The Express.
London, England, 1853-02-11 00:00:00

PUBLIC BUSINESS.

PETITIONS rRESENTED.
OPENINO OF THI C PALACI ON SUNDAY.—
By Mr. LOCKHART, from the Presbytery of Selkirk,
against.
130111111.—8 y Colonel
FREESTUN, from the letter-carrier, of We ; Mr.
HINDLEY, from Ashton; Mr. WALTER, from Nottiaa-
ham ; Mr. WARNER, from Norwich; and Colonel SIB-
THORP, from Lincoln; Dr. MICHELL, from John
Bray, of Bodmin, complaining of the late order of the
preventing the letter carriers from

are now ready to sail shall have left, it is not our intention
to send any more convicts to Van Dieuten's Land. (Hear.)
With regard to the question of transportation, that topic
edieiting Christmas4xxes. - acquired additional importance from the determination
TIBERINABLE ANNVITIRS.—By Mr. MASTERMAN,
which had been come to both by the late government and
from an insuracce company in London ; an HON. OEN-
tete present one ; because, as it deprived the administrators
TLEMAN, from the London Assurance Corporation; and
of the criminal law of a powerful means of deterring offen-
Mr. MSMAHON, from • place in the county of Rosa ; for crime, dery from it would be the more necessary that other
a reduction of the income-tax on terminable annuities.
motives should be supplied to induce persons to pursue •
CASS OP THU MADIAL—By Sir J. WALbdSLEY, from proper course of conduct. Immediately after the recess, or
importantn
Lesupborough, praying for /government interference to
subject, and will of course lead to
Omen co
as as possible after the financial year, the Chancellor
obtain the release of the Medial.
of the Exchequer will propose the financial state-
Tains ON KNOWLEDOIL—By Sir T. FREMANTLE
, ment, or the budget for the year. That is a
from a literary institution in Kent, for the repeal of those
very
isiderable discussion. Ido not know that I need at the
ROCAS 'ht.—By Mr. COWPER, from Wm., ogaimr present time go much further with respect to the measures
am increase of this tax. to be proposed. My noble friend the Lord Chancellor will
PARLIAM Z N Riesets.—By Mr. OSBORNE, from
shortly state what is the intention of the government with
ibttenbam, fur abolition of the property qualification and
regard to legal reforms and improvements en the legislation
general parliamentary reform.
connected with the tenure of Led. Some important mea-
Paiute se OCCUPATION OP ITALT.—By Lord D. STUART, sures have been already introduced on this subject with
regard to Ireland. The whole house will, I am sure, feel
from a public meeting in St. Pancras, praying for govern-
that after the severe distress which Ireland underwent a
ment interference on this subject. The noble lord mom-
few years ago, and the prolongation of that distress till a ponied the presentation of the petition by some remarks,
recent period, it is desirable that we should endeavour to
which were inaudible in the gallery.
PARLIAIIINTARY RIPRIISEMTATION.—By Mr. DU...s. propose measures tending to the greater improvement of
that country. (Hear, hear.) The house resolved before
CAN, from the magistrates and town council of Dundee,
Christmas that the two measures which had been introduced
signed by the Provost end having the seal of the burgh
on the subject of the tenure of land in Ireland should be
affixed, stating, that there &rest present four vacant seats in
rererreu to a select committee. It was the intention of the
the representation of this house—via., Sudbury and St. Al
bens. That Dundee has now • population of about Irish Home Secretary, who would take his seat is • few
days, to propose rho nomination of that committee. The
78,040, with an annual police assessment on rental of
ld
gov wou endeavour to l•
