The Express.
London, England, 1850-03-14 00:00:00

IM PE RIAL I'ARL LAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WiDaIi3DAY, MARCH 13.
The Sia•sna took the sniff at 12 o'clock.
PUBLIC BUSINESS.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
Mauna= BILL.—By Mr. COWAN, from Edinttursib ;
Mr. ROUNDELL PALMER (semprel) ; Kr. CAREW,
from 600 Camila' women, ageism this mll.—Mr COCK
BURN. from • Carotin eamilsstatkia ; Mr. B. DENISON
(18), from diStreat gimes ia Tarinildro, ia tamer ot
Bassani Ossaavasat.—By Mr. HENLEY, from a
Omaha Beekshire, la 'avast of some amours fat enforciag
n hear ehmrvases of the Sabbath.
Cavern Rayne Btu..—By Sir 0. R. PECHELL, from
gtts: ; Mr. GIBSON, from the representatives of 40
la Beek' ham Mare, (10), from pleats is Wales,
mai (3) tram Warwiakiki s all numerously sad nspectshly
missed; Mr. HENRY. fain Lastasbire, signed by 1,131
; Kr. DUNCUFT, from Oldham; Mr. WILSON
MEN, from Westos, in Lutcuaire ; Mr. COBDEN,
from inhabitants of Sadolswerth, in Yorkshire. snd from
Ka guardians of Ktighlity, TAssordea, an Wortley
sakes; also (24) from mfferent townships in Yorkshire, all
raying far the estataishmeot of count, financial boards.
AosiccLecam. DISTLISS —By Mr. HENRY DRUM-
MOND, from tanaat farmers of Guildford, and Mr.
CARE 4', .rom • plass is Causal', complataing Catharsis,
end praying for th• ymoval of restrictions ro agriculture.
POST•OFFICII —By Kr. TOLLEMACHE (several), from
Cis the county of Civrer ; Mr. COWAN, from &lir
;r4; Sir J. PAKINOTON, from a ociagregatioa st
Dreitwieb, against Sunday Ishour in poet-offices.
Gauls Laws.—By Mr. COWAN, from tee provost end I,
teas ODUllell of Edinburgh, against the game lama.
Farroar LABOVII —By Mr. BANKES, from factory
macWe in Bolton; Sir 0. STRICKLAND, from Preston,
is favour el • more easiest Ten Hours MIL
DIRT us PAP= —by Mr. REYNOLDS (sire). from
workmen emptied in the manulactutg in the county of
Dublin, praying for the repeal of the duty on paper.

PAPER DUTY.
Mr. BROTHERTON moved for " • return of the amount
of duty paid epos paper in the whole ex rise collection in
Ragland, Wake, Seculaad, sad Ireland, for the last 10 years,
stating also the totals for mak year."—Ordered.
STAMP DUTIESILE
TI ON
SEM NEENTS.WSPAPERS AND
ADV
Oa the motion es Mr. BROTHRETON, • return was
Meteredthe aggregate number of stamps lard fur
newspapers in the year 1649, in Erotism/ and Wales, Scot-
lead and Ireland, respectively ; dwunguishiog the number
at oas penny and one halipenny showing the number of
London newspapers, the number el adverti•ements in them,
Om rate and amount of advertisement duty paid by them, in
the year 1849. And similar return as regards the Emilia
provincial, the Scotch, and the bids newspapers (all in eon-
Satiation of Parliamentary Paper, No.lBo, of StlibOLl 1849).'
FEES IN COUNTY COURTS.
Mr. HENRY DRUMMOND asked it it was likely that
salaries weeld 'ma be fixed for the clerks of mousy sours,
In lieu of Sea. as had been done with the judges.
82 G. GREY mid the duties of the ridges being much of
the mune character mad occupying about the same proportion
M their time, it had been found prat treble to Ss • uniform
mobs of salary for the judges, the minimum being settled by
the set of parliament. With regard to the cleats, the ems
yea quite different, for the enlist of their duties was very
verities, some, for instance, acted for a single court, others
leek • outer district; beer it had been found impossible
to Be • uniform salary.
Bit G. PECHELL asked if anything was to be done with
regard to the fees of the bailiffs, who were off. ring great
Isesamederee et premed, and were positive losers.
