The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-28 00:00:00

rity of neighbouring and allied States. The Emperor is toer the -.noble lord the member for South Durham was the
ar"e"a fie 1,-'g'"e -"ye 'ett,e ,e-t-oet eehe,,i,et sir! e-, ‘ee . elesirenan, th"t t'..e bill foe coustruetiug line from lir emle v
, • . . • eset'' ; ...a t' leewislem should be proceeded ma ilde ,• • an, 1 upon
eer.Li t asattrirleJ 'the committee rejected tee two -lines fromthe
pi o Lo,-k. so pl'lllinrant aed so houeurtble a part; it West-end to the Crystal Palace, and f. om Syclenhatu, and
is, therefore, with sincere satisfaction that his Majeety'vCo- passtid the. bill for constructing the :South-Eastern- branch: I
verument Nava learnt froni the declaration Made by- cella': protest against the motion which has now been submitted tb
Nesselrocle to your Excellency, for the purpose of being trans- "I the house, because think that it is a course which is neither
mitteel to your Government, that it was in contemplation right nor truthful to the• committee, nor proteetive of the in-:
not only to diminish the ainount of the sum stipulated, but terests of the company involved in it. I considered that the
also to mate "a different arrangement with respect to its gua- billy course which was left for the directors of the South-
rautee.! It is by such conduct that hit Imperial Majesty , Eastern Coinpeny after the bill went through committee, was
will really manifest his generosity, 'and his regard: fcir these to convene a Meeting of the company, to submit the circmu-
principles of just and. enlarged policy by which alone ran be: stances at 'such meeting to the shareholders, and to take
secured the confidence of his allies and the respect of Europe. their pleasure and decision upon it. But that has never been
Eyen if the Emperor was not thus to yield at once to -done ; -and in deference to the committee to whom-the -pledge
the impulse- of his-own disposition, the same determination was given, to the proprietors of the South-Eastern Company,
would still be recommended by considerations of prudence, whose interests are involved, and to the public in the vici-
as being essential to the success of objects which he has pro- nity of Bromley, whoare also interested, And who sought the
fessed to have much at heart. His Imperial Majesty has advantage and' convenience of railway communication, I offer
declared that a regard for the trxe interests of Russiainduced my protest against the motion which has been- subMitted to
him to feel more desirous than any others-European Power of the house. I ehall not trouhle the house by referring to for-
maintaining the independent existence and integrity of the finer periodsOttlifficnityandiembarra-eernent in railway affairs.
Ottoman empire. He. has also repeatedly avowed that the This bill was promoted under -circumstances which
sore nape
couditieuOt thQChrietian subjects of the Porte denianded hisj liens to all the proprietors of .the company, many of *an
Constant solicitude, and. the obligations teeth of his' own eon- approved of the measure -without its .being foymally put to the
science and of, public treaties imposed.upon him the special vote; and .1 think that the 9111 y mode of preperly dealing
day of consulting their welfare and providing for their pro- with the matter is by refaing the motion of the hon. member
tection: These objects; at all times difficult to 'reconcile, for Berwick-upon-Tweed, and leaving it to the proprietors,
would; under the strict execution of the treaty, become alto- who, through their managing body, promoted the bill before
gether incompatible with each other. The real situation of the house which was sanctioned by the committee. • • ''
the Takish Power is too'obvious to escape the most common Mr. Bouverie —I apprehend with regard to the present
observation. The Sultan is surrounded by independent States motion that there 'can be no opposition to it, because .it
formed out of his own. territories, and with the great mass of would lee altogether without precedent when the party who
the Europern population of his empire anxiously waiting for promoted a private bill wished to withdraw it, that the
the moment when they may profit by this example, and shake house should refuse to allow it to be withdrawn. If it were
off his dominion altogether. Defeated and reduced to the not allowed to be 'withdrawn no object' would be gainel,
lowest degree of humiliation, he has retained his throne and because, even assuming them to go. into another place and
political existence by the mercy of his conqueror. The dis- to get an act of Parliament, you cannot, under the present
affection of his Mahomedan subjects -dealt ranks, whether law„ compel' the company to make the railway, for they
produced by repeated disgrace or the effect of a gradual have the_pewer to hold their land or to use it any way they
change long since in operation, has become general. In this please. _As regards, therefore, the motion of the hon.
condition, with a broken authority and exhausted resources, member. for Bervirick, I apprehend that the house can have
he is called upon to provide. for the indemnity which is• no objection or difficulty in acceding to it. But there is
exacted from him. In what manner is the Sultan to relieve another question of very serious importance, which is, and '
himself from this burden, and by whom must the sacrifices Ido not use the words in an offensive sense, whether the
principally be made ? If the Turkish Government be still committee who sat upon these -opposing bills have not been .
