The Sun.
London, England, 1852-05-07 00:00:00

FRIDAY EVENING, MAC
_7, 1852.

Mr. SPOONER presented a similar petition from
CamberwelL
Mr. THORNELY presented a petition from Nantwich,
in Cheshire, praying the House to take steps to put an
end to the practice of flogging juvenile effsnders.
Mr. MACGREGOR presented a petition from a place
in Scotland, praying for repeal of the Tests Act; also a
petition from a body of hand-loom waivers, praying the
House to assist them to emigrate to New South Wales;
also a petition from Chelsea and Kensington, against the
Militia Bill.
Mr. W. J. FOX presented a petition from Finsbury

nets before the [louse to introduce qaestiona about the

Income-tax
After a few words from Sir DE LACY EVANS,
Mr. RICARDO agreed with the lion. Member for
Montrose that it was improper to bring forward a Bill
of such great importance at two o'clock in the morning.
The declaration mide last night by the Chancellor of
the Exchequer was entirely st variance with that con-
tained in his financial statement.—(Hear.) He had
said that it was the intention of the Government to shift
the burdens from the landlords, and to place them on the
shoulders of the manufacturers, and before the Income-
tax Bill passed the people ought to be informed what the

to the same effect.
Mr. G. NOEL presented a petition against the May-
nooth grant.
Mr. WHITESIDE presented a petition from Ennis-
killen in favour of tenant right.
Mr. P. HOWARD presented a petition against the
Charitable Trusts Bill from Selby in Yorkshire.
Mr. BROCKLEHIJRST presented a petition from the
Macclesfield Institution, praying the House to direct
that copies of all Parliamentary reports and other valuable
public papers may be furnished to that and similar
bodies.
Mr. WAK LEY presented a petition against the Mi-
litia Bill.
Mr. RICARDO presented a petition from the pub-
lisher and proprietor of the Household Narrative of
Current Events, complaining of the conduct of the So-
merset House authorities, who had threatened to prosecute
him for publishing an illegal paper, but yet hesitated
i
to bring the matter n dispute to issue in a Court os
Record.

real object of the Government was.
Mr. WAKLEY also concurred in the impropriety of
moving the second reading at such an hour. The pro-
ceeding was unworthy of any administration. The
Chancellor of the Exchequer's declaration, had produced
out of doors, not only profound astonishment, but great
indignation. He was bound to tell the House
and the country not in any mysterious language,
but in plain, bold, and intelligible expressions,
what the Government really intended to do. Did they
want to get a majority at the elections. and then to lay
on protective duties? The eountry had a right to know
the nature of their policy at once, so that a fair battle
might take place on the hustings. If they declined to
give the required information, they would be guilty of
absolute dishonesty. He was positively disgusted with
regard to the course taken by the late and present
Government on She Militia Bili—they were both alike to
blame, being tarred with the same brush. He had
hoped that the wit and good sense of the present Go-
vernment would have induced them not to take up so
unpopular a measure, for it was evident it could not be
passed without creating great sun ;fence and incon-
venience to the public.
After a few observations of Mr. BAILLIE COCH-
RANE,
Mr. BRIGHT thought this discussion would dispel
two delusions which at present existed throughout
the country, and were calculated to do a great deal of
public injury. One had been originated by the Hon.
Member for Warwickshire (Mr. Spooner), who had a
motion on the paper for inquiry into the College of May-
nooth. The leader of the Government in the House
of Commons was deeply responsible for not bringing
such questions as Maynooth to an immediate
crisis.—Hear, hear.) For instance, upon the ques-
tion of Protection, the follower of the Government
were for one thing, while the speeches of their leader
preached another, and their countenances were conti-
nually alternating between cloud and sunshineacoording
to the tone of the Right Hon. Gentleman's addresses.
The Right Hon. Gentleman, in fact, reminded him
of a character which was to be found a few years
ago in a party of Indians who were visiting
this country. He advised them upon all their
temporal and spiritual concerns, and was also their
medical adviser.—(Hear, hear.) He was, in a word,
the mystery man of the party—(A laugh)—and
the Right Honourable Gentleman appeared to
him to be the mystery man of the aboriginal
party opposite.—(Laughter.) He urged upon the Right
Hon. Gentleman. then, the propriety of postponing this
question until the Parliament to be held in autumn
or till the session of 1853. ,There was no
necessity for a militia now, and, therefore, he
insisted that the Bill ought to bo postponed until after
the general elections, when those who returned to Par-
liament would be able to judge this question in a clear
and impartial spirit.—(Bear, hear.)
