The Express.
London, England, 1868-07-24 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

The House of Lords got throligh a long list of
orders last es-ening; and Lord Walmiisbury gave
some information se to the proposal to hold an in-
ternational conference upon the subject of the e,,,a-
-ployment of explosive projectiles in warfare. .

At the commencement of the early sitting of the
House of Commons, Mir S. Northoote fixed Mon-
day next for the introduction of the Indian
budget, and the Electric Telegraphs Bill was read
a third time and passed. These and usher matters
being disposed of, the house resumed the oon-
sideration of the Election Petitions Bill. A
abort time was occupied by the proposal and
rejection of minor amendments, but there was
nothing like a keen debate until the proposed addi-
tions to the clause 63 D (throwing the expenses of
returning officer" upon the rates) came under
notice. Mr. Fawcett himself moved a proviso, but
speedily withdrew it in favour of an amendment
proposed by Mr. Beaumont, providing that a can-
didate who did not poll a fifth of the electors
voting should be exposed to the liability for ex-
penses which at present attaches to him. Mr.
Lowther suggested that the proportion should be
altered from one-fifth of the electors voting to
one-third of the total number of the constituency ;
but he did not persevere with his motion to carry
this suggestion into effect. There was a good deal
of discussion upon Mr. Beaumont's clause, and
numerous suggestions were offered for its altera-
tion. After some time had elapsed Mr. Ayrton
found out that by the adoption of the proposed
legislation the returning officer would be &pelted
of the privilege of obtaining a deposit to meet his
expenses ; and the Solicitor-General, catching at
the opportunity thus offered, asked what would
be the use of making a man of straw liable for
any charge of the kind. In the end the clause was
negatived by a majority of 9-119 to 110. Then
Lord Milton moved an amended clause, to
provide that in counties having more than one
division the expense of an election in any divi-
sion should be borne by the ratepayers of that
division alone. In opposing this proposal the
Solicitor-General gave way to an unfortunate
outbreak of temper or rudeness, remarking that
it was not likely that the noble lord should
understand what he said on Saturday about the
construction of a rating act. The cries of "Oh,
oh," with which this observation was received
showed the learned gentleman that lie had gone
rather too far, aced he endeavoured to soften his
remark by the allegation that he only intended to
refer to the. fact that the noble lord
had not ben educated as a lawyer. This,
however. did not save him from all
rejoinder. 11r. Serjeant Gaselee characterised his
attack epee Lord Milton as harsh and unjusti-
fiable. and Mr. Nente addressed to the committee
" a few words of justice and common sense which,
without neeuning to be offensive, he did not expect
the Solicitor-General to understand." The
amendment of the noble lord, though scouted by
the hon. and learned gentleman as utterly im-
practicable, had the support of Mr. Henley,
nhose experience taught him that there would be
no difficulty at ull in working it, and was agreed
to without a division. Thereupon the Solicitor-
General rose to stove the rejection of clause D 53,
this addition included. Mr. Labouchere took a
preliminary objection, that as this proposal would
affect the incidence of rafing, it could not be enter-
tained upon the report. This objection was over-
ruled by the Speaker, and Sir W. Brett proceeded
with his observations. These were not very long,
but in their course the learned gentleman stumbled
rayon another imfortunato expression. Ridiculing
the idea that members of parliament would ask to
have these expenses paid out of the rates, on the
ground that thew position was not a privilege,
but involved the performance of a public duty, he
'asked how this statement could be reconciled with
the fact that the- y went " can in hand " to their
•.,
vonstituents. and asked them as the greatest favour
they could do them to Mute them to that house.
This expression did not escape unfaVourahle notice
at the tune ; awl was nines lath once referred to
in the course of the discussion which followed.
Mr. Fawcett, amid something like organised inter-
ruption from the ministerial side of the house, and
counter expressions of support from the opposition,
dwelt at length upon the importance of the clause
and the unfairness with which he had been treated
by the government; and Mr. Newdegate promised
to support this provision, both to save the house
from becoming a mere plutocracy, and as a protest
against the oppression of an official class. Upon
a division the clause was rejected by a majority
of 1,4-1 i 5 to 07 ; and Mr. Fawcett immediately
;fare notice that he should move it again on the
r. ailing. Two or three verbal amendments
ware agi...l to, and then the report was passed,
and the senile was suspended.

lu the crewing, the house was unexpectedly
count...dont tau minutes after it had assembled.