Sr G. GREY said that was also matter of inquiry.
COUNTY BOARDS AND EXPENDITURE BILL.
Oa the modes foe the second reeding of this bill,
Sr J. PAKINGION said be rose to move the amend-
meat of which he had given notice—" That a select corn-
mitre be appointed to inquire into tee present node of
levying and tioendieg the county rats in England and
Wales, with a view to ascertain whether say more satis•
factory mote of levyieg the said rates, and of giving to the
rampayere more effectual control over their ezpeadi• ere,
sus be adoptel" He wished to discuss the measure in the
fairest spirt. He admitted many petitions had been pre-
sented is its faeoer, and was c aly anxious for inquiry berme
legislating oa so important • subject The dieting man
sgement mien be objeetioneble, but this :fill involved a
most fealty principie ; and therefore he opposed the second
reaffirm. In lee', the whole bill was objectionable, and its
operation would be extremely unjust. He complained that
the noble lord at the heed of the eroverament hied consented
to the second reading of this bill, before hearing a word
of the objections against it—apparently on the prin-
ciple that the votes of the house should be given
fist, and the discussion taken afterwards. On so
important • question as this, • measure eu.ht to
have twen framed by government, and not brought in to
suit the views of • puticular county. He believed the I
origin of this bill was • squabble in the county of Lancaster,
as to whether one lugs town or another should have the
county locate asylum in it. Looking at the im-
mune duties of the magistrates, and their responsi-
bility for the peace of counties, they we re most properly
charged with the regulation of the police ; and he could
conceive of nothing more mischievous than to hand over this
management to the proposed financial boards (Hear, hear.)
shy grievance existed, this bbl would supple no remedy.
It was framed for Lancashire only, where there were 27
unions, but no detached pardons of unions. Consequently,
the board of 21 elected justices, and 27 elected gni/dime,
would reposed' the present bench of 460 magistrates. In
Worcestershire there were only 12 complete unions, but the
County embraced Fictitious of other unions, the rest of which
were in other counties. By the provisions of the bill these
portions of unions would not be properly represented ; and
it would happen that the men most capable of managing
public business would not be elected. There were now 199
magistrates in the couuty of Woroe-ter ; these were to be
supereekd by twenty-four elected officers. He mast
cregging the distinction that had boon
. between assaistrates and ratepayers • the fact was
ia every county in England the maeistrates Paid the balk of
the , and were, consequently, most deeply interested in
their economical management. At present, every question
of expenditure was watched with the greatest care; finance
committees existed in every county ; and the business was,
by act of parliament, conducted in open court. It it could
is shown that popular control could be admitted without
damaging 'austere! efficiency.. he would consent to it; but
let the hews beware of destroying a system which was work-
lag well. It was a fallany to speak of the magistrates being
irresponsible. The objection which the rates were expended
were fixed by set of parliament, and the courts were open.
He did not my that some improvements might not take place ;
probably a better method of audit might be introdu-ed.
(Hear.) Let the house beware of tampering with a system of
voluntary exertion under which so large a body of magis-
trates rendered efficient service to the public.
Mr. W. PATI EN said he must deny that this was a Lin.
whin question, sad not an English one. (Hear, hear.)
He could not support the amendmeot for a select committee,
**house having already expressed its opinion in the last
session that the eatery's of counties ought to have control
over the expenditure. (Hear, hear.) He entertained many
objections to the bill, and had the amendment been otherwise
framed, so as to recognise the principle of poru'ar control,
le would have voted tor it. He believed the question about
the lunatic asylums in Lthessoire had added • little to the
feeling on this suNeet ; but he denied that this bad been the
origin of the bill. For yeas" pest there had been a strong
Lsliag la that county on the subject of the county rates,
arising from the injustice of the present mode of collecting
those rates, by levying them directly on the occupying
trent,. (Hear.) He had come to the home fully prepared
to discuss the conduct of the magistrates in Lancashire, had
it been brought into _ question. He (Mr. Patten) had
attended a meetiog at Menchester, at which the right hon.
gentleman who promoted this bill was pment; ratepayers
from all pare of the comity were there, and cordially ap-
proved the principle of popular control; bet he thd not
think this as it stood would inset their approval. He
remitted the right hon. gentleman had not adhered to the
bill of last session. .

