The Express.
London, England, 1864-02-17 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS,

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOURS OF LORDS -Tr Fn. 1&

TM LOU °Newsman took hie not cc the woolsack at
I o'clock.
THE AUGMENTATION OF BENEFICES ACT.

The LORD CHANCELLOR, in presenting some returns
which he hail promised under the Augmentation of BODO-
lon Act, said he would take the opportunity of giving a
more detailed answer to questions which had been put to
him on a former evening a. to the extent to which the act
had been carried into effect. He found that be had suc-
ceeded in sallies 37 livings, and there were under negotia-
tions 57 more, and inquiries had been made with respect to
55 other livings. The act did not come into operation till
the Lit of November, and it was some time before the prin-
ciples of the act became generally understood. The pur-
abase mosey of the 37 helve that had been sold amounted
to 65,3001., and 65,3001. was therefore the amount
et augmentations which this act had been the
means of creating. Applications for purchase' were
coming in almost every day, and he trusted therefore that
his most sanguine srpscfatws would be realised. Of the
66,3001. 37,8501. had been paid into the Bank of England,
and the remainder, 27,430/., was represented by amounts to
be secured by not charges, by bonds, and sums of mon
which had still to be mid. The total amount paid to they
lochniastical Comniesioners wee 16,8001. A. examples of
the prices which he had succeeded in obtaining be might
mention that one living, the net income of which waa 261/.,
fetched 5,000/4 another living, the net income of which was
1971., and the incumbent of which was very old, fetched
5,5101. ; another, the net income of which was 2141., and
the incumbent was aged 58, fetched 3,000/. • amongst the
mealier livings, one of the annual value of 161. 12a. 3d., and
the incumbent of which was 72, fetched 5301. He was sure
their lordships would be *said to know in what manner
the provisionajof the act wen being carried out, and the dis-
position ther., was by means of them to confer benefits on
the church. (Hear, hear.)
Is reply to the Earl of DIRBT,
The LORD CHANCELLOR said be had oily succeeded
in selling one living under the 23rd motion, and be was
afraid he should be under the necessity, in the coarse of the
anon, to submit to their lordships some modification of
the section ; there were, however, negothtios going on for
the sale of three more livings under that *Fein.
CLAIMS ON THE UNITED STATES AND BILII7SII

GOVERNMF.NTS.
The Earl of CARNARVON than roes, pursuant to notice,
to move fora return of claims mad, by British subjects upon
the United States government for losses sustained either in
person or property since the secession of the Southern States,
specifying how, and the grounds on which such claims have
been disposed of ; and to ask for any further information as
to the claims made lby the United States govern- ,
seat upon her Majesty's government for damages al.
bged to be done to American ships by the Alabama I
and other Coofederato cruises. He bad an estimate
drawn up by an American of the damage inflicted
by the Alabama on the American marine
Mee she sailed from this country. He could not answer
foe its entire accuracy, but scoordiag to this computation
148 Amen= vessels had been captured, burnt, or de-
stroyed by the Alabama between the day she left this
country and the last day of July. The total tamers was
66,000 tom, which at 101. a toa world give 612,9201. To
this bad to be added 204 per ton for tlmairgo.t which would
bring up the amount to 1,100,0004, and if t 00,0004 were
allowed for womb engaged in the earning trade
In the Eastern sees, it was computed that the •
loss could nos be far short of 2,500,0001. No '
doubt a great injury wee inflicted ori Americas own-
metre, as au shown by the high rate of marine issuance
at present prevailing. Now these perms, smarting under
a strong sense of personal injury, urged their claims on the .
government in no measured terms, and he was sorry to
my that the American government bad so lent them-
selves to this cry on the part of those who
their claims, that hereafter, when these claims swu;Ed
to a very much larger sum, it would be absolutely
impossible for them to restrain the machinery which
they bad themselves set in motion. Therefore it
was important that her Majesty's government should I
bring the question to a deceive settlement one way or the
other. Then there was a mooed ohms of claimants, who I
made no secret of their objects. They openly and avowedly I
said that these claims should be bald in reserve until the
emberraiameot of England should prove the opportunity of 1
America, when they would be ready to resort to hostilities I
which might wipe off a sense of national humiliation. This
should impress oe the noble sari the immense importance of '
settling this question without the least delay.
