The Sun.
London, England, 1841-09-09 00:00:00

BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.

Mr. ROEBUCK begged to call the attention of the
House to a statement which had appeared in the Times
newspaper, and which he held in his hand, reflecting
on his character. He held that no man could be written
down but by himself, yet he considered the state-
ment he held in. his hand so gross a breach of
privilege, that, though he meant to call on
the House to exercise its power, it was as requisite for
the interests of morality as for the ordinary business of
public life, that it should be understood he was individu-
ally responsible in bringing it before the House. He
had that confidence in his own character that it would
stand the test of any investigation ; and it behoved him
to meet any such attempt on his character as that which
he held in his hand.—(Hear, hear.) Ho thought it his
' duty on last Monday, as the representative‘of a very large
constituency, unsolicited on his part, and what, perhaps,
may be considered more remarkable in that House, un•
bought—representing such a constituency, be thought
it right to give a notice with respect to the Poor-law, the
result of which was a paragraph in the Times newspaper,
an article to which he solicited the attention of the Mem-
bers of that House, as an attempt to frighten, aye, to
bully, them out of the execution of their duty on that
question—he thought it right to give notice of
a motion, to the effect that the powers now
exercised by the Poor-law Commissioners should
be transferred to the Secretary of State, and for
so doing he was visited by virulent abuse—called a per-
son honourable only from being a Member of that House.
He had been long before the world, and he defied any
man to point out a single act of his life that could deprive
him of that appellation. Honourable ! Sir ! Why not
honourable ? It said that he was sprung from the hum-
bler classes of society. Suppose it was so, would that
be any interruption to his efficiently discharging
his public duty ? He had been before a large
constituency of his countrymen, and he repre-
sented them in Parliament. Suppose he was not
descended from ancestors distinguished for literature and
science, was that a reason for his being made the mark
for insinuations of that kind—that he was unfit to sug-
gest such a proposition ? Of that he would ask the
60,000 inhabitants of Bath rather than the anonymous
scribbler of the Times. What was the mode and manner
of that accusation ? He would not then state the motion
with which he meant to conclude ; but h'e would remind
the House that according to its rules he was entitled to bring
the party responsiblwn his knees at the bar of that House.
He claimed it as a right he owed to himself and to the
constituencies of the country to answer that flagrant
abuse of the liberty of the press as it ought to be
answered. Now, upon the 'establishment there
called
its
is a
person as necessary to it as its editor, who
responsible proprietor, and who was registered
by the name of
I awson. He (Mr. icaoebuck) to e
such
took it, however, as probable, that the person
s
in question, as . the case stood,
not now
represented it might
was the Times that any person who reire
in the enjoyment of his personal liberty was not
so libellous
bore the re-
sponsibility
any-n)
ia
finestwhi
which
be
it might be subject—next,
supposed
ot of
tbhee iTmipmreiss,o ne
first,d.
as to the imprisonment to
might be sentenced
which the proprietor of the paper
—and, thirdly, as to the cudgelling which it might
asfhtoat
deserve. But why ? He bore all the responsibility. The
writers of the Times
were totally irresponsible—as
much so as if they lived in South Australia, and
penned their articles there. Did any Honourable
Xember think that the writer of the article which