on that committee
185,00 W. That it is the chief seat of the linen and hempen
suchernment members as had devoted theiprace attention to this im-
trade of the United Kingdom, and that it now ranks as se-
portent subject, and I hope we may be able to bring out of
coed ia mercantile and manufacturing importance amongst
it a measure which may be ,useful and satisfactory, and
the towns in Scotland; and they pray that one of the va-
diminish a fruitful source of contention in Ireland. (Hear.)
cant seats be given to Dundee, and right to return as addi- The Chief Secretary of Ireland will also introduce a mca-
Lionel member to parliament.
sure on the subject of Ministers' money. (Hear.) Such
Tie' BALLOT.--By Mr. STANSFIELD, from the Reform
Association of Huddersfield, in favour of. are the measures which the government intend to propose.
MATWOOTII OIANT.—By Mr. E. LOCKHART, from
But there is one subject upon which, no doubt, I would be
the inhabitants of Selkirk, against. asked questions. I therefere think it as well that I should
Passe
now declare what are the intentions of the government
. PAPIIIIII.—By Mr. T. BARING, from
the Huntingdon Literary and Scientific Institution, in fa-
with respect to it. I allude to the important subject of the
amendment of the representation of the people. (Cheers.)
your of the distribution of useful parliamentary reports.
CARZIAOR DUTT.—By Mr. H. RUSSELL, from Bed-
My noble friend at the head of the government has already
ford, for alteration of.
stated that an amendment of the representation of the
COUNTY FINANCIAL BOARDIL—By Yr. ALCOCK, from people would form a part of the measures which it was in his
Croydon, in favour of. contemplation to propose. I therefore beg the attention of
the house to the few words which I have to say on the pre-
NO
OPTICS op TICE
SPIAISR—Si S OF MOTION.r
It. INOLIS, on Tuesday, the sent state of that question. (Cheers.) In 1849, 1850, and
1811, the government over which I had the honour to pre-
-22.nd, to move for a select committee to consider the beet side considered this question. And again, in 18,52, I asked
means of providing for the execution of the office of the House of Commons for leave to bring in a bill on the
Speaker, in the event of Mr. Speaker's unavoidable absence subject. That emernment was shortly after disolved. It
from illness or other Cause. has been said that I then intimated that I would introduce
SPANISH beeolelaxon.—Sir R. INGLIS, to put a • more comprehensive minims. Nothing could be
question to Lord John Rumen, this day, in reference to a more utterly unfounded than the statemest that
decree of the Spanish government of the 17th of November, I said I would introduce • more comprehen-
-1852, providing that no stranger, whether dorniciliated in sire measure of reform. What I s eid was that
that country, or otherwise, should be permitted to profess I would be prepared to reconsider the subject. Now
any other religion than that of the Church of Rome. the question occurred whether it was the duty of the ge-
uses Sorram.—Sir H. HALFORD, on Tuesday, the vernment to postpone any measure on this subject for the
22nd, bill to prevent the payment of wages in goods. present session, or whether we should endeavour to obtain
Teta Hoe Duty.—Mr. FRE WEN, on Thursday next, to a renewal of the income tax for one year on its present
submit a motion relative to the repeal of the excise ditty on footing, without change or alteration, and devote the whole
hops.
Tux AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.—Sir J. PAKINOTON, of our time to the question of parliamentary reform. Ido
not say that it would be ituposible, in point of time, to ae-
