The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-17 00:00:00

(LEFT SITTING:)

. HOUSE OF COMMONS--(THIS EVENING.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
• PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The following, bills were ordered to be considered and
rea;d'a third time :=—Great North of Scotland Railway,
Methwold Drainage, and South Devon and Tavistock
Railway Bill.
The: Earl of Eglinton'a Estate Bill and Stainforth's
Estate Bill were read a second. time.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MARRIED WOMEN.
Mr PHINN asked the Solicitor-General whether
the attention of Government had been directed to seri-
ous difficulties which had arisen from supposed errors
in taking the acknowledgment of married women under
the Fines and Recoveries Act.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said a bill for this
purpose had been laid upon the table of the House of
Lords by the Lord Chancellor three or four days ago
it:stood for a second reading this evening, and would no
dotsbt come down in a short time to this house.
THE WAR SUPPLIES.
Lord J. RUSSELL on moving that the speaker leave
the chair for the purpose of going into committee of sup:-
pty, gave notice that some day next week he should
"niove a committee of the whole house for the purpose of
asking for a vote of credit to enable the Government to
carry on the war. He could not state now what the
amount of the credit would be, but an estimate of it
should be laid on the table before Thursday.
Mr. WA.LPOLE wished to know whether a commit-
tee of ways and means would-be also-moved with a view
of furnishing the means for raising this credit.
Lord J. RUSSELL replied in the negative.
, _ CORK HARBOUR.
Mr. MA.GUIRE called the attention of the Govern-
anent to the necessity of providing a floating hospital for
Cork' harbour. The hon. gentleman entered into a
variety of details of emigrant ships being driven into
Cork harbour, the passengers of which were suffering
from cholera and lever, and a vast number of deaths
occurred, owing to the want of a floating hospital to re-
ceive the sick and infected passengers.
Sir J. -YOUNG said the people who ought to pay for
this floatinc, hospital were the people of Cork, who de-
rved such important advantages from the visits of
foreign vessels trading to that port. In similar
cases which occurred at, Belfast, the people of
that town had transferred the infected to hospitals on
shore; and thereby prevented the spread of the disease;
and he thought.the people of Cork ought to do the same
Colonel DUNNE said tlie.ans*er of the Secretary for
Ireland was the. most extraordinary he ever heard, and
' he maintained that in such cases the cost ought to fall
on the general funds of the country, as a large majority
of the sick persons driven into Cork harbour belonged
to England and Scotland, and not to Cork.
Mr. J. BALL said the conduct of the chief magis-
_trate of Belfast was not justified legally in taking the
step held up for praise by the Secretary for Ireland, in
removing cholera patients from ships into the town.
• Mr. LIDDELL said the hon, member for Dungar-
von was perfectly justified in bringing. this subject before
the house, and he could not but join with the honk
and gallant member (Col. Dunne) in expressing his ex-
treme surprise and disappointment at the answer which
the hon. Secretary for Ireland thought fit to give to this
application. At a time like this, when an outbreak of
cholera was imminent, if it had not already occurred,
were they to be told that at such a port as Cork, where
emigrant ships infected with that fatal disease, were con-
tinually being driven in ; provision to prevent its spread-
ing must be made by the people of Cork themselves,
when it was so eminently the duty of the Government.
Mr. L'UCA.S expressed surprise that no other mem-
ber of the Government, except the Secretary for Ireland,
had risen to state in whose depbaer,timdeent this subject lay.
Tne answer given was totally
C:ty of Cork benefitted nothing bye
thofose the
erTiTan
Belfa'sst, n rhei°en ; the
rto
I
and it appeared that, as in the
cas
could be provided by local means for those calamities,
except by breaking the law. (Rear, hear.)
Sir G. GREY admitted it was a subject of great im-
portance to provide for such distressing cases, but itwas
believed that a floating hospital yeas not the best for
per-
sons attacked with cholera or fever. Some accornrao-
dation ought to be established onshore, and he believed '
a hulk would not answer the purpose. He trusted
something might be done on this important subject.
Mr. MAGUIRE said if the Government gave any
promise that they would take the' matter up he should
not bring on any motion on the subjec:.
Lord J. RUSSELL said the matter should be in-
quired into, but he could give no specific promise on the
question.
Mr. MAGUIRE said, in that case he should on a
future day bring on his motion: .
The subject then dropped.
THE ENCLOSURE COMMISSIONERS'
OFFICE.
Mr. AGLIONBY drew attention to the inexpediency
of removing this office and its valuable contents from its
present site in Whitehall-gardens, to make room for the
new Minister for War.
as found
Mr. WILSON said it was not' till it w
im-
possible to procure a fitting site for the new department
of the Minister for War, that the- Government had de,
termined on removing the Enclosure Commissioners
°Mee to St. Jaines'L-square, as it was desirable to have
the office of the War Minister near Downing-street.
COUNT PAHLEN-
Ur. I. BUTT said he had a notice on the paper, but
as he understood that the house was anxious to go into
committee of supply, and as he 'had been given to un-
derstand that if he did not press his motion now he
should have an opportunity of bringing it on afterwards,
Under those circumstances he felt it would not be right
of him to occupy at present the time of the house.
(Hear, hear.)
The house then went into committee of supply.
MINISTER OF WAR.
Lord J. RUSSELL then rose to move the vote for
the expense of the Minister of War until the 31st of
March next, and in doing so the noble lord recalled to
the recollection of the committee the fact that the ap. •

