The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
In the House of Commons, at the evening siSting, nearly
half an-hour was taken up by the Notices of Motion,'
which were between 50 and 60 in number.

THE ADDRESS.
The lion. Mr. fitrat then. rose.. to mev,! the Address.

...„
He referred to the recovery of the Prince of Wales from his
late dangerous illnesa, and he was aura it would be with
no ordinary feelings of Joy that the nation would agree
with her Majesty in the feelings she had expressed in her
Speech. lion. members would receive with gratification the
announcement that a day had been appointed for the public
return of thanks to Almighty God, and it most be the wLM
of all that her Majesty's health would enable her to be pre-
sent. Ile congratulated the country on the favourable state
of trade, which was in a great measure to be traced to the
. - . .

operation of the principles -of free tra.le. lie regretted that the
French Government showed a disposition to terminate the
treaty in favour of low duties between this country and France,
but he expressed a confident hope that this would
not be allowed to Interfere with the friendly feelings
between the two countries. tie now approached
.the
. , .

inTbject of the American. Treaty and he v/iZellost anxious
that no word that fell from him should embitter that un-
happy misunderstanding. He trusted, however, that the
effect of friendly remonstrances addressed to the
American Government would be that both countries
would come to a clear understanding on the subject.
Coming nearer home, he was gratified to find that
there was a great decrease in crime both in this
country and in Ireland, and that trade and cowmen*
were flourishing. Ile referred to the agitation which had [alien
place, especially in the northern parts of the country, en the
subject of education, but he hoped that by the good sense of
all parties some satisfactory arrangement might be effected.
Ile was glad the Ministry were about to bring In a bill for
the better regulation of mines, as he held that it was an act
not more of humanity than justice, to protect the lives, as
far as possible, of the men who were employed in that
hazardous occupation The bon member went in succession
through the various tomcs of the speech, approving of them
one by one, and concluded by moving the appointment of a
committee to draw up in form an address in reply to the
speech, in accordance with a summary of Its topics, which lie
read to the house.
, Mr. Colman seconded the Address in a brief and able
I speech, the greater part of which was devoted to prormg
the soundness of the prosperity of the country. He regretted
the misconception in regard to the Geneva Arbitration, ex-
pressed a decided opinou that the licensing system niust be
dealt with, and, as Nonconformist, avowed his discontent
wills ante parts of the recent legislation on the subject of
Education. _

Mr. Disraeli commenced by remarking that since the last
Session time had passed more rapidly than usual, and with-
out drawing the usual anti coavenient veil of oblivion over
Parliamentary controversies. This he attributed to the new
habit of the Ministry of vindicating its policy daring the re-
cess. They "lived in a perpetual blaze of apology," and left
nobody time to forget anything. Judging, however, from the
notices of motion just given, Mr. Disraeli anticipated that the
Ministers would have ample and speedy opportunities of de-
fending themselves, in tthe face of Parliament, on such
matters as Admiralty management and the evasion
of Acts of Parliament. PAsing to the Speech, he com-
mented In a sarcastic vein on the confused arrangement of
its paragraphs, drawing the inference that the Ballot was to
be confined to Ireland, end that there had originally been a
reference to the "third branch of the Upas tree," which hail
slipped out at the last moment. He regretted that such
measures as the alines Regulation Bill, Sanitary Legislation,
Ac., should be once more postponed to tile Ballot,
and repeated his determinal ion to offer to the
principle of Secret Voting his unshrinking oppo-
sition, though he did not expect to convert a
majority of the House to his opinion. Excusing himself
from discussing the Speech at length I.n account of the en-
nroaaing nature of one paragraph in it—that reeling to the
Washington Treaty—he condemned this paragraph as frigid
and jejune, utterly Inadequate to the occasion. Claiining for
, himself and his political friends that they had always en-
deavoured to cultivate friendly relations with the United
States, he reviewed minutely the history and provisions of the
Stanley-Johnson Convention, pointing out, in reply to a
taunt which had been uttered by Lord Granville,
that it was rejected by the American Senate because it ex-
chided indirect and constructive claims. Insisting that Mr.
Glatiatone and Lord Granville had full control and siipervi-
shin of the negotiations at Washington, and were therefore
solely responsible, he canvassed next the term of the Treaty,
pointing out various points to which he objected, pardon-
laity the retrospective portion. But he and hisfrietals hail
not thought it wise to challenge it in Parliament, partly
because it was held by high authority that it was legally
complete altos it was signed. Referring next to the debate
in the House of Lords, he called on the Government to ex-
plain on,what grounds they had stated so confidently that
the Treaty txcluded claim. which he described as '• pre-
posterous and wild." and equalling a "tribute from a
c. nquered people," and also whether the United
States Government had proteated against the Minis-
tetial interpretation of the Treaty. Next he asked
when the American Case was received by our Government
and when they had made the " friendly communication " to
the American Goo rnment. Finally, he urged the duty of
speaking out calmly, frankly, anti firmly, of avoiding "the
Serbonian bog of diplomacy," and of telling the American
Government plainly that it was itupossible for us to accept
their interpretation. Any delay, which would lead either
people to suspect the other of good faith and produce aliena-
tion, was strongly to be deprecated. Mr. Disraeli concluded
by a graceful reference to the recovery of the Prince of
Wales.
Mr. Gladstone, adverting first to the notices of motion
which hail been given with regard to the constitution of the
Admiralty and Sir Robert Collier's appointment, proclaimed
his readiness for the most searching Inquiry into the first
subject and his anxiety for the judgment of Parliament on
the second. lie proteateti that any other construction but
that placed on the Treaty by the Government was not
only not required, but would have been mischievous
to the public service. Speaking in reference to the Prince
of Wales's illness, he characterized it as an important public
event, which had removed all &mists as to the attachment
of the people to the great institutions of the country, and
expressed a belief that the universal sympathy which hail
been manifested for the Prince in his peril would leave
an enduring mark on his heart. Admitting that 'Mr.
Disraeli's criticism on the arrangement of the Speech
was partly justified by the accidental transposition of
two paragraphs, lie demurred to his description of the
paragraph relating to the Geneva Arbitration. It was quite
adequate, be maintained, viewed with regard as well
to the circumstances, the time, and the persons by whom it
was uttered, as also to the duty of speaking in the very
mildest tennis, which would show that the Government did
not under-eatimete the importance of the matter, without
making it more difficult for the United States Government to
meet Us. lie admitted that Mr. Disraeli bad always treated
American affairs with the judgment and discretion of en
enlightened patriot , and while not subscribing to the exact
accuracy of his historical retrospect of the negotiations,
he accepted it as proving that the British Government
hail at no time acceded, either in intention or other-
wise, to an instrument admitting constructive
The description of these extraordinary claims was
rather under the mark than an exaggeration. On
the part of the Government he accepted fully whatever
blame fell on those who concluded the Treaty—the Com-
miasioners were entirely free from blame. But he denied
that there was blame anywhere. The concessions we
had made to the American Government, such as
accepting retrospective action, abstaining from dein,
ing compensation for the Fenian raids, ke , were
large, and even extraordinary, and no doubt open to
ontestion and he contended that they were justifiable,
although there must be a limit to such a course. Answering
Mr. Disraeli's questions, he said that no protest had been
received from the American Government against the inter-
pretation publicly put on the Treaty in the House of
Lords in June last year, and explained that the American
Case had not been in possession of all the members
of the Cabinet for more than a week or so conse-
quently it was only on Saturday last that a comnomication
was addressed to the American Government. flee Majesty's
Government did not intend to rest on the supposed am-
inanity of the instruntent. They would not windt that it
could be read in two contradictory senses. On the contrary,
they would contend that, tried by grammar, logic, com-
mon sense, policy, or Any other conceivable criterion, its
only just and unequivocal meaning was that which
they put on it. Adverting Again to the magnitude
of the claims, Mr. Gladstone was lewdly cheered
In declaring that we mutt be insane to accede to demands
which no nation with a spark of honour or spirit left could
submit to even at the point of death. But he looked forward
with sanguine hope to the course which would be taken by
the American Government, anti he trusted in the goodwill
and friendship which had been shown by the American
people for this country, and which had been reciprocated
by us.
After some remarks from Mr. O'Reilly and Sir J. Gray,
complaining of the omission from the Speech of any refer-
ence to Irish Education, the Address was agreed to, and the
House adjourned.

