The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-20 00:00:00

THE

SUN.

-,ition from Bolton

solieltorS,
the place
deceased wife's sister.
Dr. BOWRING rre,entea
aguii.st the Bolton Improvement, ""
RUM DUTIES.
Mr. DENNISTOUN I resented a petition
distillers of Glasgow, praying that no alteration n.
take place in thzt rum duties.
RATING OF TENEMENTS BILL.
Mr. T. S. DUNCOMBE presented a petition from
Drogheda, complaining of the injustice of allowing
several rate-paying clauses to remain on the statute-
book, restricting the Parliamentary franchise of voters
in Ireland.

'natty

hat there wt.

PLACES OF WORSHIP.
The HoN. MEMBER presented a petition from Chatham,
praying that the registration of places of worship might
be vested in the civil, instead ot the ecclesiastical courts.
The [ION. MEMBER also presented a petition from
Finsbury. praying for an inquiry into case of the Raja
of Sattara ; and a petition from Bolton, praying for a
general inquiry into the Anatomy Act.
Mr. R. YORKE presented a petition from a parish in
Yolk praying for a general revision ot the Poor Re-
moval Act.

ASSESSED TAXES.
Lord RENDLESHAM presented petitions from the
assessors and collectors of the assessed taxes in the
county of Lincoln (as we understood the Noble Lord).
complaining that they were inadequately remunerated
for their services.
Lord ROBERT GROSVENOR presented similar pe-
titions from Middlesex.
IRISH POOR-LAW.
The NOBLE LORD also presented petitions from
some place. the name of which we could not learn, in
favour of an ad. grate poor-law for Ireland.
PUBLIC WORKS (IRELAND).
Mr. DILLON BROWNE presented several petitions
from different baronies in Mayo, praying for an altera-
tion in the letter of the Right Hon. the Secretary for
Ireland, to the effect that labourers should not be ex-
cluded from the public works. They also prayed that
if this removal must take place that the labourers might
be employed in the cultivation of the soil, and that seed
should be supplied to them for that purpose.
POOR-LAW (IRELAND)—OUT-DOOR RELIEF.
The llos. MEMBER also presented petitions from
sev, ral clergymen in the same barony in which he him-
self resided, praying that the clause in the Poor-law
(Ireland) Bill, which enacted that out-door relief should
be given, might be retained. They also complained to
the number of ex officio poor.law guardians.
TENANT RIGHTS.
Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORD presented petitions
in favour of the Tenant Right Bill, and praying that
the practice now adopted in the province of Ulster might
be legalised.
POOR-LAW (IRELAND).
Lord DUNCAN presented a petition, agreed to at
one the largest meetings held in the city of Bath,
expressing satisfaction that the Government intended to
bring forward nit adequaate poor-hew for Ireland. The)
prayed that their fellow-subjects should be made to con
tribute in an equal proportion with themselves to the
nee. scary expenditure of the State.
NOTICES OF MOTION.—NAVIGATION-LAWS.
Mr. LIDDELL moved for returns connected with the
subjects of shipping and navigation.
REGISTRY OF BIRTHS, DEATHS, AND
MARRIAGES IN SCOTLAND.
Mr. HUME gave notice that be should move that the
Bill for the Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in
Scotland should be referred to a Select Committee up
stairs.

NEW POOR-LAW.
Mr. FERRAND gave notice that on an early day after
Easter he would bring the new poor-law under the con-
sideration of the House.
POOR REMOVAL ACT.
Mr. C. BULLER presented a petition from Liskeard,
against the Poor Removal Act passed lest session.
GOVERNMENT MEASURES.
Mr. DILLON BROWNE wished to it,,k the Noble
Lord when it was his intention to proceed with the
Waste Lands Bill?
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said be intended proceeding
with it on Monday next.
Mr. SHAW wished to ask the Noble Lord whether
he would proceed with Irish business on Government
nights, and when ho intended taking the poor-law for
Ireland into consideration?
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said it was his intention
to proceed with the poor•law on Monday
next, and he believe d the Chancellor of the Exchequer
had consented to proceed with the consideration of the
Customs duties on Friday instead of on Monday, accord-
ing to the notice which had been given ; and he might
at the same time state that before going into Com-
mittee the Secretary-at-War would take some of the
estimates for the army which were necessary for the
public service.
ACCOMMODATION OF MEMBERS OF THE
HOUSE OF COMMONS IN THE NEW HOUSE

