The Sun.
London, England, 1824-04-13 00:00:00

THE LONDON JOURNALS.

DAILY

• Extraets from the Morning Papers, April 13.

[BRITISH PRESS.]
The Alien Bill, _last night, on the motion of
Mr. Peel, who moved the Order of the Day for
the third reading, was carried, on a division, by
a large majority. It was opposed by Mr. Len-
nard, Mr. Leycester, and Colonel Palmer. Mr.
Penman, on the question being put from the
Chair, rose and spoke at considerable length
against it. His speech possessed little nevelty'or
effect ; it was, in fact, only a repetition of a few
of the many arguments that had previously been
much more powerfully put against this Bill on
former occasions. The lion. Gentleman, at the
.close of his address, moved an amendment, limit-
ing the duration of the Act to one year in place
of two, which a large majority also negatived on
a division. Mr. Hutchinson did not speak,
though on a previois night he announced his in-
.tention to de lk,er his sentiments, in opposition to
Mr. Canning's eloquent speech, at length against
the Bill. We believe he was unfortunately ill,
and in consequence absent from the debate. NVe
trust the renewal of this measure will not agai❑
he necessary, and that our own situation and
that of the Continent will be such as-to render
.an enactment of this sort .wholly uncalled for,
when it once more expires. Shoals of foreigners
should not be crowded on our shores without
some restraints beyond those that affect the na-
tural born subjects of the empire : the country
should be protected from the machinations of
those that may be dangerous amongst them ;
but the present Bill is arbitrary and des-
potic in its enactments ; and, though leni-
ently exercised at present, it may be made
an instrument of severe oppression in other hands.
Ministers are now pursuing a most liberal and
enlightened career ; their administration is one.
alike .honourable to themselves and to the coun-
try ; but it is possible that the power they ex-
ercised so tolerantly may part their keeping,and
tNough we see no likelihood of any such change,
arbitrary laws should not be put upon the statute
hook, merely on the faith of high character in
those to whom the exercise is committed. One
important alteration, however, much to the ho-
nour of Ministers, has been made in this Act,
and it has disarmed it of its worst severity.—
Several thousand industrious and peaceable
foreigners, long resident in the country, are in
consequence wholly exempted from its provi-
sions, and its other clauses are comparatively tin.
objectionable. Its future composition will pro-
bably be of even a much milder character,
making it a law of only just and salutary re-
straint to foreigners, and of fair protection to the
people of this great and rising country.

[NEW TtmEs.]
We have received the Etoile dated Sunday. It
contradicts the departure of the French troops
from
,Madrid, which had been asserted in some
other journals. A fact mentioned in its domestic.
news is very remarkable. There are at this mo-
ment traversing France some Piedmontese de;
serters, about 24 in number, who have received
passports from the French authorities, and are
charitably supported on the road, to find a refuge
is another country, their treasons having for evcr
.exiled them from their own. These individuals
a twelvemonth ago had hoisted the .nicolor
Standard in Spain, whence they arrogantly
threatened to carry revolution through France,
and hurl the French Monarch from his
Throne. Now, reduced to the greatest mi-
sery, they are rescued from starvation by
this very Sovereign, and wander as objects of
pity through a country which they would have
wrapped in flames! The Etoile draws a lament-
able-picture of the Island of Scios, which before
its disasters contained a popula.ion of between
110 and 120,000 inhabitants, and has now only
15 or 16,000. Some of the Sciote exiles endea-
voured to previll on the inhabitants of I psara to
make a descent on the former Island, in the hope
of expelling the Turks ; but the I psariotes
de-
clined engaging in so hazardous an attempt.

EMOrINING POST.]
We understand that a disposition hes been
shewn on the part of many Members of the House
of Commons to relieve the Clerks employed in

the Government Offices, of a burthen which has
pressed particularly hard upon them—an In-
. come Tax for the Superannuation Fund. It must
be recollected that the grievance complained of,
wits imposed at a time when the country was
oppressed with 'considerable difficulties,—its
trad.e, commerce, and agricultural interests suf.
feting to an extent, unprecedented, and conse-
quently, that the necessaries of life were to be
purchased at a much lower rate than at present,'
—a consideration of the first importance to a
fixed and limited income. Happily for the country
these difficulties have now vanished,and, whilst we
again enjoy its prosperity, we ought not to be
unmindful of an act of justice to the public ser-
vants, nor should we forget the immense saviugs
which will accrue to the public from the_ great
prospective diminution which has been effected
in their Falaries, as well as the important reduc,
tion in the number of Clerks employed. The
tax.; When first proposed, we considered one of
very•great severity, and, for the reasons we have
stated, we cannot help wishing the parties inte-
rested every success in their Petition which is
about • to be presented to the House of Commons
by Mr. Stuart- Wortley. As the subject seems at
present to be.but imperfectly iniderstOod by the
Public, We give the following correct statement of
the case :-=-Clerks in Public Offices were flit--
merly.allowed superannuation upon the produc-
tion ,of a medical certificate, urging bodily or
mental infirmity, without an abatement having
been made fronttheir salaries for, such purpose ;
and; under Mr. ilankes's Act, were permitted, if
under 60 years of age, and lead served ten years,
to :retire on a pension according to a gradUated
scale, regulated by length or service. Such scale
has alieady,been altered materially to the disad-
vantage of thase who have not completed thirty
Seats service. To pay such new scale of penSiOny