The Express.
London, England, 1853-02-17 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

MOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDSEsnAI , FED. 16.
The SYRIA/LIR took the chair at 12 o'clock.
ritivATE BUSINESS.
The following bolls were read a sewed time :
Aberdeen leadway ; Arnbergate, N.dtingham, and Bos-
ton and Rasters Junction Railway (No. 1) ; Ambeqate,
Nottingham, an Boston and Mourn Junction Railway
(Nottingham, &c) ; Aramaean Railway ; Bangor and Case-
ments Railway; bawd Waterworks; Birkenhead, Lan-
cashire, sad Cheshire Junction Railway (Ptralton cum Ses-
manthe. Ike ); lMrmiagham and Oxford Junction, Birming-
ham, Wolverhampton, real Dudley and Great Western
Hallways ; B.sekburn Use; 11l sckbarn Railway ; Bieck-
pool and Layton witaWarbrick Improvement; Bristol Uaa;
trittol Gas and Bristol sad Clifton Gas Companies Amal-
gamation ; Bristol Waterworks; Bntisla Electric Tele-
graph Company ; Catahridge lluivenity and Town Water-
works ; Cardiff Waterworks ; Carmarthen Markets ;
Chrhenhatn and Galore Voisin Railway ; Cork Municipal
Cori...m..lU* ; Crystal Palace Company ; Darlington and
Beriurd Cmt:e Railway; Devon and Dorset Railway;
Dovouport this; Dißlicy Gas; East Grieudeed hallway;
Eut and West India Docks and Birwinghe.m Junction
Itellwev ; Eastern Counties Railway (North Woolwich,
&c.) ; kettorn Ce retie.. 11•110r.sy (Woodford and Lough
ton) ; I.e.t LAlllim'aire Railway (No. I) (Clifton to Salford);
East Lauctrabiro Railway (No. 2) (Southport, tie.) ;
East Louden Water'', At ; Elinbergl, 11l eterworks ;
Erectile Telegraph Company of Ireland; Eves-
ham bridge ; Glasgow Improvement ; Great Nob
testa ltauwey (Bedford Branch) ; Great Yar-
mouth Wellington Pier; Helene Reservoirs; Hull and Mel-
derma Railway; Irwin Veliey Waterworks; Leeds and
Wlntettall Roma; Lamle Central Market; Leeds Gas; Lee
Liver Trust ; London and North Western Railway (Crewe
to Shrewsbury); London end North Western R ailway
(Northampton, tc.); London and North Western Railway
1
()Wham Braneh); London and North Western Railway
St. Alban's, &e.) ; London and North Western Railway
Stourbridge, Ike.); Loudon and North Western Railway
(Trine arid Oa(ord) ; London Assurance; London,
Brighton, and South Coast Railway ; London Docks ;
Lougi Foyle wad Lough Swill) Draiaage and Reclamation;
lgme,talt Water, Gat, and Market ; Maushester and
Southport Rahway ; Manchester Division Stipendiary
Magistrate ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Rea-
we) (Barnetee); Midland Railway (Leicester and !Emilio);
blool.ieud limbs ay. ; Norfolk Estuary; Nottingham Gas ;
Orruskirk Rea; Peebles Railway ; Plymouth Improve-
merit ; l'ortadown arid Dungannon Railway; Preston
Gas; l'easton %Vatersorks; Price's Patent Candle Com-
pany ; Leading market ; Bahia,' and Chasewater Rail-
way ; ltogentewn luclosare ; Ifuesendele Waterworks ;
Runcorn mid Weston Caual ; St. Helen's Canal and Rail-
way ; Sa:firil Esten•ion and Improvement ; Severn Navi-
gation; Severn Tetley Railway; Sheffield Waterworks;
bouth Devon and Tavastock Railway; South Eastern Rail-
we y (Canterbury Lad Whitstable, ihc.); South Eastern
Railway (Lewisham, Croydon, and Bromley) ~_ South
Eastern Railway (North Kent Railway to the Thames,
le.); South Eastern Railway (Strood to Maidstone) ;
South Wales Railway (Monmouth); Staffordshire Potts
ries Waterworks • Stockport Improvement; Sunderland
Dock; Sunderland Gm; Warrington and Altrincham
Railway (Stockport); West Cornwall Railway; Whittle
Dean Waterworks; Wigan Waterworks and Police ; Wild.
moro Fen, and East and West Fens; Wimbledon and
Croydon Railway ; Wolverhampton Markets and Fairs,
dee.; Woodford Railway; Worcester and Hereford Jane-
Don Railway; Worcester and Hereford Railway; Bills.
PUBLIC BUSINESS.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS.—Mr. HUTT, from Gates-
