Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-03-03 00:00:00

SARDINIA

TURIN, Feb. 27.—The telegraphic summary of
Lord Palmerston's question to the Government, on
the subject of a pacific solution of the Italian ques-
tion, was awaited here, you will easily imagine,
with strong interest and anxiety, but, now that it
has come, we are not a great deal the wiser for it.
The useful, but frequently. provoking wires,
have, we cannot help believing, left something
important unsaid. Mr. Disraeli announces that,
within a short time, the Austrian and French
troops will evacuate the Papal dominions, and
that Lord Cowley has gone on a conciliatory
mission: Did he say no more than this ?
Was no hint afforded of reforms in the
Roman States, as necessarily preceding the
proposed evacuation ? If not stated I
presume that is at least to be understood. To
withdraw the foreign troops without having made
such changes would be to invite revolution,
unless, indeed, we have been hitherto very muck
deceived as to the state of mind of the Pope's
subjects, which is not likely. Should it
appear that, between the assurances already
received from the Austrian Government and
those which may be obtained by Lord Cowley,
the first and great point of concessions in
the Roman States (to be followed, at a fixed date,
by evacuation) is conceded, the chances of war
will be very greatly diminished. It would be too
much to say that they will be entirely removed.
Austria has held out longer than was reasonable.
The hopes of her enemies have been raised high,
and they will feel almost as a disappointment the
concession of that which, no long time ago, they
would gladly have accepted. Here, in Lombardy,
in the Duchies, and perhaps throughout Italy, the
idea that all is to be done at once has gathered
strength, and grown into a conviction. The with-
drawal of Austrian troops from the Papal States,
the abrogation of treaties between Austria and
some of the small Italian States, now affirmed,
with what reason I will not attempt to decide, to
be incompatible with, and violations of, the
treaties of 1815 ; the removal of Austrian garri-
sons and influence throughout the whole of Italy ;
and finally the driving of Austria out of her own
Italian provinces ;—all these rather important
measures have combined into a sort of profession
of faith by the Italian war party. They will be
satisfied with nothing less than the whole ; the
idea of accepting an instalment is in the highest
degree ungrateful to them; they insist upon their
pound of flesh, no matter how much blood be shed
in obtaining it.

THE NORTHERN TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 3 1859

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY.
REAL ESTATE INSOLVENCY. BILL.
The second readilg of the Real Estate Insolvency Bill
was moved by Mr. Locke King.
Lord W. Graham moved, as an amendment, that the
bill be read a second time that day six months ; the effect
would be to divide and alienate property which had been
in the same family for many generations, but which it
was not the habit of the owner to devise by will.
Mr. Mellor supported the bill, declaring the present law,
by which the widow and younger children were left desti-
tute, to be contrary to religion, humanity, and justice.
Mr. Henley opposed the bill, as effecting a great change
without anv corresponding benefit.
Sir G. C. Lewis declared that he could not support the
bill until it was shown that the persons most interested,
namely, the owners of small land, were desirous that the
law should be altered.
Mr. M. Milnes supported the bill.
The Solicitor-General opposed it, defending the present
law at ()Teat length, as consistent with the feelings,
habits, and interested constitution of the country. As for
the bill, it did not even carry out the objects for which it
was framed.
Mr. Lowe said that both the merits and defects of the
Bill had been greatly exaggerated. He objected to the
present law, which made for a person who died intestate
such a will as no good man would make.
After some remarks from Lord H. Vane, Mr. Hope,
• General Thompson, and Mr. Ewart,
The Attorney-General for Ireland warmly opposed the
Bill, characterising it as the first step of the ultimate abo-
lition of the law of promogeniture.
Mr. Walter said that such a measure as the one con-
templated would lead to the introduction of the socialist
system of the code Naportion, under which the property
"of no man was his own, except as far as he chose to waste
it during his lifetime.
After some observations from Mr. Green,
The Attorney-General said if they passed this Bill,
they would entail upon society the same consequences
which had followed the adoption of a similar principle in
France.
Lord Palmerston declared the principle of the Bill
at variance with the customs, wishes, and feelings
of the people, and incompatible with the principles of
the constitution. The existing system of an eldest son was
congenial to the spirit of the nation, and it would be
highly impolitic to abolish it, but constitutional mon-
archy required a hereditary aristocracy, able to furnish
that controlling power essential to the safe working of
the representation system.
Mr. L. King replied, declaring the speech of the
noble Viscount not such as he should have expected
from the leader of the Liberal party.
The House then divided, when the second reading was
rejected by 271 to 76.
The Newspapers Bill was read a second time.
CONVEYANCE OF VOTERS BILL.
On the motion that the Conveyance of Voters Bill,
which makes such conveyance illegal, be read a second
time,
Mr. Hunt moved its postponement, until the provisions
of the Reform Bill relating to the same sibject were
disposed of.
Mr Headlam urged that the bill shduld be proceeded
with, objecting to the system of polling papers, which it
was proposed to substitute for the legal conveyance of
voters. •
Mr. Collier felt bound to proceed with the bill as he
did not api rove of the Reform Bill, and did not believe
it would pass.
Lord Palmerston did not see why they should not pro-
ceed with the bill.
Mr. Hunt withdrew his notice, that the discussion of
the bill might proceed.
Mr. E. James protested against the enormous expense
of parliamentary election, and against its being sys-
tematised by legalising the payment of conveyance of
voters to the poll. He, therefore supported the bill.
Mr. P. O'Brien opposed the bill, which would throw the
elections in Ireland into the bands of the great landlords.
Mr. Stewart, after urging several objections to the bill,
moved as an amendment that it be read a second time
that day six months.
After some further discussion,
Lord John Russell said, that the practice of payment
of, conveyance of voters was akin to bribery. The bill
provided the only remedy, by increasing the number of
polling places, and he should therefore support it.
After some remarks from Mr. Hume and Mr. Knightley,
Sir J. Pakington, without giving any opinion on the
principle of the bill, thought this a very inconvenient
time for its introduction.
Mr. Ayrton said a few words in support of the Bill,
After which the house divided, when the amendment
was negatived by 172 to 153.
The Bill was then read a second time.
RECREATION GROUNDS.
The Recreation Grounds Bill was read a second time.
MEDICAL BILL.
The Medical Act Amendment Bill was read a third
time and passed.
The remaining business was disposed of, and the house
adjourned at 5.4 p.m.

MERCANTILE MARINE SERVICE ASSOCIATION.
The usual monthly meeting of this association was
held, yesterday, at noon, in their New's-room, Water-
street. Captain John Clint, president of the association,
in the chair.

The Chairman called upon the Secretary, Mr. Thomp-
son, to read the following