The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-11 00:00:00

UNSATISFACTORY CONDITION OF TELE-
' GRAPH COMMUNICATION.

Mr. CRAWFORD gave notice that on an early day he
would call attention to the present unsatisfactory condi-
tion of internal telegraphic communication.

THE IRISH LAND BILL. -.1(
On the order being read from the table for the second
reading of this bill,
Colonel WILSON PATTEN- rose and resumed the debate.
He started by saying that he should give his support
to the second reading of the bill ; but he believed the
Government would never have propounded such a mea-
sure except under the most extraordinary circumstances,
inasmuch as it contained provisions contrary to all pre-
viously recognised principles of holding land. It appeared
to him to oppose freedom of contract. There was some
justification, however, for the Government in the extaor-
dinary circumstances in which they found themselves,
placed. Its defects could be amended in committee, and
he hoped both sides of the House would unite in carrying
the measure to the second reading. Whatever he might
personally ',think with regard to the legislation of last
session, there was no doubt it had obtained for the right
hon. gentleman at the head of the Government the
goodwill of all nations, and that circumstance
should induce the right hon. gentleman to treat the
House and the Opposition with all reasonable con-
cession. He refrained from discussing the clauses now,
preferring rather to consider them in committee. His
feelings, however, were rather against the Ulster tenant-
right than for it. His objection to tenant-right was that
it was not conducive to the interests of agriculture. He
did not think it possible to define the tenant-right of
Ulster without doing much injustice to Ireland generally.
There were certain clauses, in fact he confessed he could
not see how they could be brought into operation
without clashing with other enactments. Take,
for instance, the Peace Preservation Act, and
as he read the enactments of the present bill the
property of a man who might be shot down would
be taxed and made liable for the expenses of apprehending
the assassin. He hoped the Government would not omit
to give due weight to the whole of the suggestions that
had been thrown out during the debate, in order that
the bill might be made as perfect as possible.
Mr. Hosssusr said the speech of the right hon. gentle-
man who had just sat down had given him the greatest
pleasure, and he felt it must be highly satisfactory to the
Government to hear that those who act with the right
hon. gentleman had determined to offer no opposition
to the second reading of the bill. That circum-
stance proved that the principle of the bill
was good, and that it formed an acceptable basis for legis-
lation. It was highly satisfactory to find that such
a feeling prevailed, because it gave the best
assurance that it was the wish of both sides
of the House that a peaceful solution should be had of a
question that at one time looked fenced round with diffi-
culties of more than an ordinary nature, The present
question at one time seemed destined to bailie the skill of
every person who attempted to deal with it, and in enter-
ing on the task the present Government took the field
in a very different form to that in which they did with re-
spect to the Irish Church, because on this question they
did so without having a pledged majority at their back.
They knew they had a difficult question to deal
with, but no doubt they felt that if they
did so in a wide and efficient manner, they would meet
with the support of Parliament, and thus carry their
efforts to a successful termination. It had occasioned
him great surprise to find that a measure had been
brought forward which had met up to the present
stage, at least, with the support of both sides of the
House ; and he must further say that he had never
known a measure that had been handled so tenderly
by the Opposition. The right hon. gentleman had
appealed to those who sat on the opposite side
of the House to approach the consideration of the matter
in no party spirit, to lay aside party feeling, and unite
with them in perfecting a measure which should give in:.
creased peace and prosperity to Ireland, and that appeal
certainly up to the present stage had been warmly answered.
When the bill was introduced it was 4ot said that it was
not open to change. On the contrary, the Government
threw the bill open wide to amendments, and it
appeared to be their desire that anyone who had a
proposition to improve the bill should have 'the fullest
opportunity open to him of doing so. (Hear, hear.) Both
sides were wanted to come forward with amendments, and
if they could only show that they were calculated to bring
about peace, contentment, and security tq, Ireland,
each would be most readily accepted—(hear, hear)
—because it was clearly shewn that no amendment could
be made which the Government would not consider in
committee and accept, provided they could do
so without swerving from the main principles
of the bill. One of the great difficulties that
had to be overcome, was the question with respect to the
Ulster tenant-right over the whole of Ireland, but before
he could give his vote in support of that proposition it
must be shewn most clearly that it was for the benefit oflre-
land that such an arrangement should be carried into effect,
and what were the rights of property that couldbe exercised
with the same freedom and safety in Ireland as in Eng-
land. A landlord in Ireland could not use his tenants as
he pleased. He could not evict them ;he could not raise
their rents. But that could be done in England. We
were not to assume that the landlords in Ireland were
responsible for the present state of things. They
were the victims of circumstances. The rule now
whatever it may have been before, was for good landlords
in Ireland; the bad were the exception. (Cheers.) What
the tenants complained of was, three main grievances—
liability to eviction, confiscation of improvements, and
liability to rack rent. This bill made the power of evic-
tion more impossible. Compensation it made certain.
And it changed the presumption of the law which hereto-
fore had given the benefit of improvements to landlords.
Moreover, the local security which it gave to the land-
lords added immensely to the value of their estates.
(Hear, hear.) It was the best measure that had ever been
brought forwarbaublioitia oriyatelLto zombi tho