permitted to act at all as an independent Power, it is clear misled ?. and whether they did not pass this bill in the ex-
that thenecessaey sums must be raised by fresh impositions pectatiou that it was really and bona fide to be proceeded
upon the people, and 'by such means as are authorised by with, and in coUsequence throw out the two competing bills
the laW and customs of the empire. It is equally certain which were offered to the committee in rivalry with it..
that the Christian subjects of the Porte must largely contri- (Hear, hear.) As I understand the circumstances of the case,
bute to furnish these supplies. Compliance with the demands the whole of this has arisen from the change in the direction
of the Government will be difficult, but the urgeney of the of the South-Eastern Railway Company. Just before this
case will justify severity. Resistance may be attempted ; if bill went into committee there was a change in the direction
successful, leading to general confusion and revolt ; if other-. of the company, and the new.directors were not prepared at
wise, spoliation and oppression will follow: At all events,' that time to enter upon the consideration of this lino. Since
new scenes of calamity will be opened calculated to frustrate then they have fully considered the circumstances, and they
the admitted objects of his Imperial Majesty, and fatally de- have' resolved not to prosecute this line • and I hold in my
structive both to the independence of the Porte and to the hand a resolution to that effect, which lam informed was
happiness and prosperity of the Christian subjects of the carried by a majority in the direction of 6 to 2. This is a
empire. question which is no doubt material to the public in the dis-
" There are other considerations which ought to have their trict ; and if these gentlemen promoting the other bills were
due weight in the mind of his Imperial Majesty. ready to on, and were defeated because the committee un-
"lt cannot be doubted that the result of the war- has been derstood that the South-Eastern Company were really prose-
such as to change entirely the relative position of the belli- eating this line with the intention of completing it, it may be
gerents towards each other, as well as towards the neighbour- a serious question for the house to entertain, if a motion
ing states and the rest of Europe. This change, it may be should be made for the recommittal of those bills, whether
admitted, is to a certain extent the natural-consequence of an that recommittal might not under the circumstances be
unequalecoutest ; for at the termination of hostilities, charac- granted.' I express no opinion upon it, but if such a motion
terised on one side by the most signal success; and on the should be made I hope that the house will consider it.
other by continued disaster, it would be unreasonable to sup- (Hear, hear.)
pose that the parties could in every respect resume their former Mr: Wilkinson— I should like to hear from some member of
relations. It is, therefore, not exclusivelyto the' conditions of the committee whether it is not a common practice for the
the peace, but also to the events of the war, that we are to South-Eastern Company to promote bills in Parliament with-
ascribe the change which has taken place. In whatever man- out the slightest intention of carrying them out.?
ner it may have been accomplished, the fact is sufficient to Lord Harry Vatie—l was not aware until I came into the
justify some anxiety on the part. of these rowers who have house that this motion was to be made. I was not informed
always felt a deep interest in the preservation of the system of it this morning, and I was rather taken by surprise, inas-
of the European balance established by the treaty of Paris much as. I have not had the means of communicating with all
and at the Congress of Vienna. This anxiety must be greatly those gentlemen who served on the committee together with
increased when, in addition to the unavoidable weakness and myself. I have had some communication, however, with one
prostration of the Turkish. Power, it is found that fresh causes or two on the subject of whether these bills ought to be re-
are .brought- into action which are obviously calculated to committed. I. am unable to say what the opinion of others
hasten and insure its utter dissolution. The evils attending may be, but so far as lam concerned, I have no objection
upon uncertainty, expectation, and alarm must be universally, whatever that these bills should be recommitted. It is not
felt throughout Europe. Encouragement will be afforded to, fol• me to-"state what were the precise grounds upon which
projects the most adverse to the general tranquillity ; and the the committee came to the decision to pass this bill ; and it
differentePowers, so far from disarming, will probably augment may be possible that the committee on considering the whole
their warlike- preparations, already too eitensive for a state matter, should these bills be again referred to them, might
of peace. find reasons for • not giving their sanction to one or other of
"IL is only-by a frank and cordial desire on the part of his them.s There Were two other bills before the committee, and
Imperial Majesty to remove all reasonable ground's of suspicion during the sittings a -proposal was made that one of those bills,
and aPprehmesion it is only by a sincere endeavour in con- shouldbe- amalgamated with the other. When I say " amal-
junction with his allies to confirm and perpetuate the repose gamated," I should perhaps rather say that a portion of one
which-has hitherto been enjoyed, and by making this the main .line was to be given up, and that the two parties were ready
objectof-European policy, that we shall be enabled to avert to come to an'agreement upon that point. The hon. member
the threatened dangers. In this salutary work his Imperial
.for Lambeth has asked whether there were not instances
Majesty -will assuredly call to mind the example of his illus- -before the-committee of extremely bad faith on the part of the
trious predecessor; and he will recollect that, whatever may South-Eastern Company. It is true that I have heard charges
have been the glories of his reign, the last ten years of his life, of that sort made, but I certainly cannot take upon myself
devoted exclusively to the preservation of peace, eminently to make so grave a charge against the company, or to lend
entitled him to the gratitude of Europe. my apparent sanction in this house to a charge thus made.
