The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-08 00:00:00

Mr. KEOGH complained that a resolution for affording
such compensation should be proposed at so late an hour,
and moved that the Chairman report progress.
Lord J. RUSSELL hoped the Committee would consi-
' der the resolution, unless some reason were shown for an
adjournment.
Mr. KEOGH said the only notice on the paper with refer-
ence to this subject was in these terms—" Exchequer Cham-
ber (Ireland)—Committee thereupon," and no intimation had
been given that it was intended to propose a vote of a consi-
derable sum of money by way of compensation.
Sir G. GREY said the resolution which had been proposed
was substantially identical with the second clause of the
Process and Prestige (Ireland) Bill, which was in the hands
of lion. Members, who might, therefore, have been aware
that it was intended to give compensation to certain officers;
but, aceordibg to the rules of the House, it was necersary to
agree to a resolution in Committee for granting such com-
pensation before the clause could be proposed in the Bill.
Mr. BERRIES thought no difficulty would have arisen if
the Attorney-General for Ireland had, in proposing the re-
solution, explained its nature, and the grounds on which he
proposed it.
Mr. HATCHELL explained that by the Process and
Practice (Ireland) Act regulations were to be made by the
udges, and any person who might be thereby deprived of
his office, or whose office might be diminished in value, was
to be compensated. A Bill had now been brought in to re-
move a doubt whether the Act extended to the Court of Ex-
chequer Chamber, and this resolution was to found the com-
pensation clause in that Bill.
, Mr. REYNOLDS inquired how many officers there were
in the Exchequer Chamber, and what were their salaries?
Mr. HATCHELL really did not know the number of
officers.

Mr. KEOGH thought the question ought to be answered,
and would not withdraw his motion.
The Committee then divided :
For reporting progress
... 50
Against it ... s 5
Mojority —35
Mr. REYNOLDS would not consento the vote without
knowing the amount involved, and must move, that the
Chairman do row leave the chair.
Sir G. GREY believed it was impossible to state the ex-
act amount ef the compensation, because the matter was in
the discretion of the Treasury, subject to certain rules. But
he could state that there were but three officers concerned,
and the highest salary was under 5001., so that the amount
of compensation could only be a few hundred pounds.
Mr. SADLEIR was glad to find that Information was at
last being furnished, though it came from the English and
not the Irish functionary.—(A laugh') Perhaps another
division would procure the names of the officers, an account
of their duties, and a statement whether they held any other
offices in the public service. The Irish Members were be-
ginning to be of some little importance in that Hoase—
i
(Hear, hear)—and by acting in concert would be able to
check the practice of considering Irish business after mid-
night. They had at all times evinced a sincere disposition to
co-operate With the Government- (Laughter)--and he ap-
pealed to the INT
:Liter of the Rolls and the Home Secretary
whether in legal matters it were not so?
The Ida3TER of the ROLLS acknowledged the assistance
he .had received from the Irish Members in the absence of
the 19,W officers of the Crewn from that House. Whether the
officers of the Exchequer Chamber would be affected did not
appear, but if they were it was proposed to take power to
give compensation.
Mr. KEOGH concurred with the Hon. Member for Dublin
in ,ppe:ing further proceedings.
Mr.-WALPOLE thought the notice on the paper not suf-
ficiently explicit, but, as no person would be pledged by as-
senting to a mere matter of form, he suggested the with-
drawal of the motion.
zde. REYNOLDS, however, persisted, and
The Committee divided, when there appeared—
For Mr. Reynolds's motion... •••
Against it .• ••• • •

Majority ...
On re-entering the gallery we found
Mr. KEOGH moving that the Chairman report progress,
and protesting against proceeding further at so late an,hour.
After a few words from Sir G. GREY, the motion was
agreed to.

-42

The CHAIRMAN reported progress, and the House resumed.
The Sergeant-at-Arms appeared at the bar and intimated
that he had executed the Speaker's warrant in the case of
Henry Ed •=-ards, a witness required to be in attendance before
the St. Alban'a Election Committee.
On the motion of Sir G. GREY it was ordered that the
Sergeant-at-Arms should retain Henry Edwards in custody
and produce him betbre the Committee sitting on the St.
Alban's election whenever required.

The House adjourned at a Quarter-past One o'clock.