The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-05 00:00:00

men who. should be entrusted with them. He hoped also
' the Mute would not vest the appointment in the Judges,
for in his opinion it would produce a very bad effect in
the public mind in regard to those high and learned
functionaries.
Mr. SPOONER was of opinion that it would be much
better to vest the power in the Judges, for if they were
to have the best men at the bar to act as Commissioners
at all it was better to leave the appointment to the
Judges, who had daily opportunities of witne.sing the
qualifications of those who practised before them. Pro-
testing, however, against the Bill altogether on prin-
ciple, he should support the clause now under the
consideration of the House, which vested the appoint-
ment in the Judges.
Mr. HERRIES, believing that no imputation could
by possibility rest on the Judges, should support the
clause as it originally stood.
After a few words from Mr. Mailings, Mr. Urquhart,
and Mr. Newdegate,
The amendment, which went to invest the power in
the Speaker, was negatived without a division.
Mr. HENLEY suggested that one barrister would
conduct the inquiry as well as two, and perhaps the
lion. and Learned Gentleman the Solicitor-General
uould consent to alter the clause to that effect.
Tbe SOLICITOR. GENERAL had no objection to
the suggestion made, and was therefore ready to adopt
it, as he believed one barrister would conduct the inquiry
as wellus two. .„
After a few words from Colonel SIBTUOM) and Mr.
MULLINGS, the clause was amended as suggested, and
agreed to.
Clause 7 was struck out of the Bill.
Clause 8 being proposed,
M. 110BHOUSE wished to know why it was the
power was given to barristers to hold their courts within
tin miles of the town or borough.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said a power of ad-
journment was given to the barristsr, in order to accom-
modate parties who may live at a distance, or to prevent
the possibility of a riot occuring while the inquiry was
going on.
Atter a few words from Colonel SIIMIORP,
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL consented to strike
out the words, "or within ten miles of any city or bo-
rough."
Clause 8, as amended, was agreed to.
On clause 9 being proposed,
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL, in reply to Mr.'
Hodgson, said that the inquiry before the Commis-
sioners was to be limited to the last election for the bo-
rough, and was not to extend to previous elections.
Col. SIBTHORP suggested that the Bill should be
made applicable to all boroughs and cities, and not to be
'limited to the boroughs mentioned in the schedule.
The clause was then agreed to.
On clause 10 being proposed,
Mr. HENLEY suggested that the time should be
limited within which the Commission should report to
her Majesty. This ought to be done to prevent the sus-
picion that any other head or hand had been connected
with the report than those of the Commissioners.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL consented to consider
this suggestion.
Mr. HENLEY was desirous to know whether a pro-
fessional man might be examined upon a subject having
reference to professional confidence, and also whether
the lath clause provided that payment was to be given
to witnesses preparatory to giving their testimony.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said that witnesses
would be entitled to their expenses in the same manner
that witnesses were when summoned before a superior
court ; and, with regard to the other question, he con-
sidered that professional confidence must not be expected,
as the solicitor would be bound to answer any question
which his client (the Member) would put.
Mr. HENLEY thought that the indemnity ought to
be extended to the agent as well as to the Member.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that the Member
was not to be examined, and this constituted the diffi
culty.