" I am-to instruct your Excellency to read this despatch to: Allegations of that nature were certainly made, and it may
Count Nesselrode, and, if desired, to give his Excellency a be perfectly true thatthey may be capable of substantiation ;
copy. The sentiments of his Majesty are expressed without but lam not prepared to say that evidence was given that
reserve, but with'cordial and friendly feelings. 'They Are et- that was the case. It is perfectly true that several schemes
pressed, too, without previous concert or communication with have been promoted by the South-Eastern Company which
any other Power whatsoever.—l am, &c., have not been eventually carried out. There were great
" ABERDEEN." financial difficulties in the way .of carrying out some of them ;
but whether or not there was a bona fide intention at the
time of carrying them out it is utterly impossible for any
member of the committee to say. At the same time the
South-Eastern Company have had great difficulties to contend
with, in consequence of the obligation originally forced upon
them by the opposition which they met with from the land-
owners, to construct .a line which was, not the most direct
one, and- which has thrown a great expense upon them.
Several schemes since then of a more direct nature have been
brought forward, both by the South-Eastern Company -and
by independent parties, but up to this period I believe that
sufficient capital has never been found to carry out any of
those schemes. One of the lines submitted to the considera-
tion-of-the committee proposed to carry a line into the inte-
rior of Mid-Kent, with the intention no doubt-of carrying it
further at some future period; but in the present state of the
money-market it was not possible to find money to carry out
a scheme of any groat magnitude. The bill, therefore, which
was promoted by certain landowners, only proposed 'carrying
the line to a certain point in Kent, with the possible intention
at a future time, when money should be more plentiful, of
Carrying it further- forward. The line as proposed is not a
very long ono, and the committee thOught that the South-.
Eastern Company had the first claim. There were other
reasons, moreover, which induced the committee to sanc-
tion' the Soutli-Eastein line. It was considered very de-
sirable to relieve the great amount of traffic carried along
the South-Eastern and Brighton lines,. which might be done
by this propoeal; and the committee thought it right in the
course of the investigation to throw out an opinion to this
effect—that it would be desirable when the South-Eastern
Company had carried out this scheme (which it appears has
not met with' the sanction of the shareholders), that they
should' construct a junction with the present main line of the
South-Eastern Company. For myself I have no objection to
the proposed recommittal of these bills. At the same time
r must say that the members of the committee have come to
no conclusion or opinion as to the respective merits of the
two bills which it is proposed now ,to recommit. I see no
other member Of the committee present, and I have no objec-
tion Whatever to offer to.the proposed recommittal. (Hear.)
Mr.-John FOrster—The late board of directors of the South-
Eastern COmpany promoted this bill against the permission
`Of the proprietors, and it was principally the opposition of
the proprietors of this scheme which led to a change of the
direction in March last. Upon coming into office the new
directors did se with the promise of the proprietors, given at
a general meeting, that they would abide by the decision of
the new-beard 'of directors upon this bill. In the meantime
the new board were of course compelled to prosecute the
measure pro forma until they could finally make up their
minds upon the subject. They then determined that it would
not be'expediefit to proceed with the bill in the present state
of the'inoney Market. The accommodation of a certain dis-
fAin llXideKefitewas not thn;lnlyeenatter ateissueerefor the
dTitigref tlite4ou, se et-thee tulfertunge line of railway
-which public Prejudice compelled the South-Eastern Company
to adopt at the time of its first formation must long be the
principal work of the board of directors. This -Bromley
branch, it was considered, would be followed by other mea-
sures for a more direct course through Kent ; but the new
board think that the Bromley branch would not be the most
consonant with the formation of a new line through Kent.