head, praying for the distribution of, to Literary Societies;
Captain KNOX, from the members of the Dungannon
Literary and Scientific Institutior., praying for the same.
COUNTY FINANCIAL BOARDS. Mr. HUTT, from
Gateshead, in favour of.
TAXIS ON KNOWLEUGI.—Mr. lIADFIELD, from Shef-
field, against.
CHRISTMAS BOXES.—Mr. LOWE, from letter-estriers of
Hiddsrminster ; Mr. HEATHCOTE, from Tiverton, for
permission to receive.
COPYRULDS.—Mr. LOWE, from Kidderminster, fir the
enfranchisement of.
COLONIAL ECCLESIASTICAL GOVERNMENT.—Mr.LOWE.
from 3,000 members of the established church in Sydney,
praying that in any ecclesiastical government for that place,
the bishop., clergy, and laity may be formed into one body,
Instead of three.
ATrOIiiNEYS' CERTIFICATZS. Colonel SIBTHORP,
from • solicitor of Lincoln, agai!st.
Mr. MORRIS took the oaths and his seat for Carmarthen.
' ELECTION PETITIONS.
' The committees appointed to investigate the petitions
against the returns for Tavistock, Laacaster, and Canter-
bury, were sworn, sad ordered to meet at 12 o'clock this
day.
COUNTY ELECTION POLLS.
' Lord It. Cluosvxxoa having moved the third reeding of
this bill,
Col. SIBTHORP rose to oppose the bill, u a democratic,
radical, and dangerous measure. It was brought forward
to destroy the liberty of thu subject—to support tuoee who
hail no sight to vote, by disfranchising those who had. He
had little hope of the nevus of his opposition in that house,
but he bed great hopes it would bas thrown out elsewhere.
If not, it would endanger the aristocracy of the country,
Imo( ultirn•tely G100t...,7 tl. state, the eseeditutieh. said dm
throne. He, therefore, moved that the bill be read a third
time the' dry six menthe.
Mr. SPOONER seconded the motion.
There were loud calls fur a division, and strangers were
ordered to withdraw, when
• Mr. DEEDES root and said that the opinionof the house
having been already decisively taken on the second reading
of the bill, he hoped his hon. friend would not divide the
house on the present gum of the meuure. But having
already given his opposition to the measure, he could not
help repeating his objections to it now. and protesting
against its passing. The noble lord (Russell) had signified
his intention to legislate fur the purpose of putting an end
to bribery and corruption. Nothing could be more desir-
able then such an object. Such being the intention of the
government, he would put it to the noble lord (Grosvenor)
whether it was desirable to legislate by piecemeal ea so
tarp • subject, and whether be would not act more wisely
by withdrawing the bill under the circumstances. (Hear.)
Lord It. GROSVENOR could not accede to the P
ties which had been made to him. It was true thirtte
measure was a small one, but it had been supported by such
overwhelming majorities in the house, that he dad sot
think he wouid be doing justice to the measure, or to those
who su
rs.)pported it, Uhe were to withdraw it now. (Loud
shee
Mr. SPOON ER said that if the noble lord divided the
home, be should certainly divide against him ; for instead
'tf that bill aqnillilbi:4; ::... expense of collate elections, all
the inquiries ao 'dee led him to tho conclusion that Cue
expense would be increased by Ibis measure. He did not
anticipate any good from the bill, but a great deal of ex-
pense and other evil consequences.
Mr. HADFIELD said that he had been informed that
the measure would save a great deal of trouble, time, and
'specie. (Heu, hear.) There were 27,000 electors in the
Wait Riding of Yorkshire; there were 20,000 in South
Lancashire, arid the opinion of gentlemen is thug districts
was that the election could be concluded with the greatest
facility in one day. There were 19,000 electors on Man-
chester, and if the number were double the poll could be
concluded with the greatest sue in one day. (lieu.)
The house divided—
For the third reading
Against • 28