71//7. HUME sold it wits • great mistake to suppose that eeelieinstreri county where the provisi,ns of 'holier/teat
the prasaeessa of the bill had altered their plan ; it was bill were known and understood, that the measure should
fan strictly e• the sentiments expressed at the meeting pee. In many pieces, to his own keno ledge. great dis-
elide had bun alluded to. The mover of the amendment eaashiction was expressed by the ratepayers, ()wipe to the
shod for an inquiry. Was be net aware that a most ratan- want of control felt :„3, them in the admialstration of fiscal
she Inquiry had already taken place in itsss? lustsad of dean. (fleet, hear
this bill originating in Lastesshae, he (Mr. Hume) had Mr. B. DENIS°. should say he never beard a bill so
lAtredelsed a bill is 1837 lined" on the reemnaeedalisall of palled to pieces by every member of that house as the pre.
the eimmitta aimed to. The commissioners appointed is cent—(lsughter)—sad he felt certain it it should be sent
neneell4B dretrammeaded that elteratilaa should be made with before a committee, they would not agree beyond the first
to the management and expenditure of the fonds. pnrime ss whereas." (Laughter.) lie really was of opinion
Tip reported 'bat there was no sufficient audit of the that no two clau-us of the bill c.uld stand before the *pt-
omaines, sad thst they were kept in such a state as to render nit's deny mi..iiigent aommatm.
them oshitelligible. Therefore he maintained that the Sir H. WILLOUGHBY begged to ask the house if they
laglie7 which the ben. gentlemen wished for was already considered it a n ise principle to sanction the formation of •
main. lowan I. the objection that the measure would largo number of gesaeial boards ? It matters went to that.
Ethe lathe maul to the ratepayers, be would only say that why not defray all public expenses out of the general public
". eel" not be asieteeese. because the board was to consist hand hand of thslooal one ? (Hear.)
alai r•Pereasiathres el the estePsiere, sad flia of the angle- Mr. MILNER OIBSON said he was not on the present
tutus. (Has, bear.) occasion going to repeat himself. Ail he intended to do was
Mr. PACLI said that, as far a he was parentally con- te impress this—that the buss was not forced to commit k-
arma, he could wish to be allayed from the management self to We atolls of the present measure. They were tidy
of the county foods, bat he considered that this bill, if car- asked that, having adopted the manure, which, to the best
tied, would throw everything this tharsath, sad be salad of the ability of those who framed it, they the ught was al-
gal", leePrasalealgs is ite °Yerstlea• (Hear. beer-) Hos. collated to c trey out the repreessativs spa m in oostrAling
gas tkusea seemed to think ibat the maglausuo hod expenditure, the house would give the ropositins a change
ealffidere war", see,. the entire *alien a the eaestre. of being submitted to a select caimittee, who would give
W 11). the whole." the Leaarlf rate "mated to rely 31d. the matter full and deliberate consideration. (11. ar, hear.)
In the pound. It was Ille to somas that the magistrates
He thought the proposition was a lair and reasonable one.
bed 'ay power to rob the single 61. beyond what they were(Hear, hear.)
onthselead to de by various acts of parliament. He Sir H. lIALFORD denial the bill was hued on the
mead vote for the amendment, and salmi the bill sumo oriociple of representation. The condition of representation
eatel committee very much altered from what it was at was that those who eliesibt it should be iut. rested in the
peosont, he would oppose its further progress. foods to be economised, as well as in the object to which
Kr. 1.. HODGES mid that he approved of the principle they were to be applied. Now, tin maintained the cocupier
of the bill. but it sentained several clauses which would had no such atone. All the onerous duties fell on the
render it. working quite impracticable ; these should be propeistoes, sots the occupiers; bet in any ease, la wes
either very moth improved, or the bill should be threat eat ci opielon it was impossible that ta.y putt Wof the present
altogether. (Hear, hear.) bill weld be adopted.