It is, therefore, in order that they may not be committed by
the adoption of that branch to what may not prove to be the
best line for Kent and for themselves that they wish to with-
-draw this bill: It is, of course, open to the hon. member for
Coventry to apply for a recommittal of the other bills, and
it will be open, I presume, to the South-Eastern Company to
represent before the committee their objections to the new
proposed line, the effect of constructing which would be, in
fact, to create an entirely new and conflicting interest in
'Kent. The South-Eastern Company, therefore, can have no
possible objection to the, proposed re-committal of these bills.
Mr. James MacnTegor—l merely wish to explain, lest I
should not have been understood, that I stated explicitly that
the present directors of the South-Eastern Company have not
taken the pleasure of the proprietors upon this question.
The motion-for discharging the order for the third reading
of. the bill was then agreed to.

bill which was upon the table should be discharged, and so
took it entirely oat of their power further to proceed. Un- ,
der these clrenmstancn,. I think that I am justified in asking
the house to recommit the two other bills, in order that the
committee may reconsider the question with the South-Eastern
.proposit!on out of the way, for the landowners of Mid Kent are.
still-desirous of having a railway. They are themselves able
and willing to find the means' for making that railway, and
they only want the sanction of the Legislature that they may
do so. Whatever the state of the money market may be, it 1
does not affect.their means of doing what they ask the house
to permit them to do ; and having the consent of the chair-
Man, and.l believe of the other members of the committee, I
make boll to ask the houSe that it will sanction the re-com-
mittal of those two bills. It will be but justice to those who
promoted "these two bills to do so ; and more than that, I,
think that the house on public 'grounds should not allow
themselves, or any committee of the house, to have state-
ments of that sort made to them, which, I will not sayovere
not intended to be carried out, but which certainly have not
been carried out. It must be recollected that it, is no qUes-
tion now of a difference among the proprietors, for it' was the
same directors who authorised Mr. , Hope Scott to make the
pledgewho themselves subseqUently have come and broken-
that lode, I will not tronble"the-housd at greater length,
'believing- that the statement which 1 have 'made, which is
evidently true, will induce them to aceede-tO the motion.
Mr. Jackson seconded the motion.
Mr. James Macgregor—l own, sir, that I rise with a great
sense of -pain and some embarrassment, because upon this
occasion I have to entreat the indulgence of the house while
I make a statement in my own justification as one of its
members. lam compelled to admit the truthfulness of the
statement which has been made by the hon. member for Co-
ventry, that in the case of a bill promoted by the South-
Eastern. Company for constructing a branch railway from
Lewisham to Bromley, a pledge was given to the committee,
who considered that and the other rival projects, that the
company would proceed bona fide with that bill. Having
'been for many years one of the managers of that company,
I hope the house will forgive me if I ask its attention for a
moment while i acquit myself of being in any way a party
to any breach of faith or offer of any pledge which has not
been maintained. My period of office, as chairman of the
South-Eastern Company, terminated on the 14th of March,
and it then became my duty to hand over the concerns of the
company to the new chairman and to a majority of the board
who might be supposed to differ from me; and I called upon
the counsel who were advising the company to place before
my colleagues their view of the circumstances in which the
company stood with regard to its position as applicants to
this house for new powers. As the statement which was
made by counsel is very short, I hope the house will allow me
to read it, particularly as it is signed by gentlemen who must
be well known almost to every member of this house—Mr.
Hope Scott, Mr. noggins, Mr. Merewether, and Mr. Rodwell.

" rewiiham and Bromley.

" It appears to us of immense importance in the conduct of
this case that counsel should know before the bill is submitted
to the committee what course the board, as now constituted,
is prepared to recommend to the shareholders respecting it.
Should there be any evidence before the committee of a dis-
inclination to prosecute the bill, this circumstance will pro-
bably secure the success of one or both of the rival bills, and
even the absence of a specific assurance that the bill will be
bona fide prosecuted may have the same effect. Counsel for
the Sydenham bill have already raised the question, and it
must be answered. _ _ _

" HENRY ALWORTH MEREWETHER.
"HUNTER RODWELL.
" JAMES R. HOPE SCOTT.
" C. HOGGINS.

" March 16, 1854."
That memorandum, on the part of the counsel, was sub-
mitted to the new board of directors of the South-Eastern
Company, and various meetings and considerations took
place upon it. A subsequent opinion was solicited from
counsel, prior to the decision of the committee being taken,
upon a statement laid before them, and drawn up at a meet-
ing of the rival party. This also being brief, I trust the house
will indulge me by permitting me to read:it
" With reference to the question submitted to us by Mr.
