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

RAILWAYS.

was a statement of an of 60,000,000/., which
commenced in 1822, and actually included in it the Manchester
and Liverpool Railways. He thought he had then made the
case perfectly clear to the House.
Mr. CARDWELL wished to address a few remarks upon
parts relating to the question. The first point was, were the
statements made by the Hon. Member for the University
of Cambridge perfectly and literally true in point of fact, The
second point was, were the arguments which his lion.
Friend intended to base upon those statements perfectly true
and fair? The Hon. Member then went on to recapitulate
the statements made in the speech of his Hon. Friend on the
occasion referred to by the Noble Lord the Member for Lynn,
and contended that they were strictly and literally borne out
by the facts of the case. It was quite unfair to suppose that
his lion. Friend should undervalue the benefits of railway
communication. He should, indeed, think that his lion.
Friend would be unworthy to occupy the high position he held
in that House if he entertained such opinions.
Mr. HUDSON wished to say a few words with respect to
the statements of the Right Hon. Gentleman the ex-Chancellor
of the Exchequer. He was not in the House at the time, but
the impression made upon the Noble Lord and others, by the
statements of that Right Hon. Gentleman, was the one he
had mentioned. He stated the amount of money raised in
1841. He stated also that the London and Birmingham was
empowered to raise 8,226,000/. up to 1841, but they had only
power to raise 500,60.,1. ( Hear, hear. ) The same obser-
vation would apply to other railways. Some Hun. Gentlemen
seemed to think that the introduction of free trade measures had
created all the property of the country. lie did not believe any
thing of the kind but that it arose from the energy of the capi-
talists of the country. The London and Birmingham was com-
menced in 1833, and was opened to the public in 1839 ; bat the
capital which the proprietors were empowered to raise, was
raised and expended before 1838. The same observation ap-
plied with equal truth t- the Midland and Northern Companies,
which expended large sums of money before the deficiency re-
ferred to took place. The Hoe. Gentleman the Membn. for
Cambridge (Mr. Geulburn) had not always aged consistently
with respect to railways.
t' THE BLACK CAT."

Mr. MUNTZ gave notice that he would postpone his
motion relative to the detention of the schooner -Black Cat"
until. Friday neat, when he would bring it on in Committee of
Supply.
The reports of the Committees on Ways and Means and of
Supply were then brought up and received.

CONSOLIDATED FUND BILL.
The Consolidated Fund 8,000,0001. Bill then went through
Com:nittee.

The Houoe adjourned at Half-past Twelve o'clock.

PETITIONS UN PRIVATE BILLS.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
There were no unopposed cases on either Mr. Smith's or
Mr. May's list.
(Room 22, before Mr. Examiner SMITH.)
OPPOSED. LIST.
EDINBURGH AND NORTHERN RAILWAY (I M-
PROVEMF.NT OF THE FERRY BETWEEN FERRY
PORT AND THE NORTH. SHORE OF THE RIVER
TAY.)
This case was gone through, but the Examiner postponed
his deci,ion till to-morrow.
GREAT METROPOLITAN WATERWORKS.
The customary formal proofs were taken in this ca,e.
Adjourned till to-morrow.
(Roo-n 23, before Mr. Examiner MAY.)
SHREWSBURY AND BIRMINGHAM ACT AMEND-
MENT, AND BRANCHES.
There were four rnemoriAls againt this petition, but no
one appeared to support them. The parties, nevertheless,
failed in completing the formal proofs, and the standing
orders were declared not to have been complied with. 1

STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE.
HOUSE OF CONIMONS.
The Committee met this day at the usual hour for the dis-
patch of public business. The following decisions were an-
nounced (lath/L.; the course of the day:—
THE FALMOUTH WATERWORKS BILL.
Standing orders complied with, and parties allowed to
proceed.
EDINBURGH AND NORTHERN (DUNFERMLINE
BRANCH).
Standing orders not dispensed with, and the Bill thrown
out.

PARK-GATE, CHESTER AND BIRKENHEAD.
Standing orders complied with, and allowed to proceed.
OXFORD, WORCESTER, AND WOLVERHAMPTON
RAILWAY, No.l (EXTENSION AND AMENDMENT).
Allowed to proceed.
EASTERN COUNTIES (BRANCH FROM STRAT
FORD TO VICTORIA PARK, &c.)
Standing Orders not dispensed with, and the Bill thrown
out.

