The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-23 00:00:00

THE COUNTY RATES BILL.

Mr. M. GIBSON, in moving the second reading
of this bill, said the subject to which it referred
was so little a novelty that it was unnecessary
to trouble the house with any lengthened observa-
tions. The question as to controlling county ex-
penditure had been before Parliament for nearly twenty
years. The present bill assumed no party character,
and it was supported by members on both sides of the
house. It might, in fact, be called a Liberal-Conserva-
tive measure, for it made certain concessions to the re-
presentative principle at the same time that it reserved
to the magistrates considerable power, and did not in the
smallest degree trench on their judicial authority. After'
four committees of the house had all concurred in the
principle of the bill, he thought it ought to have been
taken in hand by the Executive Government, and not
be "left in the charge of a single independent mem-
ber ; but as the Government had shown no dis-
position to carry forward the measure, he felt
bound to do so, having taken lately a prominent part
in regard to the settlement of this, very important ques-
tion. The bill was the same as the one which obtained
the approval of the committee in 1851, with the excep-
tion of some slight alterations, which, however, did
not interfere with the main provisions. (Hear,
heai-.) He trusted the house would not send the
bill to a select committee, for rather than undergo
again a torturing inquiry before such a tribunal, he
would rather that it be thrown out on the second read-
ing ; for every inquiry that was necessary had been made,
and the house was now in a situation to legislate upon
the question in a satisfactory manner.
Lord IPALMERSTON said he fully admitted
the importance of the measure, as it not only
involved the control of citinty expenses, but also
the management of the police prisons and lunatic asy-
lums, which might be said to be great national institu-
tions. (Hear.) The bill likewise involved the feelings
and opinions of that invaluable class of men—the unpaid
magistrates of the country. He was ready on the part
of the Government to acquiesce in the principle
of representative control as it had been completely
admitted in former sessions of Parliament, but
he would only give his assent to the :second
reading' on the understanding that the bill 'should
be brought back to the arrangements contained in the
bill of 1851, except so far as concerned the alteration
made by the hon. member- of confining the election of
the financial boards to the elected guardians, which he
thought was a decided improvement. He was of
opinion that if the bill passed it would not in-
fluence a very large amount of county expenditure,
as by far the greatest portion of the annual expenses of
counties arose out of matters which were controlled by
acts of Parliament, and with respect-to which thetmagis-
trates could not exercise any judicial power. He hope 3,
however, that, in acceding to the second reading, it would
not be supposed that the Government had any distrust
whatever in the unpaid magistrates. He did not think
that they had in any degree been inattentive to the proper
application of the funds which were entrusted to their
management; but, at the same time, he believed that the
arrangements of the bill would be more satisfactory and
agreeable to the country, though they would not effect
any material saving. It had been suggested that, as
the bill was likely to be.repugnant to the feelings of the
magistrates, it would be better to make it optional, and
not permissive, leaving the option to a majority of guar-
dians of putting it into operation in particular counties.
As many counties were not favourable to county boards,
it would be well to take that recommendation into con-
sideration when the bill came before the committee.
Mr. FRESHFIELD thought that financial county
boards were unnecessary and would be productive of
much mischief. He would have been more satisfied if
_ _

the noble lord had framed a less objectionable bill. A
county board could in no way promote the interest of the
county.
Sir B. HALL concurred with the noble lord that this
measure would give general satisfaction, even although
the expenditure might be diminished. n the county of
Middlesex the people wished to have some control over
the connty expenditure. The plurality of votes would
be abolished. by the. present measure. This measure
ought to be a compulsory and not a permissive one.
Boards of guardians would probably elect a magistrate
who they saw inclined to do his duty.
Sir JOHN PAKINGTON had listened with great sa-
tisfaction to what had fallen from the noble lord.
(LEFT SITTING.)

ELECTION COMMIT TEES-(THIS DAY.)

CHATHAM.

The committee re-assembled this morning at eleven
o'clock.
William Weller examined—Shortly before the last
election, I was living as servant boy with Mr. Hoskins,
a baker at New Brompton, nez.lr Chatham. I remember
one day being at dinner with my roaster and mistress,
when Sir F. Smith came in to canvass my master for
his vote. 4 My master went out into the shop, but I heard
what passed. Sir Frederick told my master that he
would get him a situation on the railway if he would
vote for him. My master said he wanted a situation in
the dockyard, and Sir Frederick said he would get him
one if he would vote for him. My master agreed', and
Sir Frederick went away.
Cross-examined—I did not see Sir Frederick, but my
master told me it was Sir Frederick. I did not know
the sound of his voice, nor should I know it now.
Mr. Sergeant Wrangham appealed to the committee
whether this boy's statement were evidence.
After a short discussion, it was agreed to strilyl out
the whole evidence of this witness.
Several other witnesses were examined, but no
evi-
dence of importance was elicited.