The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-21 00:00:00

service.

Mr OSBORNE said he wished to know whether it was
in a fit state to go to the Baltic?
Lord PALMERSTON—Yes, to the Baltic, or anywhere
else. He said it was prepared logo anywhere, and perform
any service. With regard to the question put by the right
hon. gentleman opposite, he had to say that there
was an agreement on Saturday last that nothing
that had transpired should be made public.
Many reports had got out as to what had passedzbetween
the Ministers, yet a breach of confidence of that sort, by
whomsoever commitied, was a very different thing from a
forma statement by a Minister in that house. (Rear,
hear.) The suspension of hostilities, he believed, would
expire on Sunday, and if no other agreement should be
made by that time—if the belligerent parties has not made
some arrangements for peace, or with regard to the boun-
daries, and the suspension of arms w,-,s not renewed—
hostilities would recommence. Whenever the negotia ions
were over no doubt it would be the duty of the Government
to lay thca proceedings of the Conference before Parliament.
(Cheers.)

Mr BRIGHT eaid he did not rippose that hon. gentle-
men opposite were more anxious for peace than her Ma-
jesty's Government. Ho thought the noble lord would
get on much better if he told the house all he knew on the
matter, as the country was deeply interested.
Lord PALMERSTON said ho had no doubt that was
the case. There was doubtless a great anxiety for con•
tinned peace, and he was aware, too, that the house must
feel a strong desire to know everything possible,
but he regretted that he was tongue-tied with
regard to details. He could only say that Government had
done everything possible to bring the belligerent parties to
an agreement, and he thought, if they did not succeed, they
should bo able to show that it was not their fault. (Cheers.)
The motion for, the adjournment of the house, on which
the above discussion arose was then withdrawn.
GOVERNMENT ANNUITIES BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
GAOLS BILL.

Sir G. GREY moved the second reading of Gaols Bill,
the object of which was to carry out a portion of the recom-
mendations of the Lords' committee, which reported on the

subject of prison discipline last year. Amongst those re-
commendations were these—that the discipline, diet, and
labour established in prisons should in future be uniform,
and that the separate system should be enforced as far as
was practicable. Some misapprehension, he observed, pre.
veiled with regard to the fourth clause. It was believed
that that clause would give extraordinary powers to the
Home Secretary, and enable him to appoint Roman Catho-
lic chaplains in gaols against the wish of the county and
local magistracy. He denied that the clause would have
such an effect; but if it were thought by the house that it
would, he should be ready to omit it from the bill, lts real
object was to empower the Home Secretary to amend the
prison rules at any period of the year, instead of in the
month of September only, as at present,
Mr ADDERL.EY was of opinion that no legislation to
amend the present law relating to gaols could be satisfac-
tory that did not include some definition of hard labour
and a schedule of rules for gaols, and which did not provide
for all gaols being gradually adapted to the separate system
and for a uniform and classifii d treatment of all prisoners.
Ater the statement of the Home Secretary, that he had no
objection to withdraw the fourth clause, he would not op-
pose the bill in its present stage,
his WDEGATE moved, as an amendment, that the
bill be read a second time that day three months, on the
ground that it violated the principle of local self-govern-
ment, and failed to provide any adequate security or re-
sponsibility to guard its application, and render it an in-
strument effective for good, The honourable gentlenean
I admitted that it was desirable that a measure for the regu-
lation of gaols should pas:, but he contended that the defi-
nition of the rules should not be left with the Home office,
but should be laid down and enacted by Parliament
itself, or the Home Secretary might, on his own responsibi-
lity, appoint Roman Catholic chaplains in prisons without
consulting the justices, who would then be left to incur the
odium of levying a tax for the expenditure.
Mi BARROW seconded the amendment, resting his
opposition to the measure mainly upon its centralising ten-
dency.

Sir J. PAKINGTON approved of the bill as a necessary
one, and thought the right hon. gentleman had acted rightly
in consenting to withdraw the fourth clause.
Mr MAGUIRE commented on the speech of Mr Newde-
gate, and argued that the Roman Catholic prisoners had as
much right to the ministrations of the priests of their reli-
gion as the Protestant prisoners bad to theirs.
The debate was continued by Mr WHALLEY and Mr
WALTER.
Mr MITFORD agreed that some legislation was neces-
sary, and was therefore prepared to ascent to the second
reading of the bill.
Mr HIBBERT was glad Sir G. Grey had intimated his
intention to omit the fourth clause. He should be sorry,
however, if another clause which gave the unwarrantable
power to the Home Secretary of removing prisoners from
certain local gaols and placing them in county gaols were
retained.