AXIIOLME RAILWAY (FROM LEEDS AND SELBY
RAILWAY 10 GAINSBOROUGH).
Allowed to proceed.
TINE DOCKS, No. 7.
Standing orders complied with, and the parties allowed to

ENFIELD AND EDMONTON RAILWAY.
Allowed to proceed, certain clauses being struck out of the
Bill.

SURREY AND KENT COMMISSION OF SEWERAGE.
Standi,i4 orders not complied with.
THE LONDON SEWERAGE CHEMICAL MANURING
COMPANY.

Allowed to proceed.
MANCHESTER ANT) BIRMINGHAM. (NORTH STAF.
FORUSHIRE JU&;TION).
Allowed to proceed.
BELFAST IMPROVEMENT BILL.
Allowed to proceed.

LOUGH NEAGH DRAINAGE.
Allowed to proceed.

PA rTA AIL:ATARI( BUSINESS.
(i r 9 ;./;:i<i, 614
M..oBDAY, 1111V.C11 1.
It,ll4ity Ili r. were ..,-sorted, read a first
time, and 4irdered to be.read a ercotpt time :
Great Indian Pviiii.sula—`• for incorporating a Company, to
be called "rhe Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company,'
and, for giving powers to the Eest Indian Company and the
(11 oayuez
anyo rc- G.
me npearnayl
toof
malndiaa
Railwayo fromuir Council,
to
Bombayenable totheA
saide
with Extensions to Mliuse and the Pera River, anti Branches
or Extensions to Sholapoor, Hyderabad, Kat'ideish, Indore
and Ho ihungabad."
Colchester, Stour Valley, Sudbury, and Halstead (Lease to
the Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's Railway Company)—
" to enable the Colchester, Stour Valley, Sudbury, and Hal-
stead Railway Company to grant a Lease of their undertaking
to the Ipswich anti Bury St. Edmund's Railway Company."
Leeds, Dewsbury, and Manchester (Ossett Branch and
Dewsbury and Morley Stations)—" for enabling the Leeds,
Dewsbury, and Manchester Railway Company to make a
Branch Railway to Ossett, and to provide additional Station
Accommodation in the Town of Dewsbury, and at or near
Morley. all in the West Riding of the county of York."
Oxford,
fn! i‘
and Wolverhampton (No. 2—Exten_
lions and ‘,
to enable the Oxford, Worcester,
o'l'erncedsniteern,
and Wolverhampton Railway C.unpany to make a Railway
from Szourbridge to join their Railway near Dudley, and to
lialesowen, with certain Branches therefrom, and for other
purposee
Mold (from Mold to join the Chester and Holyhead Rail-
way)—" for making a Railway from Mold, in the county of
Flint, to join the Chester and Holyhead Railway, in the
parish of Hawarden, in the same county, with Branches, to
be called, The Mold Railway.'
Birmingham and Oxford Junction, and Birmingham, Wol-
verhampton, and Dudley Railways Amalgamation—" for
uniting the Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway Com-
pany, and the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley
Railway Company into one Company, and for authorising
the sale of the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley
Railway, and other new works to the Great Western Railway
Company."

The following Railway Bills were read a second time, corn-
' mated, and referred to the Committee of Selection :
Eastern Union and iluileigh Junction (Sale to the Eastern
ITnlin Railway Como:11)3' )-
Ipswich and Bury St. Edinuzin's (Extension to East Dereham
and to Aylsham).
Ipswich anti Bury St. Edmund's (Branch from Ipswich to
Wowl bridge).
Herne Bay and Canterbury Junction.
Royston and Ilitchin (Extension from Royston to Cam-
bridg &c.)
Royston and Hitchiu (Sale or Lease).
CAledonian Brandies from the Ciydeslale Junction to the ,
Douglas and Lesmahagow .;lineral Fields, and to Strath- •
Caalevi,7onn)i.an !Extension of Motherwell Branch of Clydesdale
jßurnleih°ens
to the lw acrd Coltues Railway, Cinder.
tiel'un'irictillialie.Cal or Lease of Wishaw and Coltness
Railway).
CAledonian and Dumbartonshire Junctir
tween Dantocher Litneworks and Bowlinng,(tviations
Strathtay and BreacialOane Extension. .)
Wilsontown, illorningaide, and Coltaeas (Branchea to Berihar

Select Comm.tree on Group No. 12.
Sir John Guest discharged ; Colonel Paget selected, and
added to the Committee.

