The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-29 00:00:00

ELECTION RECOGNIZANCES BILL.

Mr. S. WORTLEY rose to move the second reading
of this Bill, but Mr. Hume and Mr. Bankes, who had
notices on the paper, having refused to resign their right
to precedence, the Bill 'was postponed.
EXPENSES OF THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.

Mr. BANKIES then rose to move, •' That in the
opinion of this House the powers, rights, and authority
now vested by the Act 9 and 10 Vic., c. 105, in the
Commissioners of Railways, may be so regulated as to
secure their efficient execution at n greatly diminished
rate of charge to the public." lie complained that the
Railway Commission had no duties to perform, because
the Act of Parliament which was to regulate their pro-
ceedings had not been proposed to the House after the
Bill of the Right Honourable President of the Railway
Board had been withdrawn. Under these circumstances
he thought the sooner the Commission wasjdone away
with the better. The authority proposed to be given to
them was most arbitrary and vexatious. Ile thought
they had sufficient experience of the Railway Commis-
sion to justify them in coming to the conclusion that
it was more an evil than anything else. Its con-
stitution was most expensive. The expenses of the
railway department when it was connected with the
Board of Trade did not exceed 1,9721. But in the first
year of the present Commission it cost the country no
less than 17,0001. That was an amount quite dispro-
portionate to any benefit derived from the Railway
Board. He thought they could easily save tho country
this expense in a great measure by transferring back the
railway department to the Board of Trade. 'The Right
Hon. Gentleman who was appointed to the head of the
Railway Commission was not a Member of that House,
and he believed that it was essential for the head of that
department that he should have a seat in that House.
There was a President and Vice-President of the Board
of Trade, both of whom had seats in the House, and he
believed they had sufficient time at their disposal, in
consequence of the free-trade measures, to attend to the
railway department. But if they had not, a small in-
crease might be made in that department which would
enable them to do the business to the satisfaction of the
public. He thought the Government would do well to
adopt his motion, because matters could not remain as
they were.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
it was desirable that the utmost practical economy should
be carried out in this departrnent.—(Hear, hear.) With
regard to the origin of the board, the Hon. Gentleman
seemed to forget that there were three reports recom-
mending the constitution of such a body, and the Bill
for this purpose had the almost unanimous support of
that House.—(Hear, hear.) With regard to the ex-
penses, the Hon. Gentleman was in error in saying that
they amounted to 17,0001. The actual expenses were
only 12,0001. He regretted that his Right Hon. Friend
(Mr. Strutt) was not then in the House, as he would be
able to give the Hon. Gentleman a more detailed ac-
count of the expenditure. The Hon. Gentleman seemed
to forget the great services performed by the Railway
Board in preparing reports for the guidance of Com-
mittees. The business of that board was greatly on the
increase. At the present time the business transacted
amounted to more than one•third the whole business
done in the course of last year. His Right Honourable
Friend (Mr. Strutt) had been appointed to the head
of the board from his acquaintance with the private
business and standing orders of the House. As soon as
the report of the Derby Election Committee had been
made, he placed his resignation in the hands of his
Noble Friend, feeling that it was essential for the head
of the railway department to have a seat in the House.
His Noble Friend being of the same opinion, accepted
that resignation, however reluctantly. The Government
then had to determine whether they would fill up that
place, and they came to the conclusion not to
.fill up the
place vacated by Mr. Strutt. It was not their intention,
therefore, at present to appoint any successor to that
gentleman.—(Hear, hear.) They would appoint a
member of the Board of Trade as an unpaid Commis-
sioner to the office; and they would then see, by experi-
ment, how the business of the railway department could
be conducted in that way. If the Committee that was
then sitting reported as advisable that it would bo ex-
pedient still further to reduce the expenses of that
department, the Government would readily ac-
quiesce. The Government were ready to reduce the ex-
penditure; but lie dil not see that there would bo any
advantage in coming to the resolution proposed by the
lion. Gentleman, in the spirit of which, however, they
fully concurred.
Mr. lIUDSON cougratulated the House on the
speech of tbo Right Honourable Gentleman. It was not
his desire to take away the super risiou of the Govern- '
went, or to weaken the power which they possessed over
different railway companies, but lie thought that more
economy might be practised in the railway department.
As an instance of the way in which unnecessary expense
was incurred, he would mention to the House that an
anonymous letter having appeared in the Times, stating
that Mr. Hudson had detained the train at Derby, and
that an accident had occurred, the Commissioners
actually cut out the letter, and sent it to the secretary
of the company to know what explanation could be
given. Now the fact alleged was perfectly untrue; but
when persons were sent about on such slight
grounds it was no wonder that the expenses should tC
great. There was an old adage, that when persons had
nothing to do, they were sure to do mischief, and that
wan the case with regard to the Railway Board. He
believed that one man of common sense and experi-
ence would be more efficient than a host of intelligent aid