The Sun.
London, England, 1855-06-27 00:00:00

sion, it would, perhaps, be discourteous in him (Lord Pal-
merston) if he were to offer any opposition to a bill brought
in on such terms. (Laughter.) He wished to be under-
stood as not meaning to imply that, when the extension
of the fraubhise should come to be considered, some exten-
sion might not be worthy of consideration. The hon. gen-
tleman had selected a test of qualification which, whatever
might be his anticipations, as likely in the course of events,
was not in its nature likely to be permanent ; but it had
the advantage of beinc,* a test, while it lasted, of responsi-
bility and property. Ur der the circumstances, he offered
no hostility to the bill. (Laughter.)
Mr. DISRAELI said great complaint had been made of
the printers' bill for the house, and the extreme readiness
of the noble lord to assent had added an item which he
thought was scarcely justifiable. The introduction of such
a bill on a subject so exciting was something that almost
perilled the tranquillity of the Parliamentary mind, The
question was a large one, and had been brought forward in
a manner worthy of the hon. gentleman. (Laughter and
"Hear, hear.") But whether those persons who lived in
apartments, and had their clubs, were to enjoy the pri-
vileges of those who were fathers of families, and to per-
form all the duties which they were obliged to perform—
(loud laughter)—upon that point he ventured to express
his dissent. However, the bill had enabled the noble lord
to express the contingent view of what he might do when
the extension of the franchise came before the house.

The motion was agreed to, amid laughter, without a
division.

STAGE CARRIAGE DUTIES.

General WYNDHAM moved a resolution to the effect
that the duties on stage coaches should be modified, on the
ground that those duties, by discouraging posting, had
diminished the supply of useful and seasoned horses suit-
able for the army.
Sir J. SHELLEY seconded the motion, and complained
that while railways were taxed according to their earn-
ings, omnibuses and stage coaches were taxed per mile,
whether they bad passengers or not.
After some remarks from Mr. WILLIAMS and Mr. BRO.
THERTON,

Lord R. GROSVENOR asked why the duty had been
reduced from 41. to lcl. a mile to the Manchester omni-
buses, while the London trade paid the old Dd. ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER admitted
that the duty pressed heavily upon the omnibus and stage
coach trade, and said that on the first opportunity their
claims ought to meet with a favourable consideration, but
he deprecated the passing of an abstract resolution on the
subject.

Mr. DISRAELI said that was no answer to the question
why a favour had been granted to Manchester, which was
denied to London and the rest of the country. He thought
all our taxes on horses were too high.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER admitted
that a special concession had been made to Manchester,
on the ground that they had to compete with a railway.
After some further conversation,
Mr. MILES said he understood the duty was also re-
duced in the case of Messrs. Chaplin and Horne, in the
metropolis.

Lora PALMERSTON admitted that the duty with these
anomalous modifications, could not be defended : and the
motion was agreed to amid general cheering.
Mr. SCOLEFIELD obtained the appointment of a se-
lect committee to inquire into the adulteration of food,
drink, and drugs.

Mr: I. BUTT obtained leave to bring in a bill to regu-
late the employment of females and young persons in
bleaching, finishing, and dyeing works.
The other orders of the day were disposed of, and the
house adjourned.