The Committee of Selection have discharged the Select
Committees to whom the Groups Nos. 5 and 6 have been
severally referred, and have postponed the meeting of the
Select Committees on those Groups to the weak commencing
Monday, March 15.

LONDON CORPORATION
REFORM
On Monday, the committee of the Is hole Court assembled in
the Council Uhamber, Deputy Peacock in the chair. There
were present the officers ot the Corporation, the Town Clerk.
the City Comptroller, and the City Solicitor. The proceed-
ings were of paramount importance.
Mr. Asuunarr particularly called the attention of those
who were determined that the rights of the citizens should
not be lost to the matter which he had to bring before the
assembly. In the course which bad hitherto been pursued,
it was manifest to all that those rights had not been pie-
teeted.—(Elear, hear.) In the confusion and hurry of the
last committee, they had failed in agreeing to a resolution
involving the essential principle for which they contended.
That resolution spoke of the necessity of reform, and em-
bodied the opinion of the sub-committee, that the reform
could not be accomplished without an application to Parlia-
ment.—(Hear, hear). There would, he believed, be an
unanimous acquiescence in the suggestion, that if anything
were to be done in the way of reform, the time had arrived
for an attempt to effect that object, now that the Lord
Mayor openly declared and proved that he would not put
any question in the Court of Common Council of which he
did not approve.—(Hear, hear.) In the mayoralty of Alder-
man Winchester, by the pertinacity of one man, the Court
were placed in a similar dilemma. They had in vain en-
deavoured to induce that individual to act in accordance
with the strongly expressed feeling of the Court, and a reso-
lution was passed, postponing the question till after the 9th
of the following November, when, as was usual with so
fluctuating a body, it passed away. Were the members of
the Court of Common Council disposed to accept a similar
result ?—(Cries of " No, no.") Or would they adopt mea-
sures calculated to meet the wants and exigencies of the me-
troplis? Let them look to what had occurred with respect
to the long contested subject of the freedoms. The Court of
Common Council had given instructions to the Chamberlain
not to prosecute any retail trader until a certain question
should be disposed of. That question had been decided in a
certain way under the guidance of the Recorder himself, the
officer of the Corporation, and it was quite evident that a
reconstruction of the Corporation must follow, so that the
constituency might embrace the most respectable portion of
the community of the. City, instead of being influenced by
publicans and fellowship-porters, in whose hands lay so
monstrous an authority.—( Hear, hear.) If the Corporation
continued any longer in such a condition, their unpopularity
must necessarily increase. With a slight assistance from
Parliament that Corporation had within itself the capacity
of accomplishing reforms of the most satisfactory kind, and
it was his intention, if the committee agreed to the resolu-
tion, to follow it up with an instruction to the Chamberlain
not to pay any sum upon the order of the Court of Alder-
men, which that body were not legally entitled to draw,
and with other motions calculated to show the citizens of
London that the intentions of their representatives were not
vague, nor capable of misconstruction.— (Hear, hear.) Mr.
Ashurst then moved " That the committee agree with the
sub-committee in their operations as reported to the com-
mittee on the 25th of February last, that the Corporation
requires reform, which can only be done by the aid of Par-
liament, and for that purpose it be referred to the sub-
committee to propose such a Bill for such reforms and
alteration. as they shall see fir, the time when proposed to be
submitted to this committee for consideration."
Mr. ANDE&TON seconded the motion with much pleasure,
and declared that, so far from finding fault with the Lord
Mayor for the course pursued by him, the Court of Common
Council ought to be obliged to his ordship for the unex-
pected deviation, because if his Lordship had not held out in
opposition to the feeling of the Court, they must have gone
on iu their old jog-trot style, and Parliament would compel
them to do what they were now likely voluntarily to accom-
plish.—(Hear, hear.) He for one was convinced of the ne-
cessity ot reform, and he trusted that now that reform was
inevitable, it would abound with advantages to the public.
In his investigation of the subject he found that there were
four grand points to which it was necessary to require the
attention of the committee. The first was improvement in
the elective franchise.—( Hear, hear.) The City Corporation
franchise was, he could not help saying, drivelling down
most miserably, and it could no longer be permitted to be
abjectly under such control, so that publicans, and broker=,
and porters, could return to both Courts whomsoever the}
pleased.—( Loud cries of "Hear, hear.") But if the ca-e
against the wholesale dealer had proved successful, did the
committee suppose for a moment that the Government would
allow the continuance of a demand which it was admitted
upon all hands could produce no advantage ?—("Hear, hear,"
and " Yes. yes.") What advantage resulted? He derived
no advantage from it.
A MEMBER —Yes; you are a member of this Court,
Mr. ANDERTON wished to see his next neighbour entitled
to a similar privilege.—(Hear, hear.) He wished to see the
franchise so largely extended that the members of the two
Courts would represent all of the inhabitants. The next
thing he should wish to see accomplished was, the periodical
election of Aldermen. It was, be thought, possible to elect
Aldermen% a certain period without injuring their inde-
pendence as magistrates. There was a time when he enter-
tained a different opinion, but experience had altered the im-
pression, and he was convinced that if Aldermen acted ho-