Majority for the third reading lOl
Captain SCOBELL said he had no desire to oppose tha
third reading of the bill, but be was anxious to propose en
additional clause with a view of rendering the bill, as ho
thought, more effective. The clause he wished to add was
the tollewiug—" That no place for taking the poll should
be at any licensed pub Lie-house or beer-house, nor upon the
premises thereof."
Lord it. GROSVENOR said that he did not object to
the clause of the hon. gentleman, but he thought the lest
words of the clause were too large. For instance, at the
last Middlesex election, a most convenient place for taking
the poll was a large room upon the " premises " of a public
house. Ile would not object to the clause, however, if no
other bon. member did so.
Mr. G. M. BUTT thought that the introduction of the
words, " upon the premises thereof," would only lead to
ambiguity. Ho would therefore suggest to the hon. and
pliant gentlemen to expunge these words.
Mr. R. PALMER instanced a ease in the county of
Barks, in which the words " upon the premises," would
lead to great ambiguity and inconvenience. He quite con-
curred in the principle that the poll should not bo held in
public-houses.
Mr. HEADLAM suggested that the clause should be
withdrawn.
Capt. SCOBELL said he felt the importance of the sub-
ject so much that he Gould not consent to withdraw the
clause, but he bad no objection to substitute for the words
" open the premium," the words, or " within the cartilage"
thereof.
Lord R. GROSVENOR asked that the word "pre-
mises " should be struck out.
Captain SCOBELL assented.
Mr. W. MILES said that the very reason stated by the
hon. member for moving the clause was that the seenes he
complained of occurred on the premises of a public-house,
and his object would be lost if he withdrew the word.
Captaia SCOBELL said that was the case, and he
should press the clause as it stood. (" Hear, hear," and
laughter.)
Sir G. GREY hoped the hon. and gallant gentleman
would not press the clause, as it would tend to increase
election expenses ; and it was a subject which required
some consideration.
Captain SCOIIELL consented to withdraw the clause,
hoping to get it includ‘d in the bill of the hon. and learned
member for Weymouth.
The clause was accordingly withdrawn.
Lord R. GROSVENOR moved an amendment in one of
the el WWI, by which the declaration could bo made the
day afttr the poll.
Colonel SIBTHORP objected that no notice had been
given of the amendment.
Mr. N RWDEOATE did not understand the object of the
noldo lord, both. thought the pr lasted amendment would
lead to groat dilkulty, as it would regain the poll clerks to
travel and b. roasting up the poll books all night.
Mr. R. PA Elt reue.ted that ohjection.
Lord It. CiItOoVENOR said as be had given no notice
or ss•a anundnuut, ..rid it was opposed, he would with-
draw it.
The bill gigs paned.

PAItISII CONSTABLES BILL.
Mr. DEEOES moved the second reading of this bal. and
stated the object to be to amend certain ame ea the Gabfest.
In 1832 a permanent set was parsed, called the Rural Police
Act; and it appeared that only • 'petit's of the counties
had adopted it. In fact, only 23 counties/sad availed them-
selves of it; 23 also had not adopted it; and in six, namely,
Cumberland, Dorset, Northampton, Westmoreland, War-
wickshire, and Yorkshire, it had been only partially
adopted. There being 23 counties still under the Parish
Constables' Act, it was to them his bill was to apply
and if at any time any of those mantras
adopted the Rural Police Act, they would be exempted from
the provisions of this bill. The county of Chester being
under a local act, and Middlesex bring under the metropo-
litan police act.they would be exempted front its provisions.
In 1642, a bill was brought in by the right hon.baronet the
member for Carlisle on the subject of parish constables.
The existing acts were, therefore, three in number, and it
was desirable thvt they should be consolidated, and to that
portion of his bill be thought there would be no objection.
The amendments he proposed were that the appointment of
• superintendent of a petty sessional division who should
have the cont'ol of the petty constable, should be
made imperative. He also proposed that there
should he • chief superintending constable, but it
would be optional in the justices to make such
en appointment or not. lie proposed to extend the powers
under which lock-up houses were bailt, and also to charge
the supply of handcuffs on the county rates. There would
be a clause allowing superannuation allowances to retired
superintending constables. After stating some other formal
provisions of the bill, the hon. member concluded by mov-
ing the second reading, and proposed that it should be re-
ferred to • select committee.
The bill was read a second time.

