The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-30 00:00:00

CARNARVONSHIRE BOROUGHS.

The present member, Mr. Charles Wynne-Finch,
who was returned to Parliament for the first time
in 1859, is likely to be opposed by the gentleman he
then defeated, Mr. W. Bulkeley Hughes, of Plas
Coch, Angleasea, who represented these boroughs
from 1837 to 1859 as a Conservative. A short while
before the last general. election, Mr. B. Hughes's

principal supporters abandoned him, as he had dis-
played strong Liberal tendencies. In 1859 he placed
himself before the electors as a Liberal candidate,
which-prejudiced his interests to some extent even
with the Liberal party, and hench to a great mea-
sure arose the cause of his defeat. In his address,
just issued to the electors, he says—" Since I ceased
to be your representative in Parliament, I have
shown every attention to your requests and wishes,
and through the kindness of Lord Palmerston's
Government (to which, if returned to the House of
Commons, I shall give my warm support), my exer-
tions in your favour have often met with success."

The following addresses have been issued by Sir
John Simeon and Sir Charles Locock. A public
meeting was appointed to be held at the Victoria
Rooms, Ryde, last evening, at which Sir John
Simeon was expected to address the electors :
" Gentlemen,—l beg to announce to you my intention of
soliciting your votes at the approaching dissolution of Par-
liament. Ido not come before jou as an unknown man,
nor altogether as an untried politician. I retain the live-
liest and most grateful recollection of the confidence you
reposed in me by returning me as your representative in
1847; and I trust that while I had the honour of a seat in
Parliament Idid no discredit to your choice, at least so far
as regards an honest, independent, and industrious dis-
charge of . the duties committed to me. You will allow
me to recall to your remembrance the circumstances under
. which, with the deepest regret, I retired from the repre-
sentation of the island. In 1851 I beca:me a Catholic, and
felt it my duty to resign into your hands a trust which
had been reposed in me as a member of the Established
Church. Since that time I have been constantly resident
among you, and I venture to hope that I may have shown
that the profession of the faith to which I belong in no
way incapacitates an Englishman from a useful par-
ticipation in the administration of the social and
political institutions, in the working of which we are all of
us called to take more or less prominently a part. I would
gladly have refrained from adverting to what may be con-
sidered by many of the constituency an important subject
of difference, but I feel that I am acting a more honest and
manly part by boldly alluding to it. Claiming as Ido for
myself the free exercise of my own religion, I feel bound to
respect the convictions of others ; and my earnest desire is
that nowhere throughout the world should religious differ-
ences be made the subject of legislative interference and
the excuse for social proscription and political disqualifica-
tion. Deeply and unalterably attached as lam to the Con-
stitution of our country, I have no desire to disturb or to
undermine the existing relations between the State and
the Church of England. I must at the same time express
my honest belief that that Church would be in no respect
weakened were it, by the abolition of church-rates, to be
deprived of the unwilling contributions of those who do not
participate in its worship. I trust and believe that my
political principles are well known to the electors. Always
a Liberal on conviction, I have become more and more per-
suaded that the safety and the greatness of England lies in
constant and harmonious progression. While I would re-
sist any attack upon the fundamental principles of the Con-
stitution, from whatever quarter it might arise, I should
anxiously support any well considered measures having for
their object to bring its practical working into more complete
harmony with the theory on which it is founded, whether
by a more perfect representation of the population and
the various interests of the country, by a more equable
distribution of the burden of taxation, where it may
press unfairly upon any section of the community, or by a
wider extension to every class of the blessings of education
and civilisation. Such, gentlemen, are briefly the principles
which I profess. Should you honour me with your confi-
dence, my best energies shall be devoted to your service
and to the promotion of the local interests' of the island, to
which I am bound by every tie of associatton, of interest,
and of affection.

" I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most faithful
servant, " Jorui SIMEON.
" Swainston, Isle of Wight."

" Gentlemen,—Having some days since announced to
you that, in compliance with a requisition, I had ventured
to offer myself as a candidate to represent you in Parlia-
ment, and that requisition having been subsequently
strengthened by the letters that I have received from so
many of the large landowners of the island, it becomes my
duty to declare the the principles on which I seek your
support. The occasion is peculiar ; my opponent possess-
ing so many powerful personal claims to your support,