Mr S. ESTCOITRT supported the bill, and, referring to
the objectionable fourth clause, said it did not confer any
power upon the Home Secretory that he did not already
possess.

Sir G. GREY, in reply, observed that whilst willing to
strike out the clause he did so without admitting that there
was the slightest foundation for the apprehension enter-
tained by Mr. Newdegate.
On a division the numbers were—
For the amendment ... ............ 49
Against it
Majority
The bill was then read a second time.
COLLECTION OF TAXES BILL.
On the order for resuming the adjourned debate on the
motion for the third reading of the Collection of Taxes
Bill,

was only a prelude
Sir 3, TROLLOPE offered various objections to the
bill
uncalled for, and
which,hechsherevethd
, thought, was
permissive,
utterly
which,
to a compulsory measure,
and he moved to defer the third
reading- for three months.
The amendment was seconded b 3, Mr PACKE.
Mr Cox and Mr S. Booth opposed the bill, which was
supported by Mr Ayrtcn.

Mr HORSE ALL, though he had voted for the second
reading of this bill, said he should vote against the third
reading, on the ground of its excepting the metropolis
from its operation.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied to
objections, and explained the reasons for excepting the
metropolis from the operation of the bill, which did not
apply to other large towns, reiterating the arguments he
had urged in support of the measure in its earlier stages.
Sir S. NOR CHCOTE objected to the bill that, though
called permissive, the decision was to be made by the Land
Tax Commissioners, who were not elected by the taxpayers,
whose opinions were not, therefore, tested upon the ques-
tion. He thought that the house, representing the tr•x-
payers, should not throw the decision upon the Commis-
sioners.

Mr Locke, Mr Lewis, and Mr Newdegate continued the
discussion amid much interruption.
The house then divided—
For the third reading
Against it

Majority -4
The bill was therefore lost.
The result was received with cheers from the Opposition
benches.

The Railway Construction Facilities Bill passed through
committee.

RAILWAY TRAVELLING (IRELAND) BILL.
Sir C. O'LOGHLEN moved the second reading of the
Railway Travelling (Ireland) Bill, the objects of which
were to deprive Irish railway companies of the power of
shutting out whole districts of country from railway com-
munication on Sundays, and enacting that every railway
company in Ireland should be compelled to run one train
at least on Sundays each way at such hours as might be
approved by the Board of Trade ; also to confer certain
rights upon third-class passengers.
Mr BLAKE opposed the bill on the ground that there
was no Sunday traffic in Ireland to justify the house in
putting the companies to such an expense. lie proposed as
an amendment that the bill be read a second time that day
three months.
The amendment was seconded by Lord NAAS, who said
that already the smaller railways in Ireland were working
at a loss, and that if this bill passed it would have the effect
of increasing that loss. Such legislation was novel and un-
fair; no great public good would be accomplished, whilst
much evil would be ir filets&
Major GAVIN and Mr O'REILLY supported the bill.
The CHANCELLOR, of the EXCHEQUER said it
was a question for the house whether, considering the na-
ture of the powers conferred by the act of 1854, it was ad-
visable to impose this additional burden upon the com-
panies.
The bill was opposed by Mr Hassard, Mr Lefroy, and Mr
Whiteside; and upon a division was thrown out by 40
to 21.
The Pilotage Order Confirmation Bill and the Piers and
Harbours Confirmation Bill passed through committee.
The Lunacy (Scotland) Bill was read a second time.
The Countess of Elgin and Ktncardino's Annuity Bill
was read a second time,
Other bills were also advanced a stage, and the house
adjourned.

weather. IGENCE—This
sRIPPING Day,
LONDON, June 21.—Wind this day at noon—South-
West; fresh br(eßcyzeivAanodNEfiTniec
TtttGßApio
GRAVESEND, Tuesday Morning.
Arrived, Juno 21—Atalanta, from Madras—Sista Flo-
Barbados—Antonia, and
from by,
Cuba; Furet, and Napoleon,
from Gravelines—Ernest, from Riga—Robert Hudson,
Flo-
rida,
Corneliusfrom SGt e.iKtriuttl'e s.; Ru, trl
from Foo-Chow-Foo—Euterrrise, from Christianstad.
Sailed, June 21—Devonshire, for Canterbury.
1)".1., Tuesday Morning.
London. ) from Kurrachee, for
Zealand—Tornaway,
Pawed
—iAn
nTnoeww—ilAsVoanl,mierormCNasetisve
from Shangbae, b)th for London__ll.lll.S. Fox, from
Woolwich—Catherine of Cowes, from North, both for
West.

