The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-15 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS-(YESTERDAY.)

UNIVERSITIES (SCOTLAND) BILL.
Lord ELCHO moved the second reading of this bill.
Sir R. H. INGLIS contended that the measure was
neither more nor less than one to dissolve a solemn con-
tract entered into between England and Scotland at the
time of the union. He denied the truth of the alle-
gation in the preamble that the present law was
unsuited to existing circumstances in Scotland, and said
he could only attribute the bringing forward of the bill
to those who believed that whatever is is wrong ; be-
lieving that, if it passed, it would be hazardous to the
existence of the Established Church of Scotland, he
concluded by moving as an amendment that it be read
a second time this day six months.
Col. BLAIR seconded the amendment.
Lord ELCHO opposed the amendment, believing that
the bill was reasonable and just, and the opposition to
it unreasonable and unjust. He looked upon the main-
tenance of university tests as a snare and a danger, rather
than a bulwark to the Church—a snare because it would
induce the Church to rely more upon legislative enact-
ments for its security than on its hold on the feelings
and affections of the people, and a danger because it
would embitter sectarian differences, and unite those
who were not in communion with the Church in oppo-
sition to it. He considered not only that the majority
of the people of Scotland, but also the majority of
Churchmen in that country, were in favour of the pro-
posed change. In his opinion, the bill was conceived in
the spirit of the age, for its object was to extend the
benefits of education, and to remove religious disqualifi-
cations. He felt quite confident that the measure
would receive the sanction of Parliament.
Mr. FORBES intimated that he and his friends would
not oppose the second reading, lest the Government
should in that case force the bill through the house in
its present shape and without any alteration. They did
not intend to vote at all ; but they would reserve to
themselves the right to propose certain amendments in
committee.
Viscount DRUMLA NRIG supported the bill, the
principle of which he considered had long been recog-
nised by the house.
Sir A. CAMPBELL supported the amendment.
Mr. NEWDEGATE opposed the bill, and expressed
his fear that it was intended to apply its pro% isions to
the universities of England. In Germany the same
system had been in operation which it was now pro-
posed to introduce into Scotland, of separating religious
from secular education, and it had proved a miserable
failure. If the bill passed the effect of it would be t 9
make Papists and infidels to hold the chairs of pro-
fessors in the Scotch Universities.
Sir G. GREY expressed his gratification that the
principle of the bill had received the general assent of
the representatives of Scotland, on both sides of the house,
and denounced the attempt of the hon. member to impute
to them an act, the effect of which would be to admit
Papists and infidels into the Scotch professorial chairs.
He considered that the bill would remove a reproach
which now rested on the Universities in Scotland, and he
hoped the house would now affirm its principle, and
settle once for all the question o 7 tests.
Mr HENLEY said that as an English member h e did
not feel himself at liberty to assent to a measure which
he had good grounds for believing was against the wishes
of some of the most eminent authorities in the Church of
Scotland. He could not conceal from himself that it
was a step towards separating religion altogether from
education.

Mr. LOCKHART supported the amendment.
The house then divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment l7
Against it lO6
Majority --89
The bill was then read a second time.
The house adjourned shortly after .st three ami

six o clock.
The house resumed at six o'clock.
CONSOLIDATED ANNUM2S.
In reply to Mr. F. SCULLY,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER ra'.d that
he would to-morrow move for leave to bring fa a bill' for
the remission of the ConsOdatzd Annuities,
SAVINGS BANKS.

Mr. OLIVEIRA wished to know from the Chancellor of
the Exchequer when it is intended to proceed with the
Savings Bank Bill; if the Governme tt intend to cat..y that
measure as now amendel, or whether ply alieraKons will
be made in those clauses which relate to the liability of
trustees, rate of interest to be allow.'7d to depositors, end
some other points to which ho (Mr. Oliveira) had callea the
attention of the right hon. gentleman.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said. that
he proposed to proceed with the committee on saivings
banks on Thursday next, at twelve o'clock. With regard
to the rest of the question, it was the intention of the Go-
vernment to proceed with the measure, but whether it
passed depended not ent'-..ely on the Government, b at on
the house also. The Government had now brought the
measure into that form which they thought it deli table
that it should assume. He did not, of course, wish t o ex-
clude any comments or discussion on the bill, but. the
alterations made in it represent:d the present views of the
Government.