Sir J. GILAY opposed the bill, because ho was not merely
persuaded, but because ho knew that it would be unsatisfac-
tory to the country. It was intended to pacify the people,
but it would fail even in that; and although he had long
cherished the idea, and laboured for its development, of a
real union of heart between the two nations, such a bill as
the present would never bring it about. lie denied that the
measure would in any way increase security of tenure. He
further objected to the bill on the ground that it would
prove most partial and unequal in its operation.

Mr. MOISSELL warned the section of the Irish members
who were in favour of the amendment of the tremendous
responsibility which they assumed, and proceeded to contend
that the bill was tar n,oro•-bberal iu its. provisions thin any
scheme of tenant right over propounded to Parliament by
Mr. Dully or Mr. M 'Mahon. lie trusted no one would be
so misguided as to press fora divizion on the second reading.

Mr. G. HARDT contended. that the moral and material
state of Ireland had been much better for the last few years
than heretofore, and would have continued so were it not for
those who made a trade of agitation by stirring the people
up to demand things which they would otherwise never have
thought of. He confessed frankly that ho was not particularly
enamoured of the system of Ulster Tenant Law, seeing that
that did not prevent evictions, since in that province, in pro-
portion to its population, there were more than in any other
part of the
.country. The right hon. gentleman entered
into a close criticism of the wording of the bill in order to
show that it was vague, incomplete and unsatisfactory,
especially the clauses relating to compensation, which, as
they at present stood, was almost meaningless. Ho
_trusted
the bill would be amended in committee ; but however per-
feet it was made it would be of no avail unless the general

law was firmly administered.
On the motion of Mr. W. 11. GREGORY the debate was ad-
journed, Mr. GLADSTONE expressing a hope that it would be
allowed to terminate to-morrow.

Tho remaining business was rapidly run through, and the
House adjourned.

AMENDMENT OP 'ME MEnlait.i. Arrrg_

THURSDAY.

This afternoon a deputation of medical practitioners hal
an interview with the Right Hon. the Home Secretary
at his official residence, Whitehall, on the subject of the
Amendment of the Medical Acts. There was a large at-
tendance, including Mr. George Dixon, M.P., who intro-
duced the deputatian. Sir J. C-ray, M.P., Dr. Brady, M.P.,
and Mr. Figgins, M.P.