Earl RUSSELL said that psmosally he had no objection 1
to the granting of the return, but it would be very
voluminous, and its publication would tend to prejudice
the claims to which it would refer. He justified the
proceedings of the American prize courts, while, se re-
girded the &lea, ample apologies had been made by the
captain of the American cruiser for whet bad occurred ;
and as to the murder of the hate, all that could be asked
was that the offender be put on his trial. The Tomakesa
had been seised uoder the advice of the law offiosrs of the
crown. He repudiated now, as he had always done, any
claims arising out of the depredation, of the Alabama.
The American government (mid the noble lord) say they
have a dear and undoubted case for reparation in the else
of the Alabama. We say we have a clear and undoubted
case for refusing reparation. In no way out this question
be settled, unless indeed the noble earl would propose that
the United States should pleb us to the verge of war for
the sake of getting the Cane settled. The American govern-
moot say that they kayo a very good ewe, but are reedy te
keep it in abeyance ; that they are ready to keep upon
terms of amity with us, that they are reedy to carry on the
most (deadly relations with Great Britain if Great Britain
will be meted to follow therexample ; and am I to say we
will do nothing of the sort! sod am Ito ask them to make
war upon us and push the madam to an extromite, That is
the case of the noble earL It is very desired*, indeed, not
to keep these matters hanging over, bat how is that to be
done while the position of the two portion is so entirely
opposed' I do consider that, having puma a law to
prerent the enlistment of her Majesty's subjects in the
service of a foreign power and to prevent the fitting out or
equipping within her Majesty's dominions of vesnols for
warlike purposes without her Majesty's sanction—
I say (that, having passed such a law in
the year 1819, it is a sandal and reproach
that one of the belligerents has been ambled at the cedar
of the Caddied* government to fit out a vessel at Liver-
pool in such a way that she was capable of being made a
Venal of war—that after going to another port in her Ma-
jesty's dominions to ship a portion of the maw ad than
going to • neutral territory and gettable • further crew and
equipment as a moral of war, she has been enabled to
capture and destroy innocent merchant vessels belonging to
the other helligereat. (Hoar, hear.) Having thus been
equipped by an evasion of the law. I say it in a scandal to
our law that we should not be able prevent such belligerent
operations. (Hear, hoar.) I venture to say so much, be-
muse I do fed this in the Foreign-office to be a very great
inconvenience. If you chose to say, as you might have said
in former times, " Let mods be fitted out, go to Cilllrien
ton, sod there ba sold to an agent of the Confederate go-
vernment," I can understand such • state of tbiogs ; but if
we have a law to prevent the fitting out of warlike vessels
without the bosom of her Majesty, and yet vessels are
so fitted out, I say it is a modal and a reproach.
A very learned judge has said of this act of perliameast, that
not wily • comb and six could run through it, but s whole
fled of ships. Well, then, if that be a proper description of
our las, I ear you ought to have it made more elm and
intelligible. this law was said to be passed to secure the
peace and the welfare of the nation, and I trust it may bo
found in the end sufficient for that purpose. But I say, that
while the law remains in the present state its purpo a is
defeated, and its enactments are made of so avail by British
subjects, who defy the Queen's proclamation of Dentrelity.
To them observations I will only add, that if the noble earl
wishes for any other paper relating to the Alabama—l
believe there is only one—l shall be willing to give it, but
as to the folio volume of papers to which I have referred, I '
trust the noble earl will not press for their production. '
The Earl of CARNARVON wished to explain that be
did not mean the cerrespoodem in 'stenos, but a sum-
marised return showing the names and dates and amount of
claims. He quite accepted his noble frieod's explanation,
and could only say that he was rejoiced to receive it. At
the same time, be thought it was most important that
parliament should know the position in which we stood
with regard to the cm of the Saxon. The noble earl had
challenged him to give his case, and to show the wore-
saint where they were in error. Ile would willingly take
up the challeage. but he could not do so until he was in
possession tithe lepers. He hoped his noble friend would
give the papers with regard to the Saxon, and he toast also
press for a copy of the instructions sent out to the local
authorities at the (laps of Good Hope with respect to the
leisure of the Tomlin's.