?ointment-of- such-officer- had -almost-been enforced- by
Parliament. Until this year the duties of such a Minister
had been-disThayged by•the Secretary of State for-the
Colonies ; but since the last war the business of the
colonies had 'so much increased that it was now found im•
possible to keep the ta-o offices of Minister of War and
the Colonies 'united. Under these circumstanced, Go-
vernmentliall had no alternative but to divide theie two
departments, and considering that important questions
might arise both with regard to the colonies and the
great war hi which the country was engaged, which
would require lengthy explanations in Parliarnent,l there
could hardlY be a doubt that this new arrangement
would prove to be for the public advantage. (Hear.)
With regard to a second question which hack arisen in
connection with this subject, namely, the consolidation
of all the military departments, and placing them under
the control of one supreme head, he had to state that it
had engaged the serious attention of the GOvernment.
(Hear, hear.) There could be no doubt that the com-
missariat department, which was vested with the Trea-
sury, should be placed under the control of the Minister
of War; and, therefore, besides having the general
management of the operations of the war, this new
office would henceforth have to undertake the super-
vision of the commissariat department. (Hear,
hear.) The Duke of Wellington was of opinion
that the proper military adviser of the Government
should be the Master-General of the Ordnance, but -it
was quite clear that such an officer could not be expected
to undertake the management of the civil affairs con-
nected with the army' generally. For instance, he
could not be expected to undertake to decide
where the barracks of the country should be established,
which involved both civil and military considerations,
and so with regard to the military arrangements of the
colony, which would more properly fall within the province
of the Minister of War who was closely connected with
the Government of the. day, than the Master-General of
the Ordnance, or the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces,
who was generally appointed without any reference to
their political predilections. (Hear,) Again, the same
mode of reasoning applied to the questioir of fortifica-
tions abroad as well as at home, and in ordei; that 'the
best information should be collected on these subjects
for the guidance alike of Government and Parliament,
it would be nlecessary that' they should he all brought
within the jujisdiction Of the Minister of War. At pre-
sent, however, he was not prepared to give an outline
of all the changes that would have to be made,
because they dad not all been determined on yet, but
this much he ;could say,- that whatever change could con-
duce to the pithlic advantage would be made without
any oppositiOn from any member of the Govern-
ment. It' wad not proposed to make any change
in the management of the militia, which, while dis-
embodied, remained under the control of the Home-
office, but when,it was embodied the management would
be transferred to the Commander-in-Chief. In a word,
then, the chahge it was purposed to make for the future
would be honied -upon this idea, that whiletle military
diieipline and patronage of every part of,the army should
be left in the, handrof -our military chiefs, the civil af-
fairs of ail. branches of the service would be transferred
to the Minister •of War, who would be responsible to
Parliament fOr every shilling that might have to be ex-
pended for the use of the country. (Hear, hear.)
There were two offices, now vacant connected with the
Ordnance Department, which hitherto had been held by
persons with; seats in the house, namely, the! Surveyor
of the Ordnance, and the Secretary to the Master
General ; but it was not -intended to fill,
these up for the present at least. In con4lusion the
noble lord asked the committee to leave this question in
the hands of the Government, and to vote this estimate
provisionally. (Hear.)
Sir J. PAKINGTON had listened with astonishment
to the statement of the noble lord, which had failed to
disclose the views of the Government on this,timpertant
subject. - • ; •

[LEFT SP' AKING.I

RAILWAY INTELLIGEItCE.

LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.

- - 7- • • - -
The following Report is to be submitted to `the special.
general meeting, to be held on Saturday net, the 22d
July.
At the half-yearly general meeting of the c mpany in
February last;-the attention of the_proprietorswas called
"to various schemes affecting the company's interests, for
the promotion of which bills were about to be introduced
into Parliament,and a resolution was passed at that meet-
ing, requesting lha-.Directbrs " to watch the progress of
these several schemes, and authorising them to take all
such steps respecting thekn as in their judgment they
should deem most advisable."

Among the schemes referred to was one, for the making
of a railway, by a totally independent company, from the
terminus of the South-Western Company's Basingstoke
and Salisbury Railway, at Salisbury, to Yeovil—being.
the same line which the South-Western Company was au-
thorised to construct, by their Salisbury and Yeovil Act
of 1848.