OF LORDS.
Mr. HUME begged now to ask the question of which
he had given notice the other evening, namely, whe-
ther any provision had been made in the new House of
Lords for the accommodation of Members of the House
of Commons? It appeared to him that there was no
room for Members ot that House, while in attendance
there, unless they consented to be pressed and packed
together in a way which was not creditable. He begged
to know, therefore, whether there was any arrange-
ment for that accommodation which the Commons
were entitled to have; and, before he resumed his seat,
he bugged to state that he objected to standing in the
House of Lords so long as they gave a Peer the privi-
lege of' sitting when he attended in the House of Com-
mons.—(Cheers from both sides of the House.) Ile
submitted this to the attention of her Majesty's Govern-
ment, as worthy of their consideration.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said be was not aware the
Hon. Gentleman had given notice of these questions,
and he was, therefore, net prepared to answer them.
Mr. HUME (interposing)—Well, next week, Monday
nieht.—(Leughter.)
GREAT WESTERN AND SOUTH-WESTERN
RAILWAYS.
Mr. BOUVERIE begged to ask whether the Great
Western Railway Company, or its agents, or the South-
Western Railway Company, or its agents. had been asked
by the Committee of Selection, to state to what Members
et the whole House they objected as members of the
Committees to be s.ppointed for Groups 5 and 6? Whether
the Great Western Railway Company, or its ageats, had
objected accordingly, to upwards of 300 Members of the
House? And whether it is the practice of the Commit-
ttee of Selection to communicate, to opposing parties
in any railway group, the names of the chairman and
members proposed to be appointed for the Committee
oat that group. He said the facts of the cas
werethese. The Committee of Selection on Railway Bills
reported e
on the 11th February, that they had groupe
certain Bills into two sets, Groups 5 and 6. Group 5
contained seven Bills affecting railways in the neigh-
bourhood of Windsor and Staines, and Group 6, thirteen
Bills specially relating to the west of England ; and in
each of these groups was a Bill belongine to the South-
Western and the Great Western Railways respec-
tively ; in other words, the broad and narrow gauges.
On the 15th of February, the Committee of Selection
gave notice that they had appointed a Select Committee
to, try the merits of this question, and they Lave a list o.
the Members whom they had appointed for the S, lect
Committee. That list was submitted to the Parlia-
mentary agents on both sides, that is, to the agents of
the Great Western and of the South-Western Companies
He had understood that' this list was objected to by the
agents of both. On the 16th of February the Committee
of Selection ease notice that the Select Committee would
meet on the 20th of March, that is one week later than
the time previously appointed ; and with this notice
also they gave lists, as he understood, of the mem-
bers whom they had appointed to serve on the Com-
mittee, comprising, as he believed, 300 Members and
a list of the Members objf cted to by both sides was re-
quested, and the Committee of Selection appointed the
Monday following for the settlement of the affdir. With
the notice stating the circumstance, they had given the
name of the Member who was named as chairman, as
well as those of the Members who were to act on the
Committee. He understood that these lists were again.
ojt cted to by both parties. The Hon. Member for Co
vestry had been named as the chairman of one of these
Committees, and had complained to the House that this
objection should be permitted by the Committee of Se-
lt:ction. The several agents of the companies, as he
understood, had then stated the names of all the mem
berm, to which they objected. The only proof of this
which he had was a letter received by Mr. Creed, the
agent of the South-Western Company, part of which he
would read. This letter was dated the 16th of March,
and it stated that the writer had communicated the
names ot the Members objected to to the Committee of
Selection ; but, however desirable it might be
to shorten their lab ;urs, yet such a wholesale
objection as that stated in the communication
of ' the company could not pcsvitily be allowed.
He wished to have some explanation upon the suect
rhoen
he
at
do rupi tper, e ant he
asnh)o. uiadr
tb eo f gad
the
fromto be e the
rteicotne d Baronet oppsite, ant he should be glad
to be ctrrrct'd i a
matter; but if what he had etwed was truthp, (:r an) -
that the course
thing like truth, he MUM. ay whichd whilehad
been pursued was derogatory to the House;
an
inapee.do.n
he teimitte d the zeal nod abiety with which the_ Ilea.
Bayonet perforated the leborious duties
him, he could not help tainking that he had, in this
commleel an error of jnigint'nr.
Sir J. Y. BULLER said he had great pLasur‘e, in an-
sw, ring the question of the Hoe. Gentleman, Ihe lip
plications were net made to oely three companies, but
to all the principal railway companies which were
It
to base Bills bets the House this ses-
sion. They were rt quc et, d, for the guidance
of the Committee of Selection, to state whether
they objected to any Member sitting upon their Bills,
and if they did, their reasons fur doing so. Only two
answers, however, were received— tam from the
Great \Vestern Company, and the other
from the London and South Western Company.
As that course was the course prescribed by law in the
case ol contested elections, that the parties petitioning
were call• d on to state their objection, he did not see
why that was not the proper course to be adopted in this
inetance. He did net know what were the numbers to
%allele the railway companies did object, but he be-
lieved that the Great \Vestern Railway did object to a
much greeter extent than the opposing company.
Mr. ELLICE sail it appeared to him Chet when Hon.
Members heel been asked to serve, and had agreed, and
their nani s wee published in the papers of that
House should be entitled to protection. He ball
hoped that his Honourable Friend opposite would have
Come doe' n and athuito d that the Committee were in
error iu having received there obj Ttions as valid, with
out giving reasons to Hon. Nletnbers for the course they
tied adopted. As respected himself, if the Committee of
Selection had applied to him, he would at once
whether either party had any just cause of objection to
him. But when he stated that in neither of these eom-