Earl RUSSELL said he bad no objection to furnish
the general information which the noble earl wished to
obtain. He was also reedy to produce the papers with re-
gard to the Saxon if the noble earl would move for them,
but he should make inquiries at the Foreign.office before he
could be prepared to furnish the papers in the case of the
Tuscaloosa.
The Earl of CARNARVON then moved for the papers
relating to the case of theta:on.
The motion was agreed to.
Their lordibips then adjourned at twenty minutes past
six u'slack.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAT, FEB. 16.
The SPLUUR took the choir at 4 o'clock.
PRIVATE RUED:M.S.

Between thirty and fci;typ;Waiebills were read a second
time Amongst them was one rispectieg the Liverpool and
London lire and Life Insurance Companies.
Sir J. SHELLEY moved the second reading of the Beck-
enham. Lewes, cad Brighton RAllway Bill, protesting
against an attempt which he uodentood was going to be
made. at the iestaoce of the Brighton Railway, to prevent
the scheme from being added to the group militias to the
part of the country is question.
After some dimmeloa,
Sir J. SHELLEY said that in deference to what appeared
to be the feeling of the house, he should not press his
motion ; but unless that part of the country with which
he was connected got that railway accommodation which it
was admitted was wanting to it at present, he should rain
the question as long u he had a seat in that house again
sad again.
The amendment was then withdrawn, mid the motion for
the
iiss. second reading of the bill wee negatived without •
div

CALEDONIAN, EDINDUEGH, AND GLASGOW, •
AND SCOTTISH CENTRAL RAILWAY COM-
PANIES BILL
The mono. for the mood reading of the above bill was
negatived without • divieica
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN RAILWAY BILL AND
DUBLIN TRUNK CONNEXION LINE.
These bills we= Naively read a second time, and
ordered to be committed,
GREAT NORTH
GA ERNNSBOROUG H) BILL. RAILWAY (N
(DONCASTEM
TO I
On the motion for the second reading of this hill,
Mr. MASSEY said it was quite true that this bill wag re-
jected in former years through the opposition of the land-
owners, but sine that time their opposition had be ma-
terially qualified, and be should now vote for the bill.
The bill was thee read • second time.
HARWICH CORPORATION BILL.
Captain JERVIS moved the second reading of this WI.
Mr. CRAWFORD opposed the motioe. This bill pro-
posed to 000 fer upon the corporation of Harwich powers to
raise 40,0001. for the =nose of reclaiming a certain tract of
land '= the neighbourhood of the town, and covered by the
sea at high water, at the expense of the ratepayers of the
town. The bill was opposed by the inhabitants for many
reasons—that it was not within the province of corporations
to embark in speculations of any kind ; that the whole risk
of the undertaking would be thrown upon the ratepayers;
that the scheme was in fact brought forward by the Great
Eastern Railway Company ; that the bill was in direct op-
position ton eroding order of the house; and that if passed
it would compel the inhabitante to adopt the Local Govern-
meat Act of 1858, which they had determined not to do.
The bill was promoted by • few parties in the lowa rend
in direct opposition to the wishes of three-fourths of the
inhabitance, expressed at • public meeting on the sth of this
month, and he laved the house would sot support the pro-
°median of the town mod of the borough. He moved
that the bill be read • second time that day fax months.
Captain JERVIS wished to know why the member for
the City el London had intimated himself Imo much me be-
half of his (the gallant captain's) coostituents ? He denied
that there was any pretence for saying that the bill was •
job got up by the Greet Eastern Railway. The railway
company in question had had nothing whatever to do with
the matter. The foot was, there was in the neighbourhood
of Harwich • very rising place celled Devereourt, the
map of which can on the Imam= The result was a
=seat nuisance, and ha believed that the opposition to this
bill had base 'Mae got up by the omen of that sewage.
(Laughter.) The bill was really a sanitary messure—one,
too, for which there was the greatest need—sod he there-
fore hoped that the house would allow the bill to go before
• select committee. (Hear, beer.)
Mr. MASSEY said that, however desirous he might feel
to relieve committees of any portion of their labour,
this bill had upon the facie of it • laselable object ; and
being promoted by • corporation which was elected by
popular suffrage, it was • matter peculiarly fitted for exami-
nation upstairs. In fact he had never known a bill more
ennoble for such an inquiry. (Cheer..)