Mr. P. MILES rose to state on behalf of the followers
of protection that they had the utmost confidence of
her M4jesty's Ministers, and whether in the next
Parliament it was done in the shape of an import
duty on corn, or by any other means, they were con-
vinced that the Government would make an effort
to carry into practice those great principles
which they had so long and ably advocated in Opposi-
tion.—(Ctieers.)
Mr. SPOONER said he was neither a dupe nor a de-
ceiver; but, nevertheless, he should persevere with his
motion on Monday next, though at the same time he
thought that no motion, which was not absolutely neces-
sary, ought to be brought forward this session.—(Hear.)
Sir B. HALL believed that the present Government
came into office for the purpose of carrying out
the principles of protection, and he was informed
that immediately after Lord Derby was called
to the head of affairs, a meeting of the acting
committee of the National Association for the Pro-
tection :of Industry, a thanksgiving rto Almighty
goodness was offered up at the restoration
of the Noble Lord to office.—(Laughter and Op-
position cheers.) If was absolutely impossible for the
present followers of the Government to give up
protection, that was if they wished to secure a charac-
ter for honesty and consistency.—(Opposition cheers.)
(LEFT SPEARING.)

NISI PRIUS.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL gave notice that on
Monday he should move for leave to bring in a Bill to
make provision relative to the performance of the duties
of clerks in Nisi Prins and Judges' Chambers.
HOME-MADE SPIRITS.
Mr. REYNOLDS wished to ask the Chancellor of the
Exchequer if it be the intention of her Majesty's Go-
vernment, during the present session of Parliament, to
introduce a Bill to place the manufacturers of and
dealers is home-made spirits on a footing of equality (as
regards allowance for leakage and evaporation) with the
importers of and dealers in foreign and colonial spirits.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it
was not the intention of Government in the present
Parliament to introduce any measure which could have
the effect of altering the means or method of raising
the revenue.—(Hear, hear.) In coming to that reso-
lution the Goverment thought they had arrived at a de-
termination in unison with the feelings of the majority
of the House.—(Hear hear.)
BRITISH MUSEUM.
Mr. HEYWOOD wished to ask Sir Robert Harry
Inglis, if the trustees of the British Museum had con-
sidered the over-crowded, ill-ventilated, half-lighted state
of the reading room in that institution; and if the forma-
tion of a glass roof over the central court of the Museum
would not afford increased accommodation.
Sir H. INGLIS said with respect to the first question
he begged to state that the trustees had repeatedly had
under their consideration the state of the reading-room,
and he admitted that its condition was such as required
alteration, but it would depend upon the liberality of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer whether or not that al-
teration was made. With regard to the second question,
he was not in a position to give any answer.
NEWSPAPER STAMP.
Mr. HUME wished to ask the Attorney-General,
why the Dunfermline News, published at intervals of
twenty-eight days, and thus often appearing in the
middle of the month, should be liable to prosecution
under the Act 60 George 111., c. 9, 0. 4, whilst the
Stoke-upon-Trent Monthly Narrative, coming out in the
middle of the month, is tree from prosecution under the
same Act?
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said it was ex-
tremely difficult to answer the question; lit seemed to
him that the Hon. Member was seeking to obtain a
legal opinion which would be chargeable if put in the
regular way.—(dear, and a laugh.) With regard to
the question itself, no proceedings had been taken against
the paper, nor could any be taken without the
sanction of the authorities at Somerset-house, and as
there fore the question was based upon an assumption of
facts which did not exist, he of course would not answer
it.—(Hear, hear.)
THE FRANCHISE.
Mr. GLADSTONE said the Right Hon. the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer had given notice of his
intention to move on Monday for leave to bring in a
Bill to dispose of the four seats vacated by the disfran-
chisement of Sudbury and St. Albans, and he should
be glad to know if that was to be the first
business taken on Monday, as it was his intention
to make a motion to raise the preliminary question
whether that subject ought to be introduced at all during
the present Parliament.—(Hear, hear.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it
was his intention to ask for leave to bring in such a Bill
on Monday, and he should do so before the orders of
the day were read.
Sir GEORGE GREY asked what was to become of
the Militia Bill then?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said be
should proceed with the Committee on the Militia Bill
afterwards.
THE SEWERS COMMISSION.
In reply to Sir BENJAMIN HALL,
Lord J. MANNERS stated that it was his intention,
in the course of a week, to bring in a Bill to continue
the existing Sewers Commission for the limited period
of twelve months.

THE COUNTRY MARKETS.
