The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-21 00:00:00

OFFENDERS.

The Marquis of LAN sDOWN E laid upon the House a
return of the amount of monies paid as rewards for the ap-
prehension of offenders._

SPEEDY REMOVAL OF NUISANCES BILL.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE moved that the House
shcuid resolve itself into a Committee for the purpose of con-
sidering the provisions of this Bill, and took occasion to state
the nature of its operations. He stated that the Bill
had been called for in consequence of the late un-
healthy season, and the prevalence of epidemic disease
Among other provisions there were several providing
for the due and proper whitewashing of dwelling-
houses, and making it compulsory upon the landlords
to remove all offensive matter, and other nuisances.
The expense thus created was to be defrayed either by
the owners or the occupiers of the houses ; and it was pro-
posed that this enactment should Le carried into effect
by town councils, commissioners, and boards of guardians.
That the Bill was necescary it was superfluous to bring
forward any details to prove, as he was sure their Lordships
would concur in its propriety. He would conclude by moving
that the House should go into Committee on the Bill.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE, in reply to Lord Ranfurly,
said that another Bill of a similar character was proposed to be
brought forward, having reference to Ireland.
The Bill then went through Committee, and was ordered to
be reported to-morrow.
The Alarquis of LANSDOWNE said that the Bill would be
read a third time on Monday, and he would then take an op.
portunity of referring to the Land Valuation (Ireland) Bill.
Their Lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS,
RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS' BILL.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)

Mr. HENLEY would not object to the Bill, if it merely
transferred the powers of the Board of Trade to the new de-
partment, but the latter part of the Bill gave additional
powers, to which he objected, and the due consideration of
which could not take place in the present thin state of the
House. If the Noble Lord would consent to his suggestion,
and limit the provisions of the Bill in the way he stated, he
would not object to it, but, otherwise, he would oppose those
clauses ashen they came under consideration.
Mr. HUME defended the Bill, sod considered that a body
of the kind proposed to be appointed was, in the present state
of railway business, absolutely necessary. If the Hon. Gentle-
man who had objected to the powers conferred by the Bill had
been, like him, on the Committee which suggested the ap-
pointment of the board, and bad heard the evidence of the
engineers and others who were examined, he would not con-
sider the powers too extensive, or more than were required
under the eircums'ances.

After a few words from Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that it
would be time enough when the House went into Committee
to consider the objectionable clauses. He was fully :mare of the
inconvenience of bi inging forward the question at this late period
of the session, but if they did not appoint a railway board now,
they would be in the same position next session as they were
at the beginning of this session, and, under these circum-
stances, he theaght it much better if they ',met! the present
13i11.

Mr. ESTCOURT made some observations which did not
reach the gallery.
Mr. HO ttSAIAN thought at present the functions of the
Board of Trade and the Railway Committees were very un-
defined, and 'eke% ery member of a Committee in doubt as to the
power the Committee could exercise. He therefore thought
that the establishment of such a board as that proposed by the
paesent Bill was very necessary.
Mr. P. HOWARD thought that the Commissioner:, when
they should be appointed, shou'd have their attention directed
to the great speed now applied on railways, as it was a matter
of much importance to the safety of the public at large.
Mr. B. ESCOTT thought that the speed on railways was a
great public convenience, and should not be reduced. He
should, however, in consequence of other circumstances, join in
suggesting that the consideration of the present question should
be deferred until the ensuing session.
Lord J. RUSSELL said that he had not the smallest wish
for the introduction of this Bill, but he understood that it was
the opinion generally of Committees of that House, and of all
persons connected with them, that it was desirable such a Bill
should be introduced. fle thought, however, that as the opinion
of the House was so strongly in favour of this Bill that it ought
to be proceeded with. It would, however, be impossible to invest
the Commissioners under this Bill with al the powers at present
exercised by Railway Committees.
Mr. S. WORTLEY thought that the Bill ought only to be
made temporary—to continue until the end of next session.
After a few words from Mr. WARBURTON,
Mr. MUNTZ said that the object of the Bill appeared to
him to be to save the railway companies the enormous expense
attendant upon their being compelled to bring up witnesses to
town. The Commissioners would have powers to make local
investigations, which powers were not possessed by the Board
of Trade.

