The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-22 00:00:00

lAIPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

lIOUSE OF LORDS.-TUESDAY.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

Lord O'Hagan took the oaths and his seat as a peer of
the realm.
MARRIED WOMEN'S PROPERTY. BILL.

Lord CAIRNS moved the second reading of this bill,
the object of which is to give further protection to the
Dr°Perty of married women. It sought to protect the
earnings of the industrious woman from being seized and
dissipated by an idle and dissolute husband. It gave the
Wife power to sue and be sued as if she were a femme sole,
audit would also enable her to dispose of property in
Which she had a right, irrespective of the wishes of her
husband.
Lord PENZANCE said the evil which the bill proposed to
remove was admitted, and that was to prevent an idle,
Worthless husband seizing the wages that an industrious
Wile had worked for, but according to his view of the pro-
visions of the bill now before them, it went too far. If it
merely protected the earnings of the wife he should not
object to it, but it went far beyond the necessities of the
ease. The bill gave the married woman all the rights of a
Single person, and he feared that if it was carried out in
all its entirety it would lead to a greater discord than at
Present existed. He doubted much if a man would be
desirous of taking a wife just as he would take a partner
in business, as that would be the case in reality if the bill
Passed. A man would always degire to be master in his
c'wn house, but the enactment of the bill would pre vent
that. He thought an extension of the present power of
Protection would effect all that was required.

Lord WESTBURY thought the bill went an extravagant
length, and that its operation would have to be very much
reduced before it was allowed to pass. It appeared to him
that the measure proceeded from the sensational desire
Which was now so prevalent for changing that which was
boot only the law, but the domestic practice of the coun-
try for a thousand years. There were evils, no doubt,
which required alteration, but he did not think the course
Proposed by the bill now before their lordships was the
best and wisest way of removing them.
Lord RomILLY, like the previous speakers, admitted
that some alteration of the law was required, but he
thought the enactments of the bill at present too ex-
tensive. He recommended that the bill be read a second
tinae, and then referred to a select committee, where the
improvements so much required could be introduced.

The Earl of SHAFTESBURY said the present matter was
hot only a legal but a social one, and it was absolutely
necessary that a bill to amend the present state of things
should be passed even if their doing so violated that
Which had hitherto been regarded as legal principles. The
Present bill, however, went too far, and would establish
something far more than equality in favour of the wife,
Who would have all the power of a femme sole. She would
be enabled to accept presents of jewellery and money
from persons towards whom her husband felt an aversion,
she would be able to enter into all sorts of speculations,
and in the end the husband would be called upon to bear
the liabilities of such conduct. He quite admitted that it
Was necessary to further protect the property of the lower
aud middle classes, because the present protecting order
was wholly insufficient. He thought that a law enacting
the earnings of the wife to be her own instead of the hus-
band's would be found sufficient.

The LORD CHANCELLOR supported the second reading
of the bill, but he hoped, after it had passed that stage, it
would be referred to a select committee. The law and
Practice with respect to settlements might easily be
improved, and as regarded the less wealthy classes a vast
amount of hardship existed, which showed the necessity
for immediate legislation. It was most objectionable that
it should remain in the power of an idle, good-for-nothing
husband to come down and sweep off the whole of the
Property of the wife when she was endeavouring to keep
herself and children from beggary, which his conduct had
Irnost brought them to. He thought if they extended
the provisions of the 10th clause, all that was required
might be accomplished during the present session without
attempting that which the bill really did, namely, to make
a married woman a man by act of Parliament.
After a few observations from Lord LYVEDEN, in oppo-
sition to the measure,

The Duke of CLEVELAND thought it impossible to alter
the bill now before them so as to make it acceptable to
the other House; it would be far better to set about fram-
!lig a smaller and less sectional measure, which might
become law during the present session.

The bill was ultimately read a second time, and referred
to a select committee.
The Appellate Jurisdiction Bill was read a third time
%u(' passed.
The order for the committee of the Gas and Water
Facilities Bill was read and discharged.

On the motion for the committee of the Piers and Har-
bours Orders Confirmation Bill being made,
Lord REDESDALE complained of the great inconve-
nience that was occasioned at the Board of Trade by the
department being left for an entire session without the
assistance of a president. When the vice-president was
Occupied in committee work the business of the depart-
ment had to be transacted by subordinates, which he con-
sidered an objectionable state of things.
The House then went into committee on the bill. The
Whole of the clauses were agreed to, and it was reported
Without amendment.

The Felony Bill passed through committee, and was
reported without amendment.

The Drainage and Improvements of Lands (Ireland)
Bill passed through committee.
Their lordships adjourned at a quarter to eight.