Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-02-10 00:00:00

BRIBERY AT ELECTIONS,

Sir F. KELLY moved for leave to introduce a bill to
prevent bribery, and to amend the Corrupt Practices
Act. lie proposed that no payment shall be made
except through the election auditor. That a declara-
tion that he had not been cognisant of any -act of
bribery, should be made by every member at- the table
of the house ; that any breach of such declaration shall
be treated as perjury, and that the member so offending
shall never again .be permitted to sit in that house.
The bill further provided the establishment of a court
under the revising barrister, for the examination and
determination of cases of bribery.
Mr. GOLDSMIDT made some observations against the
bill, thinking that much better provisions against
bribery could be brought forward.
Mr•. E. JAMES also opposed the bill as taking for its
basis the Corrupt Practices Act, and adopting the useless
machinery of the election auditor.
Mr. CROSS said that they would never get rid of
bribery till they got rid of paid Canvassers and mes-
sengers.
Mr. DENMAN demanded that they should pass some
measure on the subject, without waiting for perfect
measures on reports of committee.
Mr. MALINS objected to the fees taken by professional
men as only btiberrunder another name. They might
call it a retainer—he called it a bribe.

Mr. CLAY said that many members were.not cognisant
of acts of bribery till after their election. They should
require a declaration from each member that he would
not be responsible for any payment, or, in future, on
account of any corrupt practices;
Leave was then given to bring in the bill.
INDIAN FINANCES.

„
ANSITTART moved for • a select committee to
inquire into the following questions connected with the,
finances of India ; first, whether having due regard to
all vested rights, is it practicable to introduce a new
civil service upon a cheaper footing; secondly, whether •
it is not desirable to abolish the Legislative Council
at Calcutta, and the Supreme Council of Ben-
gal, Madras, and Bombay, and substitute for them a
legislative council for each presidency ; thirdly, whether
it is not advisable to amalgamate the Supreme and Sud-,
der courts ; fourthly, whether, with reference to the fact
of India forming a portion of the British Empire, it is
expedient to put a stop to the existing system of raising
,loans at the present high rates of interest.
Sir C. WOOD said that he did not think the committee
would be of any service. A commission was now ap-
pointed to inquire into the whole subject of salaries ;
and it was not fair to say that the Supreme Council had
no duties to perform; and he did not think that the
substitution of a Legislative Council for India would be
any advantage. Legislative Councils for the several
presidencies would be' far preferable. 'A bill for the
amalgamation of the Supreme and Sudder Courts was'
prepared, and- would before long be produced. The
question of an Imperial guarantee for the Indian loan
had already been fully discussed; and he trusted the
finances of India would, in due time, be in so satisfactory
a state that 'money could be ,obtained on much easier
terms.
Mr. H. B&ILLIE complained:of -the inaction of the
Government in all, Indian reforms, and of the adherence
to the old system of routine ; the powers assumed by the
Government in India were far too autocratic. He
demanded some change -from the present system, under
which the exchequer was insolvent and the peopl
oppress-ed. Hie made some severe strictures on the
administration of Sir J. Lawrence in the Punjaub.
After some further discussion,

Mr. T. S. BARING defended the administration of Sir.
J. Lawrynce, which had not only preserved his own
provinces, but afforded assistance to Lord Clyde.
Mr. Danby Seymour and Mr. Torrens having made
some remarks deprecatory of the licensing system iTa
India,

Mr. VANSITTART withdrew his motion, declaring
himself satisfied with the admission he had elicited.

INTERROGATORIES TO GOVERNMENT,

Mr: A. STlifis.nrr proposed a resolution that for the

DEATIT FROM DitowNixo.--On Wednesday evening
'Joh M'Cartnoy, shipkeeper on board the ship Stanley,
fell into the dock whilst going oil' board. • He was got
out of the water by the mate' of the Carnatic, but died
a few hours after. .

SUDDEN DEATH.—About ten o'clock yesterday morn-
ing a. young man, named William Derbyshire, sixteen
years of age, was found- dead in a horse midden in
Albert-street. The deceased was found there by two
boys, who removed him to his parents' house in the same
street. Doctor Fiddler was called in, but he did not
express any opinion as to the cause of death. An in-
qnest will be held to-day.
THE BROVSIL FAMTLY.-We are glad to find .by an
advertisement, that this talented company of juvenile
artistes are to appear again in Liverpool. They an-
nounce a series of concerts to be given at the Clayton-
hail, commencing on Tuesday evening next. Miss
Blanche Cole, a young vocalist, will make her first ap-
pearance, and, if report speaks truly, she will be a second
Jenny Lind,—at any rate, we hope the public will go
and judge for themselves. The violinists will introduce
many new pieces never before performed. iri Liverpool,
besides some of the -old favourites. A day concert is
announced for Saturday the 18th inst.
CANNING DEBATING SOCIETY.—The usual fortnightly
meeting of this society was held on last Tuesday evening.
in St. John's School-rooms, Birkenhead. There was a
good attendance of members, and Mr. Armishaw occupied
the chair. The subject of debate was " Are the States-
men of the reign of Victoria equal to those of George
the Third ?" After an animated debate, when the votes
were taken, there appeared a small majority in favour
of the affirmative side. A vote of thanks to the chair-
man concluded the proceedings.
THE TELEGRAPH TO INDIA.—The steam-ships Impe-
rador and Imperatrix' which have been lately employed
in laying the telegraphic cable across the Persian Gulf,
between Kurachee and Muscat, have successfully per-
formed this portion of the task, and will now proceed to
Aden,• for the purpose of completing the junction with
the Red Sea Telegraph. When this is accomplished,
there will be uninterrupted telegraphic communication
between Alexandria and India.
BIRKENHEAD POLICE COURT.—Yesterday the magis-
trates on the 'bench were Messrs. Feilden, Bryans,
Younghusband, and J. B. Case, but there was very,• little
business to come before the court. Patrick Farrell, a
beerhouse-keeper, residing in Park-street, was summoned
for having had three men drinking in his house on
Sunday afternoon last during the prohibited hours.. The
case having been proved to the satisfaction of the bench,
a fine of 6s. and costs was inflicted.