Louonziao', MAY 6.—This market was well attended to-
day. Wheat Is lower ; barley Is higher ; oats and beans firm.
DERBY SMITHFIELD MARKET, MAY 4. The supply of
fat beasts to-day was again large, the quality generally good,
with a fair attendance of purchasers, without any quotable
alteration in price. The show of sheep was also large (most
of which were out of their wool) ; the demand was brisk, and
a good clearance was effected. There were several lots of
lambs penned, which were readily sold. Fat and store calves
were again plentiful; fat pigs about the average. Beef, 44d to
5d ; mutton, sd. to 6d ; veal, 4d to 4id per lb ; pigs, 7s 3d to
7s 6d per score. Rough fat, 3s 6d per stone of 141bs.
Hides, lid to Od per Ib; calf skins, 2d to 3d per lb.
UPPINGRAM, MAY s.—Wheat 38s to 41s; barley 254 to
27s Od ; oats 19s to 248 ; beans 30s to 33s per qr. Butter 7id
to 8d per lb ; eggs 26 for Is.
Lounr, MAY s.—Wheat 35s to 39s ; barley 25s to 285;
oats 16s to 193; beans 26s to 31s per qr.
NEWARK, MAY s.—Wheat, white 44s to 455, red 38s to
40s ; barley, malting 28s to 30s, grinding 23s to 24s ; oats,
2451., 22s to 235. 22st , 23s to 21s; beans, 32s Od to 331;
malt, OJs to Ons ; tares, :35s to 40e per qr.
BOSTON, MAY s.—Wheat, red 34s to 391 Od,
white 40s
to 425, superfine 44s to 003 ; barley 0)s to COs ;
oats, I7s to
21s ; beans 29s to 3 :s ; peas 2. is to `27s per qr.
LYNN, MAY 4.—Wheat 305 Od to 36s
oats d fine 3Ss to
41s; barley 24s to 205, fine 288 to 30s;COs to 00s;
beans Os to ;;s, fine Os to Os per qr.
MELTON MOWBRAY, MAY 4.—Wheat, 37s Od to 4ls ;
barley, 24s to 2is • oats, 18s to 22s ; beans, 2iis to 33s
per qr. Butter 8d to 9d per lb ; eggs 24 for Is.
EDINBURGH GitAis MARKET, MAY s.—We had in the
market a good supply of (Train to-day. Sales for wheat and
oats ready, but barley and beans rather dull. The top of
wheat was Is, and the average 3d down. Barley on the top
6d up, and the average.. thbe.s..ame lassts:ibe.ek3.33 Oats on
the top same as last week and the average id down. Beans
on the top Is, and the average 7d down. Unsold, 127 qrs
6641 b. 351
wheat, 53 qrs barley, 101 qrs oats, and 2i.) qrs beans.
Top of Wheat ••• ••• 65ilb. 45s Od
Barley•Oßeaatsn•• •.. 44ilb. 23s 6d
••• Od
EDINBURGH CATTLE MAIMIT, MAT s.—The number
of cattle was 702. or 46 more than last week. Top price, 6s 9d
to Os Od ; current, 65 6d ; secondary and inferior, from 5s 6d
to 61 Od per Dutch stone. A clearance was effected.
The number of sheep at market this morning wag
2,028, being 629 less than last week. Best wedder mutton,
top price, bad per lb ; current, sid to Od ; ewes, 4d to 40.
Lambs, top, 225 ; current, from 20s to 21s a head. At the
close a clearance was notC effected.
ORK, MAY 5.

Currency.
BoarTweltite wheat 00s Od to 00. Od 00s Od-20 stone
heat 2ls 01 to 00s Od
0 Ditto
• Red wheat • 001 Od to 00s Odl
00s Od-20 do
.................. Odo ttoo 0102: 10 Odd
00s Od to 00s Od 00s Od.-00 do
00s Od to 00s Od
:005
Ditto
a riii
ttt
tttloooe y
O Bere ..•••.••.,.00s Od to 00s Od 0. Od
104 Oats ..101 6d to lls 4d
O Ditto ..«.....00s Od to 00s Od 101 10d—r) do
O Ditto ........003 Od to 00s Od
10 Pigs ............ 28s Od to 32s Od 00s 01 per cwt
Quantity sold at the Highest Prices:-
0 barrels white wheat; 0 red; 25 barley; 0 bare; 2 oats;
5 pigs.
