The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-16 00:00:00

force charges upon the University of Oxford, under the
form of moderate proposals, and as the bill was neither a
candid nor an honest one, he should give it his most d eter-
mined opposition. The bill then under discussion was
brought forward by a small and restless minority who
seemed determined to greatly injure a corporation of the
most learned and eminent mea who had existed. In place
of the tests now submitted at Oxford, a declaration was
sought to be established by the bill, viz., " being a bona-
fide member of the Church of England," than which there
ceuld not be a more perfect delusion. He appealed to the
right hon. gentleman who had so long represented the
University, not to give his support to a measure which
sought to degrade its constitution to the extent that was
now proposed.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER regretted
he could not follow the call of his hon. friend and colleague
in the representation of the University of Oxford, and vote
for the rejection of the bill—(hear, hear)—as he did not
think he was taking a wise course in moving the amend-
ment ho had done. His right hon. friend appeared to be of
opinion that the greatest advantages would result from a
correspondence of the two Universities, hut now, when an
approach was made to that unformity, he determined to
forego the advantage presented by the bill. He could not see
the force of the observations that had been made, that the bill
was one for the admission of Dissenters to governing bodies
of the University, because as far as he could discover the
measure appeared to him to be totally unconnected with such
an object. He couldnot see why there should be a special and
exceptional law atOxtord to enable one party to take an ob-
jectionable course to ascertain the religious opinions of the
lay members of convocation ; and while he gave hi, support
to the second reading of the bill, he wished it to be clearly
understood that he would not vote for the third reading
without some amendment was made in certain,
clauses which affected minor degrees of divinity. Re
could not see there was any great danger in the opening of
private halls at Oxford by persons not being members of
the Church of England, especially as that system was in
lexistence at Cambridge. Another subject had been
adverted to, namely, the reconsideration of the college emolue
meets ; and he, for one, did think that certain improve-
ments could be made with those emoluments in connection
with scholarships. He thought it was most unwise on the
part of a large and influential party to make a determined
and indiscriminate resistance to concession. He, for one,
was prepared to grant those concessions, not because he
had any fear, but because he felt it was the wisest and best
course at the present time to adopt.
Mr. SELWYN thought the bill involved a very dan-
gerous principle, and therefore he should vote against its
second reading. It had been said by the introducer of this
bill that disunion and disturbance existed at the present
time at Oxford. If that was so, was it, he asked, the most
fitting time for passing such a bill as that now before them,
which could only add to, and not allay, the strife that was
said to exist there.
Mr. SCULLY said he was bound by his oath as a mem-
ber of the Church of Rome to abstain from doing anything
injurious to the Church of England, but he had come to the
conclusion to support the bill, because rather than tend to
weaken it would strengthen the Established Church of
England. He did not think there was that exclusion in the
the Church of England that had been spoken of. To him
it appeared that the Church was open to everybody, but the
loaves and fishes of the establishment were, on the
contrary, open to but very few. (Oh, and laugh-
ter,) He was used to hear his country spoken slight-
ingly of, but ho knew this, that nothing was heard ref
this exclusive system in that part of her Majesty's douai.
nions. (Hear, hear.) There appeared to be great impor-
tance attached to academical honours, and no doubt a man
with collegiate degrees entered life from an elevated plat-
form, but the possession of those honours, whether at the
bar or any other profession, did not of necessity ensure suc-
cess. (Hear, hear.) He did not think the public would
estimate higher than they did at present the hon. mem-
bers for Rochdale and Birmingham, supposing they were
to write M.* after their names.
Lord R. MONTAGU thought the differences that
existed in the house with respect to this bill could be
bridged over, provided words were introduced to make the
system at Oxford similar to that pursued at Cambridge.
Mr. BUXTON said a great deal had been said against
the bill by hon. gentlemen opposite, yet no one had ven-
tured to deal with the cruel oppression put on the con-
sciences of numbers of young men at the University of
Oxford. He should with great pleasure vote for the second
of the bill.
Sir S. NORTHCOTE defended the course taken by the
hon, gentlemen on his side of the house. It appeared to be
the desire of the supporters of the bill to put Oxford a step
in advance of Cambridge, and that position would compel
Cambridge to take another step, and they would go on without
any clearly defined end in view. It behoved all those who
wished to maintain the relationship between the universi-
ties and the church to resist the movement, and therefore
he thought it worse to make a stand against the bill
now submitted for the maintenance of Parliament. He
thought it the duty of Government to take the matter in
hand it there was any necessity for the change.
Mr. WALTER thought after the declaration of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer that certain amendments
would be necessary in committee it was useless to go on
with the bill. If Parliament reduced the scope of the
measure it would become a dead letter, and that being his
opinion, he should reluctantly vote against the motion; for
the second reading.
Mr. GOSCHEN supported the bill.
Mr. WALPOLE said the bill now before the house was
urged forward in plea that it was of importance to assimilate
the qualifications at Cambridge and Oxford, that he con-
tended was the true object of the bill, and therefore the
house would do well to reject it.

Sir G. GREY supported the bill, and denied that any
object other than set forth in the bill could or was intended.
Mr. DODSON replied, and
The house divided, when there appeared—
For the second reading .. 211
Against it
Majority --22
The bill was then read a second time.
ELECTION PETITIONS BILL.
Sir G. GREY, in moving the second reading of this bill.
said it was substantially the same as that zelerred to a
select committee last year.
Sir F. GOLDSMID objected to the measure, and sup-
posing it to receive a second reading to-day, he should move
its rejcction upon going into committee.
The bill was read a second time.
METROPOLITAN SUBWAYS BILL.

In answer to an hon. Member,
Mr. TITE said the object of the bill was to render use-
ful the subways constructed by the Metropolitan Board of
Works. After the second reading he should move that the
bill bo refereed to a select committee.

The bill was then read a second time, and referred ac-
cordingly.

BANK NOTES (SCOTLAND.)

Sir J. HAY obtained leave to bring in a bill to authoriso
and regulate the issue of bask notes in Scotland by bank-
ing companies.
The bill was read a first time.
The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and
the house adjourned.