The Express.
London, England, 1863-02-20 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—TuunspAY, Fmk 19.

The LORD CHRSCILLOR took hie seat oa the woolsack at
6 o'clock.

THE INSURRECTION IN RUSSIAN POLAND.

- -
The Earl of F.LLENBOROCGII gave notice that to-
me: row he should ask the noble Earl the Secretary for Foreign
Affairs whether there was any objection to lay upon the
table of the house any despatch from our Consul-General
at ..uiaw, US far as it related to the origin of the Polish
insurrection. He should also ask the noble earl whether he
had received any communication from the Russian govern-
ment with respect to the origin of that insurrection, and
also whether he had received any communication from the
l'russiau wt.-eminent with respect to any engagement that
may Lave been entered into for the purpose of giving aid to
the Russian overawing to suppress the iosurrection.
THs OONVICr GILBERT.

Earl GEA.NVILLE said be had obtained the following
particulars relative to the convict Gilbert which he was
nuable to supply to his noble friend (Lord Makoesbarv)
few eveuings cope. G. J. Gilbert convicted at the Hints
quarter *enema in October, 1851, of dealing money, and
nenteuced to seven years' transportation, hernia been twice
before convicted, twee of felony and once summarily. Re-
leased by license, in the usual course, on Bth May, 1855.
Again committed at Hants quarter sessions in June, 1856,
of robbery with violence, and sentenced to four years'
penal servitude. This sentence he underwent in full. He
was again convicted at the Hants assizes in July, 1862, of
murder with rape, and executed.
PRISON DISCIPLINE.

The Earl of OAKNARVON rose to call the at-
tention of their lordship. to the present state
of discipline in gaols and houses of correction.
He considered the subject one of great importance,
although at first sight it might appear to be of an uninter-
esting character. Our criminal population might be divided
into two earns. One was composed of connote who were
aeLtercel to various term of imprisonment for three years
and upwards ; the other consisted of those criminals who
were sentenced to undergo imprisonment fur periods vary-
ing from one day to two years. He would not refer to the
fira of these clones, as it was the subject of a royal com-
mission, but would confine himself to the came of
prisoners in gaol There were at present in this
country 87 county gaols, 57 borough gaols, and 5 liberties', as
they were called—of which latter he knew nothing, making
a total of 148 pole. In some of them the old system of
association was adhered to ; in others the nepenthe system
was adopted ; in others, both the association and the sepa-
rate systems were partially in operation. By the last official
returns it appeared that there were no lass than 130,000
prisoners, in round numbers, in our polo. The average
daily number was between 16,000 and 17,000, and these
figures did not include summary convictions. It appeared
that nearly 400.000 persons were annually proceeded apnea
by summary conviction, and that from 260.000 to 280,C:3
of these persons were acquitted. The 1:!0,000 prisoners
constituted the bulk of our criminal population,
for the total number of canine at Dartmoor and else-
where did not exceed 6,000. He believed that a large
portion of the 130,000 were quite as criminal
as the convicts who had Mw sentenced to penal servitude.
It was much to be regretted that our criminal statistics
were always a Tear and a half in armor. (Hear, hear.)
The latest returns were for the year 1860-61, and they cer-
tainly showed an increase of crime which was very startling.
During that year, as compared with the year preceding, the
commitments to the various rads had increased by 13,01...)
different persons, showing an increase of 13 per cent. ; the
recommitments exhibited an additional number of 3,400,
being a further exams of 9 per cent. over the previous year.
Again. there was en increase in the elan of unfortunate per-
nes who are oillednimiaallunatio. amounting to 33 per sunk
He leant meutioo that under nearly every heed of the offences
mentioned in the returns a serious increase wee noticeable.
It appeared from these returns that there was an increased
30 per cent. in cases of suicide ; of 26 in attempts at
murder; of shooting with intent to maim, 32; laps,
; of assaults with intent to do bodily harm, 23 ; common
assaults, 21; &multi on pens officers in the execution of
their duty, 24. With regard to offences against property
without violence, there was an increase of 30 par cent. ;
burglary, 40 ; house-breaking, 36 ; breaking into dwelling.
houses and stealing, T. 3; robbery. and attempts to rob, by
persons armed, 31. Then with regard to offences against
property with violence, the increase was 11 per oust. ; larceny,
; malicious offences against property, 18; forgery
and coining, 16; and miscellaneous offences, 19 per
cent. There was seongh in this increase of crime
to account for the great alma which existed
throughout the country. This increase took plan in
1860-61. There was no reason to suppose that there wee
lay &Infanta°, in 1881.62, and with regard to the latter
end of 1862 the Mesrmity was seek that it was not ~00e, to
walk eves the sheds ("Lenders after dark. The two paints
he wished toobridgmbefore their lordships were--first, that in
a great many and houses of correction there was an
iesafilcieucy penal discipline ; and, secondly, that there
was such a variety and diversity or a) stews acid principle...
that uniformity of adminietration was absolutely at an cad.
Earl GRANVELLE olearyed that the subject was full at
difficulty, owing to the great diversity of opinion on it.
The prisons were really locally controlled. and the govern-
ment had little authority over them. The dietary scale was
the lowest possible to preserve the prisoners in good health,
and he doubted very much whether convicts found a prison
as pleasant a home as was represented. It was desirable.
however, that the matter should be referred to a select com-
mittee. and if Lord °unarms would move for one there
would be no opposition to the motion on the part of the go-
vernment.

