The Press.
London, England, 1856-02-09 00:00:00

THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.

Major REED, on Thursday, gave notice that he
should ask permission on an early day to introduce
a bill for conferring the elective franchise on persons
assessed to the income tax, not being aliens or
entitled by other qualification to vote.

FEBRUARY 9, 1856.

ANSWER TO THE ADDRESS.
Lord DRUNIANRIG appeared at the bar of the
House of Commons, on Monday, with her Majesty's
reply to the Address. The reply was framed as
follows:

Your loyal and dutiful Address has afforded me much
satisfaction. I am confident that 1 shall receive your
cordial support in all measures which may appear to be
necessary to maintain the honour and dignity of the em-
pire, and to proinote the permanent interests and welfare
of my people.
CORRUPT PRACTICES PREVENTION ACT.
Lord PALMF.RSTON, on Thursday, in reply to Mr.
11. Berkeley, whether the act would be renewed or
referred to a committee, said the question was still
under the consideration of the Government. They
had not yet made up their minds whether it was best
to bring in a bill to continue or amend.

ASSAULTS ON WOMEN.
In reply to a question from Mr. Dillwyn,
elSir GEORGE GREY stated on Monday it was not
the intention of the Government to make any alter•
ation in the law relative to punishment for assaults
npon women.
CRIMINAL TRIALS.

In the House of Lords, on Tuesday, the LORD
CHAseELLon brought in a bill to enable the Court of
Queen's Bench to send for trial to the Central
Criminal Court persons charged with offences that
could more suitably be tried in that court than in the
court at Westminster. There was no doubt the
Court of Queen's Bench had the power of removing
the process from an assize town where there was
likely to be a prejudice against the accused, but
whether it had the power of ordering the trial in the
Central Criminal Court was doubtful. The object of
the bill was to settle this difficulty.
The bill was read a first time.

COURT OF CHANCERY (IRELAND) BILL.'
Mr. WHITESIDE, on Monday, obtained leave to
bring in a series of five bills, to make provision for
the more speedy and effectual despatch of business
in the Court of Chancery in Ireland ; to amend the
practice and course of proceeding in that court; to
alter the law and practice of the court in relation to
the appointment of receivers and management of
estates; to secure the titles of purchasers of estates
sold under the court; and to facilitate and diminish
fie expense of appeals.
ENCUMBERED ESTATES COURT (IRELAND)
ABOLITION BILL.

Mr. SADLEIR, on Monday, obtained leave to bring in
a bill for the abolition of the Irish Encumbered
Estates Court, and the transference of its powers to
the permanent jurisdiction of the Irish Court of
Chancery under an amended procedure, with the
assistance of two vice-chancellors and an appellate
court, by which 14,0001. would be saved to the public.
It was likewise proposed ultimately to abolish the
fees and stamps now paid on proceedings in the
Encumbered Estates Court.
Mr. WHITESIDE reminded the house that three
years ago his prediction that the Encumbered
Estates Court would be choked with business was
contradicted, and his bill for engrafting the principle
of that court to the Court of Chancery had been
thrown out. With respect to the abolition of the
stamps and fees, if annulled in Ireland they must
also be so in England. If the proposal were per-
sisted in, he should move for its extension to England.
He objected to the Court of Appeal, and warned the
house to pause before adopting a principle which, if
extended to England, would throw all the convey-
ancing of the kingdom into the hands of the Court
of Chancery.
After some further discussion, in which Mr.
Matins, Mr. Cairns, Mr. V. Scully, and Mr. George
took part, leave was given.

FALL OF KARS.
Earl GRAwyrux, in reply to the Earl of Ellenbo-
rough, in the House of Lords, on Monday, stated that,
owing to the absence of Lord Clarendon, he was
unable to fix the day upon which the papers relating
to the fall of Kars should be laid upon the table.
Lord WODEHOUSE further stated that the papers
would refer to the fall of Kars, considered separately
and distinctly from all other subjects connected with
the war.