The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-02 00:00:00

MEDICAL CHARITIES BILL.

Mr. REYNOLDS gave notice that he would move an
amendment in the sixth clause of the Medical Charities
(Ireland) Bill.

KILRUSH UNION.

Mr. REYNOLDS said he wished to ask the Chief
Secretary for Ireland a question connected with the
mortality in Kilrush workhouse. It appeared that this
workhouse was built originally for 4,600 inmates,
but on the Bth of March last there were no less than
5,500 paupers within its walls. Between that
time and the 26th of March 223 died, on some of whom
coroner's inquests had been held, and it seemed that the
general cause of death was destitution and want of food.
Many of these people walked ten miles while in a state
of exhaustion in order to get admission to the work-
house, and several died on the road. He now wished to
know whether this circumstance had been reported to
the Right Hon. Gentleman, and whether he had made
any inqniry as to its truth, and if so, and having ascer-
tained it to be true, whether he had given any instruc-
tions to the poor-law guardians to take steps for the
removal of the grievance. He also wished to inquire if
any correspondence had passed with the Poor-low Com-
missioners in Dublin, and if so, whether be would have
any objection to lay a copy of such correspondence be-
fore the House?
Sir W. SOMERVILLE said he was not in possession
of information that would enable him to answer pre-
cisely the question of the Hon. Gentleman. From the
latest information he had received it appeared that the
number of inmates which could be accommodated in the
workhouse was, as the Hon. Gentleman had correctly
stated, 4,600; but the actual number then in the build-
ing was 5,000, instead of 5,500, which made a very con-
siderable difference.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. REYNOLDS said he meant to state that the num-
ber was 5,005.
Sir W. SOMERVILLE—When the Hon. Gentle-
man spoke of so many dying, he could not maan that
the deaths occurred inside the workhouse. The Hon.
Member for Tipperary had given notice that on Friday
next he would put several queries to the Government
on the same subject, and he (Sir W. Somerville) had
written to Ireland for the information which he hoped to
be able to furnish the House with on that day. He
would then be in a better position to give a more correct
and detailed answer to the inquiries now put to him.
IMPROPER APPLICATION OF POOR-RATES.
Mr. REYNOLDS asked the Chief Commis.doner of
Poor•laws under what authority a sum of 16f. 17s. was
paid (out of the rate for the relief of the destitute poor
of St. Luke's, Middlesex), towards defraying the ex-
penses of a meeting held in the parish church on the
14th November, 1850, to protest against Papal aggres-
sion.

Mr. BAINES had no particular knowledge of the
proceedings at the meeting referred to; but he might
state that the vestry could have no possible authority
for defraying the expenses of the meeting out of the
poor-rates. He was informed, however, by the clerk of
the parish that they considered themselves justified,
under the provisions of a local Act, in so defraying the
expenses. He had not had time to look at the Act,
but every ratepayer was at perfect liberty to go to the
district auditor, and object to the legality of any par-
ticular item, and if be were dissatisfied with his decision
he could appeal to the Court of Queen's Bench or Poor-
law Board.
PROCLAIMING THE COUNTY OF DOWN.
Mr. SHARMAN CRAW FORD asked Sir William
Somerville whether it was the case that a portion of the
county of Down had been proclaimed under the Act 11
and 12 Vie., c. 2; and if so, whether, previous to the
issue of such proclamation, any magisterial inquiry had
been directed by the Government into the acts of dis-
order said to have been committed in such district; and
also whether he had any objection to lay on the table of
the House copies of any official reports or information
received by the Government as to the facts which ren-
dered such proclamation necessary?
Sir W. SOMERVILLE raid it was true that a por-
tion of the county of Down had been proclaimed under
the 11th and 12th Vic., and he had no objection to lay
the papers on the table.
PETTY SESSIONS (IRELAND) BILL.
Mr. SCULLY wished to know whether it was the in-
tention of the Government to introduce a Bill this ses-
sion for the better regulation of petty sessions?
'Sir W. SOMERVILLE said the Government intended
to introduce a Bill this session on the subject, but not
the same Bill which was proposed last session.
WRIT FOR COVENTRY.

