The Sun.
London, England, 1837-03-03 00:00:00

knew what the surplus was which they would have at their
disposal? Other Hon. Members had motions for the repeal
of the duties on soap, malt, tobacco, windows, and life and
fire policies of insurance, and yet it was said that marine in-
surances should be preferred to all these. All he could say,
however, was, that he admitted that this claim was entitled to
his most serious consideration, and that he should bring it
under the consideration of the- Government.—( Hear.) When
he brought forward his Budget he should be prepared to state
the reasons why he thought the tax was to be preferred or not
to any other; but beyond this he could not now go, nor
would it be just to require him to give any further explanation
on the subject. The Right Hon. Gentleman denied that the
duty on marine insurances was a dwindling duty. In 1835
the amount was 201,000/. ; in 1836, 218,000/. ; and in 1837,
254,000/. He was unwilling to meet the Hon. Gentleman's
motion with a negative, and should, therefore, move the pre-
vious question. One reason why he objected to the resolu-
tion was, that it was too vague to be placed on the journals
of that House; and, besides, he thought that the House
should not pledge itself to any proposition of the description.
—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. Alderman TH OMPS 0 N thought that the repeal of
the tax would be a great inducement to the extension of our
maritime commerce, and a great benefit to the shipping inter-
ests generally. He hoped that the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, in consideration of those interests, would feel it his duty
to propose to the House either the total repeal of this tax, or a
very large reduction of it.
Mr. BA RCLA Y said this tax operated as a peculiar hard-
ship upon the coasting trade of the country ; for, whilst ves-
sels thus engaged made on the average ten voyages in the
year, and had to pay this tax ten times, a vessel engaged in
foreign voyages might only make one voyage in the year; so
that the tax was peculiarly oppressive on those engaged in
the coasting trade. He hoped the subject would, however, be
left in the hands of the Chancellor of the Exchequer ; but if
the motion was pressed to a division, he would support it.
Mr. PEASE did not think it right to be disposing of the
surplus revenue of the country until they first knew whether
there would be a surplus or not. He, however, whilst he said
this, was as anxious as any one for the repeal of this tax, which
could not be maintained much longer.
Mr. HUME was of opinion that the tax on insurances, both
home and foreign, was injurious to the commercial interests
of the country; but he believed that the tax on foreign in-
surances, if continued, might expose this country to the risk of
losing a very valuable branch of trade. He did not wish to
see too great a surplus left in the hands of the Chancellor of
the Exchequer ; and, with respect to the reduction of taxa-
tion, he thought the better they pressed him, the more he
would be disposed to concede. If it was found that, when
the Budget was brought forward, the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer was not prepared to make a reduction of this tax,
he would recommend the Hon. Member to take the sense of
the House on the question, which he could then do with more
advantage.
Lord SANDON hoped the Hon. Member would withdraw
his motion, which he could bring forward with more effect
when the Budget came before the House. He (Lord San-
don) felt strongly the impolicy of maintaining a tax on pru-
dence and foresight, and would join in seeking its repeal ; but
he did not think it desirable to press the motion at present.
After a few words from Mr. CH A PNIAN,
Mr. CLAY felt that the Financial Minister, in reducing
taxation, was bound to consider the respective claims of the
different classes in the country. So far, however, as his opi-
nion went with respect to this tax, he considered it most dis-
advantageous.
Mr. M. PHILIPS entertained a strong opinion of the im-
policy of this tax. He thought, however, that the Honour-
able Member ought for the present to be satisfied with the
declaration of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that he
would give the subject full and fair consideration.
After a few words from Colonel PARRY,
Mr. ROBINSON said that, after the general expression
of opinion in favour of his motion, it was not his intention to
press the subject to a division. He considered, however, that
the Chancellor of the Exchequer had admitted that he had
made out a strong case, and that he was disposed to give it
his favourable consideration. Under these circumstances ha
would beg leave to withdraw his motion.
The motion was accordingly withdrawn.
SHERIFFS' COURTS (SCOTLAND).