The home then divided—
For the second readier/
Ageism it 63-73
So the bill was reed • *lord time.
THE BRIGHTON LDTES.
The remaining bills on the paper were the Landon,
Brighton, and South Oast Railway (Kemp Town statism and
limo); the London, &•=hton, and South Coat Railway (Ones
Valley line); and the Loodoe, Brighton, sod South Coast
Railway (Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne line).
Sir J. SHELLEY, although he had no madam what-
ever in the Brightoa Company, felt bound, alter the decision
the house had already arrived at, to withdraw his opposition
to these bills, and thus throw upon the company the respon-
sibility of dealing with the matter.
The bills were therefore read • second time.
PRIVATE BILL LEGISLATION.
Mr. M. GIBBON moved the following resolutions :
" 1. That the committee of selection and the general 03131.
mitre on railway and canal bills, at any time after the rm.
mitts! of such bills, be empowered, with the rams of all
parties =woollen or opposing, to refer the same, wholly on
with referee= to per chorea, to the chairman of the
committee of ways and means, and that such chairman,
together with members to be appointed in like manner as
members of the committee on usoppesed bills, be empowered
to bear the parties promoting or opposing such bills,
or their agents, sod to report upon the same to the house.
2. In lieu of the fees to be paid by the =emote of • eel.
vats bill for promdings before any committee, the follow-
ing fee be hereafter paid :—For envy day on which the
petitioners appear before any committee, 2!. 3. In lien of
the ad valorem fees to be pad by the promote= of private
bills for pr:cre:dper in the hour, where mosey is to be
raised or ex under the authority of any bin for the
execution • work, namely : If the sum be 50,0001., and
under 100,00(6., twice the amount of each fees ; 100,0001.,
and under 200,0001., three times ; 200,000!. and under
300,0001., foot. times ; 300,000 W. and under 400,0001.. fin
times ; 400,0001. and under 500,0001., six times ; 500,0001.
and under 750,0001., seven times; 7504000 L and ender
1,000,0001., eight times; 1,000,0004 and under 1,500.0001.,
nine time; 1,5040001. sod under 2,000,0001., ten time ;
and at the same rate of harem for every additiond
500,0001. up to 5,000,0001., sod further at the like rate of
increase for every additional 1.000,000 L beyond 5,000,000/.,
the following tees be hereafter paid : if the sum be 100,0001.,
and under 500,0001., twice the amount of rob fees; if the
✓um be 500,0001., ad under 1,000,0001. three Man the
amount of such fees ; if the sum be 1,000,0001. and
above, four times the amount of each fees. 4. In
the table of fees to be paid on the taxation of costa
on private bills, to leen out the third paragraph,
namely for every bill under 1011.,1!.' 5. That theliveakee
be requested to revise the list of charges for parlia-
mentary agents, solicitor, lie., with • view especially to the
redaction of the charge. allowed for copies of document&
6. That the minutes of evidence on opposed private bills be
printed at the expense el the
That
whenever copies of
the 11111111) shall be required. 7. That committees on private
bells be odered to meet= 11 o'clock? The object of the
resolutions, observed the right hon. gentleman, was not
to establish any great scheme of reform io private taiga
lion, hut merely to adopt some of the recommeodatioes of
the select committee of lest year, with a view to remedy
particular grienneee that had bees complained of.
Lord R. CECIL, having enumerated the evils attendant
upon the existing system of imeductieg private bill lads-
tioo, insisted that the time had arrived wheel • *huge was
imperatively required. The proposal of the Prodded of
the Board of Trade was • step in the right direction, sod
would no doubt and to lighten the labours of hon. mem-
bers ; but his objection to it was that it was an improve-
ment which proceeded at • snail's space. He moved, aan
amendment to the first resolution, that it was
isibx.act
that the duty of aseertaimeg the facts up= which ' -
lion in respect to private bills was to proceed be
discharged by some tribunal external to the ham, who
should report to • select committee of the bore,
The amendment was seconded by Mr. PAULL, and op-
posed by Mr. GIBBON, who pointed out as the chief objec-
tion that such a preliminary inquiry would only add another
stage to the present proosediesp.
The proposal led to • leer/ disunion, ie which Lord H.
