The Express.
London, England, 1861-02-19 00:00:00

HIGHWAYS BILL.

Upon the order of the day second reading of this
hill,
Sir G. C. LEWIS moved that the second reading be post-
poned until Thursday amt.
Mr. DISRAELI said that many objections had been
made at different times in the house as to bringing forward
motions in committee of supply. It was a privilege of the
and the result of its exercise was, that the
reMilietre:k never what business was coming on. lie wished
to call their attention to the mode in which the business of the
house was conducted. He bad come down to-night for the
of considering the Highways Bill. That
nreZ IMP:the notice paper, end yet nobody had pro-
ceeded with it. It certainly ought to have been
with, or if not, the minister responsible for the trirleLedgt
to have given some moon why it was not proceeded with.
The nest notice on the paper was the Post-office Savings
Banks Bill, and he knew many boo, members who
came down expressly to deliver their opinions on
it, but that bill was also passed over in silence.
and the minister gave no reason why it was not proceeded
with. They next came to number 3, which was certainly
proceeded with, but only to a certain point. The respon-
sible minister said he believed that after a certain donee
they should not proceed with it, end what was the conse-
quence ? Why at a comparatively early hour there was
no government business before the house. With regard to
the Highways Bill, the minister not being present when it
was called on, it was placed after the other orders. It was
now called, the minister being present, but he did not coo-
descend to give any reason for postponing it. He wished
to know what prospect there was of the government
conducting public basinees with satisfaction to
the house and to the country if this course
were followed and hon. members were to be treated in this
manner. When they come down there and found the pro.
gramme not realised in any respect, the only conclusion he
could draw was that this, if not the only came, was cer-
tainly one great cause of the delay of business. He thought
some explanation was due to the house in this respect.
Sir G. C. LEWIS said he was sorry that any inconveni-
ence should have been caused by the circumstance referred
to. He thought be could give a satisfactory explanation.
He bad wished to move the second reeding of the High.
ways Bill that evening ; but the hon. member for Leomin-
ster had asked him on Friday evening to postpone the bill,
in consequence of the short time that it bad been in the
hands of members. This he (Sir George) consented to do,
and said that he would mention on Monday the day to
which he would purapone the order for the second reading.
Otherwise he should have moved the postponement on
Friday night. But he had stated distinctly on Friday
night that the second reading would not now be moved,
but that he should postpone the order. Therefore, as
far as he was concerned, there was no irregularity in
allowing the order to stand. With reference to the Post-
offias Savings Banks Bill, he believed that his friend the
Chanoellor of the Exchequer was confined to his room by
it ness, and that it was not in his power to attend the
home. (Hear, hear.) But it was wished that the Bank-
✓eptcy Bill should have precedence that night; and be
cerisim:ity was under the impression that the Attorney- '
o had stated on a former evening that he would not
promised beyond the Toth clause that night. From the time
which the consideration of the bill had occupied last sm.
lion, he had probably thought that 50 clauses would be
enough to occupy the house all the evening. He was al-
ways sorry when there was any want of notice to Inemben
of the house ; but he trusted they would perceive that
there bad been no intentional omission in this case.

Mr. BARROW said that members but greet reason to
complain of the postponement of the Highways Bill till
Thanday, when the other measures in the paper would pre-
vent le man es.
Ott G. 0. LEWIS said the Bankruptcy Bill might occupy
the whole of that evening. If not, the government might
be reproached for not providing the house with sufficient
business. He would fix the Highways Bill for Friday night.
Mr. HENLEY also complained of bills being pieced at
the heed of the paper and then postponed.
The second reading of the hill was then fixed for Friday.

PUBLIC PETITIONS.
Mr. OREGSON moved the appointment of • select com-
mittee to whom shall be referred all petitions presented to
the house, with the exception of such as complain of undue
reams, or relate to private bills ; and that such committee
do classify and prows abstracts of the same, in such form
and manner as shall appear to them best suited to convey
to the hones all requisite informant' respecting their con-
tents, and do report the same from time to time to the
hones ; and that each reports do in all oases set forth the
ineher of signatures to each petition : sad that such mow
althea have power to direct the priuting in extenso of sash
petitions, or of each parte of petitions, as shall appear to
require it ; and that each committee have power to report
their opinions sad alworwatkaa thereupon to the house :
Mr. *apes, Mr. Bonham-Carter. Mr. Henry Austin Bruce,
tie Lord Ma , Mr. Di/Iwo, Mr. Charles ',muter, Mr.
Out% Gray, Sir Edward Grogan, Mr. Mr
Mr. Timor Joh' Misr, Mr. Haatiags Itaisell,

[TWOPENCE:

Alderman Solomon', Mr. Scully, and Mr. Stanley ; tirfee.
to be the quorum.
Agreed to.
RED SEA AND INDIA TELEGRAPH BILL. • •
The motion for nominating this select committee was
speed to, the following members being nominated col the
committee :—Mr. Peel, Sir Stafford Northoote, Mr. Dunlop, ,
Mr. Are. Mr. ficholefield, Mr. Edward Egerton, and Mr.
•
Bombamtlarter.
EAST INDIA GOVERNMENT LOANS.
_

On the reetkm of Lord R. Own, au address MU agreed
to fora return of the terms, both an mania interest and
prise, on which all loans ailed either in England or India
for the of the Indian government have been
Ifr. WI'LD said it was not competent for him at that.
moment to move a resolution on the subject, but he should
place on the paper • notice of motion that it be so instruc-
tion to the committee to inquire into all the circum-
stances connected with the contract, and as to bow far the
oontntct had been complied with.
The house then adjourned at 5 minutes to 11 o'clock.