The Express.
London, England, 1848-04-21 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—TmvasDAT, APRIL 20.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
SECOND BEADLNGS.—Dawson's Divorce (further coninilered):
Leiceetershire Unlade Asylum ; Clifton Bridge; Bibs.
THIRD BEADlNOS.—Ketiering Small Tenements' Lei-
hating;
cester Cemetery; Bills.
PUBLIC BUSINESS.
THIRD READlNGS.—Ezebequer Bills; Public Works Comple-
tion (Ireland) ; Crown and CrtWernalent Enmity ;
PLTITIONS.—By Lord BEAMONT, one huodred, and by the Mar-
quis of L. 441.01,411, several, petitions from various tads*. of Odd
Fellow. in favour of the bill for legalising teem society.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE stated that he should, on
Saturday move the adjournment of the house for tke Easter
recut, until the following Thursday se'nnight.
ChIsARITABLE TRUSTS.
The Bishop of OXFORD inquired whether it wu the in-
tention of the government to introduce a bill in the pewit
session, for the better regulation of charitable trusts ?
The LORD CHANCELLOR intended to bring forward
a measure on the subject, and hoped.to be able to pass a bill
this session, which would effect the minor obiects.
CROWN AND GOVERNMENT SECURITY BILL.
The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the third reading of
this bill, on which
Lord BROUGHAM took occasion to condemn the policy
of the French Provisional Government, in abolishing capital
punishment for political offences. Treason was one of the
highest crimes known to the law, and if the punishment of
death were taken away from every other offence, it ought
always to be inflicted for high treason, the
objectoto ob of w
servehich
was to promote civil war. He was sorry,
that the most grave political offences were regarded in this
country with less horror than murder and other capital
aims.
Lord CAMPBELL said that treason was the greatest
offence known to the law, and the most destructive of the
beet interest, of society. and no doubt its perpetrators ought
to suffer the highest penalty of the law. But at the same
time he would adhere to the statute of William, and be
thought all the safeguard of that act ought to be most care-
fully maintained.
Lord CREMORNE thought the bill would be very likely
to put a stop to the preaching of sedition, and h. was re-
joiced to find that such a measure had been brought forward
by the government. He could not allow the bill t Pass
without paving a well-merited compliment to the Lord Lieu-
tenant of 'lreland for the able and satisfactory mammy in
Lieu-
which he had performed the arduous duties of his important
office. (Hear, hear.)
The Bishop of OXFORD wished to know whether the
noble and learned lord Lord Brougham), from a doubtful
expression which he had used, advocated the abolition of
capital punishments for other offences than high treason ?
Because there was a body of persons out of doors most im-
properly clamouring for the abolition of the punishment of
death, and it would not he advisable that an opinion in
favour of anything so unwi.e should go firth to the public
from the noble and learned lord.
Lord BROUGHAM could assure the right rev. prelate
that he did not advocate anything so monstrous, and he
was astonished to see able and ingenious men trying to find
arguments from the Scriptures for the abolition of the pu-
nishment of death—by quoting the words " Thou shalt net
kill," in favour of their views ; but forgetting those which
said, " Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood
be shed."
EXCHEQUER BILLS BILL, AND PUBLIC WORKS
COMPLETION (IRELAND) BILL.
Thin bills were read a second time; and the standing
orders having been suspended, the committees on the bills
were negatived, and they were severally read a third time
and passed.
Their lordships then adjourned, at 6 o'clock, to Saturday
at 2 o'clock, when the royal meant will be given by com-
mission to several bills.