The bill, as introduced into Parliament by the new com-
pany, proposed to enable them to run, with their own
engines and carriages, over the entire system of the South-
Western Railway, with a provision that, in case of dif-
ference as to the amount, or consideration to be paid to
the South-Western Company, for such use of their lines,
all questions affecting the exercise of such powers, should
be referred to an arbitrator appointed by the Board of
Trade. In addition to these extensive, onerous, and dan-
gerous powers, hitherto so unusual in bills promoted under
similar circumstances, authority was also sought, directing
the arbitrator to .take into consideration the amount of
benefit likely to accrue. to the South-Western Company
by the construction and opening of the new line of rail-
way. _ _

To the granting of such powers the directors entertained,
and, of course, took measures to express in Parliament,
their strongest objection. In consequence of their oppo-
sition, the clauses introduced with these objects were ex-
punged from the bill by the committee, who substituted in
lien, provisions of a strictly and merely permissive cha-
racter, with the consent of the directors, for the purpose
of enabling the two companies to enter into such working
and other arrangements, as they may deem mutually
beneficial.

The authority given to the directors by the resolution of
the meeting in February, might have been deemed suffi-
cient to have justified their sole action in the matter, but,
as the standing orders of the House of Lords necessitate a
meeting to approve of the proposed clauses, it has been
deemed advisable so to constitute the meeting that the
proprietors may consider and determine the whole question.
The first object of the ensuing meeting will be to approve
formally of these clauses, and on this questiun there can be
no difference;of opinion. the simple enactment of enabl-
ing provisions cannot be otherwise than ucefel.
The next object for consideration will be, whether the
particular terms of arrangement which the directors re-
commend, are such as the proprietors will approve. The
directors have strictly declined any alliance with the pro-
moters of the new undertaking which would involve the
company in any extension, • either of expenditure or liabil-
ity. The new line is to ba constructed by and at the risk
of the new company. The directors think it right to add,
that with the affairs of the now company or its expenses,
in or -out of -Parliament, they have had nothing to do,
dh ectly or indirectly.
The arrangement, which it is proposed that this com-
pany shall make with the new company, on their obtain-
ing their act without the objectionable running powers
against which the company petitioned, is to make theni
an allowance in respect of all traffic brought by their line
on to the South-Western line at Salisbury, provided such
traffic be brought from a point on the Salisbury and
Yeovil line, distant ten miles at least beyond, or west
of Salisbury, and, also, that such traffic be conveyed
the whole distance over the company's line to London,
or to within ten
.miles of London. It is proposed that
such allowance shall be 25 per cent., on the gross re-
ceipts by this company from such traffic, not in any
year to exceed 5,0001. And that it shall cease altogether
on the new company's gross traffic, on their own line,
reaching 40,0001. during the time it is a single line, or
45,0001. if the new line be made a double line; and the
term of such arrangement is limited to ten years, in con-
formity with the provisions in the act.

The above constitute the main features of the proposed
arrangement, and the directors recommend them to the
shad eholders for adoption.
Having thus briefly noticed the principal features of the
proposal, the directors have only in conclusion to express
their hope, that the proprietors will recognise in them
terms which may be adopted not only with perfect con-
sistency as regards the past, but which aro also intrinsically
beneficial, and proper to be concluded with a view to the
future prosperity of the company.
By order of the Court of Directors,
L. CROMBlEl,Secrotary.
York-road Offices, July 13, 1834.

CALEDONIAN.

The adjourned special meeting of this company was
held on Friday at the London Tavern, to consider a bill
now before Parliament for authorising working arrange-
ments between the Caledonian and Edinburgh and Glas-
-1 gow Railway, and an amalgamation of the two com-
panies. Mr. Copling, a director, was called to the
chair.
The CHAIRMAN' explained that the object of holding
of whom ofthe
the adjourned meeting in London was to obtain the
opinion
majority of the shareholders, three-fourths
resided in. England south of York. A very
large amount of the stock was held in London, and it
was therefore considered the most
central place to hold
a meeting of the company. He believed that it was of
the utmost importance to the Caledonian shareholders
that they should reject
i" . the bill. Their former highly-.
respected chairman,
.A Duncan was opposed to the
bill, as the operation oft
it, it stnctioned, would be highly
injurious to the proprietors
oforiginal shares.
in the
A discussion ensued,of
board o f whheilcdh
ait
largowas
amount of Edinburgh and Glaw-ow Railway stated that parties at the head
and were therefore highly
and Forth
and Clyde Canal shares,
iSe edral large-share
inte-
rested in carrying the measure
holders had sold their stock in ti,e, Calvt.
in order to save their property from effects'theni'ilCompany
amalgamation \bill. Ooe gentleman who held of
the
protested against the measure, but, fearing that iBt°w'f°o°iCilid.
oroxthe
be carried through the efforts of the majority
board, sold out the whole of his stock. The proxies
held by Messrs. Copling and Campbell against the mea-
sure represented 523,000/. of ordinary, and 125,0001. of
preference stock, while the directors at present
held proxies representing 601,0001. ordinary and
43,0001. preference stock in favour of the bill.
The standing orders of the House of Lords required
a majority of three-fourths of the stock represented
at the meeting to carry the measure ; and in order to
do so the directors would require proxies representing
an additional sum of 2,000,0001. of capital. The bill
being under examination, and not having passed the
committee of the House of Commons, the meeting was
adjourned to Thursday next at the London Tavern.
A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the pro-
ceedings. • .

THE_ SUN,

THE WAR.