The following patents, amongst others, passed the
Great Seal during the week ending February 7th, 1860:
—To George Capper, for " improvements in the perma-
nent way of railways."---William White, for " a four
wheeled safety sociable carriage."-henry Parkes, for
"improvements in the; manufacture of cylinders and
tubular or hollow bodies of copper, and alloys of copper
or other ductile metals."7-Richard Hobson, for "im-
provements in producing ornamental devices in glass or
other transparent substances, for decorative or other
purposes."—Jas.' Cocks, for "improvements in the mode
of manufacturing cloths, or materials for , trouserings."
—George Davidson, for " improvements in the manu-
facture of paper bags, and in the machinery or apparatus I
used therein."—Communicated. from the Patent °flees,
4, Clayton-square, Liverpool.
THE EXCHANGE (22ND) COMPANY. OF RIFLE VOLUN-
THERs...--,-There was a grand •muster of member last
evening at the Corn Exchange, on the occasion of the
reading of the commissions of Mr. E. B. Bright, captain,
and Mr. L. H. Parr, lieutenant of the corps. After
foing through a variety of manoeuvres, the men were
ormed into a hollow square; and after a brief address
from Captain Bright, during which he complimented
them upon their proficiency in drill, &c., the com-
missions were read in the usual form. The men were
then formed into line, and the national anthem having
been played by the band, three hearty cheers. were
given for the Queen, three for Captain Bright, and
three for Lieutenant Parr. A number of spectators,
including several ladies, were present. The members
of the corps were afterwards entertained by Captain
Bright to supper at the George Hotel.
LAUNCH OF THE OsTurca.—This splendid vessel was
launched on Tuesday, from the building-yard of Messrs.
William Denny and Brothers, at Dumbarton, and is in-
tended for the Messrs. Burns' line of clipper screw.:
steamers between Glasgow and Liverpool, which will be
unsurpassed in the kingdom by the accommodation
which they will afford to cabin and steerage passengers
and cargo. The Heron, which is the first of the line,
was launched a few weeks ago, and is now almost ready
for sea. These vessels are intended to develop the
traffic between the interior of England and Scotland,
and by meansmhoi gfaehvnotiblicai
ereunertansg great
iserfiooaent ttthocodafa capacity
tnaethucheit
et
commissioned
ntweoedilt cl ataiornnr
finished
thvgeieo ocarbhyyd:tswhti
hatea
with
such rates as have not yet been attempted by sea car-
ria
gaeve
mmosaintain
t a
experienced i Improvement,
thrheoeyv he
belong.—Glasgow Herald.
ILLEGAL WEIGHTS, SC*LEet the Police Court
yesterday, before Messrs. Castellaine and Houghton, the
following parties, summoned for using illegal weights,
&c., were fined in the sums annexed, in addition to the
usual costs in each ease :—Edward Wallace, butter dealer,
6, White-street, scale half an ounce against purchaser?
soap pasted under selling plate, 2s. 6d.; George Jones,
pt oubracchcaso neirs, t
ileBc,e Co
fo pc fi eat; son!i -h i
el ln,
ds coafl eb
eoanme
,d2isa.e6hdm.
;against
James
M'Crackin, marine-store dealer, 177, Smithdown-lane,
scale seven ounces against seller, hook on end of beam
55.; Ann Hynes, provision dealer, 16, Sparling-street,,
scale half an ounce against purchaser, paper under selling
plate, 55.; Catherine Dunn, onion dealer, Pownall-square,
scale one ounce against purchaser, cord on end of beam,
2s. 6d.; George Paris, provision dealer, St. John's Market,
two scales, each half an ounce against purchaser, farthings
pasted with butter on ends of beams, 2s. 6d., and cautioned;
George Bedburn, butcher, 32, St. John's Market, scale an
ounce and a half against, urchaser, 2s. 6d.; Isaac Lomax,
marine-store dealei, 18, Virgil-street, scale five ounces
against seller, 2s, 6d.