Quantity of Grain and Number of Pigs sold last week
Wheat, 80. Barley, 1582. Oats, 1264. Pigs, 11.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
BRISTOL, MAY 6.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—There was an improved feeling ex-
hibited in the share market to-day, and a good business
has been done at improved prices. The sales reported were—
Midlands, 701/4—Ditto, Six per Cents., 1421/4 —London and
North-Western, 1231/I—South-Eastern and Dover, 21:;8—
Taff Vale, Quarters, 34.
LIVERPOOL, MAY 6.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The share market opened well
this morning, but soon became flat, and closed heavily.
The transactions were as follow Caledonian, 205/B—Eastern
Counties, 9,,3 c.—Lancashire and Yorkshire, 73%8—Ditto,
201. F Shares, dis.—London and North-Western, 1241/4
—Ditto, New Quarters, 51/4 p.—Ditto, Fifths, 41 IN-7--
Manchester, Sheffield. and Lincolnshire, 34%—Midland, 70A
—York and North Midland, 251/..

MANCHESTER, MAY 6.
STOCK EXCHANGL—There has been a fair amount of
business transacted to-day, without material alteration in
prices.—The sales reported were—Caledonian, 20%—East
Anglian, 6 percent, 3 —Eastern Counties, 93/4—Manchester,
Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, New Preference, 7/4 p.—Shrews-
bury and Chester, Preference, 157/4—Midlands, 701 A—Sout-
h and Dover, 21 11-16—Blackburn, Preference, 201/.2
—East Lancashire, Fifths (second issue), 5%1—Shrewsbury
and Birmingham (A), 7%—Leeds, 20/., 3/4 dis.—Warrington
and Altrincham, 1-16 dis.—Loudon and North-Western, 1.-3•// •
BIRMINGHAM, MAY 6.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The share market wdasdemmoarnedthfaonr
usually buoyant to-day, and there was ago
Midland and Shrewsbury and Bidrnn
e
transactions were as follow :-1-,ee .(A),
71:,
la ngdh Bradford ilar e ,
.1
02 1/4T13
am
Midland, 701/4—Shrewsbury and Biraungh
Ditto (B), 51/.

simple and intelligible to the most ignorant man in the I came in, they resolved on adopting the other course of
country. Upon this clause he would take the sense of consoliea:ieg by reference. He did not mean to sly
slie House in respect to his proposition. The Hon. consolidation by reference was superior, or even equal,
Iterember concluded by moving the omission of certain to absolute consolidation; but to tay that the word con
words from the clause, with the view of carrying cut his olidatien was used merely for the Fiske of form, and ti se
obs'ect. the Bill die not really consolidate, was a statement which
The CHAIRMAN having put the question, no Hon. Gentleman was jastified in making.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he believed that Lord J. RUSSELL had heard the Right Hon. ten-
th ts Hon. Member for Montrose was not in the House tleman speak of consolidation by reference before, but.
wh .on a question upon the subject was asked by the Right it was quite impossible to gather a meaning from it. It
11( n. Gentleman the Member for Northampton. His they brought in a Bill that, did not repeal the former
Rig ;ht Hon. Friend the Secretary for the Home Depart- laws, it was obvious that all the parts of those laws
met it gave such an answer at the time as seemed to which were not inconsistent with the new Bill remained
sati tfy the Right Hon. Member for Northampton. He in full force ; but it was clear that that was not consoli-
(the Attorney-General) believed that some of those Acts dation. If, after deliberation, the Government had de-
to which the Hon. Member for Montrose referred were tertnined that it was not advisable to consolidate, their
pas ar, d prior to the 42d George 111., c. 90, and that the proper course would have been to discharge the order as
othot s related to Ireland and Scotland. Now if the Hon. it stood. have brought in another Bill simply to
Gent leman would take up the 42d Georg:; lIL, he would " emend" the militia laws, and then to have followed
find I hat the first section repealed all the prior Acts re- the course adopted by Sir Robert Peel in 1842, and al-
lating, to the militia, so far es they related to England; lowed every Member of the House to have a copy of
and, teherefore, in point of feet, the 42d George 111. was the Act which they intended should remain in force.
the exi sting and prevailing law upon the subject at pre- True, that would not have answered the put pose of
sent. 'With regard to the Acts passed subsequently, consolidation, but it would have afforded an explaoa-
there .really was little alteration made, and none of the tion of the actual nature of their measure.
slightest importance as regarded the present question. Mr. WALPOLE believed that, in considering the
He was satisfied that if the Honourable Gentleman measure now i under discussion, Hon. Members bad
would to rn his attention to the particular statute to nothing further to do in order to understand its prod-
which ho referred he would find that there was no sions than to take the Act 42 George 111. us its
obligation whatever to revert to any other Act in the basis, and the Bill itself as the basis of the voluntary
present Bill than the 42d George 111., which principle.