Freeman this afternoon, respecting the terms of arrangement
embodied in a naemorauClum of this forenoon, it appears to us
to involve considerations which are beyond the ordinary pro-
vince of counsel.

" This arrangement palpably tends to alter the position of
the South-Eastern Company as the almost exclusive posses-
sor of Kent, but how far such a measure may be beneficial or
otherwise to the general interests of that company is a mat-
ter of policy which belongs exclusively to the directors.
" Passing over, therefore, this intermediate point, we must
recur to the. considerations which we submitted to the direc-
tors in our last opinion, and request a definitive answer as to
the amount of authority which we possess for . assuring the
committee that the bill (which stands for to-morrow, at 12
o'clock) will be bona fide prosecuted, and its powers executed
by the South-Eastern Company.

" J. R. HOPE SCOTT,
C. HOGOINS,
H. A. MEREWETIIEC,
HUNTER RODWELL
"Monday afternoon, March 20, 1854."
ThiS memorandum, like the preceding one, is signed by Mr.
Hope Scott, Mr. oggins, Mr. Merewother, and Mr. Roclwell.
Now, sir, my anxiety, as a member of this house—a very
humble one certainly, I feel, but still one who wishes to ob-
tain the favour of those hon. members who constitute this
great assembly—my anxiety is, that I shall not be condenined
for any withdrawal from the pledge which was offered to the
committee by Mr. Hope ScOtt in these words. I have the
shorthand-writer's transcript here of his -statement made to
the noble lord the member for South Durham and the other
members of the committee. He said :
" Now, my lord, it is not necessary for me either to
anticipate the evidence which I shall. lay before you, or to
go iu detail into that which has been given. The main
features of the case, I think, I have already laid before
you, and it remains only for me to allude to one matter

SOUTH-EASTERN. RAILWAY COMPANY.

The, West-end and Crystal Palace Railway Company's Bill,
for extending that 'railway from the Crystal Palace to Brom-
ley and Farnborough, pass d the committee of the House of
Connons, Lord Harry. Vane, chairman, on Monday, the
19th instant. • .

We report verbatim the discussion in the House of Corn-
,mous on the withdrawal of the South-Eastern Company's •
Bill for the construction of a branch of six miles from Lewis-
ham to Bromley, which had previously been passed by th 9
smile committee; and which stood for third reading, and on
the recommittal of the bill which has now passe, and of
the Sydenham and Farnborough Bill, both of which had been
thrown out.
IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY.—LEWISHAM TO BROMLEY,
&C., BILL:
Report of debate upon the motion, " That the order for the
third reading be discharged," Juno 9, 1854—
Mr. John Forster moved "that the order for the third read-
ing of the South-Eastern Railway (Lewishani to Bromley, &c.)
Bill be discharged—that the bill be withdrawn."
The question having been put, • •
Mr. (leach said, this motion having been made, it is right
the hOuse should underitand the extraordinary circumstances
connected with this proceeding, They are shortly these.:—
The landowners of Mid-Kent, being desirous for a line of rail-
way from Farnborough to London, promoted- a line during
this session from Farnborough to a junction with the Brigh-
ton Railway, at Sydenham. Another line was promoted with
the same object by the Crystal Palace and West-end Railway
Conipany,-so as to give to the line into Mid-Kent a West-end
terminus. --The South-Eastern Coidpany, after those lines
werefort unaallts, lire
appeared; promoted a line to go from their line at Lewisham
l. rde
od in o
td dug
see course
any t
member
the
to Bromley, as an opposition lino to the other two. They
osafmtheecorominmittiettee.e Un-
now
present, bilt I•may state generally that the question before
thein was,'whether the district of Mid-Kent was likely to be
• better served by the South-Eastern Company or by the land-
owners' line as I,romoted by themselves 7 The landowners were
fearful that in this case, as in previous cases, the South-Eastern
Company had no real intention to make the line; but the com-
mittee, having had that intimation given them, were assured
by Mr - Hope Scott, the counsel, that he was authorised by
the South-Eastern directors to say that they were bona fide
in their intention to make the line, and that if the
committee passed the bill it would be carried out to comple-
tion. That was t ie assurance which was given, whatever
might be the divisions—and there were great divisions in the
South Eastern board upon th4pestion 4,4p,•new board of
directiPaaaptalitONe it;?- Bit;tovhatevOr tho
divrsro *V' Ife'stule seat t- afilihaticialY tbat'.
