The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-11 00:00:00

HIGHWAYS.

Lord ST. LEONARDS presented a petition. complaining
of the defective state of the law with respect to highways,
and laid it on the table, which was read a first time, to
remedy the evil complained of.
PUNISHMENT OF DEATH.
On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said since the first
reading of the bill steps had been taken in the House of
Commons to appoint a royal commission to inquire into the
whole subject, and the two questions that now presented
themselves to their lordships was whether they should wait
till the royal commissioners made their report, or whether they
would proceed with the present bill or a more elaborate one•
He believed the report of the Commission would be that the
punishment of death would be retained, and, further, that
there would be a recommendation to strengthen the hands
of the Secretary of State for the Home Department. How-
ever, he would move the second reading of the bill, leaving
it to their lordships to say whether they would go on with
the present measure and amend it in committee.
Earl GRANVILLE said he thought it would be both
anomalous and unusual for one branch of the legislature to
proceed with a measure like that now before it, whilst the
other was about to engage in any inquiry which would per-
haps be attended with the most important results. Under
such circumstances he hoped the noble earl would with-

draw the present bill.
Earl GREY considered that it was perfectly impossible
for a person situated as a Secretary of State was that he
should be the person to say whether the sentence of death
should be carried into effect or not. He was of opinion that
if a jury had given their verdict the Secretary of State
ought to be bound to accept i
it. The only circumstance
that ought to alter their decision was n cases where evi•
donee had come to light after the trial which had at
the time of sentence been unknown to the judge and jury.
He did not consider a Secretary of State ought to sit in
judgment on the verdict of a jury. If he should ever hold
the high office of Secretary of State he should positively de-
cline to look at the evidence taken in a case with
the view of forming an opinion upon the merits of the
case except only where circumstances came to light which
might justify an extension of mercy. He approved of the
law as it at present existed, and objected to an undue inter-
ference with it.
The Duke of ARGYLL thought that the errors that
had been committed in exercising the royal prerogative
arose not so much from the administration of the law as
from the state of the law itelf. He thought some amend-
ment was absolutely necessary.
After a few words from Lord REDESDALE,
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said after such an
expression of opinion he would withdraw the bill.
COMMON LAW PROCEDURE (1853) AMEND-
MENT ACT (IRELAND).

This bill was read a second time,
The Promissory Notes and Bills of Exchange (Ireland)
Bill passed through committee.
The Customs and Inland B.evenue Bill also passed
through committee.
The Naval and Victualling Stores Bill was read a third
time and passed.
COLONIAL GOVERNORS.

The Earl of lIARDIVICKE moved for the production of
any correspondence which may have taken place between
the Colonial •office and the governors of colonies with respect
to retiring allowances.
The motion was agreed to.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Last Evening,

The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.

Mr. WATKIN took the oaths and his seat on his election
for Stockport, in the room of Mr. Kershaw, deceased.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Garstang and Knot End Railway Bill, and the
Nottingham Gas Bill were read a third time and passed.
Lord R. CECIL gave notice that on this day month be
would renew his motion on the subject of the manner in
which the private business of the house was conducted,

THE WAR WITH ASHANTEE.
Sir J. HAY asked the Secretary of State for the Colo-
nies whether it was true that war had been commenced
with Ashantee ; whether precautions had been taken to
meet the drain of life which must ensue in so deadly a cam-
paign; and whether a largely increasing expenditure may
be looked for in consequence in the Gold Coast Colony.
Mr. CARDWELL said that in the course of last year a
war broke out between the Government of Ashantee and
the tribes in the neighbourhood friendly to us, which was
still going on. Reinforcements had been sent out to our
allies, and every precaution was taken for the health of the
soldiers who had been sent out to the scene of warfare, and
the object which the Government had in view was to pre-
vent a continuance of the hostilities by rigorous measures.
PROVISIONS AT BERMUDA.
Mr CLAY asked the Under Secretary for War whether
any information had been received respec,ing the excessive
demand for, and consequent high price of, provisions P.rid
accommodation at Bermuda ; and, if so, whether, her
Majesty's Government intended to make a oolonial allow-
ance for officers on duty in that island ?
The Marquis of HARTINGTON said that Government
had received f communication from the commanding officer
at Bermuda as to the price of provisions there, and direc-
tions had been given that the officers should have provisions
fur themselves and their wives at contract prices, bat it was
not considered necessary to make any such allowance as
that alluded to.
CLAIMS OF INDIAN OFFICERS.

Lord STANLEY asked the Secretary of State for India
whether he would lay upon the table his proposed despatch
relative to the claims of Indian officers, reported upon by
the late Commission, preTious to the issuing of any warrant
by the Crown bearing on that question, to that the house
might have an opportunity of considering the plan therein
proposed before a final decision should have been come to ?
Sir C. WOOD was understood to say the course sug-
gested was not in conformity with Parliamentary practice.