was intend ed by this Bill to be the governing law in Mr. COBDEN said the question which had been raised
respect to tho militia. Ho agreed with the Hon Gen- on that side of the House was, why Hon. Members had
tleman that it was most desirable that the law on the not the details of the laws they were going to re-enact
subject should be rendered intelligible to those particu- laid before them. These Acts of Parliament were vire
larly who v rere to administer it. Ho was, however, tually expired Acts.—(Oh, oh, and no.) Why for 20
afraid that many of the class of persons to whom his years they had been inoperative.—(No.) At all events
Hon Friend referred could not read the law—and if they had been suspended during that period, and
they even could, they would not understand it. It was, the proposition was to revive them. What he wanted,
however, most desirable that the law should be clear therefore, wan, that the House should see the provisions
and definite. The Hon. Gentleman proposes to repeal which they were now called upon to re-enact. The
all the Militia Acts in regard to England, Ireland, and Noble Lord the Member for Tiverton (Lord Palmerston)
Scotland. Ho said that he was desirous of consolidating had certainly shown a degree of inconsistency upon this
them, and including them in the one Act. Well, inns- question, which he (Mr. Cobden) had scarcely ever see°,
much as the only Act which could apply was the 42d exceeded in lint Ho
and he had seen a great deaf
George 111., all that he could accomplish would be this of it there; but the Noble Lord might rest assured
—that he would take the 42d George 111. and repeat it that he should not be permitted to smuggle the provi•
clause by clause in the provisions of this Bill. Now, he sions of the Act of 1802 through the House without
asked, how could they make the matter more clear and discussion.
intelligible by taking such a course? Everybody was The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, in allusion to Mr'
presumed to know the law. He, however, confessed he Cobden's statement that the Act 42d George 111. Tres
did not believe that after this Bill passed into a law the inoperative, and therefore the same as if it did not
people would be better acquainted with the state of the exist, reminded the Hon. Member that from time to tints
law than they were before. It appeared to him, then, Acts of Parliament had been passed suspending the bah,
that it would bo perfectly unnecessary, and but a waste lot under that Ac', thus showing that it was an existing
of time, for them to consider the provisions of the 42d law, and that the very last Aet which did this was the
George 111. He submitted that the course taken by the 14th and 15th of her Majesty's reign.—(Hear, hear.)
Government was the better one. There was no want of He contended that this was a very inconvenient mode of
clearness and intelligibility in the measure before the raising the question submitted to the Committee, and,
House. moreover that it was not the proper stage of the Bill
Mr. HUME reminded the lion. and Learned Gentle- upon which it ought to be raised. As to the statement
man that the late Sir R. Peel, when Prime Minister, made by the Noble Lord (Lord J. Russell) that this well
had in one of his greatest and most important measures, not a consolidation Bill, he begged to say that long
consolidated seventy or eighty Acts connected with Cue- before it came to the second reading, which involved
tome, and he frequently took pains to lay it down as his the question of principle, the House was fully informed
principle that the old laws should be repealed, consoli- with regard to the character and decription of the Bill.
dated, or brought into ono Act. Ho did not think that And he apprehended that, if it were the intention of the
the Hon. and Learned Gentleman had made out a case House to admit a Bill which did not consolidate, a stand
for departing from that principle on the present occa- would be taken against the measure then. The clues'
sion. The course ho proposed might no doubt entail tion now raised was virtually this, whether they were
some trouble upon the Government; but ho hoped it to have a militia Bill or not. The objections of the
would not be considered offensive if he told them that Noble Lord (J. Russell) were clearly intended to defeat
they were well paid for their trouble. the Bill, notwithstanding the pledge ho had given on e
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that, in the case firmer night. He (the Attorney-General) doubted gin)/
referred to by the Hon. Member, there were seventy or Bill which could emanate from the present Govern:i
eighty Acts to be considered, but in the present there meet woul satisfy the Noble Lord; indeed, if they ha
was virtually only one, taken up his own Bill, he questioned if the Noble Lord
Lord PALNIERSTON said he perfectly agreed in prin- ingenuity would not have discovered some reason or
ciple with the Hon. Member for Montrose, thinking it other for opposing it.—(Hear.) He hoped the
Lona-
most desirable that the several Acts passed upon this nub- mittee would not adopt the amendment of the Hon. Die?:
ject should be consolidated into one. It was entirely in her for Montrose. for it would virtually deprive them 01
accordance with this view that he took the liberty of Militia Bill, and leave the country without that defene:
it
suggesting when the Bill was first brought in that it which a majority both in this House and out of
should consolidate all the previous Acts passed; they deemed to be absolutely ueetssary.—(Cheers.)