Sir J. ORAHAM said he wished to state shortly the no Sir J. PARING lON said that u for es minded tithing
visioe, las found h... then stood in • different rysiti.n tro. m
W
of the vote which he wu abdst to give. The object of
that which be previously occupied. Ho was aware tha. at
the bill was to provide fdr • bettsr administration of
present every peace complained of the bill; and whether it
.runty rates and was founded on the P I was worth while sending •
widely d dwh • up Ours an ens emu a
the latadoellea of popular enstrol over the" rirresulei-polesa.t.
II ...ear, it might be
ble power new exercised by the solgistrauss of England is Melee" be wee not Ord°l; to thy.
rafts... as taxation. His b.,. friend (dad John Famed.
wanwenittleddraCwonhaisderablyin c•mmittee., and he legged therefore
(Bier. hair )
Isa) mid that Ike sewers bandaged a "Sage of
Pre" The bell was amendment.
thenread• second time, send ordered to be
thigoilade. That was very Wu; bat were thee o late
referred to • *sleet committer.
Eiso naseonstomod to shears olaggluinsonituds ?
soes.) The reform of the bearaigh 'one of E .jr- PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND MUSEUM BILL.
Wm • great change. Mar, hear.) Previous to that I Mr. EWART moved the second reading of this bill, the
0. pm( of »iliag sates la iiil Wit maileipalitise was simple object of which was to empower the levying of a small

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENTAG, MAWS 14, 1860.

rat. *the Pres. witei=o.6lnillibill
.was Ind BeMee ea the
Wa.
7;6% eirrapaset* abgat bur team slam is
reftgengs be museum The binges headed minita•
meadatina of a *kg inuelnitteee es well y• the
ewer wish of several grim %Bs Mir laden-
die Wing Beetlasid tag Ire • insikamits
of which prayed that its sight be
extended rto them. ss wan as- to the inhabiting
of tomes end cities In Besiege. (Hear, beer.) The bill was
calculated to brim jrbtoinse to parties of all grades mental is-
provemeat, in t• way of amities them sonvenant with
historical and gni literature ; and he would, therefore.
wiliest further trinibliag the Mum. beg to Mon that it be
read a second tine. (Hear, hear.)
Col. SIBTHORP should certainly object to the almond
reading of the bill. The easesare ter one whit* moues-
plated a general levying of towing ; and he wished to
know if it was last or legal, or la accordance with the rules
of that home, that such a bill should be introduced without
previoasly befog suborned to a committee of the whole
r our. He would like to bear from the right boa. baronet the
Secretary of State for the Home Department whether be
ormosidered the principle of the bill eonstitutkinal ?
Sir 0. OBEY thought then was nothing unconstitu-
tional in the bill ; it was merely an extension of ho pried
pie of the Museums Act to an additional number of towns.
Mr. BUCK would oppose the moond reading of this
bill, because he believed that it would, by its operation, add '
to the already heavy burdens of the landed interest. The
hen. gentleman by whom it had bees introduced had
declared that many of the large tows, were la favour of it.
He (ilr. Buck) believed that very few of the inhabitants of
the towns in the west of England wve aware of its intro-
, duetion. The municipal omporatione were not the proper
parties to carry out such an abject ; they ought not to be
entrusted with the levying of taxation on the landed
interest.

----- -
Mr. 13ROTHEILTON felt bound to support this bill—
first, bemuse it was permissive; sad secondly, because the
rats empowered to be levied was limited to a halfpenny is
the pound. (Hear, bear.) The building of a museum was
left dependent on the voluntary contributions of the inbabi-

The
dui *AMP, lottulraz the provisos ament of tko tea-
house than divided, when then appeared—
For the Rolla
Against It lOl-17
Tie hill war thin read a second don.
MARRIAGES BILL.
Mr. 8. WORTLEY said if this bill did not come oa to.
morrow (this du), ha would endeavour to fix an early day
for it.
Calomel BIBTHORP NOV* Raise, that on whatever day
he would move that the bill be annenittod that day six
authe. .
TENEMENTS (IRELAND.)
Mr. FREW= obtalasel MVO to briar in a MB to Mord
to Ireland an ant dila Mt awl mend yeas of her present
Mar ihollkotas the yeraarry of poteation ef taw
ma ewe duismaatiou of the tenancy.
TM Mao idloonted a kw minutia before six o'clock.