nestly sad independently they would be supported by the
public. If they acted otherwise, why they deserved to be
kicked out.— ( Laughter, and cries of " Hear.") The- next
point regarded the control of the City funds, and he confessed
that, with respect to that power, he could not see why six-and-
twenty gentlemen should be allowed to exercise an irrespon-
sible authority over the property of their fellow-citizens. He
did not wish to interfere with their expenditure as magis-
trates, further than to prevent such lavish dealing with the
City cash as they had exhibited in the alterations at the
Old Bailey and the Compter, and other places under their
jurisdiction, in which money had been laid out without
profit to anybody.—(A laugh, and cries of " Hear.") The last
point to which he should draw the attention of the Court
was the necessity which existed for the equalization of the
wards. It was monstrous to suppose that four or six-and-
twenty persons should have the power of electing a magis-
trate and common councilmen for the whole city of London.
—( Hear, hear.) For reform of these matters there was im-
mediate necessity, and it was the opinion of the Recorder and
the other law officers of the City, that without the aid ofPar-
liament the Corporation could not carry such reform into
effect. He, therefore, with all his heart seconded the motion
which showed the good sense of the committee, and he be-
lieved that they would not be mistaken in placing reliance
upon the aid of Parliament, and the fervent good wishes of
their fellow-citizens.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. EAGLETON, after a few words, moved as an amend-
ment, " That betbre the committee seek the aid of Parlia-
ment the contempleted reforms be presented for the consi-
deration of the members, that they may judge whether or not
it be necessary to go to Parliament."
Mr. HUNTLEY seconded the amendment, as he considered
that without the opinion of the law officers the committee
were all at sea.
Mr. R. TAT eon and Mr. ASITURST said the opinions of the
law (dicers had been all in print long ego, and were every
one to the effect that nothing could be done without the aid
of Parliament.
Mr. W. JONES questioned the propriety of going to Par-
larment, r,endiug the difference of opiniou between the two
Courts. He had no misgivings as to Parliament, provided
the two brarches of the Corporation went up as an united
body; but he thought the chance of success would be
greatly decreased it they appeared to be influenced by op-
posing views. Upon the anomalous power exercised by the
Lord Mayor and Aldermen over the funds of the City, it was
necessary that Parliament should be appealed to, for it was
quite obvious that by Parliament alone was that dangerous
authority to be checked.—( Hear, hear.) As for the elec-
tion of the Aldermen, he should have no objection to make
that septennial, but not more limited; but taking all the
circumstancee into consideration, he thought the sentiments
of the constituency ought to be taken on the principal mat-
ters under discussion.
Mr. BURN did not approve of that art of the resolution
which recommended that it be referred p
to the sub-commitee
to prepare the Bill for reforming the Corporation.
Deputy STEVENS said, it was the conduct of the Lord
Mayor that induced them to think of going to Parliament at
all. They had supposed that they possessed the power to
bring forward a Bill for their own reform. The Lord Mayor
said they had no such power, and refused to put the ques-
tion. What alternative, then, had they but to go to Par-
liament to ascertain the extent of their privileges? He
trusted that deputations from the two Courts would meet
together and cordially agree in their application to Parlia-
ment.—(Cheers.) The law officers of the Corporation must
join in producing a beneficial plan, and a termination must
be made to.the disgraceful scenes which had been so fre-
quently repeated.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. WPRE, in answer to those gentlemen who did not
wish it to be referred to the sub-committee to prepare a Bill,
said it would be ridiculous to meet a deputation from the
City Aldermen without having something tangible—some-
thing more than a mere abstract principle to produce at the
interview.—(Hear, hear.) It was his wish that all the Al-
dermen should be added to the sub-committee.—(Hear.)
lie deprecated the idea of any farther delay. The public
were getting tired of the long-established practice of post-
ponement for which the Corporation were celebrated, and an
effort must be made at once to show that that branch of it
was sincere in its wish for an essential improvement.
Alderman SIDNEY admitted that the time had arrived
when it was necessary to make some reforms, and that the
members of the court to which he belonged were as willing
to go to Parliament to effect the great object as were the
members of the committee. He quoted the authority of an
old historian in proof of the fact that the Corporation of
London was the glory of the kingdom from the date of the
earliest infarcy of the City itself. He wished to see that.
glory undiminished, and lie thought that with the aid of Par-
liament such changes would be introduced as would enlarge
and improve the constituency and extend the benefits of so
great an institution to the whole community.
Mr. LAWRENCE spoke ;n 'avour of the original motion, and
said that if the Court of Aldermen were of opinion that there
was occasion for a Bill in Parliament, that was certainly cal-
culated to show that there was r.o occasion for anything at
all of the kind.—(Laughter.)
Mr. Eagleton's amendment was then negatived, as was an
Amendment by Mr. Low—" That the report be referred back
to the sub-committee until the answer, of the law officers
W 33 obtained to the various questions gone into by the said
sub-committee to be submitted to them."
The original resolution, proposed by Mr. Ashurst, was then
agreed to by a large majority.
Mr. Asuupst then moved resolutions to the effect that