• ,
nact'agreg-th
antirlino -Mad be carried out ; and
upon that 'question there could be no doubt. Upon the
strength of-that undertaking, the committee, believing that
the district might be better served, and.thiuking also of the
vested interests of the South-Eastern Company, passed the
bill, and reported against the two other opposing bills. With
that decision I was perfectly content, because, having had a
fair consideration before the committee, I believed that they
had 'given their•best attention to the question, and that they,
had come to a decision which they believed to be the right-
one, But they came to it upon the full faith that the South-
Eastern Company really intended what they said, and that
the line would be made as it had been given to the South-
Eastern Company. That bill was passed upon the 22d of
March. In May I heard it rumoured that there was no in-
tention to proceed with the bill; and if there had been such
an intention; they must have gone to the shareholders, under
the Wharncliffs resolution for their assent before going to the
House of Lords, I thought it my duty then to write this
letter to the new chairman of the South-Eastern Company.
(The hon. Member read the letter, which was to the' following
effect :---Although 'their bill for making a railway from Lewis-
ham to Bromley had been passed by a committee of the House
of Commons, upon: the 22d of March, ha was informed that
they had not held the necessary Wharneliffe meeting, and that

which has been used by my opponents. It is, that the
South-Eastern Company are divided among themselves on
this line ; and you have expressions of opinion this way,
and expressions of-opinion that way, and therefore there is no
security at all that the bill will' be ptosecuted and the' line
made. On that subject I have specific instructions from the
board to press this line on your attention, and so beg you to
pass this line ; and those instructions it is my duty to fulfil,
and no insinuations whatever on the part of the other side
can of course be equal to those which are given to me by the
parties who are responsible for the instructions they do give
me, and which I have received specific instructions to lay be-
fore you on this occasion. lam speaking now of a board de-
cision deliberately come to." Now, sir, it is perfectly true
that after a specific vote on the part of a new board-of direc-
tors of the .company, and after that assurance given by Mr.
Hope 'Scott to the noble lord and other members-of the com-
mittee, that same board of directors by a majority decided,
after the noble lord and his colleagues had passed the South-
Eastern (Lewisham and Bromley) Bill, not to proceed with
it ; and I have to ask the favourable consideration of the house
to the statement which I now make, that I was ono of the
majority in promoting the prosecution of that bill, and that
I was one of the minority in differing from my colleagues
when they determined upon abandoning it. (Hear.) Even
here I will venture to express my unqualified regret that a re-
solution so unjust and so impolitic should have been come to
by those who are for the time in power at the South-Eastern
Railway. (Hear.) I cannot oppose the motion of the hon.,
member for Coventry, because I feel that if the South-Eastern
Company had not promoted the Lewisham and Bromley
branch before the committee, his bill would have stood in a
very different position to that in which it was placed by the
assurance which was given to the noble lord by Mr. Hope
Scott. (Hear.)
Lord Harry Vane—l feel, after the statement which h3s
been made in this case by the hon. member for Coventry, and
the confirmation which it has received from the hon. member
who has just addressed us, that I need anticipate ho opposi-
tion to the motion before the house ; but perhaps it may be
thought right that I, as chairman of the committee, should
corroborate the statements which have been made both by the
hon. member for Coventry and the hon. member for Sand-
wich. I think that it is of the utmost importance that good
faith should be preserved before a committee—(cheers)—when
a statement is alleged before a committee with the intention
Of influencing their
.votes —I will not say to what extent such
a statement., might influence them—but when it is offered
with that intention it is of- the highest importance that the
house should visit with the utmost severity any disregard of a
statement so made.- Is m sure that the house will acquit the
hon. member who has just addressed us from any participa-
tion in such conduct; nothing could he more honourable, no-
thing more straightforward than the statement which he has
just made iu his own exculpation, and I am sure the house
will go along with me in saying that he at least is exempt
from any share of blame,in this transaction. With regard to
the motion itself, which "has been made by the hon. member
for Coventry I think, after what we have heard, that no op-
position can be offered to the proposition for the recommit-
ment of these bills. It is quite fair that, inasmuch as another
bill stood in the way of these two bills, which might have in-
fluenced the members of the committee in the finding at which
they arrived, and which bill has not further been proceeded
with—it is quite fair, I say, that an. opportunity should be
afforded to those two other bills of again being subalitted to
the reconsideration of the committee, on the ground that the
other bill being now out of the way, they should be 'considered
upon their own merits. Of course, it will be a matter for se-
rious consideration with the committee how far it will be their
duty to sanction either one proposition or the other ; but
however that may be, I hope-that the house will accede to the
Lotion which has been made for the recommittal Of these

SYDRNIIA.M AND FARNAOROUGII RAILWAY.

