The Express.
London, England, 1864-06-16 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF 002010/1137—WanNzsDAT, Jirrrs lb.

(Ceeeleded from yesterday's lexpreat:)

FORFSITURA OF LANDS AND GOODS BILL,
Mr, SWART moomied the motion, wishlag it every pee-
Bible among.

Itr• HURT said that the law which was aew sought to
be abrqpsted had existed for massy centuries, and therefore
be should like to hear some very good reason given before
be cemented to its repeal. He admitted that there
were puts of the law which might be altered, and if the
bon. member had proposed a committee to consider what
alteration wu neoessery he would have voted with him,
but considering that the bill was a crude pieced legisistion,
be would move that it be read a second time that day six
months.

The AI`TOENEY-GINF.IttI, said if they were called
upon by the boo. member who brought forward the bill to
commit themselves to the full length to which the preamble,
literally interpreted, would carry them, he would hareems*
hesitation is binding himself to that extent. (Bear, hear.)
He understood, however, that his hon. friend was now only
deeizous of having this principle affirmed, that the present
law of forfeiture of Wide and goods was one which ought
not to be m•intaioed, and required alteration ; not that it
was absolutely necessary in all come to abolish the forfeiture
of lands and goods, but that the present law was not suited
to the times, and required at least a large mitigation and
amendment. In that sense he would sweat to the second
reading of the bill, on the understanding, however, I
that they did sot pledge themselves to the m►nner in
which that mitigation was to be carried into effect. If it
was thought more desirable, se indeed he thought it was,
that the matter should be taken up by the government,
who could collect from all their worms of information the
material. upon which to found a sound judgment as to the
course h;islation should take, then he would promise that
the subject should ramie* the mosseary attention before the
nest sestmg of parliament (Neer, he•r.)
Mr. WHITESIDE mid that the subject was fully con-
sidered by the late government, of which be was • member.
In looking into the Matter, be referred to the arguments of
Sir Samuel Hominy, to which he believed no answer could
be given, against t►e present law. He did not think that
the wit of man could suggest an argument for the for-
feiture of a felon's stood,
Mr. HADFIELD mentioned • case which occurred in
the time of Hairy VIII., where a cook of the Bishop of
Rochester bad pawned two fellow•servante, and an act
of parliament was passed emoting that for such a crime
committed in the house of • bishop the punishment
should be greater than that for high treason. The
penalty was that the offender should be boiled to death.
(Laughter.) The cook was boiled accordingly. What be-
came of him afterwards he did not know. (Laughter.)
The almond section of the set provided that the lauds of
such • (Manisa' should be entreated by the lord of the fee.
Be believed that this act was repealed last year. If so the
lord bad lost his fee ; but what injustice was involved in
this? (Hear, bear.) Another offence, once common in
Lancashire, was witchcraft. (Laughter.) Witchcraft was
a felony. A ease was on record of ten or twelve witches
being tried for murder by incantation, and several of them
were executed, and their land was forfeited. The offence
and the forfeiture were abolished, and the crime being
no longer cognisable by law it bad ceased. He trusted
that parliament would also do away with this
barbarous law of forfeiture.

Mr. ROEBUCK believed that the pretest law was an
unmitigated evil, because it created pains sad penalties
without any corresponding benefit; but be agreed with the
Attoroey.Goneral that the subject wee one of very pave im-
portance, and ought therefore to be dealt with by •
government bill. (Hear, hear.) The government must not,
however, little with the question, nod as public opinion
demanded that this mischievous provision should be struck
sat of the law, they could not hesitate as to the coarse they
should adopt. For these reasons he recommended that if
the bill were read • second time it should be tratellerred to
the heads of the Attorney-Genenth (Hear, hear.)
Mr. MARSH supported the bill.
Mr. MALI SS rad there seemed to be a general cooeur-
recce of opinioe in the house in favour of the ball, and he
had no hesitation in giving it his support.
Sir G. GREY said his hon. end learned friend the Attor-
aim-Gwasral was ready to take the whole matter into octal.
deration, end to obtaio all the information be could with a
view to propose • bill oo the pert of the government. The
Attorney-General bad distinctly stated that he speed to the
principle that the property and goods of parlous convicted of
felony should not in all cases be forfeited to the move and
on the understhoding that the preamble oely efii;oted
that principle he would omelet to the second reeding.
Mr. PACKE said they all wished to see some alteration
in the law, but he would prefer seeing the matter taken up
by the Attorney-General. He recommended the boa
member for Walsall to withdraw the bill and leave the *ob-
ject in the hands of the government.
Sir F. K hLLY thought the bill was • most excellent sod
beneficial one, and should be sorry to see it postponed coal
text session. There was so much uncertainty attending_
wen measure of law reform that be wee adverse to any
delay in these matten. When the late govont-
ment were earned on the work of law reform
this question was maturely considered, sod if a change
of government bad not taken plan the alteration nese.
proposal would have then been carried into effect. There
might *e some doubt whether the abolition of the sysars.
of forfeiture should apply to high ammo, but that pent
could he discussed in committee. He hoped that the Ise.
member would persevere with the bib and pass it
through this house without deism. so that it might re-
ceive the Selletiell of the Moose of Lords and become law
in the premed soaks of parliament.
The amendment was then withdrawn, and the bill was !
read a second time.