LANDS IMPROVEMENT (IRELAND) BILL.
On the motion of Sit J. YOUNG that the house go into
committee on this bill,
Sir R. FERGUSON hoped that the bill would be re-
ferred to the select committee, with the other bills on a
similar subject brought in by the late government, or, at
any rate, that it 'tumid be postponed till this day week.
Mr. F. FRENCIi objected to deferring the bill to this
day week.
The house then went into committee.

The el manung clauseawere &pied to, cud the bill passed
through committee.
DESLGN ACTS EXTENSION BILL.

This bill was read a second ume.

TRANSFER OF AIDS BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
GRAND JURY CESS (IRELAND) BILL.
On the motion for the wand reading of this bill,
Mr. F. FRENCH remarked that it would require con-
sideration on the part of the Irish government whether it
it was requisite that these bills should be annually con-
tinued._

Sir J. YOUNG thought the bill was objectionable, and
he would not have proposed it at all had it not been
thought absolutely necessary. It would not, however, be
renewed._ _ _ .

The bai wag then read a third time.
BILL FOR IMPROVING THE MODE OF

CONDUCTINO ELECTIONS.
Mr. G. BUTT asked for leave to bring in a bill to limit
the time between the proclamation and day of election in
counties, and between the receipt of the writ and the elec-
tion in boroughs; to limit the polling at elections for the
Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; and otherwise to
regulate the proceedings of elections for members of parlia-
ment in England and Wales. By his hill the election for
a county would take place within six days after the pro-
clamstion of the wnt ; and in the case of cities and
boroughs the returning officer must proceed to the election
within six days after the receipt of the writ, having given
two clear days notice of his intention so to do. He proposed
also to limit the time of polling in universities to flee days,
which he thought, with the present facilities for travelling,
was an amply sufficient period. He proposed also to give
powers to the magistrates to alter and increase the number
of polling plans in counties. He believed that the length
of time that at present elapsed between the proclamation
and the election was the cause of innumerable and serious
expenses to the candidate. That time might have been
necessary in 1 i tli, but it was absurd to any that so much
delay was requisite now. He hoped also by his measure
to duninish the opportunities for corruption which the
present system afforded, and he might here venture to sug-
gest to the, government the great desirability of collecting
and consolidating the laws relating to elections, particularly
those which had reference to the punishment of bribery.
Mr. MINN seconded the motion, and expressed his con-
Currence in the remarks of the hon. sad learned gentleman
with respect to the codification of the laws relative to elec-
tions. In the case of the Universities the position of con-
stituency was exceptional. In cities and counties the pre-
sumption was that the voters resided en the spot, but in
Universiti,s the presumption and the fact werrijust the re•
verse. He trusted that some means would be devised to
enable the voters at university elections to record their Int
(razes without being compelled to incur the expense of tra-
velling to Oxford and Cambridge.
Mr. S. HERBERT could have no objection to the intro-
duction of the bill, but he suggested that as the noble lord
(Lord J. Russell) had given notice of the intention of the
government to bring in a general cleanse on the subject of
representation, it was not 'desirable to legislate by detail
upon that great question.
Leave was then given to bring in the bill.
FACTORY STATISTICS.

Mr. COBBETT moved for a copy of a memorial from
certain millowners of Manchester, presented to the Secre-
tary of State for the Home Department, and mentioned in
the 6th page of Mr. Inspector Homer's Report on Facto-
ries for the balf•year ending the 30th day of April, 1852.
Mr. FITZROY said that a search had been made for this
memorial, but it could not be found.
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Mr. T. DUNHOitillmovei for lesve to bring in a bill
to mead "A* Act for the more effectual prevention of
esselty to 'nimbi." The object of his measure was simply
to extend the right of appeal to cases where the penalty
was under Ch.

lei;;Washen given to bring is the bill.
VALUATION OP LAND (IRELAND.)
Sir J. YOUNG brought in a bill to supply a verbal
animian in an set of the last session relating to the valua-
tion of rateable property in Ireland ; and the standing
olden having been suspended for the purpose, it was read a
Mat, second, and third time, and wee passed.
BRLDONOUTR ELECTION PETITION.—COMMIT-