The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-02 00:00:00

4061
je lung Alt
/44

LONDON. TITEBDAI7.-JUNE 2, 1846.

Earl FITZWILLIAM last week called the attention of
tl'e House of Lords to the resolutions which had been
passeci in the latter end of April as sessional orders,
and the Bill which had been proposed with a view of

impeding the further progress of Railway Bill-
through the Legislature. His Lordship stated that, hr
far as he had been able to observe, these measure-
had produced very little effect. He therefore asked
f the Government were prepared with any-
more efficient measure, and gave notice th .t.
if they should fail to do so, he would
after the recess propose some measure which h•
thought would be more effective. His Lordship had
not quite made up his mind as to the exact nature 0-
. his proposition, but he thought it would be that their
Lordships should postpone the third reading of ever)
Railway Bill which might be before the Hous-
until the whole number of Railway Bills, which
should come up from the other branch of the
Legislature should be waiting for a third read-
ing, in order that the whole mass of these mea-
sures should be taken into consideration at the same
time, and then that such might be selected as it should
be deemed desirable to sanction. With the highest
possible respect for Lord FITZWILLILM personally.
. for the integrity of his purpose, and for the honest
conviction which has, we doubt not, influenced him
on the question, we do not think it would be acting
fairly towards those persons who have invested their
capital in such undertakings, who have seen difficulty'
after difficulty thrown in their way, and who have
at length overcome all obstacles, and complied
with every demand made by the Legislature.
at a vast expenditure of time and money, if at th(-
eleventh hour a new and insurmountable barrier
should be pieced in the way of their further progress.
The Legislature may be looked upon, in a certain
point of view, as contracting parties with person:
who have become undertakers for the construction of
new railways throughout the country. There cannot
be a doubt but a number of these lines were impera-
tively demanded, and that a vast amount of benefit
would be conferred on the public by their construc-
tion, not only in the accommodation which would
be afforded to the community at large on their com-
pletion, but also in the increased demand for labour,
and for the various articles necessary to their making
during the progress of their construction. The
Government declined the responsibility of taking the
initiative of selecting the particular lines which should
be made in the first instance, or in any degree limit-
ing the number. It was decided that such under-
takings should be left wholly to private enterprise.
A wholesome dread was felt by the Ministry of inter-
fering directly with the application of capital. Cer-
tain checks were, however, established by the opera-
tion of numerous and stringent standing order:
which should, in the first place, be accurately com-
plied with, and by the known rules adopted, anc
acted on during former sessions by the several Com-
mittees, under which it was known that no lin,
would be sanctioned unless it was clearly called fo
by the wants of the district through which it was in-
tended to pass ; that the public benefit would greatly
exceed any private injury which might possibly be
occasioned thereby ; and that the undertaking was
likely to prove so remunerative as to afford a fair
return for the amount of expenditure likely to
be incurred in its construction, the fullest
estimates the closest investigation into each and every
of these points, by competent scientific men, was es-
sentially necessary. Large sums of money must bt
expended in bringing the matter before Parliament,
and the promoters should be prepared to cast away
that entire expenditure unless the proposed line com-
plied with all the essential requisites. On the other
hand, if it could stand every ordeal—pass unscatheo
through every one of the various tests,—those pro-
moters had a fair and equitable claim on the
Legislature to do their part, and to sanction the con-
templated project, and more particularly not to suffti
it to be impeded by ex post facto regulations. Un-
fortunately, so vast a number of these speculations
were brought forward in the course of the last
autumn, that a panic, most disastrous in its results.
took place ; a great number of projects had been got
up by adventurers, who were quite careless of theit
ultimate fate, anxious only for a temporary prosperity
by which the scrip might come out at large pre •
iniums, and they might secure considerable profit,
for themselves. This they generally succeeded in by
what was termed rigging the markets, and
other discreditable devices. The public, who
had been deceived in many instances, and
who were unable to separate the chaff from the
wheat, got frightened. :Numbers sought, at the same
time, to get out of the scrape, to sell their scrip, at
any loss ; and, as a necessary consequence, muci
greater loss was sustained than by any possibility
could otherwise have taken place. Immediately on
the meeting of Parliament a Committee was ap-
pointed, at the suggestion of the Prime Minister.
who wished to have the various schemes classified.
and a certain number selected, which should only
be legislated on during the present session. That
Committee, however, reported that there was
no necessity for any restriction, that al
measures which were in readiness to go befort
Parliament should be permitted to proceed ; on the
faith of this resolution sanctioned and adopted by tht
House much additional expense was incurred .
Parliamentary contests were undertaken ; counsel re-
tained, and witnesses brought up to town. As migh,
have been expected very many failed in their pro-
gress, but still so many were found prepared in every
respect, that it was feared too many might
pass through every stage which it was sup
posed would, in the altered state of the mope)
market, in the more sombre aspect of railway pro
spects, gladly have been withdrawn by the great bod..
of the shareholders, if an option were afforded to then
of expressing their opinion for that purpose. Accord-
ingly a new Bill was brought forward and its nature
and provisions stated just before the Easter recess.
This Bill was received with almost unanimous appro-
bation throughout the country. It fully recognize,
the principle of letting the persons interested decide
for themselves as to whether they would still proceed
with the measure, and if a majority of the
scripholders should decide to the contrary,
then that the concern should be forthwith wound up.
the assets of the company vested in an officia,
assignee or trustee, and that, after ascertaining de
liabilities of the company, that the amount of the
deposits should be returned, less the fair expense,
already incurred, to the parties entitled thereto. This
just and wise provision effectually got rid of tht
legal difficulties that existed in the way of the disso-
lution of any company, it having previously been in
the power of any single shareholder to interpose
his individual will, and to prevent sucl.
a dissolution, although anxiously desired by a vas.
majority of his associates. Some improvements were
introduced into this proposed Bill after Easter, as to
the numbers necessary to vote at a meeting, and the
scale of voting, which was made to be in conformity
with the Joint—tack Companies Regulations Act of
last session. This, however, was not thought in itself
sufficient ; true it was that it gave the shareholders
the power of dissolving the company, but it required
active steps to be taken by them, expressive of their
desire for such a result. It was felt that
difficulties might be thrown in their way, and that
they might be unable to express their opinion in the
manner required by the Bill, before the concern in
which they were interested had received the final
sanction of the Legislature. Accordingly, a new
they proprietary
were
should be taken
check was interposed : resolutions were adopted as
sessional orders, which required that active steps on
that they the part of the genteoral
sbhoodwy of h
f the prudence, of the ad-
still convinced o
tinued progress. his
of their desire for its con
vantages of the undertaking, and expressive
was received
with approbation and
unanimity
easures interfered
was also just and equitable,
imanidty
throughout
the country. Neither of these m.
f mer periods.
the beginning of the session and at all or
with the groat principle recognis d and adopted at
adopted. The want
Such, however, would not be the case if Lord FITZ-
WILLIAMS' proposition were now adop •
to-day ;we shall, however, return to the subject o
of space unfortunately prevents our continuin. g thins
an early occasion.

