The Sun.
London, England, 1836-08-13 00:00:00

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The publication of THE SUN NEWSPAPER commenced this day
at 10 minutes past Three o'Cloch.

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LONDON,
SATURDAY EVENING. AUGUST 13, 1836

The Bill for the reduction of the Newspaper Stamp
Duties is at length beyond the power of faction !—it re-
ceived the Royal assent this day. The Press is now safe,
and the public will soon have Newspapers much cheaper.
On the 15th of September—about a month from
this date—the Bill comes into operation, though we can see
no good reason for its postponement beyond the Ist,
Though we are grateful for this tardy boon, yet we cannot
even now acquit the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, and
possibly the Government, of the long, the oppressive de-
lay—the utter denial of justice to the Stamped Press, which
has been allowed to intervene in passing this useful mea-
sure into a law. The lukewarmness of the Government, in
this respect, to protect the honest trader, served only as a
stronger incentive to the smuggler. And for this cul-
pable neglect in protecting the revenue and the
Stamped Press, where is, or was, the excuse ?—ln the
apprehension of men who were afraid to be just, because it
might affect the revenue, while the revenue was all along
being hourly plundered by persons who set the law at de-
fiance, and gloried in their " martyrdom," for breaking a
law that was considered inexpedient if not oppressive, even
by the Government themselves !
In making these remarks, which we do in the bitterness
of spirit at the long-continued ingratitude of Ministers to
the Press, let us not be mistaken. Better late than never.
The Tories never would reduce the Stamp Duty on News-
papers, as they proved by their speeches against the reduc-
tion, and their votes in favour of Soap rather than Knowledge.
For many years past the public will bear us testimony
that The Sun has been an unremitting advocate for the
reduction of the Stamp Duty, and the consequent diffu-
sion of knowledge ; and it shall always be our pride, as
well as our interest, to persevere—for it is only by
perseverance that great ends can be attained—in advocating
such measures as may best promote the diffusion of useful
knowledge and good Government, and conduce to the true
interests of all classes of the community.

_here is, it is well known, more slaughter perpetrated
on the 12th of August than on any other day in the year.
Hitherto it has been confined to the moors, but it would
seem as if the Tory sportsmen in the House of Lords had
determined this year not to be behind hand with those who
are making hill and dale resound with their achievements.
The atmosphere of the House was perhaps not quite so pure
as the mountain breeze,but it was to all appearance equally ex-
citing. Slaughter—indiscriminate slaughter was the order of
the day ; and if there be any difference between the sports-
men in and those out of the House, it is that the former
pursue their game with more doggedness than the latter.
A poor grouse may have some chance for its life, but if the
Noble and Learned Pointer of the Lords once gives the
signal, the fate of a Bill is decided.
Last night the Post-office Bill was regularly burked ;
and the Registration of Voters Bill so mutilated, so com-
pletely gutted of all its best provisions, that it cannot be
accepted by the Commons. It is known to every one who
has paid the least attention to the subject, that the want of
uniformity in the decisions of the Revising Barristers has
produced great uncertainty in the public mind respect-
ing qualification. What was held a good qualification
on one side of a brook, or fence, was utterly worth-
less on the other. Nothinc, could be more calculated
to bring into contempt the character of the Barris-
ters and off their Courts, than decisions of this contra-
dictory nature ; and to remedy the evil, the Bill in question
provided that there should be a Court of Review, com-
posed of men whose names and abilities would carry some
weight, and who would give authority, as well as uni-
formity, to their Judgments. This was too good a thing
to escape unscathed, and, accordingly, out it went, on the
motion of my Lord WHARNCLIFFE, who played the part of
the ex-Chancellor, and played it well on this occasion.
Then followed other clauses, until the measure was brought
down to the true Tory standard of emasculation.
In the rejection of the Post-office Bill it fell to the lot
of the Duke of RICHMOND to lead the way. The Noble
Duke was once, we believe, at the head of the Post-office
Department, and seems to think that it stands in need of no
amendment. This opinion of his is at variance with that of
almost every other person in the kingdom, with the exception
of the handful of Tory Lords who voted with him, because
he voted against the Government. Lord MELBOURNE
showed triumphantly that the reports of all the commis_
sions and boards, which had taken the question into consi-
deration, were in favour of an alteration of the present sys.
tern. Among other authorities the Noble Lord quoted
Lord LOWTHER, the only man of business the Tories have
among them, but all in vain. It was a ministerial measure,
and a good measure, and these were reasons enough, and
• more than enough, to procure its damnation in the House
of Lords.

The conduct of the House of Lords is becoming every
day more offensive—more dictatorial—more obnoxious to
the real interests of the country. It would really appear
from their proceedings that they were desirous to try the
experiment of how much injury John Bull will sustain at
their hands, without resenting, or putting a determined stop
to it. Night after night the most important measures are
rejected, some with a show of respect, but the majority
with supercilious indifference, without a why or wherefore,
except that it is their Lordships' pleasure so to act. As
for calm and rational discussion, our hereditary legislators
are far too proud to degrade themselves by any plebeian
vulgarity of this sort ; it is quite enough for them to know
that a particular measure has received the approbation of
such men as HuME and O'CONNELL, to fling it from them
with abhorrence, as though it were tainted with a moral
leprosy. We wonder, since they are so sensitive on this
point, that they do not fumigate the Bills that are sent up

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