from his well-deserved popularity as an extensive land-
owner, and as a tried public man ; but the strong feeling
existing throughout the island that this important con-
stituency should not be represented by a member of the
Church of Rome induces me to cherish the hope that the
disadvantages of my being a stranger to you will be over-
looked in comparison with the support of the great prin-
ciples I come forward to maintain. In politics I am a Con-
servative, but ready to support every measure which may
be brought forward for the progressive improvement of
our institutions, and the prosperity of the nation. I believe
the Conservative party to bo as true friends to the work-
ing-classes, and as much disposed to improve and reform
any defects in the Constitution as the party calling them-
selves Liberals. With the increase of wealth and intelli-
gence I consider that the Parliamentary franchise should
be extended, and I would support any measure to extend
and widen the qualification to those who, from property
and intellectual acquirements, would preserve our Consti-
tution from the perils to which it would be exposed if the
franchise was lowered to the extent supported. by my oppo-
nent. I would reduce the present high standard of the oc-
cupation qualification in counties to an amount more nearly
approaching that required in boroughs; but I consider that
any lowering of the latter would give such an undue pre-
ponderance to men unqualified to exercise the franchise
that the votes of the more educated and wealthy would
be neutralised. The question of church rates is one of
great interest but of greater difficulty. As long as we have
a national Church the law should provide the means for
the maintenance of the fabric, more especially in poor and
scantily inhabited parishes where voluntary aid could not
be obtained; but I would vote for any plan which would
relieve the dissenter from, personal liability to contribute
towards the maintenance of the Established Church, and
trust that although the many schemes to effect this object
have hitherto failed, Some other may be before long be
devised which may effect a satisfactory settlement of this
much-discussed question. The flourishing state of the
public revenue arising from the great prosperity which, by
the Divine blessing, has attended our commercial and ma-
nufacturing enterprises, has enabled Parliament during the
last few years to remit a large amount of taxation ; and I
cannot but consider that in the apportionment of that re-
mission the agriculturists have not received that consi-
deration to which they are. entitled. All restrictions on
the importation of foreign grain having been removed, no
taxes should be imposed on home produce, and on any
further remission of taxes the farmers have the first claim
for the immediate and total abolition of the malt-tax. On
the great question of national education I am, and always
have been, a warm supporter of every institution which
shall diffase knowledge, coupled with religion, among the
poorer classes, and would most readily vote for all mea-
sures having that object. lam of opinion that it will be
always our true interest to keep peace with foreign na-
tions, and not to interfere in their domestic affairs ; but I
would oppose any mistaken economy in the public expen-
diture which would prevent the maintenance of our fleet
and army in the highest state of efficiency, believing that
a preparedness for war is at all times the surest guarantee
of peace. In affording to the electors the opportunity of
choosing a Protestant instead of a Roman Catholic repre-
sentative, I by no means wish to interfere with the
Englishman's birthright, liberty of conscience, feeling that
a man's creed should not subject him to the loss of any
civil or political privileges. lam a sincere member of the
Church of England, and in principle and practice opposed
to those obsolete forms and ceremonials, the objec-
tion to which formed so strong a feature in
the constitution of 'our Church, whose separa-
tion'from Rome has been the foundation whence the
liber-
ties we now enjoy have arisen. Although I should highly
prize the honour of being your chosen representative, the
proud position I have attained in the exercise of my former
profession will assure you that I have not any personal
interest to serve in entering Parliament, and should your
choice devolve upon me my best energies will be devoted
to the discharge of my duties as your representative, and,
whether elected or defeated, the approaching contest will
give me the opportunity of becoming personally acquainted
with your beautiful island and its inhabitants, and I trust
I shall be welcomed as a resident, desirous at all times to
lend his aid in furtherance of everything that will tend to
promote the interest of all classes in the island.
" I have the honour to remain, gentlemen, your faithful
servant,
" Binstead, May 27." " CHARLES Lococx.

PONTEFRACT.
There are now three candidates fairly before the
electors of this borough, who will have to send two
as representatives to Parliament at the next election.
The new candidate, as has been previously stated in
The Sun, is Mr. Macarthur, a Lohdon shipping in er-
chant,,who. has-come forward in the Liberal interest.
The other-two. are-Mr. 11. C. E. Childers, and Mr.
Waterhouse, the present members for the borough,
the former in the Liberal, and the latter in the Con-
servative interest. Each of the candidates has not only
addressed the electors, but has also begun a personal
canvass. The substance of Mr. Macarthur's address
has not been given in The Sun. In a speech to the
electors a few days ago Mr. Waterhouse gave a brief
but clear explanation of his conduct in Parliament and
of the various votes he had given. With respect to
Parliamentary reform, he said he voted against Mr.
Baines's £6 franchise bill, but he was no advocate
for a £lO franchise exclusively, for he did . not see