were, however, on the occasion referred to in the month Sir W. P. WOOL) could not sit silent whilst the atfeh'
of February, when the House had ample time to act tiou of the House was diverted, and purposely diverted,
upon the suggestion which he threw out. He would re- from the details of the Bill, which ought now to be the
mind the Hon. Member, after the changes which had subject of their deliberations, to the consideration of the
taken place, and under the peculiar position of Parlia- personal conduct of his Noble lend late at the head of
ment at the present time, that it was deemed advisable her Majesty's Government. That course was adopted
and it was the general understanding that nothing would first by the Noble Lord the Member for Tiverton (Lor"
be done during this session but what was absolutely no- Pahnerston), who, upon the introduction of his Nu!
cessary. Now, although the proposal was a good one, Friend 'e Biil, and whilst professing to throw aside alle
ho did not think it so necessary to occupy the time of considerations of party, directed the whole of his ad'
the House in discussing so extensive a subject. It might dress to prove that his Noble Friend had acted wit
be equally well done in the next year. All the main inconsistency upon the question. The attack of the
provisions of the law were to be found in the 42d Noble Viscount was then followed up by a Lord of th°
George Hie c. 90. He hoped that the Hon. Gentleman Admiralty breaking, as he told the House, a twePtf
would not consider that he was altering his opinion years' silence—for what? Not to discess the Militia Dl'
upon the principle of his amendment if he thought, in the but, in his turn, to tell the Noble Lord again that
present state of the session, it was not necessary to press he was inconsistent. And to-night the attack on 0"
it, as there was a general expectation that the business Noble Lord was continued by the Learned Attorney'
would be finished early, and that Parliament would be General. His main objection to bringing forward this Bit'
dissolved, at all was, that having waited now for two months sinhe
Mr. V. SMITH regretted that the supporters of this the resolution of the House on the subject was passed,
amendment were riot to have the assistance of his they had come to a period of the session when in reality
Noble Friend the Member for Tiverton. The law no practical results under the Bill could be obtained pre-
was was on all sides admitted to be unpopular in its vious to their assembling again in the autumn. If, then'
working. It was, therefore, the more desirable that her Majesty's Government found they could not dev.s_uf.
it should be clearly known, and that there could be sufficient leisure to consolidate the laws relating toot!:
uo mistake about it. He certainly did not under- militia, let them permit the whole Bill to stand But,
stand the Right Honourable Gentleman the Secretary until they could undertake that necessary task._ Acts,
for the Home Department to assent to the proposition independently of the consolidation of the other e-
-82,
when he urged it upon him on a previous evening ; but they ought not to re-enact, uno liatu, in the year 15
, 0,
it would appear from the Hon. and Learned Attorney- all the provisions of an Act (the 42d of Genrg° re' re•
General, that he must hive assented to it, as he (Nlr. 90) which was passed in 1802. For when they we- - they
Smith) appeared at the time to be perfectly satisfied minded by the Noble Lord (Lord Palmerston) that
with his reply to his interrogatory. Ho, however, had alterations by steam in navigation, and improlet
hoped that the House would support the amendment of meets in other matters peculiar to modern ti
sus
hay lion. Friend, who had greatly the advantage of him they should also remember that they had had "6°
(Mr. Smith), inasmuch as he was evidently in the con- improvements in rho laws relating to soldiers.
fidence of the Government.--(" No, no," from Mr. Lord PAL MERSTON said that his Hon. and Learned_
[fume.) Why the fact of the Hon. Member for Mon- Friend (Sir P. Wood) had made such pointed allusion t.
truse having that evening read a Ministerial paper which him that he must make one or two observations. fit`
not been produced on the table of the House, was Hon. and Learned Friend complained that be had, Ifr
tolerably good evidence that he was in the coetidenee of comprehended any argument which be (Lord Feile--;
the Government—(llear, hear, and laughter.) Now stun) had used in favour of a militia force. He had 710
he should like to inspect that paper that had passed be- addressed himself to his Hon. and Learned Friend• a
weal the Right Honourable Gentleman the Home Se- never preached to the converted; ho took for grante
eretary and the Hon. Member for Montrose. Ho be- that his Hon. and Learned Friend, having supported thhe.
lieved that the supporters of the present measure did not Noble Lord at the head of her Majesty's late Goverl'of
wish that the obnoxious character of their Bill should be merit in bringing in a Militia Bill at the beginning.o
generally known to the public. He did not know the session, was fully and deeply impressed with the
whether his Hon. Friend the Member for Manchester absolute necessity—(Loud cheers)—of the immed":lo.