What Government has chiefly to regard is the
moral, physical, and social welfare of the community.
9f that community in our own country the infinitely
predomlnant parts are the middle and the working
classes ; consequently, the happiness, the comfort, and
the enlightenment of those classes should constitute
the paramount care a Executive Authority. That
our legislators have invariably given a show of
"Ming this principle into piactio, t4e pages of

Tlansard will sufficiently testify ; and tl-e Parlia-
oentary records thus authenticate the accuracy of
.ur preceding statements. We would fain, flowerer,
•ielleve that the mere semblance of this aexiety for
),Ahlic prosperity (or, we should more strictly say, for
, he prosperity of the unprotected majority in lieu of
:he protected minority) will henceforth be altogether
uperseded by the real and conscientious performance.
,f that great legislative duty. And we are thus
sanguine of a regeneration of the enlarged spirit of
our Constitution from what has already, and very
recently, been accomplished for the promotion of that
regeneration. Public Opinion has boldly averred
hrough its organs--the ORATOR and the Paess—the
necessity for some immediate compensation for the
public oppression of many bygone generations ; and
the resistless might of the public will is now hasten-
ing the advent of that compensation. The mandate
has been issued ; the leverage is adjusted ; good must
result from such peaceful, and just endeavours.
Foremost among the advantages which will
arise from the development of this onward movement
is, of course, that of ensuring to every inhabitant of
Great Britain a free te_cess to the natural and arti-
ficial products of foreign countries, ands" free exporta-
tion of our insular merchandise—the immediate
,Jonsequence of which will be a balance in
!he commodities of all nations ; and the
Inferential consequences the administration of a
wholesome stimulus to agricultural and menu-
:acturing industry throughout the world, as well as
the increase of the necessaries of life which must
follow in the wake of that stimulus. By the aboli-
tion of these Customs Duties, moreover, smugg•
ling and other minor evils will be altogether pre-
,tluded, and the ability of many depredators
upon the national purse turned into channels likely
to benefit themselves and their country. Thus far
has the Government obeyed the mandates of public
will as far as the domestic necessities of the
people are concerned, as far as commerce is
concerned, as far even as the prevention
of starvation is concerned. But the motor
of Government, Public Opinion, has not rested sa•
fisfied with this alteration, wonderful as the altera-
`ion is. It has gradually grown into a conscious-
ness that air is as necessary as food for the preserva-
cion of health ; that farinaceous matters may be
administered to the stomach without effect, unless
the blood be duly oxygenized. Public Opinion, we
say, has become conscious of this, it has pronounced
its decision to that effect, and Government has again
conceded by opening Victoria Park for the exercise
tnd amusement of the eastern inhabitants of this
nighty city. Other social grievances, or social
xigencies, have, in like manner, aroused the
attention, and will sooner or later display the
potency of the people as their own benefactors.
eleanliness for example is becoming acknowledged
co be requisite for the comfort, the corporeal sanity,
and the morality—we distinctly repeat it the
in-irulity of the multitude. Burial out of
'owns in a similar way is becoming
generality recognised as a desideratum. The ultimate
result of this extension of belief as regards cleanliness
~.rid interment will be the interference of Government
,or the erection of wash-houses and the laying out of
:emeteries. That we emphatically assert, on the proviso
hat the people remain true to themselves as to these
wo very admirable notions; and our assertion is
used upon our conviction of the vigour and efficacy
and irresistible power of a people, when that people
is united, for the achievement of any definite object.
1.-)ersev,rance is in their instance a certain
,neans of obtaining any prize for the possession
of which they may tax their energies. Much,
therefore, as we may rejoice in the achievement of
free trade to commerce, the social system has blains
for eradication, and defects for remedy, sufficient
:o occupy the time and concentrate the powers
of the populace for a long period to
some. We regard_ the free- trade measure
is the first one of a long and majestic and
glorious procession of others, severally and collec-
ively tending to the welfare of the general com-
munity. And knowing their capacities, we look
to the people themselves for the fulfilment
of our anticipations. We have surmounted
one obstacle to our prosperity as a race
of freemen—but there are Alps upon Alps be-
fore us. Let us not, however, be discouraged; let
us, on the contrary, regard the signal triumph our
will, as an unanimous people, has obtained with re•
'erence to commercial improvement, as an augury of
he success which awaits our efforts fur the attainment
,f social and moral improvements in all their details and
intricacies ; remembering, however, that our future
efforts must resemble our past in peacefulness, in per-
severance, in unanimity, in resolution, otherwise they
will prove most signally abortive. We have already
?roved that national regeneration is not an impossi-
Pility ; we will take courage, then, and advance in
its prosecution proportionately with the advancement
,f the age.

