The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-23 00:00:00

rather an addition to this clause. He would move that
where the salary of the registrar was to be fixed at the
average of the last three rears, that it should be provided
that the average did not exceed more than I,ooo'. a year.
After a few observations from Mr. COOPER and Mr.
O'Coszatu, which did not reach the gallery,
Clause 10 was ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clause It was postponed.
Clause 12 was ordered to stand part of the Bill.
On the question that clause 13 stand part of the Bill being
put,
Mr. P. SCBOPE said that under clause 13 be did not feel
certain whether the tables by which these societies al-
ready in existence calculated their advantages would
have to be submitted to the registrar. He would
also take this opportunity of saying that he
thought that the present measure, if it was passed, would be
of very little advantage to these societies. The attention
of the Legislature ought, after the passing of this
Bill, to be directed to the framing of some measure
which would place these societies in a position infi-
nitely superior to that in which it was at present
proposed to place them. The attention of the Government
might also be turned to the introduction of some Government
measure by which the poor, by making certain paymEnt!,
could secure an annuity at any period they named in their
old age. The tables of the rates of payments
could be published. The poor would thus have the
advantages of a Government security for their annuities,
and also of having their annuities payable to them at any
portion of the kingdom they might chance to be. That
course would be better than the doubtful and uncertain
security at present afforded by the friendly societies, which,
by mismanagement or miscalculation, might occasion to many
the loss of the subscriptions of years. He hoped that his
suggestion would meet with the consideration that it deserved
at the hands of the Government.

Sir JAMES GRAHAM promised that it should. He
also stated that in a short time competent persons would be
appointed by the Government for the purpose of drawing
up tables to regulate the amount of sums to be paid on
the death of a member of these societies. And he proposed
that no society should be hereafter certified by the registrar
unless they consented to be guided by those tables.
Mr.T. DUNCOMBE said, that if the Right Hon. Baronet
would read the very able book of Mr. Neilson on the subject of
annuities, he would find that it would be most unjust to require
the tables on that head to be the same in all societies; for
instance, it would be unjust to compel the Friendly Ship-
builders of Liverpool to be guided by the same tables as
those of the Operative Tailors' Society of the metropolis, be-
cause the latter were exposed to much more sickness than
the former.--(Hear, hear.)
The clause, as amended by the Right Hon. Baronet was
then put and passed. On clause 14 being proposed,
Mr. HENLEY hoped that provisionwould be made against
the sending of any cases connected with friendly societies
into Chancery.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said, that in all matters
of dispute were the members of those rcletles proposed to go
to a w
for the
the
case
time would
behinavg.
and
toe bief submittedhewewere
o f topi
opinion
Attorney-
Generalthat
there
was no necessity for appealing to the Court of Chancery, the
ecase could not be proceeded with.

The clause was then agreed to.
After some discussion clause 15 was agreed to.
Sir J. GRAHAM then moved that the consideration of
Clause 16 and the remaining clauses should be postponed till
Friday neat.—Motion agreed to.

NEW WRIT.

On the motion of Mr. YOUNGE, anew writ was ordered
for the Falkirk District of Burghs, in the room of J. Baird,
Esq., who had accepted the office of Steward of the Chiltern
Hundreds._