Y : •
any special charm in. that amount ; but he believed
it would be right and wise on the part of- the Legis-
latur to widen the sphere of the franchise in favour=
of many at present excluded. Mr. Childers has also
addressed theeiectors. As Civil Lord of the Admi-
ralty, Mr. Childers adverted at some length to the
conduct of the Governmentif which he is a mem-
ber. " The acts of this Parliament now coming to
an end, the acts which have been promoted by the
Government of Lord Palmerston (said the hon.
member) are such as fairly entitle every member of
that Government to consideration and support from
a constituency such as this. Take, in the first in-
stance, the difficult and troublesome conduct of
foreign affairs during the last six years, and the posi-
tion of the country now. Some years ago there was
great danger, or at least great fear, of war with a
neighbouring Power. We have had during the last
four years the most intricate and delicate negotia-
tions with the American States. We had last year
the gravest apprehension of being involved in the
war, the end of which no man could foresee, in con-
nexion with the most difficult question of the
Duchies, and looking back on these matters, I have
to ask you whether in the conduct of our foreign
relations, and in securing of the great result, peace,
her Majesty's Government has not earned the sup-
port of all who think that the maintenance of peace
is one of the greatest objects of Government in these
days. (Cheers.) I myself ventured nearly three
years ago, and again a year later, to say that in
my opinion the policy of strict neutrality in the
unhappy contest raging in America was pecu-
liarly the duty of this country. I ventured
also, in the teeth of a very considerable differ-
ence of opinion on the part of many of you, to say
that the termination of the quarrel in favour of the
Southern States was by no means so certain as
people prophesied ; and on that ground, if on that
ground alone, it was most important that our neu-
trality should be strict and stedfast. (Cheers.) In
spite of these prophecies, in spite of the sympathies
of a great body of Englishmen, the event has not
been that which was generally anticipated. And if
you will hut think what would have been the con-
sequence if the Government of England had acted
on the assumption that the Confederates would suc-
ceed, you will see that it would have been that of
involving us in a most disastrous war with our

brethren in America. (Applause.) I think on that
ground, as well as on the others I have stated, the
policy of her Majesty's Government is one which
commends itself to your support. (Cheers.) But let
me come to other questions and remind you of the
acts of the Government during the last six years in
relation to them. What have been the great finan-
cial considerations which have distracted parties in
Parliament? How do we find ourselves with respect
to the finance and taxation of the country ? What
has been the successful policy of the Chancellor of
the Exchequer in those matters as compared with
the position in which we previously stood? What
has been the effect of the French treaty, of the re-
duction of the income tax from 10d. to 4d. in the
pound, of the reduction of your sugar duties to one
third, and of your tea duties to two-thirds ; of the
reduction of the insurance duty, of the abolition of
the hop duty, of the simplification of our whole
system of fiscal taxation ? I appeal to every one
of you who purchase the necessaries of life to
say whether the relief which you have received in
these last six years is not tangibly and substantially
very different from what it used to be when it was
a mere shifting from one system of taxation to
another. (Cheers.) And what shall I say of the
last Budget ? Is it not a good end to the acts of
the present Parliament that in its last year, with a
surplus revenue of £4,000,000, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer has been able at one blow to take 6d. off
the pound of tea, and 2d. off the income-tax, and

to reduce by one-half those duties on insurance
which are so objectionable to every man of prudence
who wishes to see his property preserved from de-
struction ? This last Budget would alone justify
me in asking your confidence in the fiscal system
which has been promoted by her Majesty's Govern-
ment, and which parliament, by a very large ma-

jority, has endorsed. What have we done with re-
spect to the expenditure of the country? Can any
one say that our army and navy are inefficient, that
we have fallen behind in that necessary process of
reconstruction bot hof ships and guns ? And yet
the total change ftom one system to another has
gone on concarrently with a steady economy in our
finance and a steady reduction of public burdens.
(Applause.) What has been done for the shipping
interest? When I had the honour of being returned
by you to Parliament there were complaints on all
hands of the grievances to which the British ship-
owners was subjected, of the difficulties he had to
encounter with respect to pilotage, and of the unfair
competition he had to carry on with British ship-
owners. Who hears of these complaints now ? The
grievances which called them forth have, I must say,
been wholly removed by the policy of the last fivo
years. (Hear.) Then take the Poor-laws. I appeal

