The National Register.
London, England, 1822-07-29 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER

entered into office when such regnlations did not exist ; and
that it chiseled those who, by insuring their lives or otherwise
had made other provision fur superannuation. To the principle
of superannuation, as prospectively enforced, he should have
no ohjertion; and to enforce it in any other way would be cruel,
harsh, and unjust. From insurunces, where they had been
begun, there was no retreating ; and the parties were com-
pelled to subscribe to the Superanuation Fund. The noble
Lord had said that the clerks would hive this fund under their
peculiar tare. Whet wets the fact l They had that evening
received a petition from a Post-office clerk, who had been die-
maned, properly or improperly he would not now say, who
had for 20 years subscribed to a Superannuation Fluid, but
whose family was now refused all relief, although 400Lhad been
subscribed during 20 years. He thought he had made out a
case strong enough ; and if it came to a division, he thought
he should have the feelings, if he were denied the votes, of
the House. Ile was the more confident in his opposition, be-
cause he was supported by Lord Sidnioutlie letter to his Ma-
jesty on this subject, his lordship holding, that the priuctple
wrs unjust, that it was %briefing faith with the public servants.
He (Mr. Calera') thought the bill ought to be withdrawn.—lt
woold be a curious thing to behold the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer and Lord Sidniutath at issue on so important a point,
and so soon after his lordship had left office. The Chancellor
of the Exchequer, it was to be hoped, would take home the
documents and read them ; be could not have seen them ; and
if he would only peruse them and reflcct on them, the bill would
not be heard of again. The DIII proposed to indict a species of
confiscation ; it was to " cut the prospects from under the feet"
of those who had relied on a particular us stem for years.—
Surely the Chancellor of the Exchequer did not intend to turn
his back all loon on Lord Sidmoutii and his opinions, after his
Lordship had kit Mike ;—his Lordship and the gentlemen op-
posite bad gone on together for yells, and curtly they ought
not to separate.
Mr. CANNING said the bill was most obnoxious in its prin-
ciple—it went to impose a tax on a particular class for the re-
lief of the state. This was lutist unjust. The details were
equally obnoxious. Ile did not deny the power of the Crown
to reduce salaries ; but to convert a plan of economical regula-
tion into a measure of parliamentary taxation, wan most unjust.
The details were unjust by their partial propositions. They
violated that faith on whieb invidusis had entered office ; they
defrauded them to a certain effect of those prospects un which
they had calculated. So strong was the act of 1511, that lie
questioned much whether the principle of this bill would not
he considered by Courts of Lew to be unjust and illegal. The
Bill was of such a character, it Win evidently so direct a tax,
that nothing but the severest necessity could warrant its adop-
tion. If it were adopted, it would atithor.ae a species of pillage.
Out of one dilemma he saw no means of escape, except by in-
troducing into the bill what sort of dismission shall authorize
the individual to continue his demands on the feud. And to
continue his right on the fund would relax the force of official
controul. The principle of the bill was bad, and the details
were of prejudicial operation. He would much rather leave the
regulations as they now were. He was glad that he had this
opportnuity of speaking, fur the bill had been postponed 27
times, so that be bad attended the house a good many times
' without effect. Ile thought the bill ought to be abandoned
altogether.
The CHANCELNOR of the E.:WHEW:ER said that this
bill had been deemed expedient alder the peculiar eircutn-
stances and difficulties of the country, and that it arose out of
an address of last session, requiring his Majesty to promote all
possible reduction au economy.
Lord LONDONDERRY observed, that it wee his duty to
support the bill, thou 11l he wits (tee to admit that he did so with
considerable pain. 1 t had not originated with the ministers; it
resulted from an address to that houso. The address having
been agreed to, it WAS the duty of the government to endeavour
to carry it into execution, mid it was rather peculiar that the
house should now turn totted and endeavour to defeat its own
principle by rileckieg its detail. The address recommended
a revision of all profits of places, with the view of reducing the
salaries to the period of 1797.
After some further remarks the report was brought up and
agreed to.
The Stamp Duties Bill was afterwards withdrawn for the
present session.
The remainire.t, business having been disposed of, the boas.
adjourned to Monday.

FROM TUESDAY AUGHT'S GAZETTR.