The Sun.
London, England, 1825-03-22 00:00:00

did, not, think that any reasons had been assigned wh
t y
they should be selected to discharge the auties of a Police
Ilagistrate. He had a high respect for the unpaid magis-
tracy ; but he thought that the ties of the provinces with which
they were connected, and other circumstances, disabled them
"from discharging the duties in the metropolis. The name given
they Police magistrate had given rise to the erroneous idea that
""eY administered only on police subjects. On the contrary, a
great number of other cases of the deepest importance came under
their jurisdiction ; and in civil causes, they were called upon to
decide between individuals,particularly those under theßuilding
Acts, which involved property to a great amount, and required
the investigation of evidence on both sides. In such cases,
there could not be a satisfactory adjudication, unless the
Judge pssessed a considerable degree of legal knowledge. As
the Banisters must be a certain number of years standing, it
Was,not unfair to allot a salary of 800 g., in lieu of their private
Practice, and the hopes to which their profession led them to
ZsPire• In this country, we are more parsimonious than others
Iltecornpensing our legal officers, and nothing could he worse
talky than to continue the system. Whether in the situation of
141ge, or any other official appointment, it was injurious policy
refuse a proper salary to persons who were properly qualified
Tor the profession. If we took the refuse of the Bar, 2001. or
401. might be saved ; but the public would bitterly lament this
;canomy. On these grounds, he begged leave to propose the
°flowing Resolution—." That it is the opinion of this Corn-
raittee, that the Justices of the Peace appointed or to be ap-
Pointed to effect the administration of justice in the Metropolis,
,1141 enjoy a Majesty's not exceeding 800/. to be directed
°Y one of his Principal Secretaries oeState."
The Resolution having been put from the Chair,
Sir J. SEBRIGHT said, that he concurred in the necessity
of giving the Police Illaaistrates a fair remuneration for dis-
Viarging their duties. recollected the trading Justices of
estrninster ; than whom a more disreputable class of men
had never existed.

did not oppose the plan now proposed ;
although he thought that the Crown did not thereby lose any
of its power or influence. At this moment there were 820
i a,.
arristers ; and upwards of 400 Of that number were quasi,.
?Lied to enjoy places of various descriptions. He wished to know
Whether the salary was to be fixed; or whether it might be
raised at the option of the Secretary of State. If the proposi-
tion weitt that length, what security was there for the rode.
pendence of the administration of the town ?
Mr. Secretary PEEL said, that if the House approved of the
Resolution, there would he-an-absolute increase to the salaries
of all the Magistrates. It was worded in the same manner as
that which passed the House 20 years ago. By the appointment
-Of Barristers, the country would ensure the legal knowledge
of the Magistrates. If the Secretary of State had looked fin
Patronage, he would have taken his appointments from the
country.
Mr. FIUME asked, how the 30 Magistrates where to be dis-
tributed in the Metropolis. De put this question, to ascertain
whethertwo or three Magistrates might not perform all the du-
ties for which
.four were at present named ; and thus, while the
allowance of salary was given, the expense would be lessened
11 diminishing the number. -
..31r. Secretary. PEEL said, that he proposed a Committee on
the state of the Police" two years since, in which the Hon.
Alember (Mr. Hume) took an active part, where the question
now put to him (Mr. Peel) had been fully discussed. In the
1,, ear 1792, London was divided into nine districts, and three
iagistrates were appointed to each district. No alteration had
taken place since that period, except in the establishment of
the Thames Police Office, which had since been found ex-
tremely useful. The number of Magistrates attached to each
office, not only divided the business, but was of great advan-
tage in preventing uncontroulled power.—( Hear, hear, hear !)-
43. s two Magistrates only attended at the Police-office, the re-
tPaining one was necessary to give them a slight relaxation
"nila their labours. That relaxation was small indeed t• the
°Mee was open from ten in the-morning till eight a: night; and
gat tYnion-hall alone, justice had been distributed to no less than
'43)000 persons. In that office they had ample occupation : In
Tie month—July 1823, 176 cases were judged upon; and in
3824 there were 150 cases of assault, independent of all other
41thiecto of complaint.
°lr. W. SMITH said, that if three Magistrates had done so
1°
~,leh business as to judge of 243,000 cases, a very small pro-
lion of business would fall to the remaining 27.
1,.0e resolution was then put and agreed to. The House re-
oetl, the Chairman reported progress, and the Report of the
Pliittee was ordered to be received to
the other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
douse adjourned at ONE o'CLocK.