The Sun.
London, England, 1848-07-21 00:00:00

majority. Let them look to the case- of Horsham.
When his Attorney-General was accused of bribery.
Why• did not the Noble Lord instruct the Solicitor-
, General to proceed against him? The inquiry which
the Bill proposed was to last fur a long period
of time. It was an inquiry not only into
the • malpractices- brought before Committees at
the present time, but which went into all prac-
,tices of a like' nature commenced in the earliest times,
and concluding in the year of grace, 1848. Did the
House then suppose that commissioners could adequately
discharge
_such a duty as the Bill imposed on them
within the limits of any period coeval with the duration
of the present Parliament?—(Cries of " Divide.") The
present measure was ez post facto. It was partial,
being confined to certain constituencies, and not made
general. It was also confined to those boroughs which
a party in that House wished to disfranchise. In one
ease it recognised hear-say and report as the ground for
proceeding, and in other cases set these aside.---+Xries
of" Oh, oh.") It they had wished inquiry, why had not
each of them come forward as the Honourable Member
for Sunderland had suggested, stud make a clean breast
of it, by giving a statement of what they spent.—(Hear,
hear.) Why were certain places included and the city
-of London left out, when- they had it reported that
30,0001. was spent by the great representative of the
'moneyed class in behalf of the Noble Lord at the hsad
of the Government.—(Cries of " Oh, oh.") Would they
grant an inquiry into the case where the character of a
great Minister-of State was at stake?—(Much confusion
and 'Cries Of " Divide.") He would therefore conclude
by Opposing the second reading of the Bill.
The. House then divided; when there appeared—
. 9
Eor the amendment,
Against it ;......e
_..Majority for -the second reading--207 •
The-Bill was then-read a second time, and ordered to
be committed (as we understood) on Thursday next.
Colonel SIBTHORP gave notice that he intended to
, give the Bill all
_the opposition he could.—(A laugh.)
He said that' after die division which had just taker,
place he ihmild expect 411 the Conservative Members of
.the house to liecome members of the Reform Club:
.1. M 5. HUDSON gave notice that it was his intention to
move on an early day for a return from each Member of
his expenses at the last election—(Laughter)--and also
for a return of all appointments conferred by the Present
Government, and the political opinions of the persons on
who-us-they Were bestowed.--(Renewed laughter.)
-BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.
I,6rd J. RUSSELL would take this opportunity of
stating, that the Highways Bill stood for twelve o'clock
this day (Friday), and he understood that there was au
Election Coostnittee to be sworn, and that one Member
of it was not aware of the intention to sit at twelve ; he
(Lord John Ruisell) would therefore propose that the
morning sitting on the Highways Bill should be post-
poned till Tuesday.—(Hear, hear.) The next order of
the day wax for the second reading of the Sagar Duties
Bill ; if the House should now read that,Bill a second
• time; he should propose to take it in Committee the
first thing 'this day, and take the Committee of Supply
after Wards.
The Sigar Duties Bill was then read a second time.
PLACES OF WORSHIP SITES (SCOTLAND)
BILL.
Mr. BOUVERIE moved that this Bill be read a third
times,
Sir J. GRAHAM thought this would be a good op-
portunity for showing to the country that without need-
less prolongation of disbussion they could come to a de-
cision upon an important subject; and, as the question
had been several times debated, and he had so often stated
his opinion on it, it would be inexcusable in him if he
Were to detain the House at any length upon this occasion.
Re was sorry the Home Secretary had left his place, be-
cause he fully relied on his support; but he saw the Lord
sAalvocate-present, and was sure he would vote with him
(Sir J. Graham) against the third reading, of the Bill.
A certain sect in Scotland, which had arisen only
within the last five year's, had built 750 churches,
and desired to build about 30 more, and about 10
proprietors refused them the accommodation which they
required for that purpose. To meet this case the pro-
position submitted to Parliament was, that any set of
persons calling themselves a religious congregation might
come upon the estate of any proprietor, and, subject
to cattalo ;safeguards which he would not detain the
Rouse by enumerating, choose any site which they might
think-moat convenient for their purpose.—(Hear, bear.)
They were then to go to the Court of Session, which
'was to send the sheriff to inspect the locality, and if that
officer should be of opinion that the site selected was a
convenient one, he had the power of setting it out, and
'the oilier of the estate was compelled to take the price
which might- bb agreed bn for pis own property, thus
taken 'agai'n'st his wiTI-2-(Hear, hear)—and if the site
selected should be. closets) hie residence he must never-
theles:a give it Up.—(Rear, hear.) What was the opinion
. Dissenters in Scotland other. than shesect in question
-with respect to. this measure'? They were opposed w it.
What was the opinion of the' Dissenters in England ?
-The Hon. Member forStockport,.speaking in their name
- on a former occasion, said that this measure, was contrary
to the voluntary principle, and that they were opposed
to it. "Now with respect to the Church of, England—
that clftitels'irillhe Plentituda of its power, and notwith-
standing What Was termed its Erastian connexion with
the state, never to, Rao:litany authority similar
to that which was claimed for the.sect for whose benefit
this Bill was introduced.—(Hear, hear) What would
be the.use.of the power which it was proposed to confer
upon the Free Church sect in Scotland? A case came
recentirbefore the. Court of Session arising out of these
circumstances—a short time ago, the proprietor of Dun,.
einitne gevelb the-Free*Church. Sect a portion of the
village-green. The proprietor 'Subsequently died, and
the Fa 6 Chlich proceeded to enclose the whole of the
green. "I'lle`:yiliagers, looking ,on this as an encroach-
ment on their rights, pulled down . the palings. The
case washy:night before the Court-of Session, and judg-
ment was given for the villagers, against the Free
Church. It was unnecessary to detain the House longer.
