The Sun.
London, England, 1847-07-14 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF LORDS, July 13.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wool.
sack at Five o'clock.
SEDUCTION AND PROSTITUTION BILL.
The Bishop of NORWICH moved the third reading
of the Seduction and Prostitution Bill.
Lord BROUGHAM opposed the motion. He thought
the subject of the Bill was not a fit one for legislation.
Lord DENMAN, although he deprecated as much as
any man the traffic in prostitution, could not see how the
Legislature could interfere more than it did at present.
He trusted his Right Rev. Friend would withdraw the
Bill.

Lord CAMPBELL joined in the request of his Noble
and Learned Friend to the Right Rev. Prelate to with-
draw the Bill. The Legislature, in his• opinion, could
not do more than it had dune to put down prostitution.
The Bishop of NORWICH said that after the opi-
nions expressed by three Noble and Learned Lords
against the measure, he should at once withdraw it,
expressing at the same time a hope that some measure
on the subject would be introduced in another Parlia-
ment.

The Bill was then withdrawn.
PICTURES IN WESTMINSTER HALL.
Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from cer-
tain of the artists whose pictures were exhibited in West-
minster Hall against the decision come to by the Fine
Arts Commissioners. All that the petitioners were
anxious for was that their talents should be put in com-
petition with those of the artists of all countries, and
that the opinions of learned and talented men should be
taken on their works.
The Marquis of L ANSDOWNE defended the course
pursued by the Fine Arts Commissioners, and stated that
their decisions had been come to after great deliberation.
MESSAGE FROM THE COMMONS.
A message from the Commons brought up several
private Bills.
MILITIA BALLOT SUSPENSION BILL.
On the motion for the third reading of the Militia
Ballot Suspension Bill,
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH rose to oppose the
motion. It was now eighteen years since the militia
ballot had been suspended. Many parties looked upon
the measure as oppressive, but what ho protested against
was any change of policy, unless they were pre-
pared with a better system than that which
had been employed before the law came into operation.
The Noble Lord then went into a history of the
origin and progress of the ballot system, contending
that it had its origin in extraordinary circumstances on
the Continent, which did not exist at the present moment
He thought before changing the present system, or until
they had the establishment of a new force, they should
take care how they dealt with an institution of this kind.
He should look to the increasing army of France, and
the other continental powers of Europe. Care ought to
be taken that this country was prepared for any emer-
genay. He could not look at the present state of the con-
tinent without fear and trembling; he might make the
same observation with respect to the United States, there
a great army was in the course of organisation, and that
country was also putting forth its whole naval strength.
They were engaged in an extensive war with Mexico,
and though, perhaps, the troops of the latter country
might not have shown any very great courage, it had
been sufficient to cause a considerable display of the
power of the invading army; but he had no doubt, before
six months had elapsed after the termination of the war
in Mexico, this country would be embroiled in a dispute
with America with respect to the annexation or dismem-
berment of Mexico. Look, then, to the state of Ireland
—a state, as far as this country was concerned, as bad as
being engaged in a war with a second European power.
Russia, and Prussia, and Austria were also organising
their military strength. Let their Lordships, then, re-
collect what aid steam navigation would give to warfare.
It might be said, we were equal to any emergency,
but it must be remembered that this country ought not
to stand unarmed in the midst of an armed world. They
must not depend on the traditions of the past, they might
have to fight for their supremacy. With respect to the
navy on which they trusted so much, they were not equal
to France; this country had ships, but they had not
men. Ile regretted the necessity for war as much as
any man, but the best way to secure peace, was to be
prepared for war. He would call the attention of their
Lordships to the recent conduct of the Government in
regard to Portuguese affairs, in which this country had
succumbed to the dictation of Spain.
Earl GREY denied the statement of the Noble Earl
with respect to the course pursued by the Government
relative to Portugal. It was from no fear of what Spain
might do, or the dread of a quarrel with that country,
but because it was deemed necessary for the welfare of
Portugal that that interference should take place, that it
had been adopted. If he thought this Bill would inter-
fere with the preparations on the part of this country for
any emergency, he would be the first net to support it.
The present militia force was practically at an end, and
the suspension of the ballot was proposed preliminary to
an entire re-organization of the force. Already measures
had been taken for that purpose. At the Portsmouth
Dockyard, workmen had been drilled to military tactics,
and other steps of the same kind were in progress to en-
sure a sufficient force for all emergencies. At present
there was no cause for apprehension from foreign coun-
tries, the relations between them and this country being
on the most amicable footing. He hoped, therefore,
that the Noble Earl would not oppose the third reading
of the Bill.
Lord BROUGHAM did not think there was any
danger to this country at present ; but he admitted the
necessity of being prepared if there was. He could not,
however, allow the present opportunity to pass without
condemning the conduct of those nations who, with great
professions of freedom, took every opportunity of tramp
ling on it.
The Bill was then read a third time and passed.
POOR RELIEF SUPERVISION (IRELAND) BILL.
On the moti,,n for the committal of this Bill,
Earl ST. GERMANS moved as an amendment that
the Bill should be committed that day three months.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE defended the Bill,
and, in doing so, stated that the Government in passing
it had consulted well the Poor-law Commissioners for
Ireland. He felt bound to oppose the motion of the
Noble Earl.
Lord MONTEAGLE considered that the measure was
perfectly inadequate to carry out the principles for the
purpose of which it was brought in.
The Earl of WICKLOW looked with dread upon the
monstrous power it was intended to give one individual
by the Bill. He would support the amendment of the
Noble Earl opposite.
Lord ROSS agreed fully with what had fa'len from
the two Noble Lords who addressed the House. He
thought, however, that instead of there being one com-
missioner there should be several. The commissioners
would have great difficulties to contend with, and he
trusted the Government, had taken those difficulties into
their consideration.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE defended the Bill,
and expressed a hope that their Lordships would retain
the measure as it at present existed.
The amendment was negatived without a division,
was ordered to be on Thursday.
and the Bill went through Committee, and the report
TITHE COMMUTATION BILL.
received
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
DRAINAGE (IRELAND) BILL.
This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be
committed on Thursday.
POLLING AT ELECTIONS BILL.
This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be
committed on Thursday.
ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION AMEND •
NTS ILL.

