and Kimberley sup-
ported Lord Carnarvon's clauses, which were opposed by the
Earl of Malmesbury.
After some further discussion, the clauses were negatived
by 61 to 26.
Several private bills were advanced a stage, and their
lordships adjourned.
In the House of Commons, on the order of the slay for the
recommittal of the Public Schools Bill, Mr. Seat, moved
that the bill be referred back to the select committee in
order that clauses may be inserted in it giving power to the
new governing bodies and the commissioners to be appointed
by the bill to deal with the constitutiou and revenues of
Eton and Winchester Colleges.

Mr. Mowbray remarked that three years had now elapsed
since the Public Schools Commissioners reported, and two
years ago a bill was introduced based upon the recommenda-
tion of the commissioners. The schools were most anxious
for legislation. The Westminster School was almost paralysed
by the present state of things. He hoped the House would
reject the proposition of the hon. member, and at once pro-
ceed with the consideration of the bill in committee.
Mr. Newdegate expressed a strong opinion that no ad-
vantage would result from the bill if Eton and Harrow, the
governing bodies of which schools consisted of laymen, were
to be dealt with in a different manner from Eton and Win-
chester.
Mr. Goschen, as a member of the Select Committee,
explained that the committee thought it would be illogical
to give powers to a body that were about to expire. They
therefore proposed that the existing bodies should reform
themselves before proceeding to a reform of the schools.
After some observations from Mr. Ayrton,
Mr Lowe expressed his regret that she principle of the
bill had not received a full discussion before proposing to
consider it in committee.
Sir S. Northcote hoped the House would at once go into
comniittee, and proceeded with the consideration of the
elauses of the bill.
After a few remarkii from Mr. W. F. Forster, Mr. T. D.
Acland, Mr. Walpole, Mr. Darby Griffiths, and Mr. Marsh,
Mr. Neste withdrew his amendment.
The Holum then went into committee.
After a short discussion, clauses 1 and 2 were agreed to.
On clause 3 being introduced, several amendments were
proposed, amongst which was one moved by Mr. Lowe, to the
effect that no governing body should be appointed with new
powers.
The Government opposed this, and the committee
divided, when the amendment was negatived by 152 to 69.
Progress was soon r.fterwards reported, and the sitting was
suspended.
The House resumed at seven o'clock.
Mr. Bright moved that an humble address he presented to
her Majesty praying that she will be graciously pleased to
appoint a commission or commissioners to proceed to Nova
Scotia for the purpose of examining into the causes of the
alleged discontent, with a-view to their consideration and
removal.
Mr. Baxter seconded the motion, and urged that whatever
view might be entertained by either side of the House as to
the general subject, further inquiry was an honest and abso-
lute necessity.
Mr. Adderley stated that her Majesty's Government were
fully prepared to consider any recommendations on the
subject at any reasonable period.
Mr. Aytoun asked what security Nova Scotia obtained by
her union with Cansda. The bill of amalgamation was
passed in a more precipitous manner than any which hail
passed through that House.
Mr. Cardwell defended the act of confederation, and
pointed to New Brunswick as an instance where the people
Arst grumbled, and then accepted with thankfulness the
_

union.
The debate was further continued by Mr. Gorst, Admiral
Erskine, and Mr. F.. IC Kerslake. .
Mr. Bright, in reply, characterised the speech of the
Secretary for the Colonies as the most injudicious ever
delivered, and said It would have a most injurious effect in
America, and would not tend to lessen the discontent which
prevailed in Nova Scotia.
The House then divided, when there appeared—for the
motion, 87 • against it, IG.The Established Church Ireland Bill was read a third
time and passed, after a protest on the part of Colonel
Stuart Knox in the name of all Independent men, but as it
was going to its last resting place he said lie would not
trouble members to divide.
The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
House adjourned.
In the House of Commons, on June 17, Mr, Knatchbull-
Hugessen moved the second reading of the Turnpike Trude
Bill. In doing so he reviewed the subject in an exhaustive
speech. The country could not do worse than go on in the
present unsatisfactory system, and he believed that it was
essentially necessary to abolish tolls and extend the area of
taxation.
Mr. Knight moved., by way of amendment, that the bill be
read a second time that day three months
Mr. Corrance supported the amendment The turnpike
debts were local, and their liquidation should be local, not
national The passing of the bill would lead to a general
deterioration of the roads of the kingdom.
Lord Henley supported the bill, and desired to throw the
expense of repairing the roads on a district larger than a
parish, and he hoped that in a future Parliament a system of
supporting roads, whether highways or turnpikes, would be
adequately provided for.
Mr W. W. Beech did not think the bill of the hon.
member for Sandwich would be satisfactory to the country.
After a few observations from MrCleve and Mr Scourfield,
Sir J. Fergusson said the introduction of railways had affected
the old system of highways and turnpike roads in a variety
of ways He gave various reasons to show that the Govern.
meat ought not to accede to the present bin, and he believed
that the most prudent way would be to w alt till an effective
scheme was nurtured.
After some remarks from Mr. P. W. Martin, Mr. Goldney,
and Mr McLaren,
Mr. Read, while admitting the present uns.itisfactory
state of the law, objected strongly to transferring the out
ef the maintenance of the turnpike roads to the rates upon
property.
Mr. Henley said that no men had u greater objection to
tolls than he had ; but they most remember that w..h the
Introduction of turnpikes came good rents Ile hoped that
both the motion and the ameedrnert woe ' withd
Mr John 61/1•0111 ligprellella upon the . tea

- - -of imposing the coat of maintaining the roads upon the
rate

-Mr. (Whom° hardy recommended the withdrawal of
both the Intl and the amendment The whole tendency
of the discussion went to show that no two members were
agreed in the meaning of the vote they would give upon this
nuf.stitin.

Ath.--1:-natchbull-Hugessen congratulated hi:rself and the
House that they had advanced a stage on this question by
the discu‘sion to-nay, and then w itharew the bill.
Mr. J. Stuart Lill, in moving the second reading of the
Municipal Corporations Metropol s Bill, said that the new
state of things introduced in the institutions of the country
since he brought forward this bill hail altered the circum-
stances under which the measure should be regarded by the
Mouse. The principles required that the local representative
body should be on as large a scale as is consistent with the
unity of interests. The hon. member pro Ceded to detail
the multifarious divisions and authorities. Instead of
these he contended there ought to be only one division of
police, and for each of the other administrative bodies.
The multitudes of boards and vestries necessarily entail
large expense. lie concluded by moving the second reading
Of
.the bill.'

Mr. Bentinck moved the refection of the bill, and expressed
his surprise that Mr. Mill had proceeded with it after what
had passed before the Standing Orders Committee.
Mr. Harvey Lewis seconded the amendment, and thought
one strong fact against the measure was that it was almost
universally condemned in the metropolis. The hon. member
Pointed Out the great expense upon the different communi•
ties which this bill would entail, and which he contended
was unnecessary.

Colonel Hogg opposed the bill and pronounced it unwork-
able, observing that it was a pity the hon. member for
Westminster bad consented to father the bill, of which it
was well known he WM not the author.
After a dheussion, in which Sir J. lergusson, Mr. Ayrton,
and Mr. Locke took part,
Mr Stafford Northcote observed that the proposition of the
hon. member for the Tower Hamlets sought to get the
Government to help the House out of a dldlculty.
It being a quarter to six, according to the rules of the
House, the debate concluded, and the bill was hat.
The Bankruptcy Act Amendment Bill was read a second
time, and the House adjourned.