(Nlr. Bright) was aware that there were some stringent organization of a militia force to provide for the IN
clauses in it which especially related to the order to fence of the kingdom, and therefore he wash seh°,4t
which he belonged. If any member of that order was out of his (Lord Palmerston's) view in any 9110.131W„f
unable or unwilling to provide a substitute he was sub- he had used for the purpose of showing the neoessit.i..n"d
jest to the penalty of a heavy fine, which it not paid left such a measure. But when his Hon. and Learned Fri!
him subject to imprisonment.—(Hear, hear.) He did found fault with him for having taxed with ineonnise
i.
not think that the Hon, and Learned Gentleman was tfecy those who, like him, having supported a hffles
acting respectfully to the House in the course he was litia Bill in the beginning of the session, had, whe to
taking. out of office, and when other parties bad brou gthose
Mr. RICH objected that, as the Bill stood, if a man a Bill similar to their own, turned round uPf'inn.
eand
deserted—say from the Dorsetshire militia, and was parties, opposed their measure—and when his "•
found in Northumberland, he would then have to he Learned Friend found fault wi h him on account of his
handed over to the colonel of the Cumberlaud militia, marks being insufficient and inadequate to convetref.
and so from county to county, until he arrived in the views, his only reply must be, humbly to refer his r.
county from whose militia he had deserted. Such a and Learned Friend to the Noble Lord the Chief t.)..wod
provision as that, he granted, might have been very de. missioner of the Board of Works (Lord Seymour)
sipable when there were no railways in existence; but to the Right Hon.:Gentleman the late First Lord otee'ic"b
he put it to the Committee whether it was not alto- Admiralty (Sir F. T. Baring), as the one by his sPosis-
gather inexpedient and unnecessary in the present state and the other by his vote had condemned the inft'd eo
of locomotion in this country? By another clause it teucy of his Hon. and Learned Friend; and be °those
appeared that the 61. bounty was to be paid to the doubt that a private conference—(Laughter)—with
mind
militiaman free of all charges; but he did not under- two Right Hon. Gentlemen would convey to his oah
,
stand how that could be when 4d. a day was to be de- those impressions which his (Lord Palmerston's)*
ducted. Such provisions as these rendered it necessary, had failed to do.—(Cheers and laughter.) Lord
in his opinion, that the measure should be considered Sir P. WOOD did not complain of the Noble() „till,
and amended by the Government before they pressed it not having converted him by his arguments on th
further through the Committee. but what he complained of was, that notwithstana—a
doo'
Mr. WALPOLE said it was from no disrespect to the the Noble Lord's. (Lord John Russell) Bill was a or.
House that the Bill had been introduced in its present to be almost identical with that brought in by her ope
present Ministers which the Noble Lord. !te
shape. The Government had considered the matter jetty's
maturely, and, seeing that it was in fact a Bill for carry-
late Prime
the
Minister Noble L Lord
even
to
ou
bl de not
broughtallowint,boen
the g°l
ibide
von°
ing out a voluntary enlistment, they thought it would b© .
much clearer and better understood if it were passed in that it required a total alteration before it was posh td
he agreed with Mr. to obtain from it an efficient defence of the countrY,
that shape. At the same time, ally
Hume that it was tadvisabl©, wherever it could toe done, yet the Neble Lord now assured them that he r°
to consolidate laws, and if this Bill were passed, that it meant nothing at all.
would be extremely desirable, in another session of Par- Lord PAL MERSTON had not said that the two, or
Raiment, to consolidate the old Militia Acts with this, so were identical. But whether the Bills wore identicalko
that the whole body
of militia law might be included in not, his conduct would not be identical with that of
.tti,
one measure. late Government—he should not throw over a Bill whits
Mr. BRIGHT was astonished at the course which he thought to be a necessary measure on account
Ministers had taken. He could only account for it by mere verbal difference.
the fact that they were a new Government, in difficulties, Mr. M'CULLAGEI supported the amendment.
