The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-30 00:00:00

PUBLIC SCHOOLS BILL

Lord CLARENDON moved the second reading of the
Public Schools Bill, which be explained to be the same as
bad been drawn up by the select committee of that house
which last year had considered the subject.
Lord DERBY generally approved the bill, which, after a
flew observations from Lord HOUGHTON, wag read • second
time.
The Pensions Bill was read a second time.
THE LANCASTER ELECTION.
Lord RUSSELL, in moving that the house do concur
with the Commune in an address to the crown for a com-
mission to inquire into corrupt practices at the last elec-
tion for Lancaster, referred to a motion of which Lord
Grey had given notice for • general inquiry into the
subject of corrupt practices at elections, and said his own
opinion was favourable to special inquiries in particular
cages.
Lord GREY opposed the motion, believing that such
commissions as were now proposed were quite ineffectual
to suppress the growing evil of corrupt practices at elec-
tion, an opinion which be justified by showing that former
inquiries ur the same kind had been barren of all useful
results. Disfranchisement as a punishment for eorrupticn
'sight have been useful in the case of small boroughs, but
it could not be justly applied to large constituencies, •
mall portion of which only had been accessible to corrupt
influences. Increased stringency would be ineffectual,
and the only course which could lea 1 to any practical good
would be a general and compreheusive inquiry into the
whole- subject He therefore moved as an amendment,
various resolutions to the effect that the house declined
to aree to the motion, being of opinion that a general
Inquiry would be more for the public advantage than
isolated speOal commissions in individual cases.
Lord LYVEDEN also objected to the motion, but
on different grounds from those put forward by Lord
Orey. He complained that the reports of former °mania-
Pieria had been allowed to pass without any action being
taken upon them. A general inquiry such as was sug-
gested by Lord Crey would be too vague and unlimited,
and the appointment of special commissions would only
lead to a waste of time without producing any beneficial
Result.
Lord HARROWBY also opposed the motion, believing
that special commissions were worse than useless, causing
expense, provoking perjury, and, by the absence of all
punishment, making corruption a very venial offence.
Lord DERBY expressed an earnest desire to see some
effectual check applied to corrupt practices at elections,
but doubted whether such commissions as that proposed
by the co-/eminent would attain that end. He suggested
that the motion should be withdrawn, and that the
goverument should consult with sonic of the leading
members of the ot:ier house of parliament as to whether
some better plan could not be devised for removing what
was admitted to be n great evil.
Earl RUSSELL said he agreed with the noble earl that
in all probability many of their lordships had not bad •
sufficient opportauity or considering the question ; but in
consenting to an iuljourninent it was not because his (Earl
Bussclrs) opinion had been altered by what had passed
durinl Grit debate. The censure which the noble earl
had parsed on the House of Commons might be just, but
he del aot think it proper for that house (the House of
Lords) to censure the House of Commons. The present
law had proved effectual. At the beginning of the reign
of Georie 111. Sudbury advertised that anybody desiring
to sit ler that borough might be returned on paying
a sufficient sum ; but that borough and the bo-
rough of Sudbury were both disfranchised for
corrupt practices, and the seats transferred to
the counties of York and Lancaster. and the borough of
Birkenhead. This he contended had been an efficient
gemoiy. He (Earl Russell) had no objection to adjourn
the debate till Friday week.
The debate was then adjourned.
Several bills were read a first time, and their lordships
adjourned at • quarter to $ o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TU EtiDAY, MAY 29.
The SPEAKER took the chair at a few minutes before 4
o'clock. - -

THE LONDON GAS BILL.

On the order of the day for the third reading of this bill,

Mr. AYIZTON slid the question of the supply of gas to
the metnipoll 4 had been considered by a committee of that
bouse, who !int made tliair report, in which they recom-
mended, among other things, that the illuminating power
d the gas should be inettased, and the maximum price
decreased, hut the evidence given before the committee
was not yit printed. Ile thought that no bill having re-
ference to the supply of gas in London should be passed
auitil the house had decided on some general principle of
legislation on this subject, and as they could come to no
opinion with regard to the recommendations of the com-
mittee till they had seen the evidence, he moved that the
bill be liostponeil for a fortnight.
Mr. T. A. HANK KY &aid the bill wan merely to autho-
rise the raising of iulilitional capital to erect new premises,
in cow:cm:met their being callel upon to give up their
former premises.
Mr. DODSON said the opposition ought to have been
made on the second reading, if at all.

Mr. AYRTON then withdrew his motion, and the bill
pawed.

THE METROPOLITAN BOAP.D OF WORKS.
Mr. B. COCHRANE Pohl he was not aware last night,
when he refu....d to sire way on his motion on this subject,
that were 1 notices b..fore him. Finding that to be so,
be should now postpone his motion till the tth of June.