COSTS SECURITY BILL.
The 'scald reading of the Security for Costa Ed! yes
moved be

Mr. BUTT, who stated that its object wu to ratios nth*
impedimenta that sow existod to recovering debts be ve-
nous residing in England against debtors in Ireland, and

31r.VHITESIDE condemned the bill as mischi woos
and unnecessary, end moved th►t it be reed a second ;Mae
that day three months.
The bill was also opposed by Mr. Vanes. and sari weed
by the Soiicitor•Geoeral sad Sir C. O'Loghlen.
On • division the second reeding wes agreed to I fp. 99
to 64.

DODSON moved the second seedling of the (2iaatt.
Votan' Registration BilloispLeinios the object of t I etude-
sun, the mein features of the emsodment be propos.st, and
ita advantages. He admitted that the bill did not wi am the
system perfect, and only palliated evils ; but it h sitbeeu
drawn with great care, sod tt was calculated to .eff Ise very
useful changes.
11r. HUNT satisatetl that ample time should be offended
for noun:wing the measure, and that it should be sekrred
to a select committee..

After some remarks by Mr. Collis; Mr. S. Bete out. and
Mr. T. G. Wring. the ball was nod s secood time.

SERVANTS HIRING (SCOTLAND) HI 111.„
On the motion for gores into committee on this bill,
Mr. DUNLOP explained that the object of Us fan was
to briar the legal effect of contracts between theaters and
sarvente in Scotland is accordsoce with the umlerstanding
between them at the time of hiring. It was proposed to
make the period of bids; ale month instead. at six
monde. The ease of farm servatta ha titoug)tiwas more.
important than that of others: but be whited to say an
once that be was sot prepared at present to preeathat par!
Of the measure. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. BLACK thought that if his boo. friend, had persa.
voted with that part of the bill witizh be no wpiraporied as
abandon, he would have deems great deal sad. Flut
with reeoect to what remained be thought in would bear
hardly ui oar female domestic servants. The Issoaledge on
the part .1 masters and wryest@ that they mere oompided
to live testher for six months very of ten led their mating
up their cliff enemas and living amicably together. He oared
that the house should go into committee, that day three
months.
Sir J. FERGUSSON said that statute fates, though
giving rise occasionally to scenes of timpropristy, were yet a
great boon to the respectable portion of the farm labourer..
Very of tea, when the farm labourer wasdischarged be his
muter, he had no domicile to go to. He await) hope at
tome future ocoutoo to move ac addilitorral provisioa be
give an uniform date of commouceraest to mind were
"Had half ',Arty terms.
Mr. CAI RD said he was of opinion that the system of
small farming was not one of date is Scotland, sod was not
likely to die out, though his hoe. friend, he thought, if be
inquired further, would filed that he views we this subject
would sot be borne out by experieace. Auy measure shich
should tend to dissever the connexion between masters cud
the married farm servitude should, ho thought, be ths-
rouraged.
Mr. COCHRANE mid that the defect of the present I
system nee that it was bisdisg aphid the employer, but
not against the employed. He bad himself a keeper who
wee • poacher—(laughter)--end having discovered the fact,
he of course disutimed him on the spot. The man brought
an action against him, cast positively be had to COM-
powad with the keeper by given, him wiz mouths' wage&
ilainghter.) The argument of the hose gentleman (Mr.
Black) would go to this, that • man should hire his Der.
sant, for life—(laughter)—and thee his argument was
there would be • happy family. He thought that the
hiriog of servants for six months, sal the system of statute
fain, were a disgrace to • civilised country.
Mr. POLLARD-URQUHART approved of that portion
of the bill which the bon. member proposed to rot-do, but
doubted about the advisability of that part respecting farm
orirmata which was to be withdrawn.
After Nouse farther remarks from Sir M. S. Stewart,
Colossi Sykes, sad Mr. Finlay,
Mr. )(' NLOP said be should eoulider the suggestions
that had bees made. It should be remembered that the
-class of farm meant. to which he had referred was that of
unmarried farm sermata.
The smooths's, was then pot and negatived, and the
Louse went into committee es the bill.
The clauses having been agreed to, a new clause was
edited providing Wit terms et heit7oerly Novice shook%
in the 'teepee of as y agreement to the cookery, be held to
bellesad sod es May 15 and November 11, and not on old
Whitsuntide and Itartiamse days.
Sir J. FERO USSON mowed NI amendment with a view
to make it embrace this province.
The committee divided. when time were :
Far the senewiniest ll6
Against -10S
The bill this pissed throeglisommuttse.