The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-18 00:00:00

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

Stirling Estate, Buck and Hants Extension Railway,
Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway, and the Leeds
Gas bills were read a second time.
THE GREEK THRONE.

The Earl of MALMESBURY called attention to a I
statement which appeared in the papers of that morning,
relative to the statement of Earl Russell last night with
respect to the throne of Greece, The papers in question
stated that the answer of Earl Russell was, that the King
of Denmark had consented, that Prince Christian and
Prince William had al.o consented, and that the British
Government had no objection to the selection of
PrEce William to fill the vacant throne of Greece,
and that he (Earl Russell) had obtained the consent
of the King of Denmark to such an arrangement befor, he
communicated with the Greek GON ernment. What he
understood Earl Russell to say was that, before any com-
munication had taken place with the Greek Government,
Earl Russell had communicated with the King of Den-
mark, and his Majesty said he had no objection to the
selection of Prince William, providing his father (Prince
Christian) and the Prince himself did not object
to such a proceeding. According to his recollec-
tion, Earl Russell did not say that he had
obtained the consent of Prince Christian and his son to the
latter filling the throne of Greece. As the noble earl was
not present perhaps the noble earl, the President of the
Council, would say what was his impression of the noble
earl's answer. _ _

Earl GRANVILLE was understood to say that the noble
earl was correct as to the words of his noble colleague Earl
Russell.

THE lONIAN ISLANDS.
Lord C lIELMSFORD rose to call the attention of the
house to the case of the removal of two judges of the Su-
preme Council of the United States of the lonian Islands,
and for the purpose of moving for correspondence and
papers on the subject. The noble lord said it was
advisable, if we were destined to break off our present con-
nection with the lonian Islands, to do so without leaving
behind anyremembrance which might have a bad impression
upon the inhabitants. The officers were removed without
even the compliment of notice. The noble and learned lord
then proceeded to give an outline of the constitution of the
Islands to show the extreme injustice which had been in-
flicted upon two very able gentlemen. His case rested
on the removal and not with the successors appointed

in their places, but it was somewhat unfortunate that
one of the members of the senate who assisted in the
removal of the judges was appointed to the office.
It had been remarked that the circumstances connected

with the case justified the removal, but what those circum-

stances were he failed to discover. What he thought was
due to the two gentlemen was a public avowal that it was

