The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-04 00:00:00

another night he would have no objection, though he was most
unwilling that it should be put forward any longer, because up
to this time all the arguments at the ether aide ad substan-
tially proved the case of those at this side.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. NEWDEGATE said that the Hon. Member for Lin-
coln had given his opinion that the tenant-farmers of this coun-
try were In favour of total repeal. He bad had the pleasure -of
meeting many intelligent farmers m ithin an hour before he
entered that House. He admitted that many of them felt bitter
disappointment at the sudden and unaccountable change which
they witnessed in the feeling of those whom they trusted, and
that under the influence of such feelings, such an expression
might have escaped them ; but he denied that the opinions of
the tenant-farmers in this country were in favour of total and
immediate repeal, as more beneficial to their interests. With
reference to what had been said by the Hon. Member
for Finsbury, he would confirm what that Ilon.
Member had said, that there was a democratic and radical
feeling arising in this country.—( Hear, bear. )
Mr. VILLIERS said that the Hon. Member for Warwick--
shire had denied what had been positively assorted en that side
of the House, and told them what had passed between himself
and his tenants.:—(Mr. Nesedegate, 6' Oh, no.") He would
',love that the principle of protection had nothing to do with the
interests of the tenant farmer, and they did not at all trouble
themselves about it. The lion. Member for Finsbury could
certainly not teach hint what protection
_wars for he
had advised the House to take the sense of the country by a
show of hands, as did also the Hon. Member for Aberdeen.
On the policy of bringing forward this motion at the present
time he must exercise his own judgment. Ever since he had
been in the practice of submitting this proposition to Parlia-
ment, he had been told he was in the wrong in the course he
took, but judging of the eventh of the present session, it
would seem as if he had taken the right course. He
would say nothing against Honourable Members on this
side of the Howe supporting the measure of the Govern-
ment in preference to the amendment, and he did not think
that the Hon. Member for Finsbury would loose any popu-
larity by the course he intimated he should take. There was
no popularity to be gained whichever side he might vote on,
as far as the two propositions before the House was concerned.
He was astonished' at the Hon. Member for Lynn saying he
would not support the amendment, as he had told them (the
free traders), they dare not bring it forward against the
Government measure, lest they (the protectionists) should
support it. Now, it seemed the delay was considered valuable,
as it would enable them to have an election before free trade
could come into operatien, and that they might succeed in
defeating it. They need not calculate on that, as it was in
vain for them to expect the restoration of the -present system
of protection if once the Government measure was carried
The farmers were indifferent to it, as a proof of which, he
would refer to the fact, that on Saturday last, when the account
of the division was sent to the country, the farmers in various
places where the news was carried did not seem to care a
straw about it. The Hon. Member, having referred to some
'other points, referred to by previous speakers, coecluded by
pressing his amendment on the House.
The gallery was then cleared for a division.
On cur re-admission into the gallery there appeared—
For the Amendment 7B
Against it 065
Majority ...........
......... —lB7
THE COAL-WHIPPERS:' ACT.
On the motion of Sir GEORGE CLERK, leave was ob-
tained to introduce the Bill to continue and amend the Coal-
whippers' Act.
Captain LAYARD asked if the Government was prepared
to lay urn the table of the House any returns of the number
of suicides committed to the end of the, year 1845?
Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT said that as there was no dis-
tinct register of them there would be some difficulty in obtain-
ing the returns alluded to.
The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
House adjourned at half-past One o'clock.