How THE FEDERALS RECRUIT IN IRELAND.—
In the Irish Bankruptcy Court a few days ago some light
was accidentally thrown on the system of Federal recruit-
ingrupt named Ellis an
application was made for the assistance of the Court on
in Ireland. In the case of a bank
behalf of a poor woman named Com Pas, whose son had en-
closed to her a cheque for £4O, which he
6
had received from
the American Government for" ernigratin-i, to that coun-
t try. He is now a soldier in Grant's arm_..,
Y on his way to
Richmond. She gave the cheque to the bankrupt to cash,
the rest being lost in
tbhuet oeentleyter.eceiovend -halfotfhtehaemboauhnktr,upt
it
the cheque is not due, and owing to the Condition of affairs
in America would probably be dishonoured.
RE MOVAL OF METROPOLITAN T RiV Was stated that
D pmEs.—Yes'
terday (Monday) morning workmen commenced the
removal of the toll bars at Camden. town and other places.
8) Will take effect after
30th inst., and will
11'2hee,
enleowekAecnt, 213,hauntdsd2a7yV‘ivce.e,
kc,apt.h7e.
abolish on and from that time 81 gates and bars, free 61
miles of road, and reduce the tolls in the country districts
- Hounslow, Breotford, Ealing, Uxbridge Harrow, Edg-
ware, Tottenham, Enfield, Edmonton,Lea-bridge- ro id, &c.
—to Id for every h,rse not drawing ; 2d every horse draw-
ing ; every score of oxen, &e., sd; calves, sheep, &0., per
score, 21d. The gates and bars so to be removed on July 1
are :—Fulham—Walham-green, Earl's-court, and all gates
and side bars in the district ; Kensington—Hammersmith,
Notting-hill, and all gates and side bars in Kensington and
Hammorstnith; Harrow-read, Kilburn, and all gates and
side bars;
Camden-town—King's-road_gat,, High-street,
Chalk-farm, Haverstock-hill gate, and all gates and side
bars ; Camden-road—Breckuock-gate and all gates and side
bars in Camden-road. So. ; Kentish-town—Gate in road
and all gates and side bars near and at Giocester-place, &c.;
Holloway-road, Islington, and Ball's-pond—all gates and
side bars ; Kingsland-road—Cambridge-heath, Hackney,
and all gates and side bars in Hackney, Clapton, and
Stoke Newington; Twickenham and Teddington—all gates
and bars ; and the City-road gate and all gates and side
bare.

The Statistical Abstract.

This very convenient annual collection of some
of our national statistics has just been issued by
the board of Trade. It states our revenue for the
past year at £70,208,964, being £2,037,964 more
than the estimate in the Budget ; and our expendi-
ture at 167,056,286, being £1,226,714 less than the
Budget estimate. In the last 16 years, over which
these tables extend, there have been nine years
with a surplus and seven with a deficiency. In
the 15 years 1849.1363 taxes have been repealed
(deducting new taxes imposed) to the amount of
£8,173,798. The charge for interest cf the debt in
1863-1500,000 a week—was less by £2,000,000 tint]
it was in 1849; for the forces, also 1500,000 a week,
the charge was 110,500,000 more than in 1849,
but the charge for 1863 includes 1800,000 Funk in
fortifications; the civil charges were 13,800,000
mere than in 1849. The revenue raised was neap ly
113,000,000 more than ia 1849. There was
14,200,000 more raised by- Customs and Escise
duties, 12,300,000 more by stamps, 13,600,000
more by income-tax, 11,600,000 more through the
Post-office, £1,000,000 less by assessed taxes, owing
to the repeal of the window duty. The item ce
"stamps" includes the succession duty imposed in
1853; the produce of Customs and Excise increased
as just stated, although duties to the amount of
17,000,000 were repealed or reduced. 'With respect
to imports and exports, their value was far greater
in 1863 than in any previous year. ,The merchandise
brought into or sent forth from the United
Kingdom i❑ 1863 together exceeded the value
of £8,500,000 a week. The greater part of this
little volume is occupied by accounts of these im-
ports and exports, their value and quantities,
whence the imports came and whither the exports
went, comparing the year item by item with its
predecessors. Without counting river steamers,
20,877 vessels, employing 184,727 men, were en-
gaged is our home and foreign trade. 833,724
childrei were born in Great Britain in the year,
and death cut down 547,003 persons. Of Ireland
in this particular no account can be given. The
official estimate is that in the middle of the year
1863 the population of England was 20,554,137,
and of Scotland 3,097,006, not counting army,
navy, and merchant seamen abroad at the time. The
average Gazette price of British wheat in 1863 was
as low as 445. 9d.