The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-04 00:00:00

CROSSING SWEEPERS.

Sir J. SHELLEY said that at the request of several
vestries he moved a clause to the effect that the various
district boards should have the power of appointing the
industrious poor to the crossings to keep them clean.
The plan had been tried and found successful in Gros.
venor•place district, where the persons were distin.
guished by a badge.
Mr. WILKINSON asked if provision bad been mad•
for compensating the present crossing sweepers I
(Laughter.)
Sir J. SHELLEY said they all knew the way in
which crossings were at present swept, and the conduct
of the persons stationed at them, to prevent which, and
improve the former, was the reason why he brought for.
ward this clause.

The clause, after some amendment, was agreed to.
Mr. MASTERMAN moved as an amendment a
clause permitting the city of London to construct the
sewers through the city.
Sir B. HALL opposed it on the ground that it would
be an act of injustice. The real object the City had in
view in making this proposition was to be relieved of itu
just share of taxation in carrying out the works contem-
plated by this bill.
Mr. CIIBITT was of opinion this was not an unrea-
sonable request on the part of the city of London to be
permitted to construct their own sewers. From the
great staff of surveyors, and other appliances they pc3-
sessed for carrying out such a work no difficulties could
arise.

Mr. MASTERMAN disclaimed any intention on the
part of the city of London to shrink from bearing their
share of the expense attending the carrying out of the
provisions of this bill.
Mr. A. PELLATT supported the amendment.

The amendment was ultimately negatived without a
division.

On the motion of Mr. B. BARING, that the Metropo-
litan Board should be reduced from its present number,
42 members, and that they be paid the same as railway
boards,
Sir B. HALL said that when they found that the
duties to be discharged by this board were greater than
was ever contemplated by the bill, he did not believe
the house would say the numbers were too large. They
would form a court of appeal from all other boards,
make bye-laws for those local boards, leave the general
supervision of them, and the drainage of the metropolis,
the supervision of the main sewers, and to see that the
intercepting sewers prevented the flow of the sewage into
the Thames, which would embrace an outlay of from
three to five millions sterling ; and the improvement of
the metropolis in roads, thoroughfares, and squares, ■ub.
jest to the Chief Commissioners of Works when the
estimate exceeded 30,0001., and Parliament when it
exceeded 100,0001.
The committee then divided, when the numbers were
For the amendment 1
Against B2 —Bl
The amendment was accordingly lost amidst loud
laughter.

Sir W. CLAY then submitted a proposition to the
effect that the Poplar district should have a separate
board—in fact, that it should be included in schedule A.
Sir 13. HALL resisted the motion on the ground that
there were other parishes larger in area, and containing
a larger population, in the metropolis, which had not a
district board.

After a few words from Lord r. GROSVENOR, in fa-
vour of the motion,
The committee divided, when the numbers were :
For the motion
Against it
Majority against —39
The motion was consequently lost.
Schedules A, D, F, were afterwards ordered to stand
part of the bill.
Sir B. HALL said as the bill was about to be re-
ported be felt it to be his duty to thank the house for
the forbearance it had shown, as well as the assistance it
had given during the progress of the measure.
The bill was then reported, and the house resumed.
PASSENGERS' ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

The house afterwards werkt into committee on this bill,
The preamble was postponed, but clauses 1 to 14 were
agreed to without opposition, and the house adjourned.
at ten minutes to four o'clock until six.

The SPEAKER took the cl-a'r at six o'clock.
OPENING OF THE CRYSTAL PALACE ON

SUNDAY.
Sir J. V. SHELLEY gave notice that, early next
session, he should bring in a bill to legalise the opening
of the Crystal Palace on Sunday. (Hear.)
THE DECORATION OF THE BATH.
Admiral WALCOTT asked the First Lord of the Trea-
sury whether it was intended to recommend the issue
of the existing decorations of the Bath, without refer-
ence to the projected order of merit, contemporaneously
with the eminent services which deserved them, espe-
cially at a time when gallant officers, some, indeed,
already formally recommended for distinction, were in
hourly exposure to loss of life ; and, therefore, in the
case of death, whether it would not be proper to date
back the Ga:ctte which rewards the survivors, in order
to include the names of the fallen, as a national
acknowledgment of the merit of these who died nobly
for their country, and a sacred heirloom of their fa-
milies. (Hear.)
Lord PALMERSTON said that the Order of the
Bath would be issued without reference to the Order of
Merit ; and with regard to those officers who had been
recommended to receive the order, but who had been pre-
vented by death from receiving the honour, their names
would be published in duo course, in order that the pub-
lication might grace their memory. (Hear.)
THE HYDE-PARK DEMONSTRATION.In reply to Mr. ROEBUCK, who called the
the fact that the pri-
soners in connection with
Secretaryapprehended
this affair had been confined in prison for some time
attention
who of
d
before being brought up for examination,
the Home
e to in
Sir G. GREY said an inquiry should be instituted
into the matter, but it was thought desirable, as the
prisoners were to be defended by counsel, that the
ICrown should
T Ihod be represented in a similar manner.
OF LORD RAGLAN. MESSAGE
FROM THE CROWN.
The house then went into committee of the whole
house, for the purpose of taking into consideration her
Majesty's gracious message on the subject of making
provision for the widow and heirs of the late Lord Raglan.
Mr. FITZROY read the message from her Majesty—
" VICTORIA RBGINA—Her Majesty, taking into consi-
deration the groat and brilliant services performed by the
late Fitzroy James Henry Lord Raglan, Field-Marshal in
her Majesty's army, and Commander-in-Chief of her Ma-
jesty's forces at the seat of war in the East, in the course
of the hostilities which have taken place in the Crimea,
and being desirous, in recognition of these and his other
distinguished merits, to confer some mark of her favour
upon his widow, Emily Harriet Lady Raglan, upon hie
son and successor to the title, Richard Henry Lord Rag•
lan, and the next surviving heir male of the body of the
said Richard Henry Lord Raglan, recommends the House
of Commons to concur in such measures as may be neces-
sary for the accomplishment of this purpose. V.R."
Lord PALMERSTON then rose, amid the profound
silence of the house, and said—l rise to perform one of
the most painful duties which can devolve upon a Mi-
nister of the Crown, but which, at the same time, is one
not devoid of feelings of consolation, and it is one which
I am sure, will at all times secure the sympathy of the
house, and will be certain to be accompanied by the
sanction and approbation of the country. (Cheers.) t
is, sir, the great privilege of the people of a free country
to share with their Sovereign in the manifestation of
those feelings of gratitude and the award of those ac-
knowledgments which are due to those heroic men who
devote themselves to the military and naval service of
distant
'the country, and who in :
foreign fields ,n*
.nte. seas
sustain the honour and dignity and maintain
rests of their Sovereign and their country. (Cheers.)
Other nations who are not so fortunate in their congti.