The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-22 00:00:00

234
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The proviso was accordingly added to the clause, and the
clause, as amended, was agreed to.
The other clauses up to clause 30, with the exception of
clause 26, which was struck out, were agreed to without
discussion.
On clause 31, which specifies the declaration to be taken
by candidates, first at the nomination, and secondly at the
table, on taking the oaths and the seat,
Mr. V. SMITH announced his intention again to take
the sense of the committee on the retention of this clause,
because he thought the terms of the declaration were so
vague and uncertain that it would operate against the
scrupulous man and the man of nice sense.andstricthonour,
while it would have the effect of encouraging the malprac-
tices of the unscrupulous candidate (Hear, hear.) The
words of the declaration could not be otherwise than un-
palatable to the man of honour, and therefore, after the
©lose division of yesterday upon it, he thoughtr,urdess_it
were withdrawn, he should be justified in again tarring the
sense of the house upon the question that it stand part of
the bill. (Hear, hear.)
The committee then divided, when there appeared—
For the clause l2B
Against it
The clause was consequently adopted.
Lord J. RUSSELL moved. that the chairman report
progress, and intimated that he proposed to proceed with
the bill to-morrow. (Cries of " No, no.)
Mr. MALINS complained that it was most inconvenient
to take an important bill like this, which affected every
member of the house, and upon the mere principle of
which the house was so nearly divided.
Lord J. RUSSELL reminded the hon. and learned gen-
tleman that the bill affected not only members of that
house, but the interest and character of the country. The
bill had gone through a select committee, and through a
committee of that house, and he thought at this late period
of the session, and considering the necessity of sending it
up immediately to the Lords, and that scarcely any com-
mittees were now sitting, it was not unreasonable to ask
the house to proceed with it at a morning sitting.
Mr. SPOONER objected to proceeding with an im-
portant public bill on a Saturday without notice. Many
hon. gentlemen had other engagements which they could
not put off.

Admiral WALCOTT objected to taking the bill on a
Saturday.
Mr. CAYLEY could see no objection to proceeding on
a Saturday at that period of the session.
Mr. BRIGHT considered the objection of Mr. Spooner
was unfounded. There had been ample notice, and if they
really wished to pass the bill there could ho no valid ob-
jection to meeting for once on a Saturday.
Mr. NE WDEGATE deprecated the hastening this this
precipitately through the house—a bill that affected the
character of every member of that house.
Mr. V. SMITH was favourable to the Saturday sitting,
but wished to know, if the bill passed through committee
to-morrow, he intended to take the report on Monday, and
the third reading on Tuesday, or when? There ought to
be ample time for consideration beforelthe third reading.
He also wished to know what course the noble lord in-
tended to take as to the payment of travelling expenses
and refreshment.

Mr. MURRO UGH hoped the house would go on with
the bill at the present sitting.
Lord J. RUSSELL intimated that he intended to
bring up two clauses, one for allowing travelling expenses,
and the other prohibiting refreshment tickets, and making
the giving of refreshments bribery. He proposed to take
the report as early next week as possible, and the third
reading on Thursday or Friday. Thoughthis would not
come exactly within the spirit of the rule passed by the
House of Lords, he hoped the House of Lords, seeing that
the Commons had used all due diligence to comply with
their rule, would not insist upon it in reference to this bill,
which, after all, seeing that.there were writs necessarily
suspended until it passed, might fairly be regarded as a
measure of emergency. He wished to add one word more.
He could not allow this bill to be defeated, except by the
decision of a majority of the house. If a majority decided
that it should not pass, of course he could not resist, but
he would push it to the utmost, and to nothing but a ma-
jority would he yield a bill which he considered a most im-
portant one.
Lord GALWAY protested against the course taken by
the noble lord, and said he should divide the house against
the sitting this day.
After a few words from
Mr. HENLEY, urging that as the third reading was not
to be taken till after Monday, there was no necessity for
sitting this day,
The house resumed.
Lord J. RUSSELL then moved that the committee have
leave to sit again this day.
Lord GALWAY moved that the house at its rising
adjourn till Monday.
This was supported by Mr. Hildyard, Mr. Spooner, and
Lord A. Vane-Tempest, and resisted by Lord J. Russell.
The house divided—
For sitting this day
Against it 64
.Majority —BO
Mr. HENLEY gave notice that either on the report or
on the third reading, he should take the opinion of the
house on the declaration.
Lord J. RUSSELL said he should take the report on
Monday at 12;
Mr. NE WDEGATE moved that the house at its rising
adjourn till Monday,
Lord J. RUSSELL said he did not attach much import-
ance to the house sitting on Monday morning. Theymight
take it on Tuesday.
Mr. NEWDEGATE said he should persevere in his
motion.
Lord J. RUSSELL—Then I had better take it on Mon-
day. (Cheers.)
Sir J. PAKINGTON thought it extremely to be re-
gretted that on a question of this kind any bad feeling
should arise en either side of the house. The noble lord
must be aware, after the divisions they had had, that on
one of the clauses remaining for discussion great difference
of opinion existed, and it was desirable when the discus-
sion took place there should be a full attendance. The ge-
neral expectation was, that this bill would be disposed of
to-night.
The SPEAKER, said the motion could not be disposed
of as an amendment, but must be put on the. que.stion,
aye or no, whether the house would take the bill this day
or not.
The house then divided-
-132
Ayes ...............
N0e5........... . ................................. 51
Majority
Mr. NE WDEGATE said he was ready to divide again,
if hon. members wished it.
Mr. MALINS advised that members on that side of the
house should not offer further opposition, but on the un-
derstanding that full opportunity would be given for dis-
cussing the remaining questions.
Lord J. RUSSELL, in answer to a question, said that
the third reading
of the bill would be taken at an evening
. .
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