COUNTY ELECTIONS BILL.
Mr. ELPHINSTONE moved the second reading of the
County Elections Bill, which proposes to limit the time of
polling at elections in counties to one day.
Colonel WOOD moved that the Bill be read a second time
that day six months.
Lord J. WORSLEY went through the returns of the
number of voters recorded in the several counties, and the
number of those who voted on the second day, the result of
which was that the number of persons who voted on the se-
cond day was so insignificant as to render it very desirable
to restrict the time for county elections. The Hon. Member
for Middlesex had said that the out-voters would have no
opportunity of voting; but even if such were the case, there
were corresponding advantages; for even, as in the case of
West Yorkshire, where there were more than 50,000 voters,
it was evident that no change could be made on the second
day of polling. Then, as to treating, it was well known that
much of the mischief would be saved. He was satisfied
that the alteration was wholesofne, and he should give it his
cordial support.—(Cries of "Divide.")
Mr. NEWDEGATE wished to say a few words on this
measure, which, in his opinion, was at least, premature, for
it was very plain that the experience of the past was no
criterion for the future.—(Laughter.) He had himself been
engaged on a Committee,
The SPEAKER—The Hon. Member cannot speak respect-,
ing a Committee which has not made its report.
Mr. NEWDEGATE apologised, and proceeded to say that
if the same plan were to be adopted as that which the
Hon. Member for Stockport (Mr. Cobden) had said would
be used by the Anti-Corn-law League—that was to collect
a large number cf voters at the railway stations in a neigh-
bouring county, and pour them down the polling-places—
this would occasion great inconvenience, and if it was
proposed to obviate that inconvenience by an increased
number of polling-places, that would also occasion great
expense. He thought also that if these measures
were to be adopted. they would have the effect
looked for by the Hon. Member for Stockport, and
be greatly expedited. This object was given in the assertion
that, within three years, he would unseat 100 county Mem-
bers, unless they changed their principles and voted
against the opinions of their constituents and their own.
There had been during the present session 36 petitions
against the return of borough Members, of which 29 had
been decided on, seven- dropped, or one-tenth of all the bo-
rough Members returned. In the same period there had
been but three petitions against county elections, or one-
sixtieth, of which two had been dropped. This would show
the decided balance, it might be presumed, in favour of the
honesty of county elections. He would oppose the Bill and
support the amendment. •
Mr. BRIGHT said that there was not an argument now
used against the Bill but what had been employed against the
old system, yet every one, of whatever political party, agreed
that the change was a great improvement. The difficulty in
the way of travelling was much removed, and by railways it
would be easy in most cases to take a whole constituency in a
short time, if required. Whatever might be said
of the expense of travelling, the expense 'of keeping
the poll open for two days was far greater. He would de-
cidedly support the second reading of the Bill.
Mr. B. DENISON thought there were advantages in
favour of the second day's polling which had not been referred
to. He knew of several instances in which the result of the
first day's polling had been entirely changed the second day.
There was no analogy between the position of the
boroughs and the counties in point of distance and travelling.
Nor did he see any necessity for the change, as not any of
the counties, or the parties interested, had at all complained
of the present practice..
Sir JAMES GRAHAM said, that if the Hon. Member
wished to press his motion, he would say a few words.
He considered the Dill, not so much respecting its
effect on candidates, as on elections generally. He
was decidedly of opinion that it was not expedient or politic
to reduce the present period for the taking of votes in counties.
The paramount question with them should be, not whether,
it would reduce the expenses of candidates, but whether it
would interfere with the due latitude necessary for theincrease
of the franchise. Tried by this test, he did not think the Bill
necessary as required by the exigencies of the case. He
quite agreed in the statement of the Hon. Member for
the West Riding of Yorkshire that there was no analogy
between boroughs and counties. The change made
on the previous law was a salutary one, reducing borough
elections to one day and counties to two, but he did not
think there should be any further alteration. With respect
to borough elections, the restriction to one day extended
only to a range of seven miles, but in the counties there
was no limitation. He could see no reason why they should
depart from the rule established, and he did not consider the
period of two days was any inconvenience to voters. He
rather considered that it was in favour of the franchise
than anything else. He would therefore vote against the
second reading of the Bill.
Sir R. INGLIS said that polling-places were not more dis-
tant from each other than a mile in towns and cities, and
were within the radius of a circle extending six miles
in counties, and he therefore did not see that the Bill was
necessary.
Mr. B. ESCOTT said he would vote for the second reading
of the Bill, for, in his opinion, mal-practices took place
most on the second day of polling. The Hon. Member for
Middlesex thought otherwise, for the purity of his elec-
tion—(Hear, hear)—no doubt led him to that opinion.
But he had had some experiences in country elections,
and the evening between the first and second day .was a
very tempting opp n.tueity to those who hung round
the booths, and who bad probably promised their votes to one
party, yet gave them to the other.
Colonel SIBTHORP said he had a vote for five counties,
and that he would be sorry to see the day when the free
circulation of money at elections would be checked.
Lord G. BENTINCK said the Hon. Member for Win-
chester
had spoken of the conduct of those who promised one
thing, yet did another. He cordially concurred with the
Honourable Member in his reprobation of such persone,
and he hoped he would apply those principles to
his own conduct, and that he would recollect, at
the next discussion on the corn-laws, that he promised the
electors cf Winchester one thing, and that he would not
oariothoefr. Inue conclusion,Honourable h e waonudl d
ment
ein a n
.The Hon. Gentleman the Member for Gallant Durham
upon the IL effects of the ol
remem-
bered that there was a wide difference
open for fifteen days and onl fur
voting in three counties, emir as he dt
franchised, he should vote against the 131?'l
and not wish
.Mr. B ESCOTT wished the Noble Lord,
cott s) constituents, would convince hmobservations relative to the opinions had argued
et,,,,,,ab
between
wi
et
amhesna.uedb,tsfhettfehtobherpeaeotrlinllihis
balikets,tiirinionrggf.-
fENosromblaet'ilomnrdobneetnhewistutlijheiemt
last could w
week,
, reliedh e
would
ot,.
id‘ upon.have
more accurate information than the Noble Lord had
The House then divided, when there appeared--
to be in possession ot. wisheswlsh of
fo be dis-
Hh.ad(Ntilie
appeared gleaned
For the Second Reading.,,,,,.
Against
i at
i.
RAILWAYi
ta. g D
a. instE. ipt.
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I e3
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
COMMONS INCLOSURE BILL.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
The remaining orders of the day were then disposed of, and
the House adjourned at six o'clock.