LONDON.

&al. wen, and general inhabitants of 1 panics had he the slightest interest, the remarks of the
" . law forbV.Ading marriage with a Honourable Member, it would be seen, wore ground-
less and false. Thu House, he thought, should pro-
tect Honourable Members from such imputations
being cast upon them, as it was necessary for its elm-
ratter that its proceedings should not be called in clues-
''‘P I tion, unless on sufficient grounds.
mold Mr. WILSON PAT TEN must say that he was most
-;47-1" nrised at the honourable Gentlenain takii-g the
~url,o so- warmly. It was well known, however.
-a many objections to Members serving on
'-h did nut in the least affect the
objected to. He must
—rnittee of Se-
ren-

such Committees,
character of those who Ni
say that the situation of the Uth—
leetion was a most painful one, and if it
dered more so it would be impossible for it to dis-
charge its duties with efficient y.—(ilear and cheers.)
His own impression was, that the lion. Member had
committed error, but he did not think the course the
House hadan
adopted would in any way lower its high

character.
Mr. ELLICE explained. He hoped oiled not
expressed himself t❑ any ,fy- to the
Honourable Member.—
he had spoken warmly on the subject, bat he did so
because he believed the character of the House was in-
volved in the matter.—(Hear, hear.) lie disclaimed any
intention of wishing to cast any imputation whatever
on his Honourable Friend opposite—he disclaimel it the
other night, and he did so now. He knew the
arduous duty of a member of one of the Hallway Com-
mittees ; but he hoped that the practice of making
charges against a Committee behind its back would not
be repeated again.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. S. HERBERT considered that there was no wish
on the part of the lion. Gentleman with whom the dis-
cussion had originated to cast any imputations on the
Hon. Member (Mr. Ellice). A misrepresentation pre-
vailed as to the, right of persons to object to Members
nominated to serve upon Committees. The:Soutl.- Wes-
tern sent a list to the Committee of Members to whom
they objected, but they refused to entertain any rueh
proceeding on the part of the company, and the list was
in consequence returned to them. What the Committee
asked for was a list of the Members who were disqualified
from sitting on the Committees from their eonnexion
with various railways. It was possible that a Com-
mittee might not know those Members who were di
rectors of companies ; and, therefore, it was necessary
that such a list should be furnished to ►hem whenever