-
they had net even issued the.notices for such meeting. See- t Debate on Mr. Geach's Motions; June 15, 1854. ML _
ing that a bill in the same district, promoted by Sir John "That the Sydenham and Farnborough Railway Bill be re- bills. (Hear, hear.)
Lubbock and others, and another by the Crystal Palace Com. . committed to the former committee with leave to sit and Mr. Rich—l rise with no intention at all of opposing the
pang, had been set aside in favour of their bill, he had reason proceed on Monday next. motion which has been made, but being also connected with
to believe that the House-of Commons would accede to a pro- " That the West London and Crystal Palace Railway •(Broin- the railway under discussion, I rise to give my general assent
position to have those two bilis recommitted in the event of ley and Farnborough) Bill be re-committed to the former to the accuracy of the statement which has been made by the
their not prosecuting their bill. If upon the receipt of this committee, with leave to sit and proceed on Monday next." hon. member for Sandwich ; and at the same time to state,
letter they called their Wharricliffe meeting, he should wait Mr.
,Leach—l think it right, sir to offer a vary few that in all those decisions which took place with regard to
the decision of that meeting ; but he should consider any brief reasons- for the motions of which I have given notice. prosecuting the bill before Parliament I voted for carrying it
further delay as conclusive evidence that they did -note in- -In the beginning of this session of Parliament the landowners on, both before the declaration was made to the committee
tend to, proceed, and he should allow no , opportunity to of Mid-Kent, desiring to have railway accommodation, brought and subsequently. So far, therefore, as I myself am eon-
'escape of obtaining the.sanetion of parliament .to the other before the house a bill for making a railway from Sydenham caned, I endeavoured to fulfil the pledge which was given to
bills). Upon the 18th of May I received this re . --0-parnbcrroneeheln Mid-Kent. At the-same time another line the committee. At the same time, I cannot let it be under-
h°D- Member read the reply, which was in substance as of
,railway was projected, communicating with the West-end stood that those who differed froth the opinion which I enter-
follows :—With,refereneo to his letter of the, 11th instant, and crystal-Palle° Railway Coinpany, and also going to Farn- tamed have been guilty of what has been harshly termed, I
he had the -honour to state that tho board had' resolved, in borough. The South-Eastern Railway Company, seeing those think, a breach of faith. There was a change of administra-
consideration of the position of the money market and other two lines projected, themselves proposed a line to go from tion in the affiuirs of the railway—as changes of administration
reasons; not to Proceed further with the Bromley bill during Lewisham to Bromley, which was part of the way into Mid- take place elsewhere—those who are in the minority retiring.
the present session)—the meaning of which of course is that Kent, and serving part of the Purposes which were intended That took place at the very moment when this bill was
they do not intend to proceed with it at all. As to the excuse by the two lines that I have spoken of. In due course those under discussion before the committee. I was present when
of the money market, all I say is, that the money market three lines Were- referred to a committee upstairs ; but in the the decision was come to that we should prosecute the bill ;
was in -a more difficult state when the bill passed or was so- . South-Eastern Railway Company there grew up divisions and the intention of myself and of others was that we should
licited in committee than it was when that letter was written. . among the proprietors as to the policy of their having any honestly and sincerely prosecute it to the last stage. Since
I assure the house that if the other bills had been passed there further extensions, and it appeared that these who were op- then whatever a further insight inJtoatiho.ohatffa.irs of the company
would have been plenty of means to have made those lines. posed to additional extension obtained a majority, and re- may have impressed upon them I canuot say, but undoubtedly
There would haVe been no excuse of the money market upon moved from office those directors who had promoted the they have changed their views. It may bo that npon subse-
their part, and the inhabitants of Mid-Kent would have got Lewisham 'and Bromley line. It was then supposed by the quent consideration they may see other means of.promoting
the advantage of a line of railway. I will not trouble . the landowners-of Mid-Kent that the line. which had been pro- the general interests of the railway and of the county of Kent,
house further alien the subject, but I beg that the committee posed by the South-Eastern Company would be abandoned ;in having a railway passed through that county in connection
may ho again asked to reconsider the other bills which were and when they 'came before the committee still to urge the with localinterests with the Brighton Company and thatwhi h
submitted to them. • I believe that by the forms of the house passing of th'at bill, the circumstances of the SOuth-Eastern the hon. member for Coventry represents. All this, or other
bin, will take place before the
