The Press.
London, England, 1854-03-04 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

challenged Ministers to prove that they had not
deserted the standard of reform.
Sir E. DERING justified the amendment of which
he had given notice, reiterating his resolve, as an
independent member, and without party promptings,
to renew, upon whatever day the bill came on again,
his resolution importing that the present moment
was inopportune for the introduction of any =pot%
tent measure.
Lord A. LENNOX hailed the speech of the noble
lord as being the funeral ovation of the measure,
adding that Lord Palmerston seemed to be playing
the part of mute in the ceremony.
Mr. LABOUCHERE, for the sake of reform, called
upon Reformers not to abandon a captain who had
so often led them to victory. It was the truest
policy to postpone the measure, which would be
exposed to serious peril if forced upon a reluctant
and preoccupied Legislature.
After a few remarks from Colonel Sibthorp,
Mr. PHINN concurred in approving of the policy of
delay, and declared that if required he could appeal
with confidence to his constituents on the question.
Sir J. PAKINGTON condemned the Government for
having excited andnisled the country. If not to be
persevered with, tli% Reform Bill should never have
been introduced.
Mr. HOME denounced the injudicious partisans of
reform who insisted upon considering delay a sacri-
fice. For his own part he retained full confidence in
the Ministerial sincerity, and was willing to leave the
cause in their hands.
Sir G. GREY pointed out the inconsistencies of
members opposite, of whom Sir J. Pakington had
been the mouthpiece. If they believed Ministers to
be weak and timid, why vote them enormous supplies
without remonstrance? If not, why persist in weak-
ening their hands and disparaging their conduct by
reiterating insinuations and vague allusions to pas-
sages in blue books? Turning to another section of
critics, he remarked that they were risking the suc-
cess of the great object of their desire, by creating
divisions in the Reform camp.
Mr. DISRAELI inquired what new events transpired,
or what better information came to hand, since the
13th of March was fixed upon for the next stage of
the bill, which could have induced the Ministers to
postpone it? Referring to past attempts and pro-
posals for representative reform, of which Lord
J. Russell had been the prime mover, be contended
that it was not the proper function of a member
of Government to be perpetually assailing the con-
stitution he ought to administer. At present he
thought the measure ought to be disposed of at
once, and not kept dangling before Parliament and
the country, amidst all the chances and perplexities
of war. The right hon. member then proceeded to
cite expressions that had fallen from previous speak-
ers on the Liberal benches during the debate, and
enlarged upon the discordances which they exhi-
bited. Ministers, he remarked, took office twelve
months since upon four great principles—the exten-
sion of free trade, which bad not been extended ; the
maintenance of peace, which had not been main-
tained ; a general system of education, which had
not even been indicated ; and a large measure of
parliamentary reform, whose feet now hung trem-
bling in the balance, Reform was the thread that
had tied together the discordant elements of the
Cabinet, and the cause that justified the alarming
sacrifices which preceded its formation, and this was
now to be severed and forgotten.
Lord 3. RUSSELL addressed his reply in turn to
the various members who had censured the conduct
of the Government. Of Sir J. V. Shelley the noble
lord remarked that he had no right to speak in
the name of the Reformers of England. For him-
self he would add nothing to the assurances he
had already given, but pointed to a long political
career as showing the unswerving faith with which
he had adways advocated Reform.
The motion was then agreed to.
SPIRITS FOR THE NAVY.
On the motion for going into committee of supply,
Mr. P. O'BRIEN moved a resolution to the effect
that home-made spirits ought to be admitted for the
use of sailors in the navy.
Sir J. GRAHAM opposed the resolution, which was
carried to a division after some debating, and nega-
tived by 47 votes to 38.
ROMAN CATHOLIC SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.
Mr. LUCAS directed attention to the grievances
suffered by Roman Catholics in the army and navy.
These grievances, which he detailed at great length,
consisted principally of the disproportionate allow-
ance made for their religious services, and the bad
pay and treatment of the Roman Catholic chaplains.
Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT replied 011 behalf of the
army, and Sir J. GRAHAM for the navy, explaining
the principles on which the present arrangements
were founded, and the difficulties that stood in the
way of any alterations such as were proposed by the
hon. member.
The motion was not carried to a division, and the
house went into committee of supply.

SATURDAY,

THE ARMY ESTIMATES.
A vote of 15,000 additional men, as supplemental
to the increase already sanctioned to the army, was
moved by Mr. S. HERBERT and agreed to. Some
other votes were passed, and the house resumed.