The Bill was objectionabliin principle; it was altoge-
ther unnecessary, and he recommended the House to
arrest-its' 'progress. 'With that' vie* he-Moved as an
amendment thartho'Billilhollid be read a third time that
day three months.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr.' BOITVERIE said that ,his Right Ron.. Friend
had not iivin'a correct description of the provisions of
the Bill, When the appeal was made to the Court of
•Seasion that iribunal bad authority to award costs
against the parties making the application, in the event
of it being refused. If the Court should determine on
granting-the application, it would then send the sheriff
to look at the site selected, and if he disapproved :of it
he 'was authorised to fix upon another which he might
think better.—(" Hear," from the Opposition.) The
•
moan fact upon which Parliament was called upon to
legislate was this, that a number of congregations were
. in the constant habit of meeting for religious worship
in places and' tinder circumstances injurious to the
health of the people and their ministers, and in a manner
Which was net in accordance with religious liberty. A
ct esgregation in one of the' Hebrides, an island larger
than the Isle, of Wight, was unable to obtain a square
fist ch of ground for the erection of a church. It appeared
to him that his Right Hon. Friend had somewhat
altnred his tone on this subject, for on the Bth of June
, be said, that " thotigh, he would not go the length of
sajing-thatielsislation might not be necessary in the last
re: fort, he objected to the legislation proposed by the
Posent ETA 'he thOught that the object ought to, be ef-
fected' by private, not by public legislation, because then
eac'i case would stand,on its own substantive grounds."
•--(:" Hear, hear," from Sir J. Graham.) The difficul-
tit s in 'the way of legislating by private Bills were in-
vitacible, and, after all, there was little technical dif-
ference between public and private Acts of Parliament.
T! he investigation before 'the Court of , Session would be
r 4 ore satisfactory than that which could take place
be fore thetribeharto which private Bills were referred.
Mr. ELL o.l' was. most anxious that some relief
stt otild be given to those congregations; but, much as
. he desired that, he could not reconcile it to his con-
sei'eoce to extend it to all sorts of denominations and to
pe nous who might set up associations of a mischievous
tit ickficy,
Thetolth ADVOCATE intended to vote against
the third reading of this Bill, because it was a general
en d,not an exceptional measure. To say that justice
night be done by leaving the parties to prosecute their
rt niedS,
,by private .Acts of Parliament was a mere
nsocker,y aod a denial of justice ; but when, instead of
itapplinablelo one denomination, the measure
firsts extended' te.all, he must object to it He was sorry
the'ltiet'P .1106, d.ent-lqicatn, in speaking of the 'Free
chuire , which had unquestionably met with great grie-
*meta, and
Rift which, he thought had been almost admitted
lsv the lon. Gentlemen, had referred to any,par-
tinier case ; but it should never be- forgotten, even by
tt see who voted against
,the third reading of this Bill,
d thefe toe's one perish Scotland every ,ioch of
which belonged_ to a Noble Lord, and not only had he
re fiisedit site, but liadalso refused to 500 parishioners
areinst whole character, good feeling, and pro-
p) ieti'Of *conduct not one word could be said, liberty
tt. worship God in the open air, even on a barren moor
• •-• (finarshitar)—and, if he were not mistaken in the fact,
ti,e Noble Lord had taken out an injunction against their
AlttirthereViiiid" lied 'Obliged them to worship God
, d tiring, the whale iticlemeot winter season on the high
euli,!,-(llear,liear.) That was a strong case—(Hear,
b esirjsesand he would mention this fact, that until such
ttme• as the Noble Lord felt he was bringing too hard
,a poll himself public theorisation, and they had proposed
t o receive the Bitrittiient under the inclemency of those
orthern skies in the middle of 'winter, the Noble Lord
lid not consent to give them a place for performing that
.I,olenitvordineatiVe of theirbhurch. They were advised
-notlimecept•thatnompliment, being told that the Noble
ILOIRI'VietiIA lie 'obliged. to-liie them a "better place of
'worship; but that sect; so much abused for its violence
;(and' he dared say there had been violence), did upon
'that particular occasion receive that accommodation in
'the hope that from the action of public opinion the Noble
;Lord-might -be-brought tei regard the Frei Church with
more fasourable feelings, and might be disposed to grant
Ithetn*Ates.--'4llear; hear.) '
, :The 'louse then divided, when there appeared—
Poi' the third reading. SO
For the amendment ' 98
Majorit-

_Ajority
So the Bill Ives lost: '"
SECOND READING.
The Payments ;•of bebt oti of Real. Estate Bill wps
ri 'ad a secoper time. • -
TheiAller or&iers of the day were then disposed of.
TO 'CONSOLIDATE THE METROPOLIS
TAN COMMISSIONS OF SEWERS.
Vireoluit. MORPETH said that be should certainly
11410 v-en very happy to have extended the whole of Oh
Previsions of the'Public Health Bill to the metropolis:
I,nl to have extended the principle of representation
twilich was adopted in that Bill. But be felt great diffi
4,11 t,), in a community.which , comprised upwards of two
,c..! tolls of inhabitants, in having proper, representation,
"_applying the provisions-of the. Bill tsespecially• where
~111.?atural lie of the drainage was not found to cones-
"lCl With the boundaries and divisions of their unionF,