to you whether the course taken by her Majesty"sGo-
vernment in the introduction this year of the Union
Chargeability Bill is not one which meets with
your approval. (Cheers.) It is good for those upon
whom the tax falls, good for the landowners, good
for the farmers, and, above all, good for the poor for
whom the Poor Laws were made. (Cheers.) These
are not the only questions which must in future, as
in past Parliaments, receive the consideration of
your representatives. I avow I am one of those who
believe that in our public affairs a policy of pro-
gress is the sound one—that we must never rest
easy with the idea that we have reformed every-
thing—and that we should constantly endeavour to
apply principles of reform and progress to all ques-
tions of administration. (Cheers.) It is as an advo-
cate of progress that I appear before you. I be-
lieve that in regard both to Church and State there
is much to which proper Conservative progress
should be applied. By Conservative progress I
mean not the destruction of our institutions—not
the falling away from the basis of the Constitution
of England, but the reformation and improvement
from time to time of all patent grievances. It is not
many months ago since I told you that I did not in
the slightest degree depart from the general prin-
ciples as to Parliamentary reform which I advocated
when you did me the honour of returning me to
Parliament. It is for you and the country to say
when and to what extent those principles should be
applied with the strict maintenance of the great fea-
Wres of our Constitution. I hope that the time
will come when all parties will be what they were
not many years ago, satisfied that it was proper to
make progress and advancement in that system of
representation which at present, as I firmly believe,
does not admit to the suffrage many who are en-
titled to that suffrage, and who are capable of wor-
thily exercising it. (Cheers.) I believe that the
events
sixyedarsistrhiacvtse,
in spite of great shown, in spite of
great of h
distresste last
some in
difficulties in questions of capital and labour in
others, that the labouring classes of this country,
the great mechanic and artisan classes, are entitled
not to an overwhelming share of the representation,
and theych showe ers .for the
thinktheexercise
would
to a proper and advancing share in proportion
it.)
tto the fitness
s hear, which
ola
u of
be very much to be regretted that, because
the circumstances of the last few years have been
such as not to render it necessary to make
great Constitutional changes, that, therefore, for ever
and aye, no Constitutional change should take place.
(Hear, and applause.) On the contrary, when you
show your desire to admit to the suffrage those who
show themselves fit for the exercise of the suffrage,
I should be the first to advocate that that desire
should be gratified--(renewed cheers)—but, and I
say this emphatically—l should be very sorry to see
such an inordinate extension of the franchise as
would throw the power into the hands of any section
of the community whatever. I should be sorry to
see the working man having the whole power, or
anything like the whole power, of the country ; but,
at the same time, I do say he is entitled to a share
of it on account of his industry, his intelligence, and
his capacity. (Applause.) Mr. Childers concluded
by some remarks on church-rates, the retention of
which he did not believe was to the advantage of the
Church of England, of which he was a member.

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.—A sad accident has
occurred in Ireland. On Saturday evening Mr. Andrew
Gilmore, a gentleman of ißelfast, who has lately come into
possession of a splendid fortune, invited a few friends to a,.
trial sail on the Lough on board a yacht he had lately pur-
chased. By some means not clearly known the yacht sank
and all on board, six in number, were drowned.

LON D 0 TUESDAY, MAY 30, 1865.

The Greenwich Hospital Bill has been read a
second time, and it is to be hoped that the promises
held out as to its receiving alterations in committee
will be kept, for there are many grave objections to
it as it now stands. Many unsatisfactory changes

have hem made from time to time in the conduct
and management of this noble hospital, but it can-
not lie ;aid that this last ewli•avnur on the part of

the Admiralty to amend matterz has done enough.
In some respects the sweeping changes have gone
too far, as where it is proposed that the numbers
admitted shall be reduced from the one thousand
four hundred, which is the rule at present,
to six hundred; but, as Sir JOHN FAKING-
TON truly observed, they will find it very
difficult to attain this object in a hurry.
The right hon. baronet, although he did not oppose
the second reading of the bill, took occasion to
point out some of its deficiencies and inconsistencies;
and it is to be hoped that attention will be paid to
his suggestions, since his knowledge and experience
render him well qualified to give advice upon so
very important a topic, and one that is so intimately
associated with the honour and interests of the
country. In the first place, a great error is made
in the Admiralty not allowing a sufficient sum to
those whom they wish to receive out-pensions, in-
stead of remaining inmates of the Hospital. This,
as the right hon. baronet truly observed, was quite a
mistake. The out-pensions are to range from five-
pence to ninepence a day, while at present the
weekly allowance amounts to a sum of from three to
five shillings, " in addition to all the comforts of the-I
establishment." It may fairly be asked, what is to
be done with the enormous sums that will be saved
if these charges are made ? and also, it may well be
said, that they should not be made. The money is
essentially for the benefit of these disabled defenders
of their country, and it is quite out of character that
they should be denuded of their rights for whatever
purpose the unwise deduction is made. The loa
ralty have not at all succeeded in showing the great
advantages of this scheme of out-pensions ; and if
they had done so, it is a matter of imperative neces-
sity that the sums thus paid should be quite
equivalent in value to the advantages received by the
seamen when inmates of the establishment. The
framers of this bill may depend upon it that their
arrangements will be hardly practicable, and cer-
tainly will never become popular if they are not

