The Press.
London, England, 1854-02-25 00:00:00

MANCHESTER AND SALFORD EDUCATION

BILL.

This measure proposes to provide for the levy of a
public rate, in the places above mentioned, for edu-
cational purposes, and is intended to enact that the
fund so raised should be distributed, under the
superintendence of an " education committee,"
locally appointed, among all the existing schools
belonging to the members of any denomination
already established in the district. A similar bill
was introduced last session as a public bill, but de-
feated through a decision of the Speaker that, as it
referred only to a specified locality, it should be
classed among private bills. As such, accordingly,
it was now once again brought fo.ward, and Mr.
ADDERLEY on Tuesday moved the second reading.
He explained the details of the measure, contended
for its advantages, and admitted that, while assuming
the aspect of a private bill restricted in operation to
a single locality, it practically embodied a public
principle of extreme importance.
Mr. MILNER GIBSON, as a member for Manchester,
insisted that it was both informal and inexpedient to
extract from the house a pledge in favour of a great
public principle under cover of a piece of private
legislation. The bill, he said, had been much op-
posed in the locality, and was especially distasteful
to the corporation of Manchester. He moved, as an
amendment, "That education, to be supported by
public rates, i 4 a subject which ought not to be dealt
with by any private bill."
The consequent debate was protracted until nearly
midnight upon the question whether the bill most
properly appertained to the private or public depart-
ment of the Legislature. A large number of members
spoke, and their opinions were much coloured by
their peculiar views on the subject of education.
The Loan ADVOCATE thought that every educational
advance was so important that it ought not to be
delayed upon a point of form. Sir G. GREY thought
the formal objection fatal, but suggested that, if the
bill were withdrawn and a permissive clause inserted
rendering its incidence optional everywhere, it would
be converted into a public measure, and so might be al-
lowed to pass. Lord J. RUSSELL, speaking later, con-
fessed that the difficulties arising upon the point of
form were insuperable as the bill stood, and made it
further apparent that the very principle involved,
namely, the mode of increasing the means of popular
education, was also surrounded with difficulties. lie
nevertheless could not agree in the abstract proposi-
tion laid down by Mr. Gibson's amendment, since
private and local bills might expediently be passed
to legalise a rate for educational purposes in places
where all the rate-paying inhabitants went unanimous
in its favour. This, however, was not the case in the
present instance. Mr. Fox objected to the measure
because it tended, in his opinion, to prolong and
extend that inefficient system of education known as
the " denominatorial." Sir J. PAKINOTON hoped that
a measure so important in its objects and so legiti-
mate in its principles would not be frustrated by a

SATURDAY,

paltry dispute about its being a private or a public
bill. He regarded the Government as highly cen-
surable fur having thrown over the subject of educa-
tion as they had done after their accession to office.
Our present system of education was not equal to the
demand, but he trusted never to see the secular
system adopted. Mr. Brawn . supported the amend-
ment. The bill proposed to levy a considerable tax.
upon the inhabitants of Manchester, and invaded.
the municipal rights of the corporation of that city,
and should not pass without undergoing the full dis-
cussion allotted to public measurer. At length Mr.
GinsoN modified has amendment by introducing the
words, "at the present moment." In that shape the
question was carried to a division, when the motion
tOr second reading was negatived by 105 votes against.
70: majority, 211.

EDUCATION IN SCOTLAND.
Leave to bring in a bill to make further provision
for the education of the people in Scotland, and to
amend the laws relating thereto, was obtained on
Thursday by the LORD ADVOCATE. Observing that
education was now no longer a mere question of phi-
lanthropy, but a duty for self-defence, since the
neglect of previous generations had raised up in our
great cities a savage and barbarous class of the popu-
lation, ignorant alike of their obligations towards God
and man, the learned lord proceeded to give an out-
line of his measure for more fully accomplishing that
duty as regarded the northern section of the king-
dom. He did not., he said, intend to remove any
portion of the educational apparatus which Scotland
had happily enjoyed for 300 years, but would endea-
vour to widen and extend its operations :

" He proposed to establish, under the superintendence
of a general board, a system of school inspection consider-
ably larger than had ever hitherto subsisted. Thus a.
general educational survey of the whole of Scotland would.
be made, which, in due course, would accurately deter-
mine all the facts and circumstances connected with it.
The Scottish parochial system of education was well
known for its efficiency and the benefits it had conferred.
on the country, and its general features would not be in-
terfered with. The salary of the parochialschoolmasters
was to be fixed at 501., with a retiring allow lace, and addi-
tional house accommodation. They would not be required.
to sign any confession of faith, or take any religious teat
the superintendence of presbyteries over the parochial
schools was to be entirely abolished, and a general power
of control and management left to the minister and heri-
tors, with the assistance of the inspector. The religions
question presented no difficulties whatever, owing to the
unanimity of opinion amongst nine-tenths of the popula-
tion. Religious instruction had always been given in the
parochial schools of Scotland, and the bill enacted that
the school committee should appoint certain stated hours
for religions instruction by the master, which children
should not be bound to attend if their parents or guardians
objected, but for which no separate charge should be made.
Powers of assessment were given in both boroughs and.
counties for providing additional school accommodation in
cases where it should be found necessary ; and there were
also provisions for the management of such new schools.
The general board was to be constituted of the Lord Advocate
and Solicitor-General, five delegates from the universities,
uud three or four members nominated by the Crown. A.
general educational rate was also to be levied in Scotland,
the maximum being 1(1. in the pound on the valuation,
which should be apportioned under the supervision of the
general board for the establishment of industrial or re-
formatory schools, and in assisting poorer parishes and
districts to provide for the education of their inhabitants."
In the course of a brief discussion which followed
the speech of the Lord Advocate some objections
were indicated by Mr. WALPOLE, and one or two other
members, to the proposal for abolishing religious
tests, and to the severance of all connection between
the parochial schoolmasters and the Established
Church. Any formal criticisms on the measure
were, however, postponed until it came before the
house in a more advanced stage.

BLOCKADE OF RUSSIAN PORTS.
➢ir. COBDEN having inquired whether the Government hat?.
come to any decision with reference to blockading the commer-
cial ports of Russia?
Lord J. Ress►:ni. said there had been no order issued.
PRIVATEERS OF NEUTRAL. STATES. - - -•-

Lord PALmEnsrox," in the present state of things," doclintne
to answer the question, urged by Mr. Borstal', whether the traa,
ties with foreign nations, or the steps which her Majesty's Co.
vernment were prepared to take in the event of war, were such.
as would effectually prevent privateers being fitted out in neu-
tral ports to interfere with British shipping?

COMMITTEE OF PRIVILEGES.
The select committee appointed, on the motion of Mr. I. lirtrrr„
to inquire into the charges of corruption against Irish inearbers,.
met for the first time on Monday. The members sat with, slosedt
doors, and afterwards adjourned to Tinuisrlay, Lut have deeideili
that neither the public nor the press are to be admitted, during-
the progress of the investigation.