Lord Brougham arrived in town On Monday evening,
from Cannes, in the south of France, where Lady Brougham still
remains. _ _ _ _

THE METROPOLITAN EAR INSTITOTIoN. The an-
nual subscription ball, the profits of which are given to the funds
which support the objects of this institntion, which is situated In
Sackville-street, Piccadhly, took place on Ti esitiy in her Majesty's
Concert-rooms, ilinover-square. The arrangements under the
stewards were on the usual scale of liberality with which hails of
this charitable class are distinguished. Refreshments, &c., were pro-
vided in one of the apartments, whilst dancing was carried on in
the large room of the establishment, to the music of the band of M.
Julllen, whose services were afforded gratuitously ou tha occaslor.
The band played all the most fashionable tunes introduced by the
well-known leader—waltzes,. quadrilles, polkas, galopades, in all
varieties. Dancing was kept up with great spirit for many hours by
tho numerous joyous and benevolent groups who were present, nor
was it till a very late hour that any of the vis tors thought of re-
tiring. The funds of the institution will no doubt receive consider-
able aid from this re-union of its friends and supporters, and ex-
tended relief will in consequence be afforded to many suffering
patients.
STOPPAGE OF KENNINGTON OVAL ROAD.—On Mon-
day evening a meeting of the landlords of property in the neighbour-
!of memo-
rialising
hood of Kennington Oval was held at the Swan Tavern, Stockwell,
for thepuhrpisosneyoalf taking intoes Princeconsideration
Aibethert andprtohperiectyounofei
Duchy of Corny/Al, for the re-opening of the Oval Road. This road,
It appears, was originally open for foot passengers, but about six
years ago was closed on the plea that the open ground th, rough which
it passed was frequented by improper characters. 'I hat ground of
offence, however, exists no Imager, as the property is now covered
by respectable houses. The road in dispute is the property of the
DuchY Of Cornwall, and is not above 100 yards in length. Resolu-
none La fs.Velle Of rs-openiztg tke_road wen carried IUIanitUQUAY.