taste. -
Mr. GOULBURN thought the operation of the bill would
be this. The town council', finding that they had not suffi-
cient funds to purchase valuable books of reference, would
determine on having a reading room where the Doily News.
the Times, and the CAeoniefe might be read, and chairs and
tables would be provided for the 11911 of those who had lei-
sure to read, while the espense would be thrown
partly on • number of persons who could not share
an the enjoyment. Supposing • library to be es-
tablished, who, be would like to know, was to
select the brie+ ? Was the library to be filled with presen
lotion copies of the publications which were constantly
being batted from the peer, and which were anything but
calculated to improve the motels of the people ? So lung as
such things were supported by ve'untary contribu ions, no
objection could be fairly urged ; but ne thought that the bill
was liable to the strongest objections.
Mr. BERNAL said hie objections to the bill lay within
the smallest possible compass. He entirely *greed with the
hon. member to Salford, as to the advantages which arose
frees the diffusion of useful information ; hat he thought
that even a rate of a halfpenny in the pound should not be
imposed by the town council for ouch • purpose, on the
general body of ratepayers. He feared, too, that in some ilea'
the lineal, weuld degenerate into a rub.
Mr. HUME said the house ought, of course, to take care
what powers it conferred. He entirely approved of the ob-
ject of the bill, though he differed from the boa. member for
Dumfries as to the best mode of obtaining it. Had be
read the bill berg that day he would have suggested
to the honourable member the adoption of • prie•
ciple similar to that which was applicoble to the lighting
of towns Were the Mill adopted, he saw no reasoa why the
Daily New, and the Tames should not he provided in the
library. Rthdieg led to reit etim, and the public bent fit
was thus generally promoted.
Mr 0. HAMILTON said two questions, were involved
in the bill—first, whether the law with regard to museums
should be erended to the car of libraries ; seeendly, whe-
ther the powers asked for should be :tended to other
boroughs besides those embraced by the existing set. With
regard to the first, be c.usidered libraries quite as useful se
museums ; with d to the second, be thought that pro-
visions might he introduced in committee which would pro-
vide adequate security for the ratepayers. He also thought
that the bill should not extend to boroughs having less than
• certain amount of population.
L ir,l J. MANNERS was surprised to hear the right hon.
gentleman opposite erect to the second reading of this bit
after his continued opposition to the repeal of the law of
snortmain. Why were not schools, hospitals, and churches
to receive the same benefit that it was proposed to attach
to libraries and museums? He had been told that if he
wished the absurd Act of Mortmain to be repealed, he must
be either • Papist or • Jesuit. (Laughter.) As tar as the
principle of this hill was concerned, no one was more
anxious to support it than hiu a if. His experience of towns
led him to wish that in every town, not only public mu-
seums but public libraries also might be erablished. At the
same time, the public justly viewed with suepteicn any
seessure which tended to arise ase the amount of lecal taxation.
Mr. LABOUCHERE said he was inclined to take the
view of the subject which bad been expressed by the hm.
aseirber for Montrose. Every one who was acquainted with
the tomes of the c evantry must know that there war a very
groat want of criers to good books, a want which had in
wane cases been in throe degree supplied by the establish-
cunt of parochisl lending libraries. Though he up.
proved of the principle of the bill, he thought that it re-
quired alteration, and with that view would vote for the
second rearing. The libraries ought to be lending libraries,
sib. 'wire their usefulness would be greatly restricted.
Mr. MILES opposed the hill, on the ground that it would
empower then councils to tax ratepayers who would receive
an benefit
Mr. BRIGHT said there was evidently great accordance on
both rafted thehouse with regard to the object of the btll,and
he hised, therefcre, that the house would not cn account el
certain ejections, which might be removed, refuse to read it
• secan4 time. He would be ashamed of himself and of the
house if he supposed that it would be neelosary to say a
word in favour of the object of the bill. The right hon.
gentleman seemed particularly afraid that the ratepayers
would read the Daily News. (Laughter.) lie (Er.