Mr. ITAYTER moved for a new writ for Coventry in
the place of Mr. G. J. Turner, who had accepted the
office of Vice-Chancellor.—(Loud cries of " Hear.")
COMPOUND HOUSEHOLDERS BILL.

On the motion for going into Committee on this Bill,
Mr. HENLEY said he agreed with the principle of
the Bill, which was to faCilitate the process by which
compound householders could get their names placed on
the register, but he thought some of the provisions of
the Bill required amending, in order to preveut litigation
i❑ the registration courts.
Sir W. CLAY said he was not insensible to the diffi-
culties mentioned by the Honourable Gentleman, but he
thought it would be better to postpone any observations
on them until the House went into Committee.
The House then went into Committee on the Bill.
Mr. HENLEY objected to an alteration which had
been made in the first clause, which he contended would
have the efft2ct of placing the compound householders iu
a much better position than any other voters.
Sir W. CLAY defended the alteration.
After a few words from Mr. NEWDEGATE and Mr.
WILLIAMS,
Lord JOHN RUSSELL thought that the introdue-
lion of the words proposed carried the proposition much
beyond that which had been placed before the House on
the second reading of the Bill. He had understood that
the words of the Reform Bill were to be taken as the
extent of the alteration proposed by the Bill; but the
alteration in the clause, instead of placing the compound
householder is the same position as he who had not
compounded, certainly went further, and IOHc4 him in,
a better. He hoped, therefore, that thellAetaronet
the Member for the Tower Hamlets would agree to the
suggestion which had been thrown out by Hon. Gentle-
men on the other side.
Mr. BRIGHT did not augur very highly from the re-
marks of the Noble Lord of the extent of the reforms
which it was his intention to propose in the franchise. He
would ask whether it was the Hon. Member's intention to do
away with that clause Of the Reform Act by which the
franchise was extended? They could not do away with
the principle .ot compounding, for they could not say,
with anything like decency, that the landlord should
pay the rates for the tenant. It was customary in ex-
pounding the section of the Reform Act to construe the
words in a generous and liberal manner. The Noble
Lord had stated that the construction was to be strictly
taken. But was the Noble Lord aware that his opinion
was contravened by decisions of a contrary tendency?
And it was to be observed, that if the Noble Lord's

construction were to be observed, they would be shut-
ting out from the franchise hundreds of thousands of
persons who took a great interest in political questions;
and who could intelligently appreciate the tendency of
political measures from the franchise. Chief Justice
Tindal bad upon several occasions declared with res-
pect to the forty.shillinc, voters that the Act was to be
liberally construed, ancr he did so construe it. It was
evident that the only rate to be paid was that which
was due at the time of the election. They had passed
an Act to effect this purpose last session.
They had included upon his express nsoti on a clause
in that Bill to secure conformity' with the Reform Act,
and he did believe that if they included this clause they
would pass the Bill through the Rouse with the greatest
readiness.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL said, That whatever he might
think of the observations of die Honourable Mem-
ber for Manchester (Mr. Bright) as to their effect
of giving or withholding the franchise to those per-
sons to whom he had alluded, there was one
fatal objection to the introduction of his clause
on the present occasion. The Hon. Member should re-
member that although the Bill to which he had referred
bad passed with a reservation, the Hon. Member for
Oxfordshire had come down to oppose the second reading
of that Bill, but withdrew his opposition upon the un-
derstanding that no clause of this nature should be pro-
prosed without due notice to the several Members.
Certainly he (Lord John Russell) had received no such
notice, and until that notice was given he could assent to
the consideration of no such clause.