After • discussion, in which Lords Walmeabury, Wens-
leydale Woodhouse, Salisbury, and Cathcart took part,
Lord earoarroo gave Doti,* that be would move for •
select committee on the subject.
110KE19 OF LEAVE.

The Earl of DUDLEY impaled whether government
would consent to refuse to all wood convictions involving
s sentence of penal united. nay remission of the time of
such sentence. A royal otorminsicm, be said, had been ap-
pointed on this sub** and be should not have introduced
the subject bat that the initiative had been taken by a cir-
cular from the ilemerollen, and he was anxious to know
wbstior tie polemist wad go one step further than
they had already eisolued Disk intention of doing. At pre-
sort when • judge poonesesol a sentence the criminal knew
it would not be anis* esk, aid he win aimed reedy to
laugh in the jades bee. It was absolutely nocomery that
the majesty of tie law abliald be vindicated, and that crimi-
nab should knew Awn a soolosee was pronounced upon
them that it would be carried bete effect.
- -

Earl GRANVILLE said & commission sou isting of
eminent persons bad bees appointed to inquire into this
cuestioa, and it was quite out of the question that the
executive government should make a change of such im-
portance without waiting for the recommend►tion of the
commission. The noble earl's proposition would almost pet
an end to taken of leave, for there were hardly any per-
sons sentenced to penal servitude but those who had been
before convicted.

The Earl of DUDLEY mid there .ere some persons ass-
towed to penal etrwitude for the fint offeaes, sad he did
sot propose to dual vitk them
7 o' Their loadshipe theft adjourned at tweak, minutes after

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TariumAY, Fiat. 19.
The Snhm took the chair shortly Wore four o'clock.

NEW MEMBER.

Mr. Corr. LA.Norox took the oath and his east for West
idomeraetahire, in the room at Mr. Moody, radioed.

PRIVATE BIJEDIESS.

The following hills were read • mood time :—Bastoo and
Frieaton Shore, Bailors and Pier ; Bristol Railways Juno.
tion Railways ; and Yorkshireßaway; Penarth
Barbour, Dark, end Rallway.
On the motion far reading the Thames Conservancy Bill
a sealed tins*,
Mr. Aldertes• SALOMONS said he objected to the
further progress of this bill, se it proposed to interfere with
the trade of the river from the Nore to Staines, and to tax
certain parties who carried on liminess on the banks of the
river. He thought • meows of this kind ought to he
public and not private, sad be would therefore move that
it be read a second time that day six months.

Idr. W. WILLIAMS seconded the motion. The house
had the other evening given a check to private lwasktion by
rejecting two wisennews of a similar nature, and he hoped
they would follow the ante course on We occasion. ibis
Ins a bill which proposed to levy a tax on the inhabitants,
and that ought not to to done by such a memure introduced
in a private manner. The President of the Board of Trade
or the government ought to undertake the supervision of
such a WI u this, and not leave it in the hand, of two
private o.ombers.
Mr. /CORRIS supported the 'mood reading. The bill
vas not a taxing one, but simply for the PerPoee of ee•
*blies the conservators of the Thames to alter the limns"
tax now charged no each journey a boat plied or travelled
on the Thames to • tax en the peaseanera. The bill wee
further to enable the oessemators to take mot of the health
of the inhabitants of the metropolis, by preventiog barge.
men and others eseginying filthy matter into the river, and
he hoped the home would Ned it before a sleet meninittee.
Mr. TITF: Waco 'attended that the bill ought to be pro-
ceeded with, se aaythieg which Oaptaie Birchen sod the
other roommate's of the Thanes proposed to do we. worthy
of the eonsideratios of the hew.
_

Mr. LOCKS °mod the esoond reading, on the ginned
that the conduit of the eanserrators wee extremely sear.
testy and unoneetitutienaL
Mr. CRAWFORD said he had given great attention to
the provisions of this ineasere. and to the argontests
seamed both for and moist it, and he had come to the eon-
elusion that it ought be be rejected. His opisioe wee that
the whole matter of the Themes oonservaney, whir& affected
the greatest oonmereisi interests of the atm of London,
ought to be referred to • select eeennittee fee a full sod
rigid *aim He entenaled hon. rumba's to lied their
easialaiwe is throwing oat the bill (Bear, hoar.)
Mr. hLkeilEY sea that the ley led bees altered in
VW, sod • sew hoard erestel That bawd, fiedieg it had
not aniliamat peeress to carry owl the law, now wee to par.
Lamest for power to make by flaws sad other inesettrts
required to envy est their chisels. A sontnitios upsides
was jilt pew *dhoti& to rowdy the deb NM-
*bed ot.
ANIMAS 8W) T ellipsoid the bill, es the poled thee It