moreliberal in their arrangements. Because a great ems, since recent experience has
part of the funds of this hospital have been wasted how little Lords PALMERSTON and
upon over salaries to officials, it is no excuse for be trusted to speak and act for this
their grinding down the sums paid to those for dealings with Washington.
whom the charity was first established. However
skilfully the plans are devised it will always be con-
sidered as a dubious scheme to place " this magnifi-,
cent establishment on the footing of Haslar or
Netley, and convert it into a mere hospital in the
ordinary sense of the term." The public justly look
with some suspicion on any material change that
is introduced by Government into those great insti-
tutions which are of national importance and in-
terest. It is to be trusted that those members who
are competent to give an opinion will be on the
alert when the Bill gets into committee, and that
there may be no cause to regret hereafter that from
inattention and inadvertency any serious errors
have crept in with this attempt at amendment in
the government of Greenwich Hospital. Sir J.
PAKINGTON summed up some of the evils of the
present scheme when he alluded to the vague idea
which is given of what is to be done with the large
sums that are not accounted for. He said it was
too much the principle of the old saying, " Open
your mouth and shut your eyes, and see what the
Admiralty will do for you." No one is more
competent than the right hon. baronet to judge of
the opportunities which the Admiralty have of
performing new tasks ; and, as he put his veto upon
this novel assumption of duty on their part, we may
fairly conclude that it is an unwise and will prove
an unsatisfactory proceeding. He said that either
the property will be " administered by an irrespon-
sible officer, or else the whole management will be
thrown into the hands of the Board of Admiralty,
which was already overwhelmed with work." The
independent commission which the right hon. baronet
recommended would no doubt be the best thing,
and there is reason to doubt that this soi-disant
reform of the Admiralty will be at all worthy of
the name, unless the Admiralty turn over a new
leaf in their ability and assiduity. Mr. AYRTON
made some suitable suggestions in reference to this
measure, and his remedy relative to the claims of
merchant seamen is worthy of notice. The hon.
member said that it was now proposed to bring back
the hospital to its original purpose, and make it
available for those disabled in body and mind, and
not remain "an asylum where people were
to live under a kind of semi-naval discipline."
Under these circumstances, Mr. AYRTON advised
the Admiralty to inquire into some of the original
purposes for which the hospital was founded, one of
which was that any seaman who had served in any
ship belonging to any subject of her MAJESTY
should contribute sixpence a month for the better
support of the hospital, and to augment its revenues.
Certainly this carries out the motion of the hon.
member that this hospital was established for the
benefit of seamen serving in the mercantile marine
as well as in the Royal Navy. There is sense and
good feeling in the proposol of the hon. member,
that the unoccupied part of the hospital shall be
appropriated to the benefit of distressed seamen
of the mercantile navy. Mr. AYRTON very pro-
perly reminded the Government that they had
shown themselves very sensitive in respect to
the officers, whose " chief claim had been
that they have for many years mismanaged the
affairs of the hospital," and, therefore, they should
now attend to the claims of the seamen. Mr. LID-
DEL very truly said that a princely revenue had been
wasted on establishment charges, and he desired to
see the revenue extended and applied for the benefit
of the sailor. One of the chief things to be looked to
in the Committee, is that the pensions granted to
men are of sufficient value so as to answer the ends
in view, and permit the recipients to enjoy those
comforts of which they stand in need, and which
they urgently require. Unless this desideratum is
attained there will be nothing for the Admiralty to
plume themselves upon in the changes that have
been made. Indeed it would have been better to
have left things altogether alone than to have in-
troduced new difficulties with the already compli-
cated case. A grave responsibility will rest with
the House in this matter of Greenwich Hospital,
and it is to be hoped that the opportunity will not
be allowed to pass away unimproved.

The answer of Lord PALMERSTON to the question
put by Sir JOHN WALSH on Friday evening was, to
say the least of it, unsatisfactory and evasive. One
would think that there need not be much considera-
tion on the part of the Government in respect to
such a preposterous and insulting demand as the
claim for compensation from England for the
damage inflicted on the Federal shipping by Con-
federate cruisers built in our ports. The request
has so little foundation in right or reason, is so
contrary to the general law of nations, and in such
marked opposition to the conduct of the United
States themselves, that we can hardly regard it as
serious. It must rather be looked upon like the
complaints made by the wolf against the
lamb in the good old fable, only wanted
as pretexts for active antagonism. If we
have not done one thing we have done another, or
if no sins of commission can be proved against us,
there is a long list of sins of omission to be laid to
our charge. The South, if it had yet a Govern-
ment, might with a. good deal more reason. demand
co/1110,11, 46m fdw the injuries inflicted on land by
means of Euglizli arms and ammunition shipped
without let or hindrance from English ports, and
for the injuries inflicted upon her cause by the
wholesale enlistment of English subjects. But Mr.
ADAMS is, perhaps, not so inconsistent in putting
forward this claim as may appear at first
sight. He has all along accepted the neu-
trality of this country as an obligation which
we are under to the Federal cause, and Lord
RUSSELL having meekly agreed to all he says, has
naturally tended to confirm him in that opinion.
But the accession of the violent and intemperate
faction which at present rules at Washington has
been followed with startling rapidity by the reitera-
tion of this demand. We have during the last few
years been at intervals reminded of this rod held in
terrorem over us by the terrible Americans, who
only wait till more pressing business is con-
cluded to punish the Britishers. At first the
idea was laughed at in this country, it being
scarcely thought possible that American states-
men could lend themselves to such a preposterous
claim, but after a time it was actually put forward
officially, meeting, as it deserved to do, with a
prompt and uncompromising refusal, on the autho-
rity of the law officers of the Crown. Why, then,
should Lord PALMERSTON hesitate, and evade a
direct and explicit account of the policy of the Go-
vernment ? There is no great mystery about the
communication ; there are no complicated diplo-
matic arrangements to be effected. A question has
been put, demanding an answer, yes or no ; and
surely the House of Commons might be favoured with
the information which monofsyllable has been selected.
The matter looks at present very much as if our
Cabinet has grown even more timid since the
Northern armies are disengaged, and will be very
reluctant to give a decided answer to the late em-
phatic demand. We should advise those members
of the Commons who have some regard for the
honour and interests of their country to insist upon
obtaining an answer to this questio r before the re-