Alderman SIDNEY said that the Hon. Gentle.
man the Member for Manchest( r had complained of
towns in the north of England having iDereaSPri by the
number of 10,000 houses, but that there had been little,
indeed hardly any increase to the muster-roil of the
voters. He could tell that Hon. Member that not less
than 186,000 houses had been added to the metropolis,
and yet the number of voters bore no proportion to the
number of tenants. He believed that the Bill as it stood
was calculated to effect a great benefit.
Sir G. PECIIELL said that Hon. Gentlemen opposite
seemed desirous of doing away with rates and taxes
altogether.—(Cheers, and Counter cheers and laughter.)
Well, it seemed so to him; and of one thing, at least, he
,g
was assured—that this discussion would show the neces-
sity of speedily introduc n some large and comprehen-
sive measure for the extension of the franchise. He
h''P' d the Noble Lord at the head of the Government
would reconsider what he had said.
Mr. AGLIONBY said the objection of the Noble
Lord was directed to the principle of the clause on
its amendment, but to the first that it has
been proposed without notice. True, one part of
the objection alleged that an understanding hao
been come to with the Honourable Member

for the Tower samletathat clause of this sort should

not he introduced into the Bill, but he could admit Off
cL:I prlA)6el(l
amendment was within the principle of the Bill it sbou.'
have his best support.

Mr. HENLEY said there had been no understandigg
upon the subject but what the House was fully PI
possession of. He had distinctly stated on lbs
second reading that he bad no objection to the princir
of the Bill, so far as it related to the removal of techni'
calities standing in the way of the due and proper east'
cise of the franchise. This proposed amendment, boil:
ever, went further than that; it extended the frog'
chile to parties who at present bad 131)
right to it, and as that was not withl
the Ecope of the Bill, as it was originally understeoch
be should oppose it; but he hoped that course would 10
obviated by the lion. Member for the Tower Hamlet'
withdrawing the amendment.

Sir W. CLAY said the Honourable Gentleman lid
correctly stated the object of the Bill, and all that the
proposed amendment would do was to declare what RN
the meaning of particular words in the Reform M
With the distinct understanding, however, that hereaftor,
there would be no objection to the introduction of a Blh
to accomplish the object which the amendment had hi
view, he would readily withdraw it.
Tha CHAIRMAN said, in point of fact, there W
no amendment before the Committee.
Mr. SPOONER hoped it would be distinctly under
stood that the objectionable words would not be polo'
vexed in.

Sir W. CLAY said it certainly should.
Mr. HENLEY proposed a verbal amendment to the
32d line of the clause to facilitate the settlement ef
legitimate claims to be placed on the register, and to
prevent the creation of illegal votes under the provi?
sions of the Bill.

Sir W. CLAY bad no objection to the amendment.
bnt he would suggest that it should be introduced into
the Bill at a future stage.
Mr. HENLEY was quite certain that the Bill as it
stood would not carry out the object of its promoter'',
and that was why ho bad proposed the amendment. He
would readily adopt the suggestion of the Hon. Barone
were it not for the protest of the Hon. Member for
Cockermouth against such understanding; but if the
Committee would give him another opportunity of pro"t
proposing the amendment he would consent to the poll'
ponement.
Mr. AGLIONBY was not averse to an arrangement
of this nature.
Mr. BRIGHT was quite certain that the ID.
nourable Member for Oxfordshire intended 0
propose nothing that was antagonistic to
the
spirit or principle of the Bill, and he shoulO
have no objection to the proposed words
they met with the approval of the Lion. Baronet till,
Member for the Tower Hamlets.
Mr. HENLEY consented to withdraw the amend•
ment.

Lord ROBERT GROSVENOR wished to make 1
suggestion to his Honourable Friend who had charge ,
the Bill. The Noble Lord at the head of tba,
Government had already admitted that the time hif
come when some improvement must be made in the
Reform Bill, and he for one agreed with the Noble
Lord. Under these circumstances, he really did thin'
it would economise their time if this Bill and that pr.o
posed by the Hon. Member for Surrey were WO_
withdrawn till next year, when they could be incorpo:
rated with a larger measure, which could be brougl"
forward under the sanction and responsibility of the Go'
vernment.
Mr. W. WILLIAMS objected in too to the propossl
of the Noble Lord, as they had no pledge from ell.
Government that they intended to propose any lar,e
measure of Parliamentary reform next year. This 10,,
was only intended to remedy a manifest injustice,
and. P
ought theretere to be passed without a moment's delay.
(LEFT SITTING.)

