The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-04 00:00:00

BILL.

Mr. HADFIELD, in moving the third reading of this
bill, alluded to the large attendance of members on so in-
convenient a day for an attendance as a Wednesday. No
less than four times this bill bad been passed by the House
of Commons, and no less than 72 peers—comprising names
of the highest historical renown—had voted in its favour.
None of the Ministers of the Crown, nor, indeed, any of
the other officers of the State, from the highest to the lowest,
bad, on taking office, signed the existing declaration for the
last 30 years. He was therefore at a loss to understand why
it should be retained in the case of municipal authorities, to
many of whom its application was exceedingly offensive.
He warned those who opposed the bill that, by rejecting it,
it might stir up discord among, as now, an united people.
The boon sought by the bill was but a small one to ask,
and ought to be granted.
Mr. BAINE S seconded the motion.
Mr. NEWDEGATE moved that the bill be read a third
time that day six months. Each session the majorities
against the bill had augmented, showing the feeling of
the house on the matter. The real object of the measure
was to enable members of corporations to use their cor-
porate power to attack and undermine the Church of Eng-
land.
Mr. SELWYN seconded the motion.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER expressed
his intention to vote for the third reading of this bill.
(Cheers.) He regretted the virulent opposition which it
had to encounter in this house. The retention of this
obnoxious declaration on the statute book was of
no benefit or advantage to the Chttrch of Eng-
land. (Loud chaers.) Since 1828, when Lord
Russell succeeded in altering this then obnoxious law
with respects to tests, the bent of legislation had been to
liberate religious bodies from unnecessary trammels. Ro-
man Catholics had been liberated from the shackles which
once interfered with their religious liberty, and even the
Jews had been admitted into that hoarse. (Hear, hear.)
The declaration complained of constituted a civil disability
and inequality, and afforded no security whatever to the
Church of England. (Cheers.) No danger possibly could
ensue to the Church from the immediate abolition of this
declaration. Neither was there any danger to the Church
from dissent or Roman Catholicism ; if, indeed, any danger
existed, it arose from internal dissensions. (Loud cheers.)
But he hoped the Church would outlive her internal dis-
sensions, for it would be a sad day for the Church, and Dis-
senters too, if she ceased to exist. (Hear, hear.) The time
had long gone by when the declaration was endowed with
any value, and the house and the public out of doors were
much indebted to the hon. members for Sheffield and Leeds
in persevering with it until it became the law of the land
They very properly pressed it in the house again and again,
in pursuance of a compact long since made with those who
disliked making the affirmation, because such a course was
opposed to their religious scruples.
Mr. WALPOLE, said though this,bill really dealt with
a small matter, he feared that there was a good deal more
in the background, and that this was only one of the many
attempts made of late to undermine the Church of England.
He denied that a compact made with one Parliament was
binding upon any of its successors. The Chancellor of the
Exchequer ought to be the last man to talk of compacts.
How, for instance, had he kept his compact with respect to
the income tax ? (Hear, hear, and laughter.)
After a few words from Mr. FORSTER and Mr. NEWDE-
GATE in explanation, the house divided, when there ap-
peared—

For the third reading 175
Against it 172
Majority -3

The numbers were announced amidst loud cheering.
The bill was consequently read a third time and passed.
REGISTER OF VOTERS BILL.
On the motion for going into committee,
Mr. HOWES moved that the house go into committee
that day six months.

Mr. VANSITTART seconded the amendment.
After a short discussion the house decided on the motion
fur going into committee, when there appeared—
For going into committee 129
Against it
Majority

The house then went into committee.
On the first olause,
Mr. HOWES proposed an amendment to the effect that
the magistrates at quarter sessions be empowered to direct
when the index to the lists of voters shall be made.
After a short discussion the committee divided, when
there appeared—
For the amendment 76
Against it ......
Majority against it
The remaining clauses were agreed to, and the house
resumed.