not from any disqualification on their part that they had been
removed, in order that no stigma might rest upon them.
He trusted there would be no objection to the production
of the correspondence he moved for.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE said he was surprised his
noble friend had confined himself to only one point, espe-
cially as he had admitted that the proceedings had been
legal. The noble and learned lord defended the principle of
making all officers in the lonian Islands removable alter five
years' service, and although judges were generally re-elected
in this case, it must not be considered illegal because that
proceeding had not been carried out,
The Earl of DERBY would not continue the subject of
the inferior judges. But as to the superior judges, he con-
tended that practically they were irremovable, and they were
obliged to contribute to the pension fund. The case was
one of great hardship, and it was with deep regret he heard
the noble duke give but scant praise to gentlemen, one of
whom had devoted forty years of his life, and the other
thirty-five, to the public service ; one of whom had sat upon
the judicial bench for twenty years, and !h., other for four-
teen ; and both of whom had received from their present
and late colleagues ample testimonies to their integrity,
their ability, and their zeal in the discharge of their duties.
(Hear.) The noble duke said they were liable to be super-
seded. Well, then,why were they not superseded at the com-
mencement of the lonian Parliamentary session, at the pro-
per period for the issue of such documents ? The noble duke
would acknowledge that the strongest remonstrances had
been sent to him upon the subject, not only by the colleagues
of the two learned judges, but by English judges, But not
only was the session of the lonian. Parliament suffered to
pass, but the Imperial Parliament had risen before this step
was taken to supersede the judges.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE begged leave to interpose.
The noble earl was conveying an insinuation in those re-
marks which was quite unfounded. He could state from his
own knowledge that the sitting or the rising of the Imperial
Parliament had nothing whatever to do with the removal of
the judges.
The Earl of DERBY said that every one knew that an
appeal lay from the Secretary of State to the Imperial
Parliament. (Hear, hear.) If the Lord High Commis-
si pner thought those judges were dangerous persons
from their political feelings, why were they kept in igno-
rance of the intention to dismiss them ? Why were they
kept in ignorance until the last moment ? Why did the
Lord High Commissioner congratulate and compliment
them, and press leave of absence on them, and request that
that absence might be shortened, as mattersof great import-
ance might possibly come before their courts ? The Lord
High Commissioner, who had thus lauded them, had at
that moment resolved to dismiss them because they were
dangerous. (Hear.) He did not dispute the technical right
to supersede them, but he thought that their dismissal with-
out any cause being assigned, was a course of proceeding
which it was impossible to vindicate either by lonian rules
or by the rules of this country. (Hear.) The noble duke
had made a rather ungenerous insinuation when be alluded
to the admission made by his noble friend behind him, that
habitual corruption had marked the native courts. But his
noble friend behind him had in these words alluded to times
long past—past 40 years ago. There never was the slightest
whisper mado against the integrity of the judges whose case
was under consideration, and it was very hard that the dis-
missal of such men should be vindicated upon the general
ground that suspicion of judges existed 40 years ago. He
hoped their lordships would not be satisfied with the rea-
sons given by the noble duke for the dismissal of these gen-
tlemen. If they had suffered themselves to be led away, if
they had become dangerous, if they had raised by their
conduct well-founded discontent, it was only right that
they should have an opportunity of hearing and meeting
the charges against them. (Hear, hear.) He hoped the
noble duke would not adhere to his intention of keeping
back the correspondence. Re did not ask for corre-
spondence which might compromise persons in the
islands, but he thought they had a right to see what
were the reasons given by the Lord High Commissioner
for the high-handed course which he had pursued, and
what were the reasons which the Secretary of State
had for adopting the grave responsibility of approving of
that course. (Hear, hear.) He was satisfied to leave the
matter to the decision of Parliament, but as they were about
to separate from the lonian Islands, let them not allow the
last act of their Government to be one which would cast a
stigma upon their justice and upon their respect for the
character of the judicial bench.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE explained. He had for-
gotten to allude to the papers. He had no objection to pro-
duce them, with the exception, of course, of such as would
compromise the public service. It never was his intention
to refuse the correspondence. (Hear.) As to his allusion
to the politics of the judges, he merely meant to convey
that he objected to judges taking any part whatsoever in
public politics, It was not as to the side they chose to adopt
be objected, but to their taking any part in politics.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said that although it was
not his intention to take any part in the debate, yet he felt
that a few observations were necessary, in consequence of
appeals which had been made to sentiments and feelings
that were dear to English minds, but which were foreign
to the subject. The noble and learned lord deprecated car-
rying into a consideration of questions affecting the lonian
Islands the sentiments which were applicable to affairs in
this country. It was wrong to say that these judges had
teen dismissed. By the constitution of the lonian Islands,
the native judges were appointed by the Senate for a period
of five years, and the argument of the irremovablity of
judges was wholly inapplicable to a peopls who started with
that principle. Their lordships were not in a position to
judge of the propriety of the act of the lonian Senate
in declining to re-appoint these gentlemen. The Lord
High Commissioner had approved of the determination of
the Senate, and the Secretary of State, for reasons of
State, had approved of the course of the Lord High Com-
missioner. The noble earl (Derby) had endeavoured to
show that this great principle of the lonian constitution
had been superseded by practice and custom. Such, how-
ever, was not the case. That constitution was of too recent
origin to allow of such a right have fallen into disuse. The
only reason why the right had not been exercised was be-
cause for 24 years no case had occurred in which the re-
appointment of a judge was not for the benefit of the coun-
ty. it WAS fair to assume from the rareness of this
right being enforced that, when exercised, it was exercised
wise,:y and prudently and on sufficient grounds. With re-
gard to the manner in which it had been exercised in the
present instance, he thought it conclusive that justice had
been done from the fact that no complaint had been made
by any one but by the two gentlemen themselves. (Rear.)
The noble and learned lord defended the reticence of the
Secretary for the Col onies,inregard to theby grounds upon
been removed, pointing out
which these gentlemen had
bow severe a sentence of condemnationdsutchhat atbsetatieomnejannt
would probably have been. He urge
authorities ought to be suffered to exercise a judgment in
the matter, which judgment ought to be credited unless
their lot dehips were convinced that it was wilfully perverse,
or prompted and induced by some
feelings not only errone •
our but of an
unjust and mischievous character.
ckl-tE.Y said that though the judgea set re technically

and legally removable in the lonian Islands, the principle
of judicial independence was of such extreme importance
that they ought 213 to be removed except for misconduct in
their office.

The motion was then agreed to.
COURTS OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
Their lordships adjourned at eight o'cloc..

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Last Evening.
Tue SPEARER, took the chair at four o'clock.
THIRD READINGS.

The following bills were read a third time :—lnverness
and Perth Junction Railway, and Wear Navigation and
Sunderland Docks.

`VEST HARTLEPOOL HARBOUR AND RAIL-
WAY BILL.

On the order that this bill be read a third time,
Mr. ROEBUCK said the house and the Board of Trade
had been iccpos...d upon by the chairman of the company,
Mr. Jackson, and that the bill would permit the public to
be swindled. The hon. and learned gentleman adverted to
a petition which he presented sometime ago to the house,
and held that the allegations in it were strictly true, though
the contrary was held by the hon. member for South
Durham (Mr. Fa rrer).
111 r. FARRER defended himself from the aspersions
cast upon him by the hon. member. He took his stand
upon public documents. The bill would be of public
benefit, and an especial boon to the inhabitants.
Mr. PEASE supported the bill.
The bill was then read a third time. _ _ _

The following bills were considered and read a third
time :—Busby Railway; Ely Valley Extension (changed
from "Ely Valley Extension Railways) ;" Furness Rail-
way Company and Barrow Harbour Commissioners ;
Sowerby Bridge Local Board ; Tees Conservancy ; White-
haven, Cleator, and Egremont Railway ; and London and
South Western Railway.
Mr. MILLS gave notice that to-worrow, on the third
reading, he should move that the bill be postponed for a
month.

THE COTTON DISTRESS.
Colonel W. PATTEN presented a petition, signed by
6,000 operatives of Rochdale, praying the house to afford
them aid to emigrate, as they could perceive no permanent
means of occupation in the vicinity.

REUNION.
On the motion of Mr. CAVE, an address for copy of a
letter from H B.M. Consul at Reunion, respecting natives
of British India held to labour in that island, was agreed to.