Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-21 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-MONDAY.

The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
At the time of private business, Hay's Divorce Bill, and Smith's
Divorc 3 Bill were read a third time.and passed.
The Edinburgh, Canongate, and Montrose Tax Abolition Bill was
read a second Ume.
On the motion for the second reading of Shepherd's Disabilities
Mr. FITZROY gave some:explanation as to this class of bills, the first
of which was introduced in 1843, since which five others only had been
asked for. The objeat in this case was to allow a clergyman ordained
by a Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America to hold
church preferment within her Majesty's dominions. He refrained from
excressing any opinion as to the claim, but submitted to the con-
sideration of the House, whether it might not be advisable, rather than
set aside the law, where the claimant was rich enough to bear the
expense of the application to Paniaatent, to enact a general measure
dealing with all each cases.
Mr. Fosxsa and Mr. ESTCOURT did not think that it would be
expedient to pass a general law for a great hardship to reject the
present cialm.

Dlr. GLADSTONE also urged that the bill being founded upon pre-
cedent, could not be rejected. He advocated, however, an amend-
ment of the law which al owed the or !illation of Jumpers, Shaker s, .
and Mormons who conformed to the Estahishei Church, while it
excluded Protestant zeiniseers on account of their ordination in
America.
Sir G. GREY admitted the absurdity of the existing law, but sup-
ported the second reading.
Mr. ROEBUCK hoped a bill to amend the present state of the law
would be shortly introduced.
The bill was then read a second time.
Sir Josef PAKINGTON reported from the Falkirk Burghs Election
Committee that James Marty was not duly slanted, and that the late
election was void. 'I he committee had also agreed to resolutions to
the effect that by his agents James Merry had been guilty of bribery
and treating, though there was no truth of his cognisance, and that
the requirements of the Bribery Act, as far as related to the return
of expenses, had not been complied with, an expenditure of .e 825
having been incurred over the amount accounted for by the Election
Auditor.
The SPEAKER read a communication announcing the abandonment
of the petition complaining of undue election for Bridport.
Mr. Roznucx inquired into the truth of a statement in a morning
page that the army of Bombay had broken out into mutiny.
Mr. V. Smrra said that neither the Board of Directors nor ~he
Government had received any such information. News from India
could be obtained only from te e mails, which left India twice in the
conrse of the month, and a summary which was received by tele-
graph, and no informs ion having arrived in this way, there could be
no loundatTon for the rumour alluded to. Thelast accounts received
by the Government were of quite a contrary nature, and he thought
newspapers should not publish such alarming etatementa without
some authority.
In reply to a question from Mr. Baxter,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated his intention of aban-
doning the Savings Banks Bill for the present session.
In reply to Captain Vivian,
Sir JOHN RAMSDEN said that two regiments of cavalry had been
under orders for India, and a third regiment had been placed under
orders, but the order in the last case had since been suspended on the
bringing up of the report of supply.
Mr. BENT iNCK drew attention to the state of the country not being
satisfied with the reply given to him on the subject, wh n he before
brought it under the consideration of the House. The forces of the
coon ry had been drained for the Incline and China hostilities, and
there was no reserve left for purposes of defence in case of a
European war, and he demanded from the Government some explana-
tions of what had been done for the security of the country.
Lord VANE TEMPEST asked what steps had been taken to supply
the drain upon the army for Indian service, and stated that the mili-
tary service was not looked upon with favour, in consequence of the
treatment of the Foreign Legions. He also advised the employment
of screw line of battle ships for the transport of troops to India.
Mr. W. eliternmee quoted the authority of the Dake of Wellington
for a statement, this 80,000 men were sufficient for a standing army,
and remarked that at the present time the number amounted to
126,000.
Col. KNOX considered that the extraordinary army at the present
time wet more than accounted for by the extraordinary demand for
military as [stance.
Lord PALMERSTON hoped credit would he given to the Government
for not neglecting to atte d to a question of such importance as coast
derences, and he believed that there would be no difficulty in inducing
Par.iament to grant the funds necessary for the purpose. The
estimates laid before Parliament, however, under existing circum-
stances, were considered sufficient to meet all demands; but if an
emergency should arise, and Parliament sitting, they would be
app ied to; but if not, the Government had power to call them
together. Events in 'edits had drawn part of the troops from this
country, and measures were taking to fill up the gap so occasioned by '
recruiting, which the Government had power to do, calling out the
militia to recruit the Poe would be a very expulsive proceeding, and
as to the permanent embodiment of that force, there was no legal
power to do so, as there was no fear of danger from foreign invasion,
nor of holm insurrection. The for,es now under order for India—
part of which had gone—amounted to 20,000 men, which was all the
number that the Governor-General considered necessary. But
should farther information prove that strength insufficient it would
be for the Government to consider in what way it should be aug-
mented.
Mr. LINDSAY observed that an invasion could not take place with-
oat being expected some ttime beforehand, and there would be ailfll-
- opportunity then to provide for the defence of the country.
fir Cass. Nan - a urged that the country should never be without
a Chanel squadron
Lord C. Hannrote thought the whole expense of the Persian war
had been useless, as more was offered before than was secared after
the hostilities.
Sir CA ks. WOOD stated that Persia had been compelled by the war
so respect the treaties, and he contended that the establishment
canctioned by the votes in supply was sufficient lot the defence of the
toantry.
After some further discussion,
Sir J PAKENTON drew attention to the position of the China
question, and asked for further explanations from Government upon
the subject. He could not but think that the Government la e:1
received some forewarning of the mutenies in India, and if so, he
t ought them extremely culpable for entering, at such a time, upon a
war with China. He chnrged the Government with neglecting, after
N s
Ew PATENT FAMILY FIRE ESCAPP.—With the sanction anrgeditthtaotbdeurnecessary
nt
mp roonstehcsutt
oe
thostilitiest
owcdahn
toCnh.' n aw,
hanend
d
of the Mayor.—A public trial will take place on Thursday i he arrived there he would probab'y find the whole of the war junks
next, in Exchange-street West, at twelve o'clock, under destroyed, hut no other eroceedmgs would be taken without his
the management of Mr. Superintendent Hewitt and part " neefttieorn .a
brief conversation, the subject dropped, and the House
of his fire brigade, when the public may witness its I went into committee on the Probates and Letters of Administration
efficiency in cases of fire, in the absence of any other I Bill.
assistance. Orders received by Messrs. Mawdsley & Son, i On the Attorney-General's new clause, prohibiting District Regis-
Carle-street, or William Odell, Bold-street, sole a
tears from granting probate, Sec., relative to Government Se;ck, or
'gent for other stock or shares transferable in the metropolitan district, a long
Liverpool. discussion took place.
FATAL ACCIDENT IN PARK ROAD.—Yesterday forenoon, declined o clausedivi wtle on as strongly opposed, and the Government eventually
tt it.
a fatal accident took place in Park-road. It appears thatA new clauee was proposed by Sir F. KELLY, and was negativeei,
a servant in the employment of Mr. Richards, of Aigburtb, after a discussion, without a division.
was driving a one horse vehicle down the Park-road, The ChPAirman then reported progress.
towards the Dingle, the horse from some unexplained The Reformatory Schools Bill, and the Attornies and Solicitors
cause ran away, and when near the shop of Mr. Alpass, the Cole:aial Courts Bill were read a third time and passed.
rile Clerks of Petty Sessions (Ireland) Bill, the Loan Societies Bill,
vehicle came in contact with a lamp post, and the driver Commons
Inclosure Bill, and Boundaries of Land (Ireland) Bill, went
either leaped, or was thrown off, and unfortunately was . through committee.
The Co.
killed on the spot. The police conveyed the hod), to lb')! Whiteside.urt of Chancery (Irelaid) Bill was Wi.II(IPP/11 by Mr.
Southern hospital, but life pro quite gone, r The House adjourned ,t two o'clock.