From Lisboi:, under the date of 20th May, we
learn that a new Ministry had been formed, composed
~f the Duke of Palmella, the Duke of Terceira, the
Marquis of Saldanha, and Messrs. Taj ul and Azavedo.
Ile Duke of TERCEIRA. had left Libon to assume
he command of the army against the insurgents.

Madrid papers of the 26th ult. have been received.
he Ministry, although the country continues tran-
quil, are evidently alarmed at the state of affairs in
Portugal, and the Herald() calls upon the Govern-
ment to adopt active measures to prevent the Portu-
guese conflagration from spreading. Troops were
advancing towards the Portuguese frontier, and
drigadier CALENGE had been dispatched to Ciudad
ltoderigo to watch the course of events. M. Isrunrrz,
it, is said, has declared that he will not consent
to the TRAPANI marriage. The Russian ship
in which the Grand Duke CONSTANTINE visited
Algesiras fired a salute in honour of the Spanish flag,
thus acknowledging the Government of Queen
ISABELLA.

The Three per Cents. were not quoted on the
Aadrid Bourse, but :he official list states that they
riaintained themselves a lung time at 34, and closed
►t 33i ; the Fise per Cents. declined, being offered
at 201; the shares of the Bank of San Fernando sold
at 390, and those of Isabel at 200.

We have received the Paris papers of Sunday.
The Chamber of Deputies was occupied on Satur-

Jay in considering the Budget of the Home Depart-
ment. In the course of the discussion M. LAMARTINE
moved that the subvention granted to the Odeon
Theatre should be increased to 100,000 francs,
which was agreed to. The proposed subven-

tion was for 60,000 francs. In the course
of the sitting M. DR COURTAIS asked the
Minister of War if the Government had received
any information relative to the deplorable event said
to have recently occurred in Algiers, namely, the
massacre of 300 French prisoners by AI3D-El.-
KADxR ? The Minister replied that the Govern-
ment was not in possession of any informa-
tion on the subject, except what had appeared in
the public journals, but that as soon as he should
receive any information on the subject he would
communicate it to the Chambers.

In relation to this horrible affair, the Ahbar of the
24th May says—" A dreadful rumour was yes-
terday current in the city. It is said that
nearly all the French prisoners in the Deira of
ABD-EL-KADER had been massacred by order of
that chief. The causes which have led to this catas-
trophe are differently stated, and up to the present
hour no one here knows with certainty the circum-
stances which have led to the destruction of our coun-
trymen. Unfortunately, the fact itself cannot be
doubted.
The Echo of Oran of the 19th states that the
officers and some of the soldiers were spared, and
that some of the prisoners, by swimming across the
moulouya, had escaped the massacre.

of Marseilles of the 28th gives,
The Semaphore
under the date Algiers, May 25, the
of the circumstances which led to th,e
" The defection of the Beni Amers
went of Mustapha Ben Tami, as succes.or of Bo
the appoint-
reedi, had been the signal of violent dissensions, u lia'f
a general breaking up of the Deira. Bon flamedia," o-,-
fifty families attached to his person, had placed himself
Kalifa of Muley .A.bderrhawan, thus overtly seceding
from the cause of the Emir. The Hachems sepa-
rated, after coming to blows. A considerable portion
of them had declared, that being tired of the
wretched and perilous life they had led since
their emigration, they were determined to make
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