they required it.
Sir W HEATHCOTE stated that he endeavoured to
explain as well as he could that he had no intention to
impure improper conduct to the members of theConimittee
behind their backs. The imputation, if it really was
an imputation, was this, that every member
of the Committee, with the exception of two.
were selected from one district of the country.
The discharge of the Committee had no reference to
private character or private connexion. Now he would
put himself upon the judgment of the House. He was
called upon by his Hon. Friend to say that what
he had done was wrong, and that he would
not do so aga a, but he maintained that what
he had done was right; and it, at any future time, from
any oversight or want of information, they should have
nominated a Committee, and afterwards it ap-
peared that there were good reasons to discharge
it, he would consider it his faithful duty to
lace the obloquy which he knew attended him
at the present moment.--(Cries of .‘ No, no.") At all
events, he knew that he had given some offence to his
Hun. Friend, but he would tell him that the reason why
he did not confer with him was, because the re was no
question of private connexion; it was only an objection
to a line of country, and it was nothing which any
Gentlemen could answer, or required any cJmuiunica.
tion with individual Members.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said, he rose as a Member
of the House although; he did not often take part in
the duties to which the discussion referred, yet he
thought it necessary to do so after the statement
of the lion. Baronet. The objection to his Right
Honourable Friend was not that he l.ad any private
interest to disqualify him from serving on the Com-
mittee, it was only to the place which he represented.
and upon which there could be no difference of opinion
as to matter of fact. Ile concurr. d generally with the
Hon. Baronet, and he felt quite sure that the House
could not do better than leave all these matters to his
discretion, and he was certain that he would exercise a
sound discretion, and preserve the character of the
House. He considered also that the House ought to
support him in the discharge of very onerous duties.
Mr. ELLICE wished to know whether, should a Com-
mittee be appointed, after the fullest investigation and
named in the votes, it could be discharged without the
interference of the House ?
After a few words from Lord SANDON, which did
not reach the gallery,
Mr. AGLIONBY suggested that before the Com-
mittee nominated by the Committee of Selection was
reported to the House, or appeared on the votes, some
communication should be made to the Members whom the
Committee of Selection intended to put upon the list.
He thought that after such communication, any Hon.
Member might himself object; but he did not think that
the honour of the House would be advanced by striking
out the names of Hon. Members of the Committee after
they had once been placed upon it.
Mr. VILLIERS STUART thought it was scarcely
fair that this charge should be brought forward
a second time, as that had been done in the first in.
stance, and an explanation given.
After a few words from Mr. BOUVERIE the subject
dropped.
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

In answer to a question put by an HoN. MEmBEn,
Mr. M. GIBSON said, that it was the intention of the
Government to proceed as speedily as possible with the
Bill relating to the collection of agricultural statistics.
JUVENILE OFFENDERS' BILL.
Lord MAHON wished to know what course was in-
tended to he pursued with respect to the Juvenile O-'-
fenders' Bill.
Sir G. GREY said that the Bill was proposed to be
read a second time, and that any discussion which might
arise upon it should he taken upon a subieqeent stage.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.
Sir R. PEEL hoped the Noble Lord would allow him
to remind him of a rule of the House to which he often
used to call his (Sir Robert Peel's) attention—it was to
give the House distinctly to understand what
order of the day was to have the precedence over
the others.—(Hear, hear.) He believed it was gene-
rally understood that the Poor Relief Bill would be pro-
ceeded with, but it would be certainly an advantage to
have more decisive intimation.
Lord J. RUSSELL admitted the propriety of the
Right Hon. Baronet's remark.
INDOW-TAX.

