The Sun.
London, England, 1822-07-27 00:00:00

r to the scale of augmentation, it had been placed on a more ra-
tional footing than it originally was; at the same time care was
taken that a liberal provision should be made for persons in. the
different public offices, than whom he did not know a more va-
luable or meritorious body of individuals. By the system as it
formerly stood, the original salary was often swallowed up iii the
amount of augmentation: Thus there were clerks in his office
whose salary was .7401. a year, but who by length of service re-
ceived an augmethation annuity of 4001. a year. Thus theialary
was los, in that which was meant only to be a subsidiary ar-
rangement. :The bill provided against that anomaly. .With re-
spect to superannuations, he was inclined to think that the Ali
of the late liin?; had not worked so improvidently as many,
Gentlemen iinagined but whatever errors it contained were
remedied by thiimeashre: Every person who served the pul.
lie faithfully had a right to superannuation allowance, and that
allowance was provided under the present bill. The Honour-
able Member-for Montrose said " NiThy not give the clerks
the full amount of salary, and let them provide for them-
selves , like persons in the private walks of life ?" So far
as the public money was concerned, it was undoubtedly as
broad as it was long ; but it was not so with respect to
the individual, for he would' contend that there was a mo-
ral advantage in making the individual understand that he
was not to look to the public for support, but that lie must, by
his. own temperate habits and moderate conduct, make an alba
,for his comfort in old age.—(Hear, hear.)—lt had been recom-
mended that, ih cases of dismissal, the person turned away
should receive back die capital which he paid towards the super-
annuation fund. Of course it would not be contended, that
a man discharged for any flagrant_ offence ought to be so
treated : but, when it was found expedient to remove an in-
dividual on account of some minor error, he thought it would
be fair to give him back the capital he had subscribed. Per-
haps his Right Honourable I riend would agree to insert a
clause for that purpose. if he did, it would probably lead
the Right Hon. Gent. (Mr. Canning) to support the measure.
He should be guilty of very great insincerity if he said that Min-
isters would have brought in this measure, had it not been for
the address; but having obeyed the injunctions of the Hon.
Gentlemen opposite, he hoped they would not now oppose the
progress of die Bill. It would be a most extraordinary pro-
ceeding, if,'having agreed to the general principle of the mea-
sure, they now attempted to defeat it in detail. The saving
was 100,000/,a-year ; but he could assure them, that the amount
of saving should.nger induce him to do an act of injustice.
The saving ought, however, to have some weight with those
who had argued on the importance of a trifling reduction in the
Admiralty and Post-office.—(Hear 1)
Mr. CALCRA FT explained. He had received no informa-
tion from any person in office.
Mr. HUME agreed with the Noble-Lord that the-Right Hon.
Gentleman's (Mr. Canning s) speech was a most extraordinary
one. If the principle was good for any thing, it went so far as,
that "after a young man entered once into office, no change could
be made that should affect him. , Although the Right Hon.
Gentleman could clothe any proposition in imposing language,
he was much mistaken if he supposed that his arguments on the
present occasion had carried conviction. Any thing so monstrous
in principle, and so absurd in practice, he had never heard.
He was sorry the Right -.Honourable Gentleman had left the
House. He had no right he (Mr. Hume) thought to leave the
House.—(A laugh.)--After having made a speech so much at
variance with sound principle, and against a measure introduced
at the express request of the House, he ought not to have his
the House so abruptly. At any rate, he would have no reason to
complain of remarks made after he had left the House. Ile
(Mr. Hume) never since he had had a seat in that House,
heard a more constitutional and consistent address than had
just been made by the Noble Marquis. He agreed entirely with
the Noble Marquis as to offices held,under the Crown, the li-
mitations of vested interest, and situations held during pleasure.
Upon re-examination, lie agreed that the 50th of ihe late King
was not so very bad as some very bad cases might lead to sup-
pose. That showed the necessity of preventing extreme cases of
abuse. Ile and others had stated very flagrant cases of abuse in
that House. They were right as to these cases, but they had been
rather strong in their general inferences. Instead of thinking
that this Bill went too far, he thought it did not go far enough.
When the Address of that House had gone up to the Throne,
not only the House, but the country, had expected that a very
great reduction would be made. The Right Hon. Gentleman
(Mr. Canning) was now against all reduction, and for con.
tinuing every single shilling that happened to have been once
given. He would put it now to the Right Hon. Gentleman
Opposite (.:ie-Chancellor of the Exchequer), whether he had
not better dismiss the Bill and introduce another to reduce sala-
ries at once, according to the value of the currency. Let the
value for the last four years be taken as the standard. lie did
not agree with die Hon. Member for Essex, that the difference
was 40 percent.;. but the difference was so great, as to make a
very considerable reduction a measure of pure justice.
Mr. MA RRYA TT wished that it should be optional to con-
tribute to the Superannuation Fund, and that widows and chil-
dren should have the benefit of it. The example of East India
superannuations ought. to be followed.
The Report was then brought-up.
Mr. CALCRAFT moved a clause, making the cont 11 u-
don optional to all who held office previously to the pa si ig of
the Act. _