Dr. BALL FLETCHER presented the following memorial
which had been signed by 9,724 legally qualified medi-
cal practitioners : " The Act of 1858 affirms that `it is
expedient that persons requiring medical aid should be
enabled to distinguish qualified from unqualified practi-
timers.' The experience of the past ten years has proved
that the Act is practically inoperative as a guide to aia
public in distinguishing legally qualified members of the
medical profession. A large number of men are
practising medicine and surgery in different parts
of the country, not only without any legal qualifica-
tion, but without having undergone any regular
course of medical education. In some places men
are practising under fictitious names, assuming the title
of doctor, and obtaining considerable sums of money from
weak persons, by intimidation and extortion. The 11ledi-
cal Act of 1858 is practically inoperative in -restraining
these offenders. It is capable of proof that some legally
qualified men have lent their names to persons without
qualification, to enable them to practice medicine and
surgery without incurring liability to prosecution. Such
a proceeding is regarded as a fraud on the public and the
profession ; and it is suggested that in any future bill
greater powers be given to the General Medical Council
to remove from the register, and deprive of their profes-
sional rights, qualified men who shall aid and abet illegal
Practitioners. The present state of the law touching
certificates of death greatly favours the successful practice
of secretpoisoning and infanticide. It i 3 suggested that the
certificate of a legally-qualified member of the medical
profession, in the absence of a coroner's order, shall be in-
dispensable as a preliminary to every burial. The Medical
Act of 1858 purports to constitute the General Medical
Council for the purpose of regulating medical education
and registration throughout the United Kingdom ; but
composed as the Council is, mainly, of the mem-
bers of the medical corporations who grant
licences to practice, the control of the
_sys-
tem of medical education has proved to be very iippe
The undersigned are of opinion that the syst
education should be revised, so as to ensure
of a thoroughly scientific and practical
medicine and surgery, on the part of 1.).
the legal qualification. To this end, it is _
sary to substitute for the present system
tion, and for the many forms of
practice now granted, one high
standard of examination, and one 1.
The practical
.part of the course of profes
stands in special need of improvement, and
signed would gladly see the regulations made
ensure the attendance of students on a thor
practical study in hospitals ; but in the event
engaging in private
.practice on his own respon
he is legagally qualified, it is suggested that
year, or years, as a student during which he has
It is respectfully, but very earnestly, submit
influence and power for good of the Gen
Council would be greatly extended with th
and the public if provision were made in a
Parliament for the representation in the co
general body of practitioners of medicine and
are now, for the most part, deprived of an 7
franchise. In any,future Act of Parliament
that provision be made for instituting pros
it by a public prosecutor or other public f
behalf of the General Medical Council, in
the voluntary enforcement of the law to in
undersigned desire to obtain no privileges
sion, without giving the public commensur
and they submit that an Act of Parliame
to raise the standard of professional efficiei
life, and prevent the obtaining of money on
is an Act as much needed in the general
community, as for the welfare and honour o:
Profession."
Mr. SAMPSON GAMGEE spoke strongly in
memorial, more particularly on the
alterations which they suggested would
by giving greaten security, that medical
should be legally and properly qualified.
Sir J. GRAY, M.P.. also urged that the
would act very wisely if they would br
prehensive measure on the subject.
every word of the memorial, and
the right hon. gentleman that he
great pains to ascertain the opinions of t
profession in Ireland, and he believed he could
they all approved of it. They felt that at
public had no safety that there was a sours
practical examination to test the capi-
those who sought admission into the
profession. The public ought to have
guarantee that there should be a
As the medical corporations depended to a gre;
fees, there was a tendency to reduce the er
qualifications to the lowest degree.
Dr. BRADY, M.P., in the course of som.
matter, said that during the last twenty-
corporate bodies had progressed very cons:
that they had greatly improved the status of tl
Sir J. GRAY, M.P.: Hear, hear.
Dr. BRADY, M.P., hoped the Government
duce a comprehensive measure.
The HOME SECRETARY : I need hardly
representations of so important and numb-
that which is represented by you gentlemen
the most careful and serious attenti(
Majesty's Government, and the
your statements come at a very oppol
as the whole of the subject is
consideration. They are assisted by
gentleman who occupies the post of
viser to the Privy Council. I
prominent amongst the subjects for con
the evils which arise from the multiplicity
bodies—(hear, hear)—and the undoubted f
mission into the profession of a numberof
most imperfectly qualified. What the spea.
about this subject, having considerable public
of course patent to all. It is of general intE
portance that there should be a high standard
for the profession upon which much of our
this world depends. The subject being
sideration of her Majesty's Government
duty to convey to my friend,
purport of the statements which L
me as well as a copy of the memos
(medical officer to the Privy Council),
enough to attend here on behalf of the
I can only further state that he
is ambitious of dealing with such SUL,
takes in a comprehensive spirit. (Hear,
Mr. Dixorr, M.P., expressed the than
tion for the courtesy which the right. ho'
diellll tUen3, and tin Udczylew trcrxr.-

control of the sys-
wed to be very imperfect-.
hat the system of •
Is to ensure t
•actical acq • •
rt of persons
end, it is hel •
sent system ,
forms of,
high•
one legal •
-ac of profess
ivement, and
nations made •
ts on a thorou.
in the event of
is own responsi
e
:C; d
ded wiht httbhhGernah:ltia
he
made in a
in the con.
nedicine and s
rived of any
Parliament it
uting proseci
Ler public fun
insteaf
e law to indi
; privileges fo
nrnmensurat
Parliament
anal efficient
money on fa
the general •
nd honour of
strongly in f
al the grow
I would ben •
at medical .
ialified.
;d that the
would bran.
subject. He
.rial, and co
that he II:
)pinions of the
ieved he could -
felt that at pr
a was a sound, s
st the capali.
m into the
to have
be a suffice
anded to a great
reduce the edu
.e.
se of some rem•
last twenty-fiv ;
d very consid;
le status of the
tr.
Government
.ed hardly sa
and numero
us gentlemen
ms attention
d the mor •
very opport
>ject is u •
sisted by
post of
il. I in,
ts for consif•
nultiplicity o
ido übted fact
Lumber of pe
at the speake
erable public
f general inter •
igh standard o •
much of our Ir
ject being un
wernment it •
riend, Dr.'
iich bavo
memorial
council),
alf of the
that the
h subje
(Hear, h
he thanks
fight hon. •
.VlJiWttqCl

„._.

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