I am entitled. to make such a motion„and 1- hope, after what . Company were stated, and a doubt. was expressed whether- considerations, may have.weighed with those hon. gentlemen,
has occurred on-the part of the South-Eastern Company, that they' were boem-pc in their intention to accept tlye bill, and and induced them to take a step to which lam opposed,
that motion will meet with the sanction of the house, so far to carry it out. . Upon that state of things the' counsel erne : Whilst I opposed it, however, I-am bound to say that -I do
as to; allow Committee to reconsider the bills. I hope that ployod by the South-Eastern Company, Mr.dlope Scott, stated., not think that they were at all animated by a
upon n.v!desireeco
-thosO iiitehas that came here, and were willing at once to to the committee that he was authorised by the new directors from their words, or to cast any
toti4deliberato decision of Parliament, will not be al- 'of the Soutr-Eastern Railway Company, to state that what- which was presided over by the noble lord tu
o
lowed to suffer by the South Eastern Company having come ever differerdes 'there might have been, they Tied now conic South Durham', [only trust in the future d '
the
fur'
lowed
iseuss:one which
forward 'at time when there was an. object to serve, and then te, the conchielort ' that it was right to prosecute that• • with
. • •committee, that no i 1-feeling'
abandoningerthe ground immediately they found that that 010- and that if Wshoull be given by .the committee it would be , regard to the interests of the 'company at large will operate
_lett was wirved. .. Upon that . : accepted„and the line would be rustle. the cony-1 upon that committee. lam sure indeeCl, that that will not
Mr. James ma'egregor.—ln the last session of Parliament a Mittee, after -having heard the oVidenee upon all the ' be the case, for whatever the acts' of that direction may have
bill for the same object as the one now referred to was peo_C. schemes,. determined that the right thing Was to give the line I been, it will be remembered. that some 8,060,0001., °r
rooted by the South-Eastern Company, with the assent and to.the Soutii:Feestern CoMpany. With tehil did not quarrel ; 1 9,000,009/. of the property of the company are
concurrence of the Brighton Company. That bill was pro- because, being interested in one of the other lines,l felt that jeopard,,, ,
meted upon the unanimous vote of the then existing board of we had had "a fair hearing, that the committee had come to a terests of the shareholders and not to any single vote come
directors of the Soutii-Eastepi Company. ' Subsequently the fair conclusion. , They believed that the South-EastOn teom- to, perhaps'' • ' body of directors at the Wile
rather hastily, by a
introduced ,
Brighton Company a bill into the house for an pany would best serve the
.district, aul. 'therefore th,y gave in office.
amalgamation between that company and the Soutle•Western the line to the South-Eastern Company, and they took their . The first-motion was then put and agreed to. „ ..., ....
J witieb. must be considered with reference tolat.'heed.inin-
Company; and io order. to prevent strife with the Brighton bill. 'The bill pasied upon the 22d March.; but finding upon Upon the second motion being put,
Company, the South-Eastern withdrew their bill last session' the 11th May that they had not taken the necessary proceed-
1 Mr. Greene said —I merely rise because sonic misapprehen-
for constructing a line from Lewisham to Bromley.' UPan the rugs for calling the meeting under the Wharncliffe order, be- 1 sion exists upon the subject out of doors. It is my own opi-
present
.occasion, in preparing for this session of Parliament, fore they could proceed with the bill in the House of Lords, ! niou, and I believe it is also yours, sir, that what a bill is
a large majority of the board of directors of the South- ' I thought it my duty to write to the new chairman of the recommitted to a former committee, act of the house over-
Eastern Company again promoted a bill for constructing a South-Eastern Railway Company the following letter. (First rules all the acts of the general committee upon railways, and
branch line from Lewisham to Bromley ; and I may say that letter read by Mr. Goaeh in the House of Commons in the that the committee may be re-appointed as before, even
that was done after the fullest consideration. A change took debate on the 9th of June.) In reply to that I received the though some of the members may have been struck off by the
place in the board of direction, and in the chairman of the following from Sir John Campbell, the chairman of the south- i general committee from further serving.
. South:Eastern Company. The new board of directors consi- Eastern Company. (Second letter read by Mr. (leach on the 1 Mr. Rich—l beg to make one observation which, in the
dered this question, and as has been stated by the hon. mem, same occasion.) In confirmation of that determination, the hurry of the moment, I omitted to make before. It is that
her for Coventry, they instructed their counsel Mr. H. Scott, hon. member for Berwick-upon-Tweed on Friday last came to.' those directors whew conduct is under consideration of the
; formally to pledge themselves to the committee, of which the house, to move that the order for the third reading of the house entertain a Lona fide desire to carry a railway through