The Express.
London, England, 1864-04-19 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN RAILWAYS.

The Earl of DERBY promoted a petition from the vestry
of St. Bade's, in the city of Loodoo, complaining of injury
from the works of a number of railways now in course of
construction, nod ly that projected by the Lon-
don, Ch•tharn, and Dover Company, which caused obstnic-
tic., in New Bridge-street and Farricgdon-street. The
petition's prayed their lordentipe to interpose to prevent
any further enencachmeot of • ways in the city of London.
ARTILLERY INEROVEMENTS.

The Earl of DERBY brought under notice the favourable
trials of the piece of ordnance invented by Mr. Mackay, of
Liverpool, whisk be said was likely to become a formidable
rival to the guns of Sir W. Armstrong and Mr. Whitworth.
Earl DE GREY and RIPON said the reports in the
newspapers with reference to the efficiency of this gun had
been corroborated by the official report; but that at the
distance at which the ban was tried equally satisfactory re-
mutts had berm attained by other guns which subsequent
trials at other ranges had not realised. At present, there-
fore. a denials. opinion could not be formed u to the ulti-
mate value of Mr. Mackay'. invention.
The Earl of HARDWICKE denounced the Armstrong
gun ma unsuitable for the navy.
The Duke of SOMERSET observed that he had obtained
from Sir W. Armstrong a mural►loadings wrought-iron gnu
for present use, which had been eatialactorily tried, but
that with respect to rifled guns generally there was so much
difference of opinion among the highest authorities that he
could not take upon himself the responsibility of ordering
any large number of rifled artillery for the navy.
After some further conversation the subject dropped.
STEAM RAMS.

The Earl of DERBY gave notice that on Tuesday the
26th lost. be would call the attention of the bowie to the
published correspondence which had taken place between
ier Majesty's government and Mr. Laird with respect to
the subject of the steam rams.
AI.f.FGED MUTILATION OF THE EDUCATION
INSPECTORS' REPORTS.

Lord GRANVILLE, referring to the debate and vote in
the House of Commons last week, defended the Council of
education from the charge of mutilating the reports of in-
spectors of schools. He read the minute of the council
which gave rise to the discuasioo, and avowed that he was
not only officially, but morally and practically responsible
for the proceedinp which had taken place. Had he been in
the piece of the Vice-Prosideet of the Council of Education
he should have made exactly the same statement in answer
to • similar accusation. He contended that it was abso-
lutely necessary for the central board to exercise some
check over the reports of the inspectors. The same super.
visioa was exercised by the Admiralty, and, he believed,
by every department of the government. He utterly
denied that, in abbreviating the reports paargee unfavour-
able to the views of the council were struck out, while
those were retained which accorded with its policy. The
office had keen censured by the vote of the House of
Commons. and it was impossible it could refue a full
inquiry into the facts, having passed the resolution on
imperfect information. He hoped • committee would be
panted without hesitation, and he should not fear the
result of the inquiry.
Lord DERBY admitted theta certain discretioo ought to
be allowed so the chief of every department to strike out
from the reports it received the irrelevant matter that
might lead to much controversy ; otherwise official reports
might become pamphlets advocating individual opinions.
He felt confident that Lord Grenville would never allow any
report to be laid before parliament so altered es to convey
• meaning not intended by the writer, or giving undue
favour to the particular views of the government itself.
What had just takes place in the House of Commons
might eusiderably modify opinions on the subject. and be
trusted, rhould se inquiry take place, the result would clear
the Council of Education of the charge of having departed
train its duty, or improperly tampered with the reports.
Earl GREY mid that there was one point to which he
wished to call attention. If he had correctly understood
the noble earl, he had said that be bed macro to believe
that the motion wee made in the other house on the ener-
vation, or was promoted by persons in the employ of the
crown. That we • point which required very close investi-
gation, because he conceived that • no more fatal blow to
the interests of this country could be given than
that which would interfere with the beads of departments
in their exercise of the power of removing from office any
public servant who misoooducted himself. The government
ought to exercise the power which was legally placed in
their bands. On the other hand the civil servants were
bound by thestrictest principles of bower not to enter upon
a secret or passive opposition to the policy of the heads of
departments. (Hear, bear.) The government could not
work for a day it the political servants of the crown did not
receive the fair and honourable support of those who worked
under them. If that upped wee withheld the govern-
ment would be compelled to change those persons, and then
a state of things might be introduced similar to that
which existed in America, where on every change
of government, the clerk', tram the highest
to their:meet, were dismissed from office. That was a source
of unbounded corruption that was fatal to proper govern-
mut. While they had the policy of the government under
the control of parliament they had the advantage of the
experience of the civil servants io the different departments,
who, as a body, performed their duties with zeal and ability.
He trusted that the investigation which would take place
would go carefully into these points, and if it should he die.
covered that any pantos had committed the offence alleged,
that he would be at ouster:cloyed from his situation. (Hear.)
The subject then dropped.
The t-oion Relief Aid Acts Continuance Bill and the
_ . Ac

Lois I:tr;.iiiege oes were read 67eco;c1
time.
The Vestry Cam Abolition (Irelead) Bill wee reed a third
time. and. with easeadmeote, pseud.
The house adjourned at 20 minutes peat six o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY, APRIL 18.
The SPEAR= took the chair dewily before 4 o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.

Mr. BAMBILIOGI took the oaths and his seat for Barn-
staple is the room of Mr. Lloyd, who was unseated on
petition. The boo. gentleman was introduced by Mr. Tr.-
hies and Mr. Whitmore.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bill■ were read a third time sad pawed
North sad South Weetara Junction Railway ; Selimbury
Salirbory Railway sad Market House ; and the West
Riding and Grimsby Railway Bill.
CIVIL SERVICE FOCPEk:DITCRE.

Yr. A. smira postponed his motion on the civil ser-
vice expenditure foe to-morrow (this day) until Tuesday,

PAYMENT OF RATES AND TAXES.

Sir J. SHELLEY gave notice for Monday nest, of his
intastion to introduce a bill for regulating the payment
al ratea sod taxes by parliamentary electors.
THE DANISH QUESTION.

Mr. DISRAELI—Sir, I beg to give Define that to-mor-
row, oar the motion of the bon, member for Liekeard 011 the
foreign policy of her Maieety's government with reference
to Denmark and the duchies of Sleswtg and Holateio, I
shall move the previous Question. (Hear, bear, and a laugh.)