Mr. WAKLEY said, that considering the gigantic evils
which were said to exist, both in and out of that
House, with reference to the railway system, any-
thing more incompetent to remedy them than the
present measure he could not conceive. He could not dis-
cover that the five Commissioners to be appointed could render
any effectual service. He should be most willing to support
any vote of the public money for the establishment of any
office which could really be of s .rvice, but he certainly s'r ould
dissent from any vote for so inefficient a tribunal as the one
proposed, and he thought that the further consideration of the
present subject should be postponed.
Mr. 'WILLIAMS hoped that her Majesty's Government
would not consent to any postponement of the measure, as he
considered that the Bill, as a temporary measure, would be
amply efficient for all the objects intended.
Atter some further consideration the gallery was cleared for
a division, when there appeared—
For the amendment ... 0
Against it .......... 64
Majority
The House then went into Committee on the Bill, when
Colonel SIBTHORP upbraided the conduct of those
gentlemen who, after having spoken against the Bill,
yet voted for it when the House came to divide.
Thank God ! he had never been guilty of such
despicable conduct; his course had always teen con-
sistent and independent. The introduction of such an im-
portant Bill as this at solate a period of the session was nothing
less than a gross trick played upon unsuspecting and
absent Members. Had he chosen last night he could
have stopped the further progress of the Bill this session, be-
cause there were not forty Members present at the time that it
was read a second time, but he scorned taking advantage of any
underhand work.

Mr. WILLIAMS, in reply to some remarks that had fallen
from the Hon. and Gallant Member. said that he did not an-
ticipate being appointed, nor would he consent to receive any
appointment under this Bill.
Colonel sIBTHORP—" Hear, hear."

L..rd G. SOMERSET made a few observations on the Bill,
which were inaudible in the re, otters' gallery.
The CHANCELLOR. of the EXCHEQUER said that
the Government were of opinion that the President of the
new Commission to 13,t app ,inted under this Bill should
be a Member of either that or the other House of Par-
liament, so that he might be prepared to furnish any
information connected with the Commission to such Mem-
bers of the House as might desire it. He was
happy to find that the jealousy of members of such
boards holding seats in Parliament was rapidly dying away.
The object of the Government in introducing this Bill was to
appoint men in the place of the former Commissioners
who would command the confidence of the public, which,
from some reason or other the late Commissioners did not,
notwithstanding their great talents and fitnets for their office.
The only new burdens. which this Bill would impose upon the
public would be the payment of the services of the President
and two Corr missioners.
Mr. B. ESCOTT thought that the arrangement for ap-
pointing the head of the proposed hoard bore very much the
character of a job, and he should oppose the Bill by all the
forms of the House.
_ _

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER denied any
knowledge of any job, either existing of intended.
Atter some further discussion, in which Mr. Borthwick,
Mr. Morris, Mr. Eseott, Mr. Turner, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, and Mr. Henley took part, the clause was agreed to.
Clauses 2,3, and 4 were then agreed to without a division.
On Clause 5 being proposed,
Mr. P. BORTH WICK moved an amendment to the
effect, that instead of the words " and two other commis-
sioners," to substitute the words " vice-president and secre-
tary."

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought it
better to leave the clause as it stood, so as to have two per-
manent working commissioners.
Mr. ESCOTT thought so many Commissioners as five
quite uncalled for. He did not think the railway business of
the couniry would be so much as to require the services of so
many persons.

Colonel 8113THORP took a similar view of the question.
Mr. BORTHWICK then withdrew ills amendment.
After a few words from Mr. WILLIAMS, which did not
reach the gallery, the clause was agreed to.
On clause 6 being propomd,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that
the salary of the president of the board would be
2,0001. per ant.um, and the salaries of the two paid Com-
missioners would be 1,800/. per year.
After some observations from Colonel SIBTHORP,
Mr. B. EsCOTT moved that the salary of the president be
reduced to 1,000/.

Lord G. BENTINCK thought that the salary was not too
high, for it would require a man of very considerable talent,
and would entail considerable responsibility on him, and
there would be no officer in that House who would be so fre-
puently called upon to explain the conduct of his board.:
Mr. BORTH WICK agreed with the Noble Lord that the
salary of 2,000/. would not be too much, but he objected to the
prnciple of estimating a man's talents and usefulness by the
pounds, shillings, and pence which he received.
The amendment was then put and negatived.
Mr. WILLIAMS moved, as an amendment, that the words
" one thousand Live hundred" be struck out from the clause.
After a snort discussion the amendment was withdrawn.

.......
Clause 6 was then agreed to.
The clause was then agreed to.
On clause 10 being proposed,
Mr. MUNTZ proposed an amendment, to give greater
effect to the local examinations to be instituted by the Com-
missioners as to any projected railway.
'I he CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had no ob-
jection to the amendment.
After a few words from Mr. ESCOTT and P. M. STEWART,
the amendment was agreed to.
The clause was then adopted.
The remaining clauses were agreed te, and the House re-
sumed. Report to-morrow.
POOR EMPLOYMENT (IRELAND) BILL.
On the order of the day for the receiving of the report on
this Bill being read,
Sir D. NORRIS said that he had an amendment to move
in reference to this Bill, and he wished to know from the
Noble Lord at the head of the Givernment what course he
should take ?

Lord J. RUSSELL suggested that the Bill should be re-
committed, and
The House accordingli resolved itself in!o Committee on
this Bill.

Sir D. N. JEPSON said he would postpone his amend,
ments till the third reading.
The report was then gene through, and ordered to be read
third time to-morrow.