The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-21 00:00:00

through one or other of the methods laid down in the age by theology at the Universities being confined to the
1. Thirty-Nine Articles.
Mr. HORSMAN contended that the tests which had been
insisted upon at the universities were immoral, and
diminished the reverence for the sanctity of an oath.
They were injurious to religion; they excluded Dissenters,
and while they opened the door wide to infidels, they shut
it against many aconscientious believer. It was well known
that there; was great diversity of belief even among the
governing bodies at the universities; and instead of there
being unity of belief and unity of creed in the Church,
the disunion which prevailed was a growing scandel and
standing disgrace. (Hear.) It was a mockery to assert
that those who wished to have tests abolishedwere the ene-
mies of religion. He had always been inveterately opposed
to tests, and he should vote for the amendment, because
the words in the clause objected to would reaffirm and
perpetuate the principle of tests. (Applause.)
After a few observations from Mr. Beresford Hope, the
House divided on the amendment, with the following
result :

THE SCOTCH EDUCATION BILL.

Dr. LYON PLAYFAIR asked the Lord Advocate whether
considering the delay in the delivery of this bill, he still
intended to take the second reading on this day week ?
The LORD ADVOCATE feared it would be out of his power
to take the second reading on Monday, but if he saw
an opportunity-, he should feel it his duty to proceed
with it.

For the Amendment
Against... ... .

.... 140
... 185

Majority ... ... 45
The announcement was received with loud cheers from
the Opposition benches.
Mr. FAWCETT then moved an amendment to the effect
that no one, as a condition of being elected to
or continuing to hold a headship, fellowship, &c.,
shall be required to take holy orders, and
that no person is to be elected because he is
in holy orders for a longer period than he would be
permitted to hold if he were a layman ; and also that
anyone who has been in holy orders for two years, shall,
after vacating his followship, remain on the rota
for preferment. He remarked that the amendment, if
adopted would abolish those restrictions which related to
clerical tests. He was sure that his proposition would
receive the unanimous support of the congress.
On a division it was rejected by 182 to 160. This serious
reduction of the majority was loudly cheered on the
Liberal side, and Mr. Fawcett bade the Prime Minister
ponder carefully the significance of a victory obtained
over his own party by the aid of Conservative votes.
Mr. Gladstone retorted that the Government had al-
ready pondered the matter, and their decision was irrevo-
cable.

Mr. C. BENTINCK moved to add a proviso to the clause,
saving the rights of members of the Church of England to
offices specially intended for them by the founders and
donors; but it was opposed by Mr. Gladstone, and, after
a brief conversation, it was not pressed.
THE BALLOT BILL.
Mr. W. E. FORSTER, in bringing in the Ballot Bill,
explained that it had been transferred to him from the
Marquis of Hartington solely because he had less
legislative work on his hands than the Marquis in
his new position of Irish Secretary. Taking it for
granted that the main features of the schema of last
year were fresh in the mind of the House, Mr.
Forster went on to explain the changes he intended
to proposes in it ; and, first, municipal elections,
as well as parliamentary, are to be included in the bill.
In the machinery for voting two principal conditions
would be kept in view—simplicity and complete secrecy—
and by secrecy Mr. Forster meant that the voter should
not be able to prove to any one how he had voted,
because that would defeat the object of the
Ballot. To obtain this, the bill provides that none but
official voting papers shall be used, that they shall
not be given to the voter until he enters the polling-
booth, and that the voter shall not put any mark on the
paper except what is necessary to chew how he has voted.
In like manner three dangers more or less peculiar to the
Ballot are guarded againstsin the bill—tampering with
the voting papers, forging them, and personation.
Taking the last first, Mr. Forster, after arguing that
a scrutiny is useless for the detection of per-
sonation and bribed votes, stated that the ma-
chinery of counterfoils, &a., contained in last
year's bill, had been abandoned, and that no provision for
a scrutiny would be made in this bill. But there will be
a clause putting attempts to procure personation on the
same footing as attempts at treating ; and also, wherever
it is proved that a candidate or his agent has attempted to
bribe or to procure personation, in every case a vote shall
be struck off that candidate's poll. The possibility
of . tampering with the ballot papers is met by
minute precautions for locking the papers up and
guarding them, and to prevent forgery the returning
officer when he delivers the ballot paper is to stamp it
with a secret stamp. The penalties of treating (not of
bribery as in last year's bill) are imposed on a candidate
who does not include all his expenses in the return, and who
pays personally that which ought to be paid by an agent

Among other minor changes Mr. Forster mentioned thai

public-houses must no longer be used for committee-
rooms. Nomination Days and Declarations of the
Poll are abolished ; but all these details are to be open
to the fullest consideration and amendment in Committee.
Finally, he announced that the legal expenses of candi-
dates are thrown on the local rates, expatiating at length
on the objections in principle to the present system, and
on the practical hardships it inflicts on poor candidates,
and he concluded by an urgent appeal to the Conserva-
tives to lay aside party feeling in dealing with a
measures which, while it destroyed improper influence,
would give strength to the legitimate influence of pro-
perty, station, and blameless discharge of public duties.
Mr. LEATHAM congratulated the Government on
its remarkable advance, and thought the bill a good
•ne.

Mr. G. BENTINOK indulged in some causti© observations
on the total want of principles displayed by both sides in
dealing with reform and electoral questions. He denied
that the Ballot was popular, or that it would secure secret

voting, and characterised the bill as one for preventing the
detection of bribery.

Sir D. CORRIGAN, in an effective maiden speech, argued
in favour of secret voting, and expressed unqualified ap-
proval of the abolition of NOmination Days.
Mr, BERESFORD HOPE regretted that the Ballot had
been mixed up with other unobjectionable provisions for
improving elections with which it had nothing to do, and
was utterly incredulous as to the possibility of insuring
secret voting.

Sir H. HOARE and Mr. H. JAMES tnanked Mr. Forster
' the bill ; and Mr. SCOURFIELD made some observations

in a contrary sense.
The Bill was then read a first time, and the second read•
ing fixed for Monday next.

In the early part of the sitting, Mr. Cardwell postponed
he Army Organisation Bill and the Army Estimates until

Thursday week.

The House adjourned at twenty minutes past ten
o'clock.

MR. CHILDERS.

We have much pleasure in stating that the accounts
just received from Lisbon of Mr. Childers's health are
decidedly favourable. The First Lord has already derived
much benefit from his voyage, and, should the improve-
ment continue, his early return to England and to official
duties may be confidently expected.—Telegraph.