on the 7th of March, to call the attention of the louse to complish both them objects in the present session. Hut see-
the state of our Australian colonies and to the question of Stir that the question of parliamentary reform was one
transportation ; and to move that certain of his despatches which required great consideration and continued atten-
addressed to the governors of the several colonies be laid on tion, deliberation, and inquiry, on the part of the govern-
the table of the house.
ment, we thought that it might not to be brought forward
MAYNOtiTiI COLLEGIL—Mr. srooNEa. on Tuesday,
the 22nd, to move that the house resolve itself into commit-
/ in the present session of parliament. In so doing I think
we have consulted both the public interest and convenience,
tee to take into consideration the acts relative to the College for if we gave up all ether measures fur the purpose of con-
of Maynooth—(great laughter)—especially those clauses by Suing our attention entirely to the question of riche-
which money was appropriated for its support.
sec: eery reform, we would be liable to the re-
Cosa or TIM MADIAL—Mr. A. KINNAIRD, on Thurs-
day next, to call the attention of the house to the case of pr h that we had not well considered what
Mullah was due to the public interest and convenience.
I the
TRANSFER or LAND—Mr. HENRY DRUMMOND, on
It is fat more likely that the measure when in
troduced will be Inure perfect after such additional
Tuesday next, bill to facilitate the puiehase and sale of information and deliberation has been brought to bear upon
; land ; and, on a subsequent clay, bill to amend the act Gth it than it would otherwise be. At the same time, I ter-
! Cisme IV., cap. 129.
tainly would not he a party to making any necessity for di - ;
Jouletere Orrxcnas.—Lord HOTHAM, on Thursday, ; liberation or inquiry a ground for postponing the measure
the 24th, bill to disqualify certain judicial officers from set- e. this subject beyond a certain time. (Hear, hear.) I
ling and votive in that house.
I therefore think, that immediately on the commencement of
ECCLISIN3TICAL BLUES l:ES.—Sir B. II ALL EATO DO. the next SCsilluil it will be the duty of government to intro- i
tics that he should postpone a motion on this subject now'
duce • measure on the important subject of the represen-
standing on the books in his name until after a motion of
the Marquis of Blandford's had been discussed ; and that he
I should then take the opportunity of bringing under the no- ! tation. It has been suggested that a commission should be
appointed to inquire into CIS subject, but Ido nut ace
myself that this is a proper subject fir the appointment of
tics of the house the conduct of the bishops in reference to a commission. (Hear, hear.) I believe that the govern-
;
ecclesiastical revenues. (('heers.)
RETURNS ORDERED. I meat, through the Secretary of State, have it iu their own
lower to make all the necessary inquiries, and to obtain all
On the motion of Sir F. K WAY, some returns relating the necci‘ary information. I therefore do not SW the ne-
to eonvictioes for capital crimes, the sentences, and le.w ' s(e§ity of transferring the question to other hands. (Hear.)
earned into effect, whither by execution or otherwise.
On the motion of Mr. Intsurenbei, wine returns . Tilt ru is ot.e thing further to be said with regard to the
I complaints in ide, and, I believe, in romo instancee, justly
relating to the wine trade. made, of acts of bribery and corruption committed
LAW OF BIORTMAIN. during the I its elections. (hear, hear.) The
; alicoio,„ on this sohject arc numerous, and if
, Mr. 11EADLAIli asked it the golerument meant to in-

