The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-04 00:00:00

lege of Roman Catholics was consistent, how far the pay-
ment of Roman Catholic chaplains might be reconciled
with that Protestant constitution—how far, in all respects,
the limits of this Protestant constitution should be ex-
tended, and how far it could be reconciled with the general
principle of civil and religions liberty. I, however, cannot
promise the right hon. gentleman, nor can I hold out a
prospect, that so gigantic a task will be undertaken by the
Government. I certainly have not had great encourae-
ment to undertake matters of this kind this session, be.
cause with regard to one of them I did propose that we
should have equality with regard to the members of this
house, that when we came to the table to be sworn, there
should not be a distinction as to the religious opinions and
persuasions of members, but that they should all take oae
civil oath. I found a very great opponent in the right
hon, gentleman, and the course taken by the right hort.
gentleman has discouraged me, and I must say that I am
not disposed to bring in a code beginning with the rights
of man and ending with the privileges of each religions
community. (Cheers and laughter.)
After a few words from Mr. NEWDEGATE, the committee
divided—

•
For the motion
Against it lOB
Majority --65
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the charges and payment set forth in Schedule
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regulate the Office of the Receipt of the Exchequer at
Westminster,' in the same manner as all other sums voted
for any specified branch of the public service."
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER could not
consent to this clause, the effect of which he doubted
whether the right hon. gentleman or the person who had
drawn it was aware.
Mr. HUME suggested that the present regulations should
be allowed to remain force until the whole qiestion had
been considered. He trusted that their retention, how-
ever, might only be temporary.
Mr. DISRAELI saw no reason why, because it was
desirable to have a full and ample inquiry, that he should
be supposed to agree in crude measures. (Hear, hear.) It
was for the committee to decide whether this sum of
4,000,000/. of new estimates, now brought for the first
time under the control of Parliament, should be subjected
to the same restrictions (as the rest of the revenue with
regard to its issue and appropriation. If the financial re-
formers were not disposed to support him in this—(a
laugh)—he should not press his proposal to a division.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
under the present law all sums granted to the Crown went
through the routine of the Exchequer.
The clause was negatived without a division.
Mr. V. SCULLY proposed an additional clause, which
was negatived 'without a division.
Mr. DISRRELI then moved the insertion of a clause
relating to quarterly warrants, which was eventually with-
drawn.

Mr. DISRAELI then proposed the following clause :
In preamble, after " whereas," line 1, insert, "it is ex-
pedient that the gross tevenue of the departments of Cu'.
toms, Inland Revenue, and Post-office should be paid into
the Exchequer, with the exception of such sums as may be
necessary to be retained in order to defray the charges of
drawbacks, repayments, pensions, and superannuations
heretofore charged upon and paid oat of the said branches
of the public revenue, and whereas."
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was bound
to take the same course with this as with the right hon.
gentleman's previous amendment.
Mr. BOYER said the right hon. gentleman had received
credit in consequence of the belief that his bill dealt with
the Customs, and required that the gross revenue should
be paid into the Exchequer.
The amendment was then negatived.
In reply to Mr. HUME,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER hoped, in
reference to the unfortunate case of Mr. Swabey, it was one
of the consequences of the system, adopted of late years, of
placing charges on the Consolidated Fund, and also of giv-
ing the supreme control of public money to persons ap-
pointed for other purposes, such as judges of courts. He
thought it would be wise to review the acts under which
public money was held, with a view to revision.
The bill was then reported to the house.
COURT OF CHANCERY.
The house then went into committee on the Court of
Chancery Bill, and the bill was reported.
MEDICAL GRADUATES (IRELAND AND
SCOTLAND).
The adjourned debate on this bill was moved by Colonel
DUNNE, who was glad to hear the subject was to be taken
up, but he hoped it would be taken up before next session.
Tho bill was withdrawn.

CAPITI7LAR AND ECCLESIASTICAL ESTATES.
The report of this bill was then considered, and a new
clause moved by Mr. E. DENISON.
After some further discussion the clause was negatived
without a division.
A clause prescribing the rate at which the expectation of
life was to be calculated was then agreed to ; and the bill,
haring passed through committee, was reported, and was
ordered to stand for a third reading.
THE CUSTOMS ACT.
The house then resolved itself into a committee on the
Customs Act.
The resolution relative to the duty on hops having been
put,
___

Air. FREWEN asked what was the ground on which
the alteration of the duty on foreign hops was proposed ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied that
there was great reason to anticipate a scarcity of hops dur-
ing the coming year, and in consequence of that anticipa-
tion, the Government, following the usual practice in such
cases, recommended that there should be a temporary re-
mission of the duty on foreign hops.
Mr. FREWEN moved that " hops" be left out of the
list, unless the Government would agree to reduce the
excise duty on British hops to four-ninths of the present
amount.

Mr. BASS should be surprised to hear any gentleman
representing barley-growing districts opposing this propo-
sition.
Mr. FREWEN—I wish to put a question to the hon.
member for Derby. Has he not within the last twelve
days been making bets that the duty would amount to
more than 150,0001.?
Mr. BASS —Certainly not. (A laugh.)
The committee then divided on Mr. Frewen's propeal•
tion—

Ayes
Noes
Majorit,

• 2l
61

y against
—4O
The resolution was then agreed to, and ordered to be
reported ; and
The house resumed.

MERCHANT SHIPPING BILL.
The Lords' amendments to this bill were considered and
agreed to, which the exception of clause C, which was
agreed to.

TOWNS IMPROVEMENT (IRELAND) BILL.
The Lords' amendments were considered and agreed to.
The house adjourned at two o'clock.