Bright) was quite sure that nothing would tend more to the
pronsvai in of order than the diffusion of the greatest
amount of intelligence, and the prevalence of the most com-
plete an lof en discussion, amongst all classes; and fur that
✓eason he reju.ced tnat the taxes on knowledge were to be
discussed on an early day. He would give his support to
the lez.mel rea ling, hut on the uoderstanding that the clause
proposed by the boo. member for Rochester be added to the
Mr. SPOONER agreed with the President of the Board
of Trade, that every care should be taken to afford the work-
ing clawed an opportunity of reading ireeks, but he objected
to tax large communities fur the bee.tfit of a few, with no
other object than that of establishing normal schools of agita-
tion. He hoped when the Ten Hours Bill was brought for-
ward the opirlons expressed that day respecting the necessity
of giving books to the working cloves would be borne In
mind, and that if they were to hays books it would he ad-
mired that they ought to have time to read them. (Hear.)
Mr. SLAM EY thought that the objection+ urged against
the bill might b de „It with in committee. He agreed with
the hon. member fur Manchester and others as to the
admissibility of giving the ratepayers the option of establish-
ing libraries &c., but that was • p tint of detail. They had
now only to deal with the principle to which the souse
seemed to assent.
Mr. IL. PALMER dissented from the motion that
the Loose was agreed as to the principle of the bill.
It wee no doubt a good *hive to have libraries in all our
large towns. end he should be glad to see them in useful
operation, bit that was not the principle of the bill. The
principle of the bill was one of taxation, and besides that he
hell :red it would lei totally inefficient for the objects in
view. It would only enable a town council to buy
buildings and furniture fur libraries and museums—leaving
it to be assumed, which was no doubt the intention, that
they would he fill. d with books, ace , by private individuals.
Sir R. INGLIS raid he must oppose the second reading.
Mr. HEYWOOD thought the asesaure would greatly
tend to the increase of morality In large towns, and would,
therefore, vote for it.
Mr. WILL) was of a similar opinion. He also regarded
it in the light of an economic question, both vies that the
improved condition of the people, which it was certain to
bring about, would have the effect of immediately dimi-
t.ishirg thus. rates to which the county was subjected on
account of crime.
Mr. P. HOWARD opposed the second reading. He
thought that a till like this, for taxing a potion of
the community ought only to spring from some spontaneous
demand on the part of the people. lie also objected to it as
interfering with private enterprise.
Mr. OSWALD would vote against the bill as • Scotch
menthe r, bas's the local rates in Scotland had been in-
creasti within the last six year. upw .me of 500.000 e, and
because every borough in Scotland c Add supply itself in
respect to libraries vet bout the ,meistance of that house.
Mr. EWART said that hen gentlemen seamed to forest
that the bill was strictly permissive, and had been framed on
the principle of the Museum Act. Almost all the objections
were committee objet ions. He would carefally con-ider
th-m, and do all in his power to meet them in committee.
Sir J OR MIMI asked the hon. gentleman rhether he
declined to give • pledge to introduce the clause suggested
by the hon. member for Rochester to the effect that be-
fore the town council could exercise the power given by the
bill, there should be a requisition from at least a majority of
the nee payers. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. EWART said be had no objection whatever to intro-
due • the principle of the clause. (Oh, oh.) The town of
Manetester, for butanes, contained 200,000 inhabitant', and
he der not re bow they were to obtain the approval of two
thirds in suit • place as that. But the principle of the
clangs he had no übjection to.
Mr. NUN 1Z observed that unless the hon. gentleman
Nave • distinct pledge, he would leave all in uncertainty.
(Hear, hear )
Bir O. GREY understood that his hon. friend (Mr. E wart)
was wi.ling that there ghoul.' be some check on the part of
the ratep yers, but deel red to pl. dee himself as to its pre-
cise character. He (Sir 0. Grey) thought there ought
to b, some check, and es the understanding that there
would, he cordially amented to the asemel reading of the
bill. Hu' he thought it would be unfair to require more
from him hon. friend than he had already promised.
Mr. LAW said that the hon. gentleman had already told the
bore that he had essaiderred the question before bringing in
the fell, and sew good reasons for not introducing the clause
recommended. It was, there( re. to be a bill for empower-
ing municipal town councils to tax without the consent of
the ratepayers.
Mr GREENALL supported the bill.
Mr. NWART repeated that be would assent to the
principle of allowing the majority of ratepayers to decide
the question, and would have much pleasure In intro-