The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-26 00:00:00

considered a moss b satisfactory bill, both in its bearing on
civil and religion' 3 liberty and the satisfactory government
of Canada. A vs ay important measure was also brought
forward by Lord J Olin Russell with reference to the Island
of Jamaica, a color ay as to the government of which great
dissatisfaction had for a long time prevailed. Important
changes are proposed for the government of that colony,
giving it, as nearly as possible, the same form of respon-
sible government as that which has been so successful, and
given so much satisfaction to the inhabitants of the North
American provinces. Numerous other bills of minor im-
portance were passed. As respects Scotland, several im-
portant bills have been brought forward and passed. That
which occupied most attention in committee and in
the house has been the Sheriff Courts Bill—a bill that,
although it
greatly amends the present system by dis-
pensing in the first instance with written pleadings, still
leaves behind the great, anomalous, and pernicious evil of
a resident and non-resident sheriff ; and I would say until
this evil be removed, until the Sheriff Courts are assimi-
lated as nearly as possible to the County Courts of Eng-
land, I fear that the people of Scotland cannot be satisfied
with the law as it now stands. After alluding in a cur-
sory way to one or two other topics connected with the
proceedings of the last session of Parliament, Mr. Mac-
gregor made special reference to the wav in which Scot-
land was neglected, in comparison with other parts of the
country, by those at the head of the administration of af-
fairs. He showed that while Scotland, since the Union,
had paid her fall proportion of taxes for the support of the
Government she had not shared like England or Ireland in
monetary grants for national, educational, institutional, or
other public purposes. While Manchester, Dublin, and
London continuously obtained grants to public parks and
other institutions, Glasgow was altogether overlooked.
(Hear, hear.) Great injustice and unfairness had been done
to Scotland ; and he complained loudly of the wretched
and niggardly conduct of the Government with regard to
our Glasgow Post-office, which he cited as a sample of the
mode in which the just claims of Scotland were treated by
those in power. After referring to the good effects likely
to result from the appointment of a Secretary of State for
Scotland, Mr. Macgregor concluded a long and able speech
by cordially thanking the meeting for the patience with
which they had listened to him, and resumed his seat
amidst loud and continued expressions of applause.
Bailie GILMOUR then rose, and moved a vote of thanks
to the hon. member—first, for his preliminary or introduc-
tory remarks, which formed a succinct narrative of the
proceedings on which are based all our civil and religious
liberties 2 • 2d, his observations as to what had transpired
for sometime previous to the session just expired ; and,
3d, and most important, for an epitome of the business ac-
complished during a session the most brilliant, in the course
of which has been passed more beneficial legislation than
during any other session (excepting the Reform Bill in 1832)
since the days of Pitt and Fox—(cheers)—and which has
shown that the present Government comprises as great a
galaxy of talent as the Governments of these remarkable
and eloquent statesmen. Although he (Bailie Gilmour)
did not vote for the hon. member at last election, he did
not vote against him, having voted for his friend Mr. Hastie
alone ; but the hon. gentleman undertook the duties,
explained his principles, conscientiously acted up to them ;
and he is entitled to our sincere gratitude, not only for
doing so, but for coming here this evening to redeem the
pledge which he had solemnly made. (Cheers.) It is a
sheartless task,pu bli
oh,o
ifw e
yv
oe ru,
dt o strive
o notr we tvh all y e
even
eno u might
thanks
r
n do
the hearts of the hon. gentleman's constitutents would be
as callous as the nether mill-stone if they did not return to
him their warmest thanks for his eminent services. But
he knew that the hearts of his fellow-citizens were formed
of the proper stuff, and he moved that this meeting tender
to the hon. member their warm, grateful, and sincere ac-
knowledgments for his consistent and assiduous attention
to their interests in Parliament.
Mr. Mom seconded the motion of Bailie Gilmour. Mr.
Macgregor had set an excellent example to his colleague,
Mr. Misfit) ; and he hoped that although Mr. Hastie was
not present, he would not be slow to follow the course
taken by Mr. Macgregor on this occasion ; for he believed
it to be of the utmost importance that a cordial, friendly,
and right understanding should subsist at all times between
a representative and his constituents.
The motion having been put from the chair, was carried
unanimously.
_ _

Mr. MACGREGOR then shortly acknowledged the compli-
ment, and returned his sincere thanks for the expression
of approval that had just been given of the manner in
which he had humbly discharged his duties in Parliament.
A vote of thanks having been tendered to the chairman
for his conduct in the chair, the meeting broke up shortly
after 10 o'clock.