painfully shown
RUSSELL are to

country in their

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

It is not often that an Irish Bill is discussed
in the Rouse of Commons without some asperity,
and accordingly it was only to be expected that
the Constabulary Force Amendment Act should
encounter some opposition. Still, its general scope
and object must commend it to the public at
large, although naturally the representatives of
Irish boroughs and counties were disposed to dis-
pute the details. The riots at Belfast were felt
to be disgraceful to our civilsation by men of all
parties. They seemed to indicate that our social
system was ill-organised, and that while we had
all prided ourselves on being able to preserve
the height of order by purely civil authority, riots
of the most serious character might break out at
any moment which all the local force would be
powerless to quell. In a country of such strong
religious and political partisanship as Ireland it is
naturally a matter of great difficulty to appoint
any officials who will allow their local feeling to be
subordinate to their public duty ; but certainly
when out of 165 policemen only two are Catholics,
such a division is likely to be most unfavourable to
the preservation of the public peace. The natural
consequence is that any outbreak on the part
of the Orangemen is passed over so lightly
as to encourage a party always too ready
for violent demonstrations, and to sow the
seeds of future riots. There can be no question
that in the disgraceful disturbances of last year it
was clearly shown that the present constabulary
arrangements are most inefficient, and therefore the
Government has acted wisely in pushing on this
measure. Its object is to embody as far as possible
the resolutions of the late committee. It is proposed
that to the Belfast quota of 130 men the Govern-
ment shall add 320, to be paid out of the Consoli-
dated Fund, so as to raise the constabulary to 450.
It is also proposed to constitute Belfast a county
by itself, having a separate force of its own to act
within its own radius, as in the case of Limerick,
Galway, and Londonderry. Tho hon. member for
the latter county appeared to feel aggrieved at the
unequal distribution of the force. Londonderry, he
observed, with a population of 184,209, was allowed
only 120 men, while seven other counties, each
having a population of less than 100,000, had forces
varying from 140 to 220 men. But Mr. DAWSON
seemed to forget that what he himself said on behalf
of the county was a sufficient reason for this ap-
parent slight. Londonderry, it appears, is the only
county in the three kingdoms which has not had
an execution in it during :the last 120 years—the
last having taken place in 1745. If a
county or a borough is sufficiently orderly
and well-managed to preserve the public peace
with a small force it has certainly no reason
to complain that it is not burdened with a large one.
As to the question of distribution, the Irish repre-
sentatives forget that it was not a matter to be
settled by a mere reference to numbers, and that if,
as was stated, large and populous counties are lightly
taxed while poor ones are made to pay heavily for
police rates, the reason is not to be found in the
lesser numbers, but in the greater turbulence of the
population. The city of Belfast has recently
favoured us with an example of riot and bloodshed,
of defiance of the law and of social convulsion,
which is happily very rare in these islands. For
years past; as Sir R. PEEL observed, the state of
things had been a disgrace to the borough of Belfast,
and last year it had resulted in the death of 13 or
14 and the maiming of nearly 100 persons. When
riots are allowed to prevail during 18 days it is quite
evident that the existing force wants either the will
or the power to maintain order, and accordingly
the passing of this measure is a very wise and
timely act, which, it is to be hoped, may prevent
the repetition of such disgraceful proceedings.

tinuif,;,; 'ale war.

Amnesty to Saxon Political Refugees.