Lord DUNCAN wished to know whether there was
anything in the Health of Towns' Bill bearing upon the
window tax? The Noble Lord the Commissioner of
Woods and Forests had given an opinion, in:which he
expressed a di'cided coviction that this tax militated
against the health of the population.
Lord MORPETII said that the window-tax was a
financial, as wel%as a sanatory question, and as he had re-
ceived no intimation from the Chancellor f the Ex-
chequer on the subject, he could not promise that any
alteration would be made with respect to it.
HIGHWAYS.
Mr. AGLIONBY wished to ask the Secretary of State
for the Home Department whether it was the intention
of Government to introduce any measure for amending
the law, and providing for the better management of
highways ?
Sir GEORGE GREY was understood to say that
the subii.ct would be ri,terred to a Select Committee.
FRENCH HOSPITAL AT PORT MAHON.
Mr. BoRTH WICK was desirous to put a question to
the Secretary of State for Foreign Anus on the sub-
ject of an alleged arrangement between the Govern-
ments et France and Spain, by which a French military
hospital and a store of coal are said to have been esta-
blished in Port Mahon. He thought when France was
increasing the defences of her shores, and when she
was ctowding the sea with ships at a time of profound
peace, and when he looked at other circumstances to
which he would not fully refer, but which would not
soon be forgotten, it was most important that the atten-
tion of the Government should be called to the conduct
of France—that they should watch her proceedings with
jealousy. and that the people of this country should be
informed whether the Government were or were not vigi-
lantly watching h eonduct ofthat nation. When he looked
at the conduct sit France during the last fifteen years,
and at the readiness which her Ministers had evinced to
rival and embroil other nations—to sacrifice European
liberty, if not European nations, he thought a British
Member of Parliament would ill discharge his duty if
he did not call the attention of the Government to such
a matter as this ; but ho put the question in no spirit
of offensiveness to any one connected Itith foreign
policy.
Lord PALMERSTON said. in answer to the question put
by the Hon. Member, he had only to say that the Government
had received no official information tending to confirm the re-
port, but the tendency of such information as they had received
induced them to believe that such report was unfouniied.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE.
On the motion of Lord J. RUSSELL, it was agreedthat the
House at its rising do a ijourn till Monday.
SEARCH WARRANTS.
General JOHNSON desired to know whether the Govern-
ment had issued instructions authorismg policemen to enter
houses and search without warrants? Several cases of such a
nature had come under his observation ; one was, where two
policemen came seventeen miles out of their district, and ar-
rested two persons for theft, it was clearly proved that the
parties had been twenty miles distant at the time the robbery
was committed.
Sir GEORGE GREY said that no such instructions had
been issued.

The Earl of LINCOLSNIBw.ist leAdßtoAm. ake an
ndexplanation with
reference to the appointment of Mr. He
Mara, alluded to by him on the previous night.
ton ajoitcit Mr.
refer-
ring to some documents in his possession he found that hewa
wrong. Mr. Mara had only been appointed six months,5
and Mr. Henderson Lad held his appointment for nearly five
yew.
POOR RELIEF (IRELAND) BILL.
On the motion for reading the order of the day for going
into Committee on the Poor Relief (Ireland) Bill,
Mr. E. CALLAGHAN said he wished to make one or two
observations before the House went into Committee. It would
be remembered that the Hon. and Learned Member for Bath
stated the other evening, a.,d it was afterwards reiterated by
the Hon. Member for Marylebone, that in the neighbourhood
of Mallow the, re.ided a gentliman of large pr,,perty with an
income of 10,000/. a year, who kept a great number of dogs—
tvventy-,even it was said—and yet this gentleman had
neglected to subscribe to the funds for the relief of the poor of
the district. Now he held in his hand a letter from that
gentleman, from which he learnt that this statment was un-
true. The truth was, that while in London opposing a
railway which passed through his domains, he was applied to
to contribute to a local fund for the relief of the poor, and he
wrote to his ',gent to know if any previous application in re-
spect of his farms in the district bad been made. Now before he
received au answer to this letter he wa- surprised to see the letter
of the Rev. Mr. Al Carthy published in the public prints.
He felt exceedingly indignant at this, and did not send his
subscription, but when he did this he employei the people