The Sun.
London, England, 1837-02-04 00:00:00

177'
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LONDON,
SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 4, 1837.

--
In the House of Lords, last night, several petitions
were presented by Lord BROUGHAM, and by other
Peers also, for the Abolition of Church-rates.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE presented a petition
for the Revision of the Criminal Laws. Alter a short
conversation on this subject, his MAJESTY'S Answer
to the Address was brought up.
Lord BROUGHAM laid on the table his new Bill
respecting Pluralities, &c. The Noble and Learned
Lord then made a motion—which, at the suggestion of
theLORD CHANCELLOR and Lord EL LENBORO UGH,
he subsequently withdrew till Monday—for an account
of all sums standing in the name of the Accountant-
General of the Court of Chancery to the credit of any
Public Charities. Their Lordships then adjourned
till Monday.

Among the petitions presented in the House of
Commons were several from various parts of the king-
dom, some of them signed by members of the Esta-
blished Church, praying for the extinction of Church-
rates.

Colonel THOMPSON gave notice, that on the Erst
motion-day for Supply be should move a resolution
declaratory that the present government of the Army
was contrary to law. Notices of motion were also
given by Mr. BUCKINGHAM, relative to his Public
Walks, &c. Bill; and by Mr. ROBINSON on the sub-
ject of our relations with Portugal.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL, in reply to a question put
by Mr. Sergeant GOULBURN, relative to the National
Association of Ireland, said that. ho intended to bring
in a Bill respecting the Municipal Corporations of
that country on Tuesday, when he should make known
his opinions fully on the existence and proceedings of
the body referrA to by Mr. GOULBURN. Some ob-
servations on the subject, elicited by Mr. GouL-
BURN'S question, were made by Mr. HOME, Mr.
O'CoNNELL, Mr. S. O'BRIEN, and by Lord JOHN
RUSSELL.

The LORD ADVOCATE brought in a Bill to mo-
derate the severity of the laws against sedition and
other political offences in Scotland ; another for certain
changes in the duties of the Lords Ordinary and offi-
cers of the Court of Session ; and one for the more
effectual recovery of small debts in Scotland. The
Bills were severally read a first time.
Mr. STEUART, after a short discussion, obtained
leave to introduce a Bill for the regulation of certain
offices in the Court of Exchequer in Scotland.

Mr. BROTHERTON then brought forward his mo-
tion against midnight legislation. It was seconded by
Mr. EWART, opposed by Lord JOHN RussELL, and
negatived by a majority of 86.

On the motion of Mr. HoRsmAN, a Select Com-
mittee was agreed to, to ingnirc into the practice of
creating and registering fictitious votes in the counties
of Scotland.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER gave notice
that on Monday next, in proposing the renewal of the
Joint Stock Banking Committee, he should move that
it extend its inquiries to Ireland.
The House then, soon after 8 o'clock, adjourned till
Monday.

Mr. lionsmAN, the Member for Cockermouth,
moved last night, " that a Select Committee be ap-

pointed to inquire how far the interests of the Reform
Bill had been defeated by the creation of fictitious votes
in counties in Scotland." The subject which the mo-
tion of the Hon. Gentleman is intended to investigate
is of the deepest importance to the public, and we are
happy to say that all parties in the House professed
the greatest anxiety that the proposed inquiry should
be gone into without delay, and also that a similar in-
quiry should be instituted with respect to England
and Ireland.

We were aware that of late the creation of fictitious It has hit the bull's eye. It was intendedto put a check on
votes had become a regular branch of trade among the the blustering of the Tory faction, and it has succeeded
dirty political jobbers of the Scottish capital—the to a miracle. We shall
,bear no more taunts about
agents and servants of all work of the old Dundas Irishmen being " aliens ; no more threats about re-
clique ; but until we read Mr. HORS MAN's excellent conquering the country. No, the Tory tone is already
speech of last night, we had no idea of the extent to changed, confidence having been exchanged for despair,
which this contraband manufacture has been carried. and the language of bravado for that of puling alarm.
But first let us look at the mode which has been The faction now fears Ireland ; before, they laughed
adopted by the Scotch Tories to work out the Reform her to scorn. True, the Lords honoured the mention
Bill. Their first plan was to unite in one lease a of her name with a broad Grimaldi grin the other
farmer and as many sons as he might chance to have. evening ; but fools will always be found, even in the
Whether they resided with him or not was a matter of most illustrious and enlightened assemblies, and such
no consequence. Nor was it necessary that they should " daft chiels" always laugh the louder in proportion to
be farmers at all. They might he lawyers or lawyers' the absence of all cause for merriment.
servants, shop-keepers or shoemakers—they were all But why do the Tories express surprise at the " con-
duly registered as farmers. tinuanee of the existence of the National Associa-
tion ?" We can understand their alarm, but not their
Some inconveniences were found to attach to this
plan, and an ingenious improvement was engrafted on astonishment. Do they not see that it is the offspring
it. As a life-rent interest gives a vote, a landed pro- of their own loins ? That its legitimate founder is the
give effect to the Reform Bill, " Whig and something more" LYNDHURST ? Had
prietor, who wished to