King John of Saxony has addressed the following
letter to Dr. von Behr, the Saxon Minister of Jus-
tice :

" Dear Minister von Behr,—When the bounty of the
Most High blesses us with benefits, man feels himself
doubly bound to do good to his fellows to the extent of his
ability, and to exercise clemency towards them. This
feeling determines me to celebrate the great boon God has
recently conferred upon me, my house, and country, by an
extensive act of mercy. Although I have already granted
forgiveness in many individual cases to persons involved
in the insurrectionary movements of May, 1849, I will yet
now further extend this pardon to all therein concerned,
and will permit the return, without punishment, of all
still living as refugees in foreign parts, and reinstate in
their civil rights those persons who have forfeited
them on account of penalties to which they have been
subjected or proceedings that may still be pending. I
request you, therefore, in conjunction with the Minister
of the Interior, to have the requisite documents prepared
to be laid before me for approbation, and to bring this let-
ter to the public knowledge.—Your well affected

" Dresden, May 27, 1865." "JOHN."
In accordance with this letter the official Dresdner
Journal publishes the following :
" Orderrespecting a general amnesty for all political offences
committed in the month of May of the year 1849.

"In consequence of the resolution of his Majesty the
King, it is hereby ordered-1. No further prosecutions
shall take place within the kingdom of Saxony on account
of all political offences committed in the month of May of
the year 1849, punishable according to the existing crimi-
nal laws. 2. Punishments already adjudged for such
offences, but not yet fully expiated, shall be no further
carried out. co-ts of every kind alread3- adjudged but not
vet paid 4e ll 1a remitted, and respe..tively discharged by
tb, TreaNury. 3. All persons who have forfeited
their civil rights fur participation in the abovenamed oc-
currence shall be reinstated therein.

" FREIHERR VON BEUST, Minister of the Interior.
" DR. TON BEHR, Minister of Justice.
"Dresden, May 27, 1865."

Stranding of the Nemesis Mail Steamer•

A telegraph message from Lloyd's agent at Calcutta,
dated from that port, 10.10 a.m., 27th inst. (last Saturday),
was received yesterday at Lloyd's, reporting the stranding
of the Peninsular and Oriental Company's mail steamer
Nemesis, and that she was in great peril. The following
is a copy of the telegram :—" The Nemesis, Capt. Castles,
from Calcutta to Suez, went ashore at Eugpallas Strand,
on the 25th inst. (May), and up to tho 26th remained in
great peril. She was homeward bound."
The spot where the steamer is reported ashore is near the
Hooghly (the Calcutta river). The Nemesis' departure
from Calcutta took place, it is believed, on the previous
day, the 24th. She is one of the company's fleet trading
between Suez and Calcutta, and is described as 2,018 tons
register and engines of 600 horse power.
Her commander, Captain Castles, stands in a high posi-
tion in the company's service as a most experienced sailor.
His courageous conduct on the occasion of the burning
of the Sarah Sands, steamship, with GOO troops on board,
in safely taking the ship into the Mauritius after the after
part of the vessel had been blown away by fire and explo-
sion, elicited not only the commendation of the Board of
Trade, but was brought before the House of Commons as
a case deserving of the highest praise.

ABOLITION OF SURREY TURNPIKES.—A legisla-
tive measure has recently been obtained whereby
the turnpikes in the districts south of the Thames will be
abolished on the 12th of November next, in like manner as
those in the districts north of the river wore removed some
months since. The gates at Kennington, Wandsworth,
Walworth, and all between Reigate and London and Dart-
ford (New•cross) will come down. On the occasion of the
Derby next year the road will be free at the points named,
and the long vexatious stoppages to which the procession
of carriages has been subject will be experienced for the
last time on a Derby day to-morrow.

ALEC FORBES OF HOWGLEN. By George Mac-
Donald, M.A., author of " David Elginbrod," &c.—" Mr.
George Mac Donald looks in his stories more to the souls
of men and women than to their social outside. He reads
life and nature like a true poet. His pages are therefore
alive with subtle thought, to which he gives felicitous ex-
pression. Throughout his story one feels to be not spend-
ing one's time in the shop of a confectioner of novels, but
abroad under sunny heavens in a poet's company, observ-
ing nature and the souls of men. The book is full of good
thought and good writing."—Examiner.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

AMERICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE HIBERNIAN.
(Via Greencastle.)

The following are the heads of the news brought
by the Hibernian :
NEW YORK, MAY 20 (Evening).

Messrs. Jefferson Davis, Alexander Stephens,
and others have arrived as prisoners at Fort Monroe,
and are confined in the casemates of the fort.

No positive evidence implicatiu Davis has yet
been brought forward in the conspiracy trial.
Mr. Stanton has announced that persons found
in arms eazt of the Mississippi will be treated as
gaerillas and punished with death.
Maru,:ler has announced his intention of con-

The emigration excitement has subsided.
The rain Stonewall remained at Havannah on
the 13th inst.

Gold, 1301.
NEW YORK, MAY 19 (Evening.)

Mr. Jefferson Davis arrived at Macon on Mon-
day, and was sent to Augusta under a strong
guard en route for Fort Monroe via Savannah.
Governor Brown, of Georgia, has been confined
in the old Capitol Prison.
It is understood that the Government will use
him as a witness to prove the complicity of Mr.
Davis in Mr. Lincoln's assassination.

