The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-20 00:00:00

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Paisley Water Bill was read a second time. The
Southgate and Oolney Hatch Gam Bill and the Manchester
Soyal Exchange Bill were read a third time, and passed.

PARLIAMENTARY OATHS AMENDMENT BILL
On the motion of Lord Ruesniz, who made some ob-
servations which were altogether inaudible in tho gallery,
the house went into committee on this bill.
On clause 1,

The Marquis of BATH moved the insertion of the wonla
in the oath, " and I make this declaration upon the true
faith of a Christian," and the omission in the schedule of
the words " 23 and 24 Vic., c. 63," and also of the worts
"an act to amend the act of the 21st and 22nd years of
Victoria, ch. 49, to provide for the relief of her blajesty's
sabjects professing the Jewish religion."

Earl RITSSICLI:said that the question of the admission
d Jews to parliament was one which, many years ago, was
discussed at great length in the House of Commons, and
the debates led to a conference between the two houses,
which led to a most awkward and inconvenient decision.
His noble friend had correctly stated that in 1848 a com-
promise was effected, by which all that was required for
Me admission of a member of the Jewish persuasion was,
that the house should pass a resolution authorising him to
take the oath, omitting the words " on the true faith of a
Christian." Very great advantage resulted from that
eampromise. It saved the government of the day tram
embarrassment, and there was not any pretence for sayins
that there remained any difficulty. Since then there had
Leen frequent resolutions passed in the House of Commons
ea the subject, and Jews had been admitted by taking the
eaths with the omission referred to. At the present time
It was proposed to make a uniform oath which would suit
all claws of her Majesty's subjects, whatever might be
their religious creed. It was surely better not to have one
document that said Jews should be admitted, and mother
which said they should not, but make one general law
which should be the same for everyone. To adopt a pro-
posal which went to repeal the law admitting Jews to
parliament would embarrass the question in a most incon-
venient manner, and therefore he must oppose the amend-
ment of the noble marquis.

Lord CHELMSFORD opposed the admission of Jews
to parliament on principle, but the House of Commons
shoes to adopt a measure by means of which a person
d the Jewish faith on presenting himself could be ad-
mitted ou making a certain declaration, and he understood
that that resolution had now become the standing order of
the house ; therefore it was clear that so far as the House
of Commons was concerned there was no impediment
whatever to the admission of Jews to parliament.
The principle he had contended for was altogether
destroyed. Supposing her Majesty were advised to raise
a gentleman of the Jewish persuasion to the dignity
of a peerage, would their lordships refuse to pass a resolu-
tion enabling him to omit the words in the declaration,
"on the true faith of a Christian'" He contended that
they would not, and therefore that there was no real im-
pediment to the admission of Jews into their lordships'
house, consequently nothing left to fight for. The com-
promise of 1858 had really not been maintained, and it was
upon that ground that he expressed himself as he bad done
en the occasion of the second reading of the bill, and he
tenet say, notwithstanding all that had been said by the
amble marquis, he thought he was quite right in the
Irse be had taken.

The amendment was then put and negatived without a
division.

Clauses 3,4, and 5 were agreed to. On clause 6,
Lord CIIELSISFORD moved the addition of the follow-
iag words, " provided always that the repeal of those acts
or any of them, or any parts thereof, shell not be eon-
"trued to woaken or in any manner to affect any last or
statutes now in force for preserving and upholding the
supremacy of our lady the Queen, her heirs and successors,
is all matters civil and ecclesiastical within this realm,
and other of her Majesty'. dominion."
Lord CAMOYS said the amendment asserted a mere
*sisal, but it would be looked upon bythe Roman catholic
body as a sort of blow aimed at them by the hand which pro-
fessed to bestow upon them a boon. He hoped that the
amendment would not be pressed, because he feared that
if the bill were sent back to the Commons it might pro-
voke considerable discussion. He was not in the habit of
addressing their lordships, but he could not refrain from
expressing his gratitude for a measure proposed wish such
liberality on that (the government) aide and accepted so
generously on the other. (Cheers.)
Earl RUSSELL saw nothing wrJng in parliament declar.
fag that nothing contained in this bill should be con-
strued to invalidate the superior authority of the statutes
ta question. (Hear, hear.) It appeared to him that the
conduct of noble lords opposite hail been perfectly fair,and
that they had shown nu wish to injure or impair the effect
of the pre.-ent measure. (Hear, hear.)
The clan e, as amended, was then agreed to.
The schedule of the bill was then agreed to.
On the preamble
•••'• • •• •

The E.o-t of DERBY suneated that, instead of reciting
b the preamble that it is expedient to amend the laws re-
lating to oaths taken by members of parliament, the pre-
amble should recite that it is expedient that one uni-
form oath should be taken by all members of both houses
of parliament. They would thus place on record the main
ground why they concurred on some points which they
considered questionable. He moved that the preamble be
altered to that effect,
Earl RUSSELL said there was no objection to the
amendment.

The preawble was amended accordingly, and the bill
then passed through committee.
CATTLE. kc., CONTAGIOUS DISEASES BILL.—
CATTLE SHEDS IN BURGHS (SCOTLAND) BILL.
The standing orders were suspended in reference to both
these ..nd they both passed through committee, were
read a thud time, and passed.

THE IIUMH COURTS OF LAW AND MR. JUSTICE

LEFROY.

Lord CLANRIC.kRDR; - ------------- a question to the
government as to the report of the Commissioners upon
Irish Law Procedure, made some strong remarks upon
the continuance in office at the age of 90 of Chief Justice
lefroy.
Lord CHELMSFORD vindicated Chief Justice Leroy
from the charges that had been made against him, and
adduced evidence to show that, notwithstanding his ad-
vanced age. he was not incompetent to the discharge of
his functions.
Lord Lit.. roar and Lord LINCIFORII also maintained
that the Chief Justice still satisfactorily performed his
duties.

Afters few words in reply from Lord Ciamcsnue the
'conversation ceased. Lord DITIFFRIN stating that the
report asked for would be shortly laid before parliament.
After some further business, their lordships adjourned
M a (inane! past 8 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAY, APRIL 19.
The SPE.IIi ER took the chair at 10 minutes to 4 o'clock.
ELECTION COMMITTEES.

The members appointed to serve on the committees to
try the petitions against the returns for New Windsor,
Um:aster, :;nd Rye, were ;called to the table and sworn,
sad ordered to sit to-morrow.
THE HORSHAM ELECTION COMMITTEE.

Mr. C. W. W. WYNN, the chairman of the Horsham
election connittee. appeared at the bar with the report
of the comic ittee, which declared that Mr. Hurst had been
duly elected. A scrutiny had resulted in striking off the
names of three of the persons who had voted for Mr. Hurst,
keying hie. in a majority of two.