ELECTION COIIII.IIIFTEE.
(TITS DAY.)
AYLESBURY.
The Committee sat this morning at eleven o'clock.
Mr. RODWELL proceeded to sum up the evidence4l
support of the petitioner, from which he contend&
that a clear and organized scheme of bribery and tree'
ing had been proved to have been carried on during the
whole period of the Aylesbury election by the agents of
Mr. Calvert, for which acts he was responsible, and he
called upon the Committee to pursue the usual courig
in such eases, by declaring the election void.
Mr. Sergeant KINGLAKE was proceeding to open the
case for the sitting Member when we went to press.

SECONDARIES".-.('PHIS DAY.)
There was only one case in the list, Searle and another o'
Nesbitt, for 151. goods sold and delivered. There was no tie:.
fence to the action, and a verdict was given for the amount-,
claimed.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.
"THIS D,

AY.)
Mary Anne Mayne, convicted of stealing, with the aid 01
chloroform, a purse and nine sovereigns and other moneys, tb!,
property of John Evenson, from his person, was sentenced Iv
transportation.

The Learned JUDGE said he should forward the depositioo
to the Secretary of State to look over, and if she could gill
any good reason to show that it was not chloroform whic'
she sentence ut to the man's mouth, it would transportedd t°'
The of the Court was that she be DV
yocd the seas tor the term of seven years.

BOW-STREET.-(THIS DAY.)
Henry Luchin, aged 35, a cabowner, was charged before
Mr. Jardine with an assault upon a young woman, and ie' flicting a wound upon her face with some sharp instrument.
The prosecutrix stated that this morning, about lota
o'clock, she called a cab in Regent-street, to take
her to Smith-street, Westminster. As she got in the defendant attempted to force his way in after her'.
She resisted, and attempted to keep him out, but
said that his shilling was as good as hers, and the cab-driver
said he might ride to Westminster if he liked. As soon el
the door was shut the defendant struck her violently in tho,
face, and she screamed for assistance, but the cabman cor •
tinued to drive on rapidly. A policeman 1B 75), hearing
the screams, stopped the cab at Charing-cross, and seeing,
the state of the witness, took the defendant into custody
The cabman said that the prosecutrix and the prisoner
were together at the door of a public house in Oxford-areal
near the corner of Regent-street, when he was called, ape%
they got in together. They were not drunk. Ile
did not hear the screams of the young woman. The
police-constable, however, said that the prisoner was alwaYs
hanging" about the cab stand; be had a badge and
licence, but to the best of witness's knowledge he did nob
work.
The prisoner, in his defence, stated that he accompanied
the prosecutrix with her consent, and that she suffered the
severe injuries in her face by knocking against the shutter
of the cab (which was one of Hansom's), when they v. era!
" pulling one another about." All this, however, the prose'
cutrix indignantly denied. She was not drunk, but had lett
her service in Oxford-street, at that late hour, in consequencO
of a quarrel. She had not been in the public-house at Os
The prisoner now begged the magistrate to be as lenient se
possible with him, anti offered to give the youg woman corn'
pensation for the violence she bad sufferea ; but she rernsett,
to consent to the proffered compromise, and left the case to
the decision of the magistrate, who sentenced the prisoner to
pay a fine of Si., or be imprisoned one month and kept to
hard labour.