This Bill went through Committee, and the report was
ordered to be received on Thursday.
COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES (IRELAND)
BILL.
This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be
committed on Thursday.
STOCK IN TRADE EXEMPTION BILL.
This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be
committed.
JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES BILL.
This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be
committed.
TURNPIKE ROADS (SOUTH WALES) BILL.
This Bill went through Committee.
CANADA CONSOLIDATION REVENUE BILL.
This Bill went through Committee.
PRINT WORKS BILL.
This Bill went through Committee.
SHANNON NAVIGATION BILL.
This Bill also went through Committee.
POOR.LAW ADMINISTRATION BILL.

This Bill was reported.
HOUSE OF COMMONS COSTS TAXATION
BILL.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
The other Bills on the table were forwarded a stage,
and,
Their Lordships, at a Quarter-past Eight o'clock, ad.
journed to Thursday.

_
HOUSE OF COMMONS, Ju,ly, 13.
BISHOPRIC OF MANCIIES ha.
Mr. lIORSMAN (in continuation from our After-
noon Edition of yesterday) said—There were many
other religious societies set on. foot, and sup-
ported principally by the Batty, almost en-
tirely independent of the clergy, who raised by
voluntary subscriptions annually the sum of at least
half a million, and he thought that their conduct
might well be offered as a pattern for imitation
by the great body of the clergy
of this country.
It had been said that his opposition to the Bill arose out
of a personal feeling of hostility to the Noble Lord ; he
denied that such was the case, or that he was influenced
by any the slightest personal hostility to the Noble Lord,
for whom he entertained the highest respect. He thought
that a much more comprehensive and popular plan for
increasing the efficiency of the Church could be found by.
the appointment of sixty suffragan Bishops, at a salary of
1,500/. per annum each, making a total expense for
the superintendence of the Church of about 90,0001.
Mr. COLLETT seconded the amendment.
Sir GEORGE GREY said that he regretted that his
Hon. Friend did not at once take the course of moving
that this Bill be read this day three months, instead of
putting upon the table of that House the amendment
which
he had moved, and which would necessarily in-
volve such a delay as would effectually prevent this Bill
pm being gone through this session. If such a general
and comprehensive scheme as the Hon. Gentleman
seemed to wish for were prepared, so as to meet the
wishes of all parties, the time occupied would be much
greater than they had at their disposal at the pre.
sent period of the session. Let his Hon. Friend
at once say that he should oppose this Bill until the
Government consented to make such an increase in the
number of the bishops of this country as would be con-
sistent with the views which he entertained upon the
whole question. He hoped that the House would agree
to the second reading of this Bill, and take the discus-
sion upon those clauses which were objected to when'
they went into Committee upwl the )3UI,