INVALID SOLDIERS.
Col. KNOX wished to know from the right hon. g ratle
man the Secretary at War whether it was true that 4'o sol
diers, 30 of whom were invalids, had been embarkodi on
board the Oberon at Malta without sufficient proaision
being made for their health and accommodation. It ap-
peared that the space allotted to these soldiers was mn uch
too small, that they were exposed on deck for 24 bo era,
that the wet penetrated the vessel, which was obligesi I to
call at Gibraltar in order to have the desk caulked; 'that
only ten hammocks had been provided, of which six 'only
could be hung in the space allotted for these 40 soldier! s. If
these facts wore correct, he felt qu'te confident that; the
right hon. gentleman would not allow them to °Fevre
Mr. S. HERBERT said that the usual pracLice w:9.3 to
send home invalids in transports. But as the Oberon. was
returning home for the purpose of being repai-od,, the
Admiral thought that it offered an oppor'arnity for sefsilieg
home invalids, and he offered a portion of the space ha the
vessel for that purpcse to the offi"er in corr-nand at Malta,
which he thought would afford additioral comforts t o the
invalids, and especialy to women and children. Ho be-
lieved it was correct that in consequence of the st.3to of
the vessel the wet had penetrated. With regard I the
hammocks he had received no irformation, and he cos
assure the hon. and gallant gentleman that every thi
would be done to prevent the recu- ranee of such ire An re-
nience in. future. (Hear.)
SALT MONOPOLY IN INDIA.
In reply to a question by Sir J. PAKINGTON,
Sir C. WOOD said that he would have no objcction ter
lay on the table of the house a letter from the jr-Yior sm]v-
tary in the province of Bengal, a-d some other papers le-
lative to the salt monopoly.
CHOBHAM CAMP.
Lord X. RUSSELL said he had stated in a 'saver to ,the
hon. member for Montrose, that a" the expenses had bt ,eu.
voted on. the motion of the Secretr• 1-3t-War. He ad
since foumd that there were some expenses connected vr.ith
the Ordnance Department wb4ch were not included in. t
be
expenses mentioned, but if the hon. gentleman wish ed
there would be no objection to the production' 0.. the abdi di-
tional e:cpanses.
Mr. H. IVME said that it would be better for the Govern-
ment to bring forward an estimate in the ord'urry way_
PUBLIC BUSINESS.
In reply to Lord H. VANE,
Lord J. RUSSELL said that he proposed to prod rad.
with tho Charitable Trusts Bill on Thursday.
Mr. WILLIAMS said they were now in t- "e e:'l ith
month of the session, and he saw by the paper that six x sew
bills wee to be introduced that night, he presumed at I,wo
or three o'clock in the morning. He should like to km ow
from the noble lord how many more bi-% world be him ely
to be introduced in this surreptitious manner ? (Laughter.)
Lord J. RUSSELL said that if the hon. gentlemen ?had
given htm notice of the question he wou'd be able to *;iv©
him a r more precise answer. But most of the bi"s on the
paper were bills for the continuance of Acts of Parliam cot
which would expire. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. GIBSON-said that some of the bills were not Icon-
tinuanc e bills, but altogether new measures. (Herr, he •ar.)
At ace main period of the session a process was usr&ly re-
sorted to with regard to bills which was commorly lour nvn
as the "massacre of the innocents." (Hear, hear.) It
would be greatly for the convenience of members if the
Govern ment would have recourse to this process as Bean as
passible, ti-'d iroim the house what bills they intends d to
proceed. with, and what bills they meant to withdraw--
Lord J. RUSSELL said it was spite true that ;about
this period of the year a number of bi'ls were usuall':,* on
the pap er which it was found impossible to carry through
before the end of the session. But he trusted there were
very few bills of that nature in the list at the present ime.
(Hear, hear.) If the right hon. gentleman would ask him
with regpad to any particular measure, he would rst.te
what course the Government intended o pursue with re-
gard to it. At a future day he would state what meat iures
the Government intended to give up, but he hope]. ('Jere
were very few of that description. (Hear, hear.)

EDUCATION BILL.
Lord cr.. MANNERS said that the noble lord, arAfergh
he signified his intention of not proceeding with :he :Edu-
cation Bill this session, declared that he would stfill ask
the house to assent to the pl':nciple of the bir by me viug
the seem tci reading. (Hear.) He believed that al: most
every mclmber of the house would agree with lom th at it
would bet most inconvenient to ask the house to enter•upon
what mi: Ott be a troublesome and annoying cliscussie rt of
the principle of a NY_ which it was not intended to pass
into a la, fo in the pre ent session. (near.).
Lord J. RUSSELL said that his object in proposing the
second z.vs 'ding of the bill was to ascertain the nat tire of
the objectiions that might be urged against it so tl tat he
might be al')le to introduce the bill next session after a full
considera ;Lion of those objections. (Hear.) He shou 'd still
reserve t o himself the right of considering whether he
should pi 'owed with the second reading, but if he br,aught