MARLBRO'-STREE IC—(THIS DAY.)
-4 . ATTIMPTED FRAUD ON THE BISHOP OF LONDON.-'
"Elizabeth Kite was placed before Mr. Hardwick, charged
with endeavouring to obtain charitable contributions frail
the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of London by false and,
fraudulent pretences.
It appeared from the evidence of George Robson, hall por-
ter in the service of the Bishop, that en Friday, the 14th de
March last, the prisoner came to the Bishop's res;dence
iilt
St. James's-square, and presented a letter addressed to th
Bishop, who, being very much engaged at the time, desired
that the prisoner should call on the following day. On that
day she came again, when the Bishop saw her, and told
her that the letter which she had brought the day
previous, purporting to have been written by 1;0
Reverend Mr. Glennie, of Saint Margaret's Chapel, Plunk'
lane, was a forgery. The prisoner admitted it was ao, nod
while his servant was gone for a policeman she made .her
escape. Subsequently the Rev. Mr. Glennie was communi-
cated with, who placed the matter in the hands of Horsford,
chief officer of the Mendicity Society, who succeeded in ap-
prehending the prisoner last night.
The Bishop of London confirmed the above evidence.
The Rev. Mr. Glennie said the letter . produced mom.
mending the prisoner to the Bishop's bounty was not in bis
handwriting, and that to the best of his knowledge he never
saw the prisoner before.
The prisoner, who is an old offender, was committed to the
House of Correction for three months.

WONDERFUL KNOWLEDGE IN GEOGRAPHY. 0 ,
to recover a sum of 51 9s. 4d:'alleged
yaCgoaiunrstt,
jaonseapchtiown
Saturday, at the Bloomnsabmuerav Cvvouilndt,
one week's wages, 41., and U.,
adant's behalf. It appeareffthat Ole
mEtborsooqbnu.
ee,g)ivdh:utp.
peabiy(tifooaoruhrnei
tmoho ddefemo!dreierni,.
plaintiff was engaged in August last as foreman of the works
for erecting the great globe in Leicester-square, and to re-
ceive for his services 41. per week. In November, however,
he was discharged without notice, and he now claimed week's wages. The defence was, that the plaintiff was un-
able to execute the work he had contracted for, and, in prod
of this assertion it was stated that he had placed California
in England, and Panama in Egypt.—His Honour observed
that this decided the case, and he thought that the defendant
was justified in actL g as he had done. The defendant had
paid 2!. into court, which was quite sufficient to cover the
plaintiff's outlay on the defendant's behalf.
STIRLING AND
Dunfermline report.
por
was
DUNFERMLINE RAILWAY.--The
half-yearly meeting of this company took place on Mondayr
sattaEted diltlhbilatrgthhe;
mMari.nJiinAenst
betweenrutl er
in u
ntfehremclihnaei r. n
dTAI
be-
tween Alicia and Stirling, will be opened in the autumn. The
finished in December. The r maiuder of the main line,
branch to Alloa-ferry and the kreater portion of the Tilli-
coultry branch will be read L. for traffic in a few weeks. The
traffic on the line has increased rapidly, and the demand for
• power and waggons has been so
engine great that the Edin-
burgh and Dundee Company have found it impossible to
meet the demands without seriously injuring the traffic on
their own line, and therefore other arrangements had to be
made by the board. The directors, fortified by the opinions
of eminent counsel, confidently look forward to a favourable
result, even if the Edinburgh and Glasgow Company should
continue the litigation with respect to their refusal to imple-
ment the lease.
Dispatches were sent off yesterday from the Colonial-office
to the Governors of the West India Islands.

.O.IED
On the 25th ult., at Colomberie-house, Jersey, Clement
Hemery, Esq., aged 75.
On the 2? th ult., at Rotnford, Essex, aged 49, Richard
Bennett, Esq., late Major of the Ist or Royal) Regiment.
On the ?9th ult., at Clapton-square, aged 85, Elizabeth►
eldest daughter of the late James Lee, Esq., of Hackney.
On the :'.l9th ult., at Bury St. Edmund's, Frances Elizabeth,
relict of the late Thomas Smith, E q., M D., aged 73.
On the ‘27th ult., aged 75, Mrs. Ann Sproull, relict of the
ate It. Spr,,ull, N., of Blackheath-road.

London: Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG, 9i
No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, No. 112,
Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in WO 9044ty of
Kiddie*); Wednesday, April 2, lot.