The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-31 00:00:00

fearing probably that their own influence might be
weakened. They have, in fact, shown just the
same i unwillingness to admit their inferiors to
political rights which they warmly denounced when
shown in former times by the aristocracy to them-
selves. But the working classes are more
intelligent than they give them credit for,
and have long ago discovered that their anomalous
position is not due exclusively to the cold shade of
aristocracy. They perceive that if the middle classes
had returned honest Reformers as their representa-
tives they would long since have, obtained their
rights. The resolutions proposed at the Birming-
ham meeting were for the most part moderate
and reasonable, and the meeting declared its
intention of supporting any measure of genuine
Reform, even if it did not go as far as they
might wish. Such assemblies, though they may
have little practical effect upon the immediate
policy, are still productive of good, especially upon
the eve of a general election. They serve to show
our politicians that the anxiety for Reform is not
a mere fiction, but a substantial fact ; and they
may serve to remind the electors that they will very
shortly have the opportunity of expressing their
wishes through their representatives. After the
experience of the last six years, it will be the con-
stituencies' own faults if they return again the
members who have neglected their opportunities,
trifled with the wishes of the people, and proved
entirely faithless to the principles upon which they
entered Parliament.

Mr. MOFFATT last night called the attention of
the House to the Bankruptcy Laws, and the hon.
gentleman truly observed that the manner in which
this subject was treated by Parliament was most
unfortunate, and affected the mercantile community
very disadvantageously. He moved that "in the
opinion of this House the report of the Select Com-
mittee on the Bankruptcy Act of 1861 deserves the
prompt and serious consideration of her MAJESTY'S
Government." The motion was agreed to, which
was so far satisfactory, and it is to be hoped that
some good results will ensue therefrom. Mr.
MOFFATT showed that the Act of 1861 had not suc-
ceded at all, and in fact had been a failure.
Before its passing the number of bankruptcies was
not more than twelve hundred, and under the pre-
sent system it had increased to seven thousand five
hundred, and the consequence of the inability of
creditors to recover any of their losses makes the
whole transaction a stereotyped system which de-
feats the ends of justice. The committee very
wisely recommended a very extensive scheme of
reform, and there is not wanting abundant proofs
that such is necessary. The estates that yield at
the commencement ten and fifteen shillings in the
pound, finally can offer only a dividend of two,
three, or four shillings. In conclusion, the
hon. member urged the Government to adopt
measures that would " remedy a position of
affairs deplorable to the mercantile community, and
not honourable to the Legislature of the country."
Mr. BEECROFr ably exposed the inconsistent course
pursued by the Government respecting the Bank-
ruptcy Laws. They prepared a very good measure
in 1860, but to the astonishment of every one they
abandoned it, and next year brought in a most
unsatisfactory bill, which they insisted on passing.
The Leeds Chamber of Commerce are wise in
their view of the matter when they wish
that the winding up of the insolvent estates
should not be left in the hands of the
court, or of any body of officials. The Scotch
system is infinitely preferable to ours in these
banbruptcy details, and the sooner the magnates
of our law consent to take a lesson from their
northern brethren the better. Prejudice has too
long prevailed in respect to this unfortunate ques-
tion, but the common sense of the community is
arrayed against the judgment of those who pervert
reason to their own ends, and trifle with important
interests in order to gain their own objects. It is too
bad that all this confusion should arise in conse-
quence of want of proper care and caution being
paid to the subject by those who should know better,
and experience has shown that all the parade and
fuss which were made about the change in the laws
of bankruptcy might as well not have been made, for
no one at all competent to judge of the matter ap-
proves of them. The Attorney- General declared that
the Government would recognise the duty of taking
the recommendations of the committee into serious
and prompt consideration. Some of the sugges-
tions of the committee are very good—as, for in-
stance, the abolition of imprisonment for debt, and
the removal from the Bankruptcy Courts of all
cognisance of fraudulent acts, and transferring
such matters to the ordinary courts. It is
to be hoped that the Government will realise
the expectation held out last night by their legal
representative in the Commons, and that thus some
of the anomalies which so perplex our commercial
community and disgrace our legislative skill may be
abolished.

The deputation that waited upon Mr. VILLIERS
yesterday on the subject of Medical Inspection of
Workhouse Hospitals treated of a question that
has lately assumed great importance. The deputa-
tion came from the Workhouse Visiting Society, and
set before the right hon. gentleman, the President of
the Poor-law Board, substantial reasons in support
of their proposal. Mr. BUXTON, M.P., said that,
at any rate, there was no doubt as to the necessity
of improvement in workhouse hospitals. If medical
inspectors were appointed, the sick poor would re-
ceive many great advantages in the way of " advice,
medkine, and other comforts." It seems strange,
indeed, that something of this kind has not
been thought of before, but n 9 one can now
take upon themselves to say that there have not
been striking instances adduced to show the neces-
sity of some change being introduced. The details
of the sufferings of the victims of Union treatment
have horrified and scandalised the community, and
aroused the indignation of right-thinking persons.
Some of the statements drawn up were particu-
larly excellent, -and especially that one which
sets forth that " the united service of advice and
medicines is not calculated to obtain the best of
either." This is, indeed, one of the greatest
stumbling-blocks in the whole affair, and creates a
great deal of mischief and misery. Another
admirable one is that which condemns the
system of paupers nursing the paupers being
often morally and physically unfit for the duties
imposed upon them. Dr. GooDFELLOW said that he
regretted to notice that lunatics and criminals were
much better treated than the poor, and the salaries of
union surgeons were often such as to prevent any
respectable surgeon from taking the employment.
Mr. VILLIERS agreed so far with the proposal of
the deputation as to state that there would be
propriety in at least occasional visits to work-
houses by physicians of eminence, and he hoped
to bring in a bill to remedy a serious obstacle in
the way of such reforms being introduced—namely,
the "local acts," which gave the guardians the
Power to resist the authority of the Board. So far
all seems satisfactory, and we must hope that this
excellent suggestion will ultimately receive the
attention which it merits.

ACTS OF PARLIAMENT.—The present session has
produced 30 public Acts of Parliani-ut v. (.1 61 local Acto.