The Sun.
London, England, 1852-03-23 00:00:00

ASSEMBLING OF PARLIAMENT.

Lord BROUGHAM laid on the table a Bill for
shortening the duration of the space of fifty days, which
now according to statute must elapse between a
general election and the assembling of a new Parlia-
ment. This space was derived from the construction of
the 22d article of the treaty of union with Scotland. By
that treaty the term of twenty-five days had also
been fixed to elapse between the election of
Scotch representative Peers and their return, but as in
consequence of the increased facility of communication
had been shortened to ten days he saw no reason why
the space of 50 days in a case which was of far more im-
portance, and owing to its origin to the same source,
should not be shortened in a cimiler manner. Many
instances would occur in which it would be of great im-
pertance that the space between a dissolution and the re-
assembling of Parliament should be as short as possible.
He could not mention the subject of a dissolution without
expressing how much he deplored the necessity of some
stringent measure being adopted to put an end to the
present system of bribery and corruption at elections.
Every vcter who took a bribe incurred, in his opinion,
the moral guilt of perjury; because, whether the oath
were in fact applied or not, in 99 cases out of 100,
every man who took a bribe took it with
the firm intention of forswearing himself, if ne-
cessary. He thought they never would put a com-
plete end to this awful practice. The better way would
be to exact from each Member, on taking his seat, a full,
clear, and stringent declaration, such as he himself had
unsuccessfully proposed before the last dissolution.
The Earl of DERBY said that he saw no objection to
the Bill introduced by the Noble and Learned Lord being
read a first time. No doubt there did occur many in-
stances when it would be desirable to shorten the space
between the dissolution of one Parliament and the re-
assembling of a new one. With regard to the subject of
bribery, he quite agreed with the Nobl© Lord that
something was required, and whatever was done ought,
he thought, to be done before a general election rather
than after it. The late Government had prepared a
measure on the subject, which had been adopted by the
present Government, and was now under the considera-
tion of the other House, and ho was glad to have the
concurrence of his Noble and Learned Friend opposite
that this at least was one of the measures which ought
to be passed before a dissolution.
The Marquis of BREADALBANE concurred with
the Noble and Learned Lord, that something should be
done to put a stop to the present prevalence of bribery.
He thought that the corrupters were much more to blame
than the corrupted.

The Bill was read a first time.
MAYNUOTH GRANT.

The Earl of SHAFTESBURY presented petitions
from Banbury, Kenilworth, parish of St. Sepulchre,
Cambridge, Rothbury, and Montrose, against the May-
nooth grant.
ECCLESIASTICAL QUARRELS AT COLOMBO.
Lord CREMORNE gave notice of his intention to
put a question to the Noble Lord the Under-Secretary
for Colonial Affairs whether he had received any papers
relating to certain quarrels between the Bishop of
Colomco and his clergy, and whether there was any'
intention of taking steps to bring those differences under
the notice of the ecclesiastical authorities in this country,
Earl DESART said that the papers alluded to had not
been received, but that Government could have no wish,
to postpone their answer to the question of the Noble
Lord. If the Noble Lord would confer with him (Lord
Dysart) to-morrow, he would inform him how far the
information he wished could be afforded to him.
Their Lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF CaIMONS, March 22.
The SPEAKER took the Chair a few minutes to Four
o'clock.
The Birkenhead Dock Trustees Bill was read a second
time.

PETITIONS. -
Mr. FERGUS presented several petitions from Scotland
against the Sale of Beer (Scotland) Bill.
Sir H. INGLIS presented a petition from St. Bartho-
lomew's Hospital against being included in the Charitable
Trusts Bill; also, a petition from a place in Norfolk
against the grant to Maynooth.
Mr. ROEBUCK presented a petition from the Corpo-
ration of Sheffield in favour of financial boards.

Mr. SIDNEY presented a petition from parochial
officers in London, praying for the amendment of the
law of settlement.

Mr. lIUME presented a petition from a place in Scot-
land against the University tests.
Lord R. GROSVENOR presented a petition from a
place in Middlesex against the Enfranchisement of Copy-
holds Bill.

Sir DE LACY EVANS ir'eSenteci a petition from a
public meeting at St. Mattin'ti-hall against the taxes on
knowledge.
Mr. F. SCOTT presented a petition from a place in
Scotland, praying for the reduction of the charge for
celonial po,tage. . _ _

Mr. REYNOLDS presented a petition from New
Ross, Ireland,' praying for an alteration in the law of
landlord and tenant.
Sir W. SOMERVILLE presented a petition froth in-
habitants residing ou the banks of the river Blackwater,
against the Irish Salmon, Fisheries Bill.
Mr. MACGREGOR presented a petition from Glas-
gow against the Public Houses (Scotland) Bill.
Mr. SCHOLEFIELD presented a petition against
•the enrolment of the militia.
Mr, S. CRAWFORDpresented petitions from Down,
Tyrone, Armagh. and Donegal, in favour of the Tenant
Right (Ireland) Bill.
Col. SIBTHORP presented a petition from solicitors
at Lincoln, against tr,e attorneys' certificate duty.
MAILS TO SYDNEY.
Mr. F. FRENCH asked the Secretary to the Admi-
ralty whether the Australian Royal Mail Company had
entered into and executed the contract with the Go-
vernment for the carriage of the mails. to
Sydney What security had been given for
the due performance of the servica contracted
for? Had they been given a Royal Charter, and upon
what terms as to the amount of capital to be subscribed?
and when:the first steamer would bail with the mails from
England?
Mr. STAFFORD said the Australian Royal Mail
Company had not yet entered into a contract with the
Government for the conveyance of the Australian mails.
The reason they had not done so was that they were
waiting for a charter, as they thought it woulld be
more satisfactory to cuter into a contract as a
chartered company. Und-r the charter they were
empowered to raise 500,0001. firscand 1,000,000/. after-
wards. They had already paid up between 300,000/.
and 400,0001. The first steamer would sail on the 3d of
June with the English mails. When the ►resent Go-
vernment came into office the first vessel was
appointed 'to sail en the 31 of May, but since
then the day had been postponed until the 31 of June.
Two steamers were now being built at Dumbarton and
one at London.
COUNTY-COURTS EXTENSION BILL.

This Bill was read a first tlnce, and ordered to be
read a second time this day fortnight
PUBLIC LIBR

Mr. EWART wishea to know whether the Govern-
ment would have any objection to his bringing the sub-
ject of establishing public libraries under the considera-
tion of the lioube when the British Museum estimate
cam: on?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
was a member cf the Committee that :_at upon this sub-
ject, and of course he wa3 fully conversant with it. He
should have no objection whatever to the course sug-
gest4by the Hon. Member. •