more reactionary section. It may, and will, doubt-
less, be said, in reply to this suggestion, that the
people aro themselves indifferent on this subject.
That the present affluence of the country—the in-
creased price of labour—the readiness with which all
claimants for occupation may gain it—the hearty
flow of emigration to the newly-found land of g dd—
have conspired to make men wient for a timo
about internal changes is doubtless c.ear
That these varied influences have been at work to
divert a portion of public attention limn urgent
political discussion is to some extent true, hut those
who urge this as ample reason for a perfect Electoral
Stand-still, are most lamentably out in their reckon-
ing. To say we want no change is tantamount to
saying that political feeliug is dead—which is cer-
tainly nut the case. The country, though prosperous
and calm, is not indifferent. The plethora of wealth
has not acted like a plethora of wine, and stupefied the
nutiou. On the contrary, the changed condition of
the people, by giving them more business to do, and
more wealth to win, has inclined them more
than ever to crave that political position which
the theory of the constitution declares to be their
right. 3ten hungry and desperate may be feared
for violence, but men prosperous and full are far
more politically dangerous to any clique or combi-
nation who may stand in their way. Of this
we may soon have proof enough should tho popular
voice exclaim—" Why support a Ministry which boasts
the possession of ' all the administrative talent of the
country,' if that administrative talent is not ready
to do the people's work ? Why uphold men who
when the time conies for action ask leave to
procrastinate ?" These arc questions that may as-
suredl;• be asked throughout the country, au the Coali-
tion Cabinet must be prepared with their reply.
If the Leader of the Commons had bean permitted
to announce that at the cud of the preseut session
the promised Reform Bill would be laid upon the
table of the House with a view to its discussion at the
beginning of next session, there would have been
more reason for the step. But, after the promises of
the hustings—and the unopposed returns there made
—a bitter feeling of disappointment, nearly akin it
may be in many
.places to a sense of having been
cajoled, may naturally be felt.
This postponement seems all the more unwise
when we find it coupled with an intimation that
Ministers intend to ask for a renewal of the Income
Tux in the present form. If the public mind has
been made up upon any one question of taxation,it
is—that the inequalWes of this impost must be re-
medied. Even the lust Tory Government did their
share towards strengthening the popular feeling on
this point. The ex-Cifasickuort of the ExruEQtJEtt
made, perhaps, in refine:nee to this tax, the most ac-
ceptable of all his propositions when indicating a
desire to discriminate between the income derived
from realised wealth and thnt won by the useful toil
of the industrious. Ile would have taxed the terri-
torial millionaire at a somewhat heavier rate than
the struggling shopkeeper or the temporarily-suceess-
ful professional man; and, vicious as some portions
of his plan were, it had within it, in one re speaa, an
element of national acceptability. Yet now we have
Lord ABEUDEEN taking the whole income-tax at Once,
and telling us to wait a year for his promised iu-
atalment of reform. We are to pay down our five
millions of hard cash—whilst the Minister coolly post-
pones fora twelvemonth the redemption of his pledge.
We cannot believo the to be a course in which Lord
JOHN ItussEm. does, with any heartiness, coincide.
There is only ono consolation to be hud from
the postponement, and it is that the question
of Reform being put aside for the present,
there will be more Parliamentary energy left for
the furtherance of other measures. We may
get the Tariff relieved of the 281 articles
that burthen industry whilst returning less than
300,000/. a year to the Treasury ; we may have the
question of Law Reform and Religious Disabilities
cleared satisfactorily out of the way ; we may, per-
haps, succeed in getting full justice done to shipping;
and may moreover extort from the Clinxnui.ok of
the ExcukeittEn some modicum of justice towards
Soap, Paper, Advertisements, and other things now
unwisely taxed. The statement that no additional
men are to be raised must turn Executive sttention
' to Army and Navy Reform with a view to increasing
the efficiency of our defences. We may possibly, in
return for the 13 millions paid for armaments, have a
sufficient force, naval and military, kept at home to
render us invulnerable. It is well sometimes to seek
reasons for hope, and it is wise always to make the
best of exis'ing circumstances. This being so, we
may say to Reformers that this year's delay—if WO
must submit to it—should be turned to the best use,
by placing the question of Reform in such a position
that the tweivemonth.s' consideration shall bear tho
fruit of a better measure than we could now hope to
pass on the instant under the cold shadow of an aris-
tocratic Coalition Cabinet.