commend that Court to take ?"
After the reading of the questions, it WAS moved by Mr.
HARTLEY, and unanimously resolved—
"That the several officers before named be requested
within fourteen days to deliver their opinions in answer to
such questions, and to accompany the same with a reference
to the several documents, either in the archives of the Cor-
poration or elsewhere, upon
' founded, and that they be also requested to afford such ex-
planations as they may think expedient, to assist the mem-
hers of the committee in exercising their own judgment
upon the several matters referred to them for their con-
sideration, or to enable them, if they shall think proper, to
!eel( advice from the most eminent men in the profession."
The committee, when all these questions were unanimously
adopted, separated.

Mr. O'CONNELL'S ITEALTIL_The answer to in-
quiries at the British Hotel, after the health of the Hon. and
Learned Member for Cork, is, that " Mr. O'Connell is quite
well ; that he rides out daily for two or three hours in the
day, and eats well, frequently dining with three :or four
f, lends." Sometimes the answer is, however, varied to
' Mr. O'Connell is much better, and is doing well." As we
stated, however, on a former occasion, the state of the Hon.
and Learned Gentleman is represented, by persons who have
the best means of
and considerable doubt is entertained as to his recovery.
FLOODS IN judging, as far from being "quite well ;"
PARLs.—Notwithstanding the fine
weather and the absence of rain in Paris, the waters of the
Seine still maintain their height at 5 metres 60 ntimetres.
RISE IN THE PRICE OF BREAD. igri Saturday
bread was raised in price generally throughout the metro-
polis, the advance being one halfpenny per loaf of 41b.
Yesterday (Monday) the price was again advanced one
halfpenny more, making the • charge ,by the cheap beiers
from 9d. to 910. for a loaf of 41b., the full-price bakers
charging for what is termed the best bread from 101,4 d. to
11d. 4 further rise is anticipateti in the courso pf the ~
week,