The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-29 00:00:00

-kLAI ir k g 1,

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1849.

The Insolvent Members' Bill has been disposed of,
at least for the time being. The attempt to im-
poee new and more stringent tests on the po-
pular representatives, to abridge the privileges of
the several constituencies, has been happily defeated.
The Hon. Member for Dartmouth was yesterday
compelled to withdraw the measure after a vain at-
tempt to obtain its re-committal, in order that many
extensive alterations might be introduced, which
would completely change its character, and
render it, if possible, more objectionable
than it had previously been. No opportu-
nity was offered of discussing the merits of
the, proposed alterations. It was even stated by
the Hon. Member for Northampton, that clauses
were proposed to be inserted in the Bill that had
been rejected by the Select Committee to which it
had been referred. The practice of introducing al-
most a new measure after a Bill has been considered
in Committee is one that should not be sanctioned
under any circumstances. Certain preliminary
stages must be gone through before the details
of any proposed enactment can be considered.
It is on, the occasion of the second reading that the
principle is to be decided on, and if a new principle
be introduced at a later stage it is manifest that one
of the constitutional guarantees against hasty or in-
-:considerate legislation is completely set aside. In the
present case the Bill had been three times remodelled
--the discussion yesterday was the third, and we re-
joice to say the last time of asking. Its title had
been changed, nay, its very paternity was rendered
d -gebtful, the Solicitor-General being by many
considered the putative parent of the last bantling, an
honour, however, which the Learned Gentleman most
earnestly disclaimed.
Although the Hon. Member for Dartmouth en-
deavoured to conceal his chagrin and disappointment
by moving for leave to bring in a new Bill on the
same subject, permission for which was accordingly
granted, we cannot but consider that the fate of the
measure has been finally sealed. The general dislike
to interfere so extensively with the undoubted pri-
vileges of the several constituencies was more ap-
parent yesterday than on any previous occasion.
The true character of the proposed enactment was at
length perceptible. It was discovered that if passed
into law its operation might be much more extensive
than had been supposed. It was not merely that
additional facilities might have been given to creditors
for enforcing payment from a very few persons who
made an unworthy use of their Parliamentary privi-
-I.l'gti—no possible objection could have been made if
1114 would have been the only result ; but, as we have
already seen,many Members who could not by a possi-
bility suppose themselves within the meaning of the law,
might, and undoubtedly would, have been subjected
to ve,xatious litigation. It was stated in the course of
the debate, that the shaft was
vidual Member. We pointed against an indi-
are, of course, bound to give
the most implicit credence to the prompt and explicit
contradiction of Mr. MOFFATT, who denietddtoheas
have
not
existed was actuated by so unworthy a motive. l
however, follow that such feeling might
not
existed in some of those outside the walls of
par-
liament, by whom the measure had been suggested,
Ewqrld who hrO stimulated the Hon. Gentleman during
its progress:
In the olden time, when rotten boroughs prevailed,
many persons•undoubtedly found a sanctuary in Par-
liament from the claims of their creditors. Wherr a
seat in tke Legislature could be 'purchased almost in
A 04.,/

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