Now, if my Lord DERBY, and the young Earl
Of SEFTON sent out each 100 spring carts to carry
passengers to the race course would the officious
exciseman step forward and make seizures of all,
as did officer BURTON on the goods and chattels
of poor industrious OWEN CRAVEN. Every one of
our readers know that he would not. There is,
however, another objection to be urged against
the imposition of this tax on spring carts, on
occasions like the Liverpool Races, namely,
that this Excise surveillance of spring
carts costs the revenue of that department
of the public service much more than it
realizes. The officer's time is consumed in
watching for infringements of the law. He
has to be paid for that time which could be
usefully employed in every other branch of the
excise. But it is also a tax upon industry. It
forbids any attempt to earn an honest penny, no
matter how special may be the occasion, without
paying the crown a fee to employ to advantage
any opportunity that may arise for the carter's
horse and vehicle. When the income-tax was
levied unon individuals whose annual earnings
were barely 1001., loud and indignant were the
protestations of the people against such an im-
post. Here, however, is a poor carter who may
realize for his horse and cart 11., out of which the
former has to be kept and the wear and tear of
the last, and harness to be allowed. Ms day's
clear gain cannot be more than 17s. 6d., fr
which amount the crown demands 3s. Now,
apply the rule of three to this matter, and en-
quire if 17s. 6d. pay :3s. —what will 1001. pay ?
We would almost like to give the working of this
sum, as an arithmetical master in one of our
schools or academies would say. It will be
enough to state the result, viz., 171. 2s. 101 d.
A pretty wide per tentage on the poor Catter'3
day's earnings. This is equal to an income-tax
of 3s. s;cl. on the pound, And here we stop to
inquire, is not such a tax truly monstrous and
unjust ? It savors of oppression and should be
repealed. God knows the poorer classes are
pressed down enough by indirect taxation ; many
of the necessaries of life have to pay heavy duties,
and numerous articles that would contribute to
their material interests and enjoyments are saddled
with the demands of the Excise or Custom
House. But this nefarious impost caps them all,
and will, we trust, go along with many other
items of revenue levied in times never to return.

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