The Marquis of LONDONDERRY said, that in case
of any
„one dying, the " capital .contributed reverted to
his executors. A clause would be introduced to extend
this provision equally in all cases, except' where persons
were dismissed for crying abuse. It would be, understood;
if any person did not contribute his proportion, the public
would not contribute theirs ; and the consequence would be,
that he would die on their hands, or he must have what hefail-
ed to establish a claim to. To contribute was a degree of pro-
vidence which was both proper and necessary. "Where it was
neglected by one, he became dependent on charity for not send-
ing him forth to die in the streets ; but to extend this charity
would be gross injustice to others, and involve an immoral
principle.
Mr. CALCRAFT would, in consequence of the understand-
ing that a clause to the eftect mentioned by the Noble Lord
would be introduced, withdraw his clause.

The bill was ordeied to be read a third time on Monday.
CANADA TRADE BILL.

111 r. WlLlllormoved several clauses, which were added
by way of riders to the Bill. It ,was then read a third time,
and passed.

THE MAURITIUS.

Mr. WILMOT hoped that the'Hon. Gentleman would with-
draw his amendment; for extending the Commission to Trini-
dad. lie had already pledged himself to produce papers. If
they should not be satisfactory, and elucidate sufficiently the
whole subject of inquiry, he would not pledge himself to a Com-
mission, but he would give every facility and assistance to the
full elucidation of the subject.
Mr. HITME, having made the amendment merely to extend
the advantages of inquiry to a place which he thought in his
conscience required it as much as the places for which it was
proposed, would not take advantage of his situation to protract
the debate. He had full confidence in the sincerity of the Hon.
Gentleman!s statement, and hoped the Hon. Gentleman who
seconded the amendment would agree to withdraw it.
Mr. MARRYAT said he would not oppose the withdrawing
of it, although he was not so sanguine as the Hon. Gentleman ;
(Mr. Wilmot), that any thing which could be done here would
be satisfactory without an inquiry by Commissioners. But i
since the papers would be produced early next session, and a '
petition was now probably on its way to this country for the
express object of obtaining a Commission, he would not oppose
the course now proposed.
The Address was then agreed to.
STAMP DUTIES' BILL.

Some conversation arose on this subject, in which the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Bright, Mr. Retrial, Mr. Hume,
Mr.C. F. Palmer, Mr. Monck, and-Mr. Lushing Lon, took part.
.Mr. C. F. PALMER. was anxious that tha Right 'Hon..
Gentleman should extend to the agriculturists the full benefit
intended for them by the reduction of interest. They were
now deprived of it by the expences of transferring Mortgages.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the opi-
nion of the Crown Lawyers might be obtained and pi'omitigated.
On the subject. The Right Hon. Gentleman then moved that
the Bill be committed. this day month, which was agreed to.—
Adjourned at lIALT-r..tsT,EicuT to
.Monday.