Halleck has offered $25,000 for the arrest of
Governor Smith, of Virginia.
Cavalry are pursuing Governor Magrath in
South Carolina,

Further evidence was pripduced at the conspiracy
trial on Wednesday and Thursday, implicating the
prisoner. The Rev. Mr. Ryder testified that he
had found in the Capitol at Richmond, since the
Federal occupation, a letter addressed to Davis,
signed Old Ham, dated February, 1865, informing
him the Northern shipping towns were 'overcome.
The letter was endorsed :—" Secretary of State
will see General Harris, and learn his plan for
overcoming difficulties heretofore experienced.—
J. D., February 17, 1865."
Witnesses familiar with Davis recognised the
handwriting as his.
The New York Tribune says the amnesty procla-
mation will proffer the oath of allegiance to all who
served in the rebel army up to a certain grade, this
oath when accepted to constitute a full exchange
and pardon.
The New York Herald states that the amnesty
will extend to all below the rank of lieutenant-
general.
Mr. Stanton has issued an order stating that all
the enemy's troops east of the Mississippi river
having surrendered, persons found in arms in any
portion of that district on the Ist of June will be
regarded as guerillas, and punished with death.
The Secretary of War has also announced that a
review of the armies round Washington will take
place on Tuesday and Wednesday next. Grant's
troops will be reviewed on Tuesday, and Sherman's
on Wednesday. Sherman has established his head-
quarters at Alexandria, and will not visit "Wash-
ington.
Magruder made a speech at Houston, Texas, on
the 25th ult., in which he expressed his determina-
tion to continue the war. They had a neighbour at
hand, he said, and might receive aid from an unex-
pected source at any time.
Washington despatches assert that the Emperor
Maximilian and Kirby Smith had been recently
seen in negotiation. It is no longer expected that
tho South will surrender without fighting.
Guerillas and paroled soldiers from Lee's and
Johnston's armies are plundering East Tennessee.

President Johnson has commuted the sentence
upon Horsey, condemned to be hung in Indians,
to imprisonment for life. lie has also respited
Bowles and Milligan until the 2d June.
A reconstruction meeting has been held at Raleigh,
North Carolina. Union speeches were made in
which the Confederate leaders were denounced
The negroes in North Carolina have sent a petition
to President Johnson asking for the right of
suffrage.

The emigration excitement is subsiding. The
promoters are said to have no considerable amount
of funds, and propose to negotiate a loan. The
formation of emigrant companies still continues.

Mr. M'Culloch has rescinded the order requiring
Treasury permits for the shipment of goods to
Southern ports east of the Mississippi, coastwise or
inland. Since the Ist May 52 vessels, exclusive of
Government transports, have cleared from New
York for Southern ports.
The Confederate ram Stonewall arrived at Ha-
vannah on the 11th, and was still there on the 13th.
It was rumoured that she was receiving men and
ammunition from the steamer Owl and other
blockade runners. Moffat would command her.
Several Spanish officials had visited her. It was
reported that the American Consul had requested
the Captain-General to surrender her as a pirate.
The Captain-General had refused to comply with
the Consul's request. Several gunboats had arrived
at Havannah from Key West to watch her.
The British brig Kate Carlton, ostensibly from
Matamoras for New York. with t iu i bales of cotton
and, it is also stated, $300,000 in specie, has been
captured.
Dr. Blackburn, who is stated to have shipped in-
fected clothing from Bermuda, has been arrested for
a breach of the neutrality laws.

Thu Herald announces that the Government of
Columbia has renewed the charter of the Panama
Railroad Company. The charter grants to the
United States Government in perpetuity the exclu-
sive privilege of transporting military and naval
stores over the road. The Federal Government
guarantees the sovereignty of the Columbian Go-
vernment over the isthmus and the security for
transit over the route against foreign Powers.

The steamer Sacramento left San Francisco on
the 18th with $1,300,000, of which half a million is
for New York.

NEW YORK, MAY 20 (Morning.)

General Thomas has reported that Davis paid
the troops nearly all the specie before they parted
company.

Breckenridge and Benjamin were at Vienna
Valley, Savannah River, on the 9th inst. It is
supposed the latter has reached the west bank of
the Mississippi.

No further evidence has been given at the con-
spiracy trial implicating Davis. A witness has
identified Payne as the person having attempted
Mr. Seward's life.

It is rumoured that letters were found on Booth
implicating Davis:
The Tribune states that the Government is de-
termined to arraign and try Davis before a civil tri-
bunal, probably before a Baltimore jury, Mr. Chase
presiding.
Mr. Seward visited the State Department yester-
day.

The Governor of Mississippi has convened the
Legislation to deliberate upon measures of recon-
struction.
Senor Arroys, the commissioner from the Em-