--IS
• he (Mr. Roebuck) complained of would send in his name
to-night , on
.his return home? No. He chose 4V:tic
the article in which it was stated he (M:-. R411;:-r)..;':
was totally unworthy of the name of an hot ixtra-i.*,.'
man, but he dare not give his name. Let th Ih.si:;'&.'
consider the morality of that. He was not spisk.--7
ing of himself—he was speaking of soeicit*.'.4.;)-
large, and as a Member of that House. lie ssiid_lej
was a breach of the privileges of the House that:lll4W
man, no matter how humble his position miffE
be, should be so traduced, and -that an attemp-
should be made to bully him, for he knew no other word
°
he could use on that occasion—in order to prevent
his execution of his duty, and that such an article
as he held in his hand should be put into the press.
He asked the House whether that, was it right mode of
proceeding ?—[Sir Thomas Freemantle here left the
House apparently provoking the lion. Member . by
the, interruption -which his walking out occasioned.].
The Hon. Member proceeded to say that he
complain of the interruption, inasmuch as he had at all
times a difficulty in making himself understood femn the
delicate state of his health. Looking at the privileges of the
House, he would ask them if they did not pay dearly for the
advantages derived from the liberty. of the press, by al-
lowing those anonymous slanders to be scattered abroad
against all parties who, no matter for what motives,
might deem it their duty to take part in public
life. HI would ask if there were any lion. Gentle-
men who had read that article, and who had known him
since he had first entered on public life ? He would
ask if there was anything in his conduct, public or
private, that could justify any man in than attempt-
ing—he did not care whether he succeeded or not—
in thus attempting to depreciate him in the esti-
mation of the world by such an attack as that ?
He would ask was it for the Wise& of the world at large
that such proceedings should be permitted ? He would
ask the House to consider that point. One of two things
must be the consequence, either the public, for the sake
of their own security, would demand that every man
should put his name to the articles which he published, or
a Bill must be brought in requiring that every article
published in a newspaper should have a name affixed to
it of a person who should bear the responsibility. lie
wished to know whether it was to be suffered that Mem-
bers of that House should be attempted to be frightened
from executing their duty or not ? He should continue
to do his duty without reference to such attacks as these ;
but he chose to take these means of expressing his
opinion, and of calling for the opinion of the constituen-
cies of Hon. Members, to whom he put it, to mark their
approbation or their disapprebatit )11 of the course of pre-
ceeding which such a newspaper as that had chosen to
adopt. Before he finished he would suggest to any
One who might be more sensitive than himself—for he
was -not to be deterred by these attacks—but to those
who might be more sensitive, he would suggest an in-
fallible, remedy for these evils. Extraordinary evils re-
quired extraordinary remedies. The parties snaking the
attack were irresponsible, and beyond reach. They
could not be-got at, either by law or by opinion ; but
if any lion. Member were attacked by the Times, and
did not wish for a repetition of the attack, he would
suggest to him to horsewhip the proprietor, Mr. Walter,
and he might depend on it the attack would not be re-
peated.
Here the Hon. Member was interrupted by load cries
of " Order," and
Sir ROBERT INGLIS asked if he intended to con-
clude with a motion ?
Mr. ROEBUCK would not make any motion.
Sir R. INGLIS said that the Hon. Member had occu-
pied the time of the House needlessly and unnecessarily.
He had not condescended to state whO his calumniators
were. The Hon. Member was here interrupted by loud
cries of " Order."

Mr. ROEBUCK would ask the Speaker, whether the
course he had adopted was not a usual one ?
The SPEAKER said the more regular course was for
an Hon. Member who complained of a newspaper article
to move that it be read by the Clerk, and then to move
that the printer be called to the bar, and that the
motion could be persevered in or not as the Hon. Member
thought fit.
Mr. ROEBUCK said, that when he rose, he stated
that he was aware he had the power of moving that the
printer be brought to the Bar of the House. He thought
to save the time. of the House by the course which he
had pursued. If the Hon. Member • for Oxford insisted
upon it, he would make the motion.
Sir R. INGLIS—I insist upon nothing.
The SPEAKER said the course was decidedly irre-
gular.
Mr. ROEBUCK said he would move, then, that the
printer of the Times newspaper be called to the bar.
The Clerk was then proceeding to read the article,
when

Mr. ROEBUCK interrupted him by observing that he
was not reading the paragraph of which he complained,
and• the llon. Member proceeded to read it himselt It
commenced with the word; .‘ Amidst the pauses in the
melodious voices of Mr. Hawes and Mr. Ward," and
concluded with " the one shilling gentlemen at 'Drury-
lane."

Sir G. CLERK said before the Hon. Member could
make his motion for calling the printer to the bar, there
must be a preliminary one=viz„ that the passage I,rts a
breach of the privileges of the House.
Mr. ROEBUCK said that he had always understood
that, Hon. Members were allowed to state what their
feelings were in these cases. He had asked permission
to state his personal feelings in reference to the attack,
and he was surprised that the Hon. Member for Oxford
in particular shotild have refused him that right.
Sir it INGLIti said, if it were in his power he would
certainly address a few words to tile House in. answer to
the Hon. Member's remarks, but,. he had no right to
claim such an indulgence.
Mr. ROEBUCK then moved that the paragraph was
a breach of the privileges of that House, but no Hon.
Member seconding the motion it consequently fell to
the ground.
Sir DENHAM NOP.REYS gave notice that, after the
recess, he would move for every paper in the possession
of Government which might throw light on the subject of
elections, with a view to remove the impressions which
the exaggerated statements respecting the elections
were calculated to produce.

1)r. 130 WRING gave notice that on Monday, the 20th
of September, he would move for returns, showing
whether any increase had taken place in the duties on
the exports and imports of Syria since its restoration to
the Sultan.

