The Sun.
London, England, 1822-03-30 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Mr. MAXWELL presented a Petition from a person named
Johnson, stating that he had discovered a new sea chart, supe-
rior to all others. The Petition prayed for remuneration, and
could not in consequence be received.
VAGRANT LAWS.

Mr. CHETWYNI) moved the second reading of the Bill
for amending the Vagrant Laws. In supporting this the House
would not be pledging itself eventually to adopt the measure,
but that the existing laws required amendment. It had been
said by some, and even by ladies, that the Bill he had the
honour to introduce was severe upon the poor. The fact
was, that it contained nothing which could not be found in
the old laws. He proposed that the Bill should be read a
second time, and then distributed though the country, in or-
der that the opinions of Magistrates upon its merits might be
ascertained.

Colonel WOOD thought it would be better for the House
not to pass a permanent measure, but to revive the Bill of last
Session for another year, leaving out the clause which em-
powered Magistrates to pass vagrants. He contended that
the system of passing all over the country was capensive and
useless.

Mr. HURST approved of the plan of sending the Bill over
the country, in order that its intention should be fully under-
stood. He thought the existing laws were cruel and tyranni-
cal, and wholly unintelligible, and they ought to be rendered
more mild and perspicuous.
Sir M. W. RIDLEY said, that the laws relative to vagrants
ought to be simplified, and brought under a more concise
shape.
Mr. LYTTLETON thought the Bill wholly unobjec-
tionable.

Mr. P. MOORE expressed his hope that Punch would be
protected in the Bill.
Mr. Alderman WOOD thought the general reg-ulaticns of
the Bill would be effective, and were most desirable.
The Bill was then read a second time, and referred to a Se-
lect Committee.

Sir R. WILSON moved for returns of copies of instructions
given to Officers of Excise for seizing roasted wheat, and other

similar preparations, and of prosecutions commenced against
persons selling the same.—Ordered.
Mr. ABERCROMY wished to ask the Right Bon. Secre-
tary for Ireland, whether any information had been furnished
to him relative to the case of the Chief Baron, and whether he
was likely to have an opportunity of being relieved from the
unpleasant situation in which he must remain while this pro-
crastination continued.

Mr. GOULBURN said, that he had made inquiry on the
subject, and that at no very distant period a Report was ex-
pected from the Commissioners. Ile felt, in common with
the Honourable Gentleman, the unpleasant consequence of
delay.
Mr. ABERCROMBY saw that there was delay some-
where, although, as he expected, it did not rest with the Right
Hon. Gentleman. if they did not receive information upon
the subject soon after the Recess, he should move for Papers
to furnish it.

Mr. GOULBURN presented certain Papers from the Pub-
lic Institution in Ireland.

Mr. H. DRUMMOND presented a Petition from the Dean
and Faculty of Advocates in the city of Edinburgh, stating,
that an Act of Geo. 11. passed in the year 1748, provided thoi
Sheriff's Depute of heritable jurisdictions should not be resi-
dent within such jurisdictions, and praying that the provisions
of that Act might not be altered.
Sir H. MONTGOMERY admitted that great good had re-
sulted to Scotland from the Jursidiction Act, but it did not
follow that an institution very well fitting the state of Scotland
70 years ago, might not now be changed with advantage to the
altered circumstances of the times. He was clearly of opinion
that the Sheriff's of Glasgow and Edinburgh ought to be resi-
dent Magistrates.
Mr. PEEL said, that the unqualified respect which he en-
tertained for the body from whom this petition emanated, de-
manded that he should state the reasons why he differed from
its prayer. He allowed that, as a general law, the Act, com-
monly called the Heritable Jurisdiction Act, was excellent in
its principles and practice ; but the circumstances of the im-
mense increase of the manufacturing population of Glasgow,
demanded some further enactments with regard to the county
of Lanark. Glasgow was the second city in that part of the
United Kingdom, and it was absolutely necessary that a Ma-,
gistrate should constantly preside over its judicial administra-
tion. The best means of accomplishing this would be to in-
crease the salary of the Chief Magistrate, and require his per-
manent residence. Upon this opinion Government had come
to the determination of adding 8001. a year to the salary of the
Sheriff, and of requiring his constant residence. Thisplan was
supported by the opinion of the Commissioners, as well as that
of the Magistrates.
Mr. A BERCROMBY said, that he concurred in the prayer
of the Petitioners.

An HoN. MEMBER, whose name we could not learn, thought
the intended measure of the Right Hon. Secretary of State
would be productive of the most beneficial results.
Lord A. HAMILTON objected to the measure.
Mr. PEEL and Lord A. HAMILTON mutually explained.
The LORD ADVOCATE expressed his opinion that the
faculty of Advocates were misled in the opinion they had
formed upon the intended measure of Government. He be-
lieved that they expected a measure for making the whole of
the Sheriffs of the Counties of Scotland reside within their juris-
diction. Nothing was ever further from the intention of Go-
vernment.

Lord A. HAMILTON addressed himself across the table to
Mr. Peel, amidst general. cries of " Question !"
Mr. PEEL said, he should be happy to give the Noble Lord
any information upon a proper occasion, but he thought it con-
trary to the rules and convenience of the House to keep up this
con v ersat ion.—( Hear!)
After a few observations from Mr. KENNEDY and Mr. H.
DaustmoND, the Petition was ordered to be printed.