CLERICAL, MEDICAL, and GENERAL LIFE
AS:USANCE SOCIETY
.

No. 99, Great Rumell.etree4, Illoomebury.
The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of Ptoprletora will be be'd,
at the Office of the Society, on THURSDAY, the 3rd day of Slareh
next, at Oue o'clock precisely, at which meeting fire Directors, one
Trustee, and ono Auditor (on the part of the Proprietors) will be
elected.

Any Proprietor d•elron. of promoting a candidate for the °Elko of
Director, Trustee, or Auditor, moat send the name of such candidate
to the S.cretAry, at least fourteen days before the day of meeting.
The ballot wilo Comm, nes at eleven o'clock and close at two o'clock.
An election of an Auditor on the part of the ♦raured will also take
plat* ou Wednesday, the 2nol day of Mardi, hew.v a the hnurs of
cloven and two o'clock. All pereons augured for the whole term of
life, and qualified to vote, are hereby re .erred to the condition:to en.
domed on tin Ir policies for information ecorweraine the candidate to
be props ii. eiI.OROE U. I'INCKAttD, Sargent secretary.
February Inth, 1103.

dig;tt itrxreZO.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

s'eees:e rdtticsa et " Ile Express," enneajaute the sans renders
tha•tte," f.. pablishel tatty Tasedey sad rutty eight, ia Use
for awe.

i.etUeeeeste Mended !or Tli• Psp►w," Lamle' Eveseiag paper,
nem be et the Mee, 10, Iteaveribeareay by lero cialook ea the
day at publication.

DIOR WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Dar—Mnestne. 4k. 12a.. Afterseon. 10. Mu.
lko.voaalw—Morabls, 4k. 4711 .Aftermoot. sk. 41a.

LONDON, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11.

Loin Jour: RUSSELL'S Ministerial explanation con-
tains much ground for congratulation,—but much also
for regret. It is of course agreeable to us—and
must be equally so to many of our readers—to find
the new Government come forward, on the opening
night of the session, to say they mean to carry into
operation many practical reforms long urged upon
public and legislative attention in these columns.
We, and thousands with us, must be glad to see that
many arguments of the Express in favour of
practical reforms are about to be crowned at last by
Ministerial action. It is satisfactory to learn that
the Cabinet contemplate the abolit ion of transportation
to Australia, and mean to give up to the Canadians
their undoubted—but long disputed—right to settle
the question of the Clergy Reserves in their own Legis-
lature. It is gratifying to hear a Minister of the
Crown announce the intended reform of the taxes on
shipping—and declaring a determination to extend
Education, and to legislate on the subject of the civil
disabilities of the Jeers. All these things must be
sources of congratulation and applause. But indicating
the measure in which praise should be given,
it will be needful to learn how far these improve-
ments are to be thoroughly carried out. This is espe-
cially necessary in reference to shipping, and will
be little lees so in relation to the steps to betaken on
the subject of Education, and on the plan of secondary
punishment now in store as a substitute for tran-
sportation. Still on all these points there remains,
as the matter now stands, a balance of reasons
for congratulation, to be set up against
the disappointment inevitable on the declaration
that we are to have no improvement in the Income
' Tax, and that,—urgent as are our needs for Electoral
Reform,—no measure on the subject is to be introduced
till next year. The heartiest "hear, bear" that
greeted, last night, any. one of Lord JoIIN RUSSELL'S
topics of explanation in the House, arose when he
first referred to Parliamentary Reform. Altogether
his statement was received with great attention,—
and silence. No enthusiasm was manifested. A
cheer bespoke the legislative iatereet on education;
another greeted the intimation that additional soldiers
were not deemed requisite, but no other sign worth no-
tice enlivened the polite, but apparently, disappointed
attention with which Lord lons RUSSELL'S expla-
nation, as a whole, was received. The silence of the
House over these Cabinet disclosures is not likely to
be imitated by the country. The people—when they
see the weakness of the Reform clement in the
present Ministry,—may think fit to take such steps
as may seem best to strengthen thut section of the
`Cabinet who would do most for the public, and to
teach the laggards the dangers begottcu of broken
! pledges.
It is difficult to relinquish the belief that the Minister
who was last night the mouth-piece of the Cabinet
can heartily concur in the postponement he an-
nounced. Lord JoilS RUssELL,when himself Primo
, Minister, brought into the I louse a Bill for Electoral
Reform. Ile, therefore, cannot plead ignorance
either of the ills to be cured, or of the means
by shish such cure might be effected. He has
been a Parliamentary Reformer long enough to know
lalike intimately thw need for change, the interests
involved in such alterations, the pi ejudices to be
met, the cliques to be braved, and the good to he
done. To find him, theref•re, standing up in his
place in Parliament to say we are to have no sign
I on the subject till the opening of the next session of
•
. Parliament looks very like the liberal clement of the
' ! present Cabinet having been almost swamped by its