Mr. GItEENE withdrew the resolution of which he had
given notice respecting Members' qualification.
Sit...G. CLERK moved that the House, at its rising,
do adjourn to Thursday the 16th instant.—Agreed to.
Lord PALMERSTON asked whether it was the in-
tention of Government to proceed with the business
which they intended to propose to Government without
any further adjournment ?
Sir G. CLERK replied, that when the First Lord of
the Treasury- took his seat, which he (Sir G. Clerk) ex-
pected the Right Hon. Baronet would be able 'to do on
the 16th inst., the Right lion. Baronet would then state
the course he proposed to adopt.
Sir .FREMANTLE proposed the first reading Of
t stration of Justice Bill.
Lord fERSTON seconded th. motion.
Sir T. FRE L. A.NTLE was glad that the Bill was in
the hands of the Iy able Lord opposite, and he believed
it would meet with no opposition from the party with
which he acted.
Mr. WAKLEY said the .i.Tohle Lord and all parties
joined in passing an high eulogom upon the Noble Lord
the late Chancellor. • Now, !vas it not a pity
that they should lose so go an oppor-
tunity of providing against the recurrence of such
a calamity in future ? Was it not a pity th.,t they should
lose the services of so good a judv, metely because
there was a change of administration ? The disjunction
of the political and judicial functions of the Chancellor
would prove one of the most useful reforms, and the most
acceptable to the public, of any judicial one that could
be brought forward.
Mr. C. BULLER agreed in all that had fallen from
the Hon. Member for Finsbury, but the political and
judicial functions of the Chancellorship could not be dis-
joined by the Bill before the House as it would require
many provisions to carry it into effect. He hoped the pre-
sent Government would take the matter into early consider-
ation ; if not, he could assure the House that there were
many on that (the Opposition) sid. who would endeavour
to carry the disunion into effect.
The Bill was then read a
.first times and ordered t° lac
read a second time on the 17th instant.
.The House then adjourned.

It is expected her N
AEIajW'estyMINISTRY
ivY. Council
afotrsilry jiClaremontnadmsoesr
Ctoas-dtlaey.or Friday morning, before leaving
members of the Cabinet ,r
Peel
-othe 1-
Graham,n
eSt, Sir
visitedl-1 enrys
il.llirg ief:
yester-
day.morning, in Whitehall-gardens.
interview with
Sir William Martins, Deputy Lord Chamberlain, and
Mr. Frederick Shaw (Recorder for .Phlin), had inter—
does not vacate
views with the Right lion. Baronet yesterday morning.
fference of
seScriretGarieeosrgoef CthleerkTraenadsuSryi,r,
hTandoamlaosngFremantle, joint
the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday morning in
Downing-street.
It is said that Mr. William Gladstone
his seat by accepting the office of Vice President of- the
Board of Trade. There is, however, adi
opinion on the point.

E
LATEST MAN"STER BETTING.
TUESDAY EVZNING.
The attendance was very good this forenoon, but no
business was done ; therefore we shall simply refer the
reader to the London prices :
Tun LEAMINGTON STAKES.-4 to lon the field.
THE Sr. LEGER.-7 to 4 on Coronation (b.f•Jred),

STATE OF TRADE.
(From the Manchester Guardian.)
MANcriEsTEa.—The comparative activity which pre-
vailed in our market last week appears to have en-
tirely subsided, and yesterday was marked by an al-
most entire absence of demand, either for yarn or goods.
With respect to yarn, this might be owing, in some
degree, to the non•arrrival of the Hamburgh mail ; but
we are not awar3 of any special cause for the flatness in
the goods' market, which, after the improvement that
appeared list week, has considerably surprised and dis-
appointed the manufacturers.

- ROCHDALE FLANNEL MARKET, SEPT. 6.—We have
had a steady demand for flannels to-day, and ;lie mer-
chants have purchased freely at former prices. In the
wool market there is no 'change, and prices continue firm.
HUDDERSFIELD MARKET, TUESDAY, SEPT. 7.—We
have still to notice considerable activity in this market,
especially in fancy woollens, which are sought after with
avidity. Indeed the demand is such, that heavy orders
are in hand, and prices are necessarily. improved. In
plains there is a miserable flatness, which causes much
distress in certain quarters ; but, •on the whole,- a fair
business is doing. Wools are decidedly looking up.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDOEIIS DAY.
r-ong 52 rnti,ice* attar 6 I Evening ... 2► minutes att., 7.