In the House of Commons, Feb. 7, Sir CB. Added gave
notice that when the Government introduced their bill on
the Public ilealth, he would ask leave to bring in the Mil
which he introduced last session, for consolidating and
amending all the laws relating to public health and local
government in England and NS ales exclusive of the metro-
Pulls.
The Speaker said that before the commencement of the
public business he must ask have to address a few words
to the Moose. He was very glad of the opportunity of again
meeting the Howie, and of explaining to them the reasons
why he believed it to be necessary to withdraw from the
chair. Ile hoped the House would not think that he was
running away from his engagements or nom any labour
which it was in his power to perform. Hear, hear). Such was
not the case. 'Cheers). Ile had been happy to serve the
House for is considerable period, and he should quit the chair
with great regret. To take some small share in the govern-
ment of the country was to him honour Sufficient, and he
had no ambition beyond it, but the labour of the House had
of late years been very great, and last year it was excessive.
Cheers.) It rreatly overtaxed his strength, and he had not
been able during the recess to rally from the effects which it
produced. Ile felt that lie sole could only offer to the House
imperfect services, and rather than that he thought it pru-
dent to ask leave to withdraw. If it should snit the con-
venience of the Home he would resume the chair to-morrow
at the usual hour. (Cheers.)
Mr. Gladstone said that although the nature of the an-
Maincement which the right hon. gentleman had now made,
and likewise the deep andgenuine feeling which had prompted
and marked it, must render that a 'pedal occasion, sad
there would be found in the heart of every man who had
heard him sentiments entirely answering to his own ; yet
that was not an occasion on which the House ought to be in-
vited to express the feelings silk which it was affected, mid
he mould therefore endeavour to reStraill himself and others
from that which it most be in their nand' and upon their
lips to utter. Be W ,uld simply give notice of two motions
which he proposed to sieve to morrow. The first of them
a. s "Tie the' ha of this House be given to Mr. Speaker for
h., distinguished servlcesin the chair during• period of nearly
fifteen years ; that he be moored the liens< fully appreciates
the teal and ability with which he has discharged the duties
of Is high Ober daring very laborious seniors, and the
studious care and firmness with which he had maintained its
Privileges asil dignities ; that the House feels the strongest
sense of his unlit:Mitring attention la the constantly increaaing
busmen of Parliament. and the uniform urbanity which have
secured for him the respect and esteeni of this House."
Also " That an humble address be presented to Her Majesty
praying her that she will lie graciously pleased to confer
some signal mark of her Royal favour upon the Right Hon.
John Evelyn Denison, Speaker of this Home, for Ms impor-
tant and eminent services performed to hie country during