The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-05 00:00:00

RAILWAY BILLS.

Lord BROUGHAM said that he was now about to lay be-
fore their Lordships a series of resolutions with regard to rail-
way Bills, and finding that a large measure was at present
proposed with regard to thia subject he felt it to be his duty
to take the earliest opportunity of bringing the subject under
consideration. The Noble and Learned Lord then read the
resolutions which he proposed to submit to the House, and
which were extremely voluminous. They were to the effect
that, in order to legislate property in private, but especially
railway Bills, it was expedient to form a Court, apart and in-
dependent of the High Court of Parliament, except as regarded
the removal of its members, whom he proposed to remove, if
necessary, by the Crown, or the address of both
Houses of Parliament. This court or board should consist of
five members, who should be appointed by the Crown; and so
paid for their services that the most respectable members of
the legal profession might be obtained to constitute such board.
That until it could be seen how far that number of Commis-
missioners it was expedient, in the first instance,
ei
suffice, of Bankruptcy, or Masters in
h re t o
a p wouldpin t
Cs
Chancery,
g t the Houses of Parliament, on receiving a Bill, should, before
e
to fill the offices, but without additional pay. That
a first time, refer it to this tribunal, which should
reading
have the power of swearing and summoning witnesses,
power of deciding on all questions, always, however, subject
to the opinion of one of the four courts of Westminster Hall,
by moving that the resolutions (twenty-three i
if rendered necessary. The Noble and Learned Lord con-
cludednanndoothe.
TheOn t motionhe ra ot
(la s unanimously
L o
Lord
d C A agreed
mp B ELtLo
ber) be printed.
DEATH BY R
AA
ICLCwI ACCIDENTS
DT
ES
Bill 7, This
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Bill, brought o
n theup and
motionagreed o
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DEPOSITS BILL.
BILL.
report
The Earl of DOCKSEWILLTypENRPpOreOseLnted
through Committee. Lord MONthTe Eo,n oft::
several BILL.
petitions,
numer-
ously signed, against this Bill, from different parties, including
one from Chester, another from New Brighton, another fro
the inhabitants of Liverpool,
pool, and another from the Chester and
Birkenhead Railway Company. If the effect of this clause
would be to give parties power to reconstruct a line, still be
would be inclined to press its insertion. Another point urn
which he would wish to say a few words. A clause had bees
suggested by which to compel parties to give an affirmation,
when voting, that they had been the bond fide possessors of
scrip upon the 31st of March, He had given that subject
great deal of consideration, and had consulted others upon it,
when he had come to the conclusion that it would not be ex-
pedient to insert such a clause, inasmuch as that the affirma-
tion would not affect the object, while it would operate unjustii
to others. It would be carried to so great an extent, before
it could affect the object, that it would be scarcely possible toi
do it, at least to do it in such a way as to affect a really gol
undertaking to any extent. For these reasons, he subinitte''
that the plans proposed to meet the difficulty, would not have
the effect contemplated.
Earl GREY said the statement of the Noble Earl confirmed_
him in the belief that the Bill would work very great injustice
indeed to many persons who were highly deserving the co,
ssideration of the House, namely, persons of influence an
capital, in order to meet the wishes of persons who had over_
speculated, and now wished to withdraw from the undertaking::
with which they had connected themselves. Let their Loro
ships consider the position in which some of these parties
would be placed if the Bill became law. Many had taken shares
in companies whose demands they were unable to comply vi
but if the Bill were passed, many bond fide projects, whin
would afford communication to districts now suffering from tb°
inefficient means of transit, would be abandoned—not because
they were bad in themselves, but because a majority of these
who were vested with the power of rejection had not the meatns
of meeting their calls,:and, therefore, they desired an early sacri-
fice. But then the prudent men, who had joined carefully .I_l_l.
a project, and who were willing fully to carry it out, would f:
sacrificed. But when the companies were projected, no ill"