in a Parliament rn extremis, and that therefore they were Mr. E WART rose amidst impatient and log
•
anxious to shuffle through the Bill, without sufficient tinned cries of "Divide, divide." sin
consideration ofthe gravity and portance of tne sub- Mr. HUME rose, as his Eton. Friend could not
_,est•
ject upon which they were legis itting.—(oh, oh, and a hearing, and moved that the Chairman report Priit'ob or
hear.) As to the Noble Lord the Member for Tiverton in order that he might appeal to the Speaker whetetedis
(Lord Palmerston), ho appeared to have fallen into not the business of the House could not bo condo
lamentable inconsistency upon the question. It was but a manner more satisfactory to the country? negiele°)
recently that he expressed himself most strongly in fa- Mr. EWART (amidst renewed cries of " Dad ar
your of consolidation; but he seemed to be so wedded again rose to support his Hon. Friend's motion, an 0000
to the idea of getting through something in the shape of pealed to the Chairman if it was not possible to Pre, JO'
a Militia Bill, and of introducing the thin end of the order in the House. Hon. Gentlemen who were
the
old
wedge this session, that he cared not to sacrifice his con- patient might apply to themselves the words of t
sistency upon that part of the question. Let the Corn- ballad"
mitten bear in mind that the Act of 1802 was passed at
a period wholly different from the present, when the
punishments, not only of the military, but the civil code,
wore brutal and sanguinary to a degree, which would
not now be tolerated; and even civil rights were not for
one moment held in the balance where the necessities of
the military service were concerned. He contended then
that it was an improper thing for the Parliament of 1852
hastily, and without any cause of urgency being shown,
to re-enact and incorporate in this Bill a measure such
as that. On that account he egreed with his Hon.
Friend (Mr. Hume) that it would be better to delay pro-
ceeding further with the measure in the present session.
Sir G. GREY was surprised to hear that Government
had resolved upon the course they now took, after any
deliberation upon the subject. The House would re•
member that an amendment was moved by Lord Pa-
lmerston spell the motion of the late Government for
leave to bring in their Bill, and that part of the Nob')
Viscount's amendment was toinsert
that amend-
phe word " consoli-
dated."—(Hear, hear.) The
House
e adoptedllo
wed—and et the
ment—a change of Government fecreta carne down
Right Hoe. Gentleman (the Honee.S Secretary)
to the House, and without givingit
the slightest reesen
to suppose the Government were not of the same opinion
with the house that the militia, laws ought to be conso-
lidated, introduced a Bill which was merely to amend
those laws.
The ANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—It
was quite true that the course taken by her Majesty's
Ministers with regard to the Militia Bill was the result
of the deliberation due to so important a subject; but
deliberation was exercised, not i to
merely as that subject,
but as to the circumstances under which the question had
devolved upon them. They had before them two modes
of consolidation—one was the plan now proposed by his
lion. Friend the Member for Montrose; the other, by
reference. And as it was their opinion that, if they
adopted the former, they would not succeed in carrying
a Militia Bill through the present Parliament, under the
peculiar circumstances in which the new Government

I see a hand thou can'et not see,
Which beckons me away;
I hear a voico thou can'st not hoar,
Which will not lot me stay."

—(Oh, oh). ti
The CHAIRMAN put the question that ho r°Pbut
progress, and the gallery was cleared for a dorripluri, eio
none took place. Oa our return to the ga
found
.13 TxeCHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER ad,,a„ictile:
go
was
sCommittee. He hoped they would not 0"001
H ureattho Hon. Gentleman must see that i.t„tain
impossible,times, into 03°1-
a popular assemblyof lb°
a rigid discipline, or repress those indiscretions oPar
moment which occasionally broke forth when the le coo
of the House was ruin ,d. Ho was • sure the rfoufie 0.
always plonied to hear the sensible remarks or tho so
Member for Dumfries (Mr. Ewart), from whhle3lid 00
much information could bo derived; and he
doubt they would now hear the Hon. Gentleman. .0o
Mr. HUME (amidst much noise and intorruptt
be
said if there was wanting any further reason iv,13„5i0 of
should press his motion, in order to report the s,ir of
the Hou,e to the Speaker, it was that the lei," bed
the House (the Chancellor of the Exchequer/00n.
had no more attention paid to him than any other
Member. soia
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCIIEQU"'"ItIo•
that was a very i•igular observation of the Hon • t'',6,het
man. It was difficult for one person to ascertain
y
d."
g.,E3 of attention was paid to what was going rd J.
another. He remembered the Noble Lord (1-1, 000
Russell) had been charged with being asleep ,i!P,l°-upon
occasion, when ho subsequently rose and rePue7,o 401
every point that had been raised during the! time .; in fe
been charged with being asleep. Some inulgeo
inattentive
mood of abstraction, and very often appeared instrt: to
when they wore most attentive. He did not 111,d be
speak of himself, but after what bad been just sal ,
must say that ho really dia attend to what was said "
I lion. Gentlemen.