The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-09 00:00:00

tion, but a large question of social economy, and involved
important interests of a large mass of the population, that
would not have an opportunity of being thoroughly con-
sidered in this committee. Ile adverted to the vast number
of railway stations projected in the city, which, he said, had
a prospect of all the railway accommodation that could be
required. He dwelt upon the enormous amount of property
destroyed in furtherance of railway schemes, and upon the
niggardly compensations, as well as upon the personal in-
convenience sustained by individuals, especially the poorer

classes of persons.
Lord S rANLEY said ho did not rise to express any
opinion upon the question of metropolitan railway com-
munication, nor did ho wish to object to the present pro-
position of a joint committee of both houses; but he
hoped it would not be inferred that it was to be a prece-
dent for future occasions. This plan of a joint committee
was practically a novelty. There had been, it was true, joint
committees in very remote times, but the object of such joint
committees was not to make a report. They were appointed
for the purpose of collecting information and preparing iden-
tical evidence to bo laid before the two Houses; so that
practically the present proposition was a novelty. The re-
commendation of the committee appointed last year was
against the appointment of joint committees and in favour
of having the number of members serving on committees
reduced from five to three ; and further, that either house
would take the report of the other as sufficient for the pur-
poses of examination. He believed that if the private bill
business was to be retained before Parliament, that was
the only way to deal practically with it ; and that it was
a better plan than joint committees of both houses.
He thought in this case it would have been better

if the initiative had not been left to private enter-
prise ; for, although he believed that Sir Robert Peel was
right in not giving the initiative of the railways to the Go-
vernment, yet in the case of London it would have been
better if somebody whose opinion would be listened to with
respect had been appointed by Government, and that, put-
ting aside all the plans proposed by the railway companies,
the Government had brought forward the scheme devised
by such a functionary, and offered it for completion to any
party who would give the necessary guarantee. By adopt-
ing such a course the Government would have obtained a
more complete and homogeneous system than at present.
But the time was now too late for it. (Cries of No, no.)
Well, if it were possible still to adopt such a system, he
could only say it was so much the better.
Mr. MASSEY was of opinion that a very little exten-
sion of the existing railway s would amply meet all the wants
of the capital, without cutting up and destroying the town
n all directions, as was contemplated by the various projects
now before the house. He disapproved of the proposal to
inquire by a joint committee of both houses,
Lord J. MANNERS concurred in the opinion expressed
by his noble friend, and thought the proposal of a joint
committee of the two houses was both too late and insuffi-
cient for any useful purposes.
Sir J. SHELLEY also described the proposal as crude
and unsatisfactory, and having urged the advantage of
delay, moved the adjournment of the debate.
The amendment was seconded by Lord ENFIELD, who
advocated the appointment of a Royal Commission, with a
rigid exclusion of civil engineers.
Mr. Crawford, Mr. Scourfield, Sir M. Peto, Mr. Selwyn,
Lord Fermoy, and Mr. Locke participated in the discussion
which ensued, and Sir J. Shelley having consented to
withdraw his amendment, the motion for a committee was
agreed to.
The'other business on the paper was also disposed of, and
the house adjourned at 20 minutes past 12 o'clock.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE,

THE GREAT EASTERN.

The directors of this company have declared a dividend
at the rate of two and a half per cent, per annum on the
ordinary stock of the company for the half-year ending the
31st of December last.