Mr. WALL ACE moved for a—
" Tabular return of the number of days of residence of
every Sheriff and Sheriff-substitute in his sheriffdom in Scot-
land, during the years ending 31st December, 1834, 1835,
and 1836, showing the Courts held by each respectively in
each sear, and the dates thereof ; and distinguishing those of
registration of voters from others; also, of the annual salaries
and all other emoluments received by Sheriffs and Sheriffs-
substitute respectively, for judicial duties, and all other public
services respectively performed by them, as above, in their
counties, distinguishing the sums received for attending the
Justiciary Circuit Courts and for holding Courts of Registra-
tion, and for travelling and other charges relating thereto.
and the dates thereof; and stating also if Sheriffs or Sheriffs-
substitute are employed and paid ,for arbitrations, convey-
ancing, or other professional business, and the average annual
emoluments derived therefrom. Also, in columns, the number
of causes of each class in dependence, and of those instituted
and decided, in the County Courts, or appealed to the Sheriff
and decided by him when out of the county, or when in his
county, during the years ending 31st December, 1834, 135,
and 1836 ; also, the average period causes have depended,
and the number advocated to the Court of Session in the
above years from the Sheriff or his Substitute respectively ;
also, the number of interlocutors prOnounced by Sheriffs-sub-
stitute and Sheriffs respectively, distinguishing how many of
the latter were affirming the Substitutes' interlocutors, how
many altering on incidental points, how many in part on the
merits, and hew many continued, and how many remitted to
the ordinary action roll ; also, the number of summary cri-
minal trials, and of criminal jury trials ; and of civil causes
tried with the aid of a jury, as above, in each county in Scot-
land. The above returns to be signed both by Sheriffs and
their Substitutes."
Motion agreed to.
TURNPIKE ACTS AND TRUSTS.
Mr. MACKINNON moved to renew the Committee on
Turnpike Tolls and Trusts, for the purpose of considering
such legislative enactments as ought to be recommended on
the subject.
Mr. FOX MAUL E was fully impressed with the necessity
of some system of consolidation for the better management of
these turnpike trusts.

Mr. W. S. O'BRIEN thought that the roads would be bet-
ter managed by county boards than by the turnpike trustees.
Mr. 1-100GSON FIINDE would have no objection to the
appointment of .a Royal Commission, to inquire into the state
of turnpike trusts.
Mr. L. CHARLTON thought that inquiry was unneces-
sary. There was no necessity fur any change.
Sir G. STRICK LAND was favourable to the manage-
ment by county boards, but thought there would be great diffi-
culties to surmount before they could be brought into full
operation.
Mr. HUME thought that if Government did not themselves
take up the question they ought not to stand in the way of any
other Hon. Member.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER denied that
the Government wished to throw obstacles in the way of the
iiou. Mover: they rather wished the Hon. Gentleman to
bring forward a specific proposition, to the modification of
%Nliich they would give their best assistance.
After a few words from Sir T. TR 0 ÜBRIDG E,
. Mr. MACKINNON withdrew his motion, and moved for
leave to bring in a Bill on the subject.
Mr. W. ROCHE moved for certain returns connected with
the application to the Crown for relief to the sufferers by the
late gunpowder explosion at Limerick.
Mr. W. S. O'BRIEN seconded the motion.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought
that to make any grant would be to establish a very dangerous
principle. He deeply sympathised at the same time with the
unfortunate sufferers.
Motion agreed to.
Mr. DUGDALE begged to call the attention of the House
to the depredations committed by persons employed by rail-
road, canal, and other public companies, for the purpose of in-
troducing some measure for the protection of the persons
and property of his Majesty's subjects during the time such
public works were constructing. The Hon. Member detailed
several instances of outrages perpetrated by workmen em-
ployed in the constructien of railways, and concluded by
moving for leave to bring in a Bill to remedy the evils com-
plained of.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER would
not oppose the motion for the introduction of the Bill, but
he thought the House should not sanction any measure which
might have the appearance of an exclusive character.
Mr. PEASE thought that some legislative enactment was
absolutely necessary to correct the evils complained of.
After a few observations from Mr. C. Fergusson, Sir If.
Verney, Mr. H. Ilinde, and Mr. Dugdale,
Leave was given to bring in the Bill.
Mr. WALLACE then moved for certain returns for the
regulation of the Court of Sessions, Scotland.
The LORD ADVOCATE said that the information
looked for could already be found in the reports of the Com-
mittee of Judges of the Court of Session relative to the fees
of sheriffs' clerks, dated Dec. 17, 1833 ; and he would there-
fore move, as an amendment, that that Report should be laid on
the table.

Mr. HUME supported the motion of the Hon. Member for
Greenock.

Sir W. RAE opposed the motion.
Mr. AGLIONBY thought the motion might be so worded
as to obviate the objection and prevent a division.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL was of opinion that the
amendment would of ird all the requisite information on the
subject.

r O'CONNELL requested of the Hon. Member for
Greenock to agree to the amendment, as calculated to pro-
duce the effect which he desired.
After a few words from Dr. LUS INGTON, -
Mr. WALLACE withdrew his motion, giving notice of
his intention to bring it on again in another shape, as the
report referred to by the Hon. and Learned Gentleman
(the Lord Advocate) did not contain the information which
he sought.
Motion withdrawn.
Mr. WALTER would not, in the present state of the
House, bring on his motion, namely, that the names of Messrs.
Beauelcrk, FreshiLid, Hardy, and Sergeant Goulburn, be
added to the Committee on the Poor-laws. Ile would, there-
fore, take his motion on one of the Orders of the Day on
Monday.—(Cries of " Oh, oh 1" and " Go on.")
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER reminded
the Hon. Member that Monday was an Order Day. It was
str.tnge that with a House like the present, and when it was
0;ily twenty minutes to ten o'clock, after a Committee of 21
had been agreed to, on the motion of the Hon. Member him-
self—( Cheers)—it was strange that, under these circum-