The Express.
London, England, 1861-02-08 00:00:00

HIGHWAYS BILL.

Sir G. C. LEWlSil;;;;;;;alcs7leave to introduce a bill
for the better management of highways. It was, he observed,
almost ideatical with the bill of last seedon. The great ex.
teosion of the railway system had rendered improvement ab-
solutely n in the law with respect to highways, for
the highways bad been entirely changed in their character,
and country roads that led to railway stations were of more
importance than those which were maintained under turn-
pike acts. The late wet season had illustrated the heves.
sity for change and improvement with regard to those roads.
In tho bill of last year he bad introduced a clause by which
its adoption by the magistrates was left voluntary ; but in
the present measure he proposed to gives discretionary power
to t
Leave was then given to introduce the bill.
THE BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.

Lord PALMERSI'ON moved for a select committee to
consider whether by any alterations in the (onus and pro-
ceedings of the house the despatch of public business could
be more effectually promoted. Various changes in prac-
ties had already been made which had all worked well, fuel
it was desirable to inquire whether they might not be tartest
further with advantage to the public service.
Mr. HORSMAN objected that the terms of the motion
were too restricted. Notwithstanding all the changes
which had been made, the evil of the waste of the time
of the house had only increased. He would propose that
the motion should be extended so as to inquire whether
the more careful preparation of government measures, their
early introduction, or the mule judicious distribution
of business between the two houses, and the order and
method with which orders are conducted, might not mate-
rially facilitate the transaction of public affair.. He pro-
tested against giving up more time to the goveronieut,
which would only be more careless awl slovenly in come.
queues. He moved an amendment in conformity with the
proposition be had made previously.
Mr. DISRAELI admitted that some alterations might
be required, but thought that, on the whole, their business
was well conducted, and would strongly object to any
serious change in their mode of procedure. He could not
support the amendment, which involved a censure on the
proceedings of government. The recommendations might
be embodied as they bad been in the report of a committee,
but were totally unfitted for a resolution of that house.
Mr. BRIGHT likewise condemned the amendment as im-
practicable, though he trusted that the committee might
be permitted to make bread recomniendations, without being
too much fettered by the order of reference.
Sir O. U. LEWIS mid that the present motion
was necessary after the pledge of last session. It
was certainly intended that the terms of reference
should be as wide as possible, and that nothing
bearing on the subject should be omitted from the
inquiry. As to the amendment, it was merely an assertion
of parliamentary truisms, admitted by all, and utterly un-
fitted for a resolution of the house. Referring to the main
question, he asserted that the government, if it acted
selfishly, would not seek to enlarge the time at its disposal.
But the actual result of the present system was practically
to throw every day before Easter more or leas into the hands
of private members.
After some further discussion the amendment was with-
drawn, and the motion agreed to.