Vane, Mr. Mama, Colonel W. Patten, and Mr. B. Carter
took part ; after which the amendment was withdrawn, and
the first resolution, as to the duties of the chairman of OM.
mitre of ways and means, and the committee of members
by whom he is to he misted, was agreed to, as were also
the succeeding resolutions bearing an the question of fees
and the printing of evidence.
A resolution was then proposed, to the effect that the
fee of 5/. per day now paid by opponents of any private bill
be reduced to 21.
Mr. HADFIELD moved an amendment empowering oome
mitres to exonerate petitioner., owners, or meets of
property affected by balls from the payment of fees in seek-
er exemption, if they see fit, and to charge promoters of
671, with all fees to be paid in respect of the same.
On • division the amendment was eeptived by 65 to 4;11.
Resolutions were then moved, reducing the fees paid by
promoters of private bills foe proceedings is the Mesh
which were discussed.
Mr. R. HODGSON huh= moved an amendment,
posing • &Must alteration, it was, on a division, ere tivd
by 135 to 4. The resolution was then to.
Mr. M. GIBBON mud he now leave to move the
resolution. which related to the • charges made
by parliamentary arta, solicitors, and others, which were
complained of in some cases es being *Retries in amount.
The first resolution was :—" That the Speaker be requested
to revise the list of charges for parliamentary agents, @a-
risen, fro., with • view modally to the reduction of the
charges allowed for copies of documents."
, Mr. HENNESSY wished to point out that the fees given
to parliamentary counsel were lees than those given at the
, common law and equity bars in proportion to the value of
the property in question. (Oh.) It was the fact. if the
property involved in • chancery emit were worth 20,0001. the
, fees were I. properties. (No.) About that there was no
doubt whatever. Now the smallest sum mistimed as
likely to corns before • committee was 50,0001. and ranging
, up to 2,000,0004 He would ask what were the fees paid in
Dyer Sombre's cue to the present Lord Chief Justice of the
Queen's Bench ? Why 1.000 guineas upon the brief and 300
guineas for every day afterwards, and yet the right boa
gestlema objected to the minimum of 30 mama for the
Ant day and 15 guineas for the following days to parliamen-
i tare counsel. No member of that bar would fight e greet
' ease for such •retannersties.
Colonel WILSON PATTEN mad that la demist in some
mese at the common law bar the fees were higher than at
the parliamentary bar. But them:lobelia me= of the fees
I paid in great oases but in small cos= ea where perm bad
W come before' committee and protect their garden' leadsmen
properties. A gentleman bad informed him that he loud
l sat necerary to appear before a committee to defend his
garden, and that be had to pay 37/. for the fine day's
&Madames by coneeel, and that hie bill of coots we. over
3004. and the value of the property only 1451. (Hear, hear.)
It was a =se of that kind that the fees of counsel we
found to be so high as to prevent parties frees obtaining
justice before committees. (Hear, hoer.) He believed that
the leaders of the parliamentary bar were by as mem
favourable to the 'mistreat* of the high fees, and Use
house might safely leave the matter in their
hands, and they would pees resolutions which would
meet the rigamarole of the came. (Hear, bear.)
Re thought his right hoer friend had taken • wise come
ia submitting to Mr. Speaker that he should from time to
time revise the uprises of parliamentary legislation, and
that the resolution deserved the mapped of the hones.
Kr. H. BENTINCK could not but regret that the right
hoc. ea clamp should bare confined himself solely to the
maim of =eats eolichose. He thought it was a

W EDN ESD-AY

monstrous abuse to deter junior =embus of the Mir from
practising Won committees. If they had free rode is
other things they ought to have free trade is banisters'
fees. (Hear, hear.) It would ill become the House of
Commons to stop short as at premat propoosd, and he
would therefore venture to move the Mention of the words
I'mussels base in the present resolution.
The SPEAKER said it would not be consistent with
order that the words proposed should be inserted is this
resolution.
Mr. REPTTINCK withdrew his motion, and the resolution
was agreed to.
Mr. M. GIBSON then moved the sixth resolution :
" Thst the minutes of evideuoe on opposed private bills be
printed at the exposes of the panne whenever copies of the
same shall be required."
The resolution was agreed to.
The seventh resolution:—"That committees on private
bills be ordered to met at sieves o'clock," was withdrawn.