Mr. HUDSON was desirous to know whether the
documents produced in court were to be made public.
If so, he apprehended that the course would prove
ruinous to many persons.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said that the Com-
missioners would exercise their discretion, and make
such extracts from documents as they might consider
necessary.
Colonel SIBTHORP was desirous to know, in the
event of a Commissioner exceeding his authority, what
penalty would he be subjected to ? If the Com-
missioner should deal with him in an improper
manner he would take him by "the scruff of his neck,"
and kick him out of doors.—(Laughter.) Ile (Colonel
Sibthorpe) thought that many instances of undue
authority would be exercised under this most tyrannical
and oppressive Bill.
The clause, as amended, was ordered to stand part of
the Bill.
Clauses up to 14 were agreed to.
On clause 15 being proposed,
Mr. HORNBY proposed that it be omitted, on the
ground that it had a tendency to encourage informers of
that description.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL supported it, and after
some conversation,
The Committee divided, when there appeared—
For the clause ll7
Against it
Majority —9B
The clause, as amended, was agreed to, and ordered
to stand part of the Bill.
The other clauses were disposed of.
On the motion that the schedule be agreed to,
Mr. HODGSON moved to exclude Carlisle from the
schedule.
Mr. P. HOWARD said that the greater portion of the
respectable inhabitants of Carlisle were in favour of a
searching inquiry into the practices which had taken
place at the last election for that borough.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL cited the report of the
El, ction Committee on the Carlisle petition in justifica-
tion of including Carlisle in the schedule.
After a few words from Mr. Berkeley, Mr. Hodgson,
Mr. Haywood, Mr. Hildyard, Colonel Sibthorp, Mr.
Bouverie, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. Wyld, each in defence
of his own particular borough,
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL proposed to pat three
or four other boroughs into the Bill, including Bothnia.
Mr. HILDYARD said that he did not think it fair in
the Hon. and Learned Gentleman to propose the inser-
tion of those boroughs, and particularly the borough of
Bodmin, without first giving due notice.
Mr. ARMSTRONG said he was a rare instance of a
Member whose return had been petitioned against, with-
out cause, but let "bygones be bygones."—(Laughter.)
After a few words from Sir E. COLEBROOKE,
Mr. WYLD said that the Solicitor-General had al-
luded to the borough of Bodmin, as a borough that be
intended to place in the Bill. Now, he must say, than
the borough of Bodmin there was not a more pure
borough. He had no objection, he might add, to the
borough being inserted in the schedule, but he had very
strong objections to its being placed in such bad com-
pany as the Hon. and Learned Gentleman was disposed
to put it in.—(Laughter.)
Mr. HUDSON expressed a hope that a Bill would be
brought in the next year for the counties.—(Laughter.)
Dr. BOWRING defended Bolton from the charge of
corruption, and said if-there had been any practised in
it, or if there had been any bribery in treating, he would
be the first to move for its disfranchisement.
Sir ROBERT PRICE said the question before the
House was, whether the borough of Carlisle stand par
of the Bill.

Mr. HODGSON said ho would withdraw his motion,
and the borough of Carlisle was then ordered to stand
part of the Bill.
The CLUIRMAN then reported progress, and obtained
leave to sit again on Monday next.
SUPPLY.
The House having resumed,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved a
Committee of Supply fur the purpose of obtaining a vote
for the British Museum. He believed there would be no
objection whatever to that vote.
Colonel SIBTHORP wished to know when the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer meant to make his financial
statement?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
would make a statement when the votes of supply should
be taken.
The House having then resolved into a Committee of
Supply,
Sir R. PEEL rose to move a vote for the service of
the British Museum. The Right Hon. Baronet said he
believed he would best consult the convenience and
wishes of the House by abstaining from any detailed
observations with reference to the British Museum
estimates. In point of fact, the fullest information was
given on the subject in the report which had already
been laid before the House. The original estimate had
been 53,0001., but the trustees of the Museum had
revised that estimate, and had effected a saving
in the present year to the extent of 5,0001. The esti-
mate, therefore, was 48,0001., of which 20,0001. had al.
ready been granted on account; so that he had then only
to move for a sum of 28,445/. Ho was sure that the
House would allow him to take that opportunity of re-
ferring for a moment to the magnificent bequest made to
the Museum by the late Mr. Grenville. That gentleman
having collected one of the finest libraries which had
ever bee❑ possessed by a private individual, had during
his lifetime liberally thrown it open to men of literature
and science, and had at his death made it over to the
public. The library consisted of no less than 20,000
volumes, which had cost Mr. Grenville 54,0001. But its
value could not be estimated by the mere number of the
volumes, and their pecuniary worth. The collection was
one of the most extraordinary ever known, in respect of
the rarity and the importance of the books. lie was
glad that he had been allowed that opportunity of re-
cording his gratitude—and the gratitude, he felt sure, of
the House and the country—for the bequest of Mr.
Grenville, as well as his respect for the memory of that
most distinguished statesman and friend of literature
and science.—(Hear.) In conclusion, he had to move
that a sum of 28,4451. be granted, to defray the expenses
of the British Museum.

An Hox. AlEsismx asked what progress had been
made by the Commission appointed to inquire into the
state of the Museum ?

The LORD•ADVOCATE said the Commission had
collected a good deal of evidence on the subject of their
inquiries ; but ho believed there was no chance of their
being able to present their report this year.
Dr. BOWRING wished to know what progress had
been made in the completion of the new catalogue of the
works in the Museum?

The LORD-ADVOCATE said that the completion
of the new catalogue would be proceeded with as ra-
pidly as possible. But he should observe, that by means
of the existing catalogue every book in the Museum was
at present easily accessible to the public.
The vote was then agreed to, and the House resumed.
The Turnpike Roads (Ireland) Bill passed through
Committee, and was ordered to be reported on Monday
next.

On tho motion of Mr. HAWES, the Canada Govern-