The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-12 00:00:00

SUBURBAN COMMONS BILL.

On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. J. LOWTHER opposed, and moved as an amendment
that the bill be read a second time that day six months
He objected to the measure, as it would absolutely pre-
vent for ever all works of improvement and developments
of large places, such as Cannock Chase, whereby great
loss would be occasioned to thousands of persons.
Mr. COWPER-TEMPLE said the objection of the hon.
member was such that if the bill went into committal
alterations in some of the clauses could easily be made ts
remove the enactment of which he complained. He wished
the House to affirm the principle of the bill, which was
to give the Enclosure commissioners authority, after con.
suiting the wishes of the Commoners, to take steps to
drain and lay out commons that had hitherto been
altogether neglected, and thereby make them really places
of recreation and enjoyment. It was not the object of
the bill to deprive commoners of any right that they at
present possessed, but simply to give them an opportunity
of taking advantage of certain enactments by which they
would render these neglected spots places of healthful
pleasure and exercise.

Mr. GOLDREY said the bill would not, in practice, carry
out the object of the right hon. gentleman, and as it pro-
posed to do certain matters which he should like to see
done in a very crude manner, he shouldoppose the second
reading.

Iktr. HIJOGESEN, on the part of the Government,
said he should give his vote in favour of the second read-
ing of the bill. He was quite prepared to affirm the prin-
ciple of the bill, but he could not entirely agree to the
details. He hoped the House would come to a unanimous
vote on the subject, in order that the House might recog-
nise the right of the public to these common lands.

Sir SELWIN IBBETSON thought that there were many
reasons why the bill should be considered by a select

committee.

Colonel BARTTELOT did not wish either to hinder the bill
being referred to a select committee or being read a second
time, but he wanted to know whether it was fair and right
after what had been said by the Government that the
principles of the measure should be affirmed.

Mr. G. B. Gregory, Mr. Assheton, and Mr. J. R.
Ormsby Gore having made a few remarks, the bill was
read a second time, and the committee was fixed for the
22nd of June.

Mr. GOLDNEY then moved that it be referred to a select
committee.

Mr. BRUCE pointed out that a large number of questions
aad been referred to select committees, and said it was
.undesirable to increase the number. He asked the hon.
member to withdraw his motion.

Mr. GOLDNEY said he should withdraw, whereupon
_ _

Mr. LOWTHER said he should make a similar Proposi-

don.

IThe House then divided, when the amendment that the
bill be referred to a select committee was rejected by a
majority of 56.

PETTY CUSTOMS (SCOTLAND) ABOLITION
BILL.

The House went into committee on this bill, which
passed.

Several orders were disposed of, and the House
adjourned at ten minutes to six.

THE SP k.NISH THRONE.

It is announced that the Spanish Progressists, the
most powerful party in the Cortes, have chosen General
Espartero as their candidate for the Crown. He is
nearly eighty years of age. Born in 1792, he began his
career in South America, where he accumulated a con-
siderable fortune and put himself into relations with
Lopez, Narvaez, and many others of the men whom it
was afterwards his fate to oppose in political warfare. To
Englishmen who remember the Spanish Civil War his
name is familiar as the Commander-in-Chief of Queen
Isabella's forces. On the close of the war he was
ennobled, and received at his own request the title of
Duke of Victory. The sole regency of Spain was con-
ferred upon him on the Bth of May, 1841.