The Sun.
London, England, 1834-07-01 00:00:00

out, to induce them to consent to a similar one in ano-
ther instance being proceeded with.
iThe otte*
considered was whetheri,t+h,e present.lL
„mum .e—fr.e.ctun-tato
dew
as object. He thowr
,c would. He thought that aS tar
as its princinl—
went it was good, and if it required any
and it was evident from t hat his noble friend announced
that it would require some alteration, as far as the issuing of a
committee of inquiry emanating from the Crown instead of
from Parliament, was concerned, he would be most ready to
give his best attention to it in committee. The noble baron
who spoke last seemed to consider the bill as an infringement
on the authority and dignity of their lordships' house, but he
must say he saw not the least foundation for objecting to it on
that ground. If a commission was to be issued by the Crown
upon a petition complaining of a return being presented, and if
a copy of the report of that commission was transmitted to
each house of Parliament, and if, upon that report being
printed, their lordships were deliberately to consider how far
it went to condemn the accused borough, could it be said
that they delegated their authority as a branch of the
Legislature, and in the smallest decree, to the House of
Commons? The bill only proposed that the obtaining of
evidence should be entrusted to a commission, but their
lordships, after its passing, would retain the power of deciding
upon that evidence. He contended that the bill did nothing
more than delegate a painful and laborious inquiry to a com-
mission instead of to a select committee of that house. But"
was the House of Lords to be bound by the report of those
commissioners? Certainly not. If they were of opinion that
the evidence had not been properly taken they might separate
themselves from the House of Commons, and institute an in-
quiry of their own either by a second commission or by an in-
vestigation at the bar. The noble Iron complained that the
names of parties accused of bribery were to be placed upon
the church doors, although they were afforded no opportunity
of refuting the charge. But were they in this respect worse
situated than at present? Certainly not; for now it was only
necessary for a party to accuse fifty or sixty individuals of
bribery in a petition to the House of Commons, and, on that
petition being printed in the votes of that house it might be
published to the world, aye, even on those selfsame church
doors, a law being in force permitting the votes of the' two
houses of Parliament to be there affixed for publication. The
noble and learned lord concluded by expressing his intention
of voting for the second reading.
Lord ELLENBOROUGH, in explanation, disclaimed en-
tertaining any indisposition to facilitate inquiries of theliature
referred to in the bill, but felt bound to protest age-I:list the
course it proposed for the purpose. .),
The Duke of WELLINGTON did not hesitate to say that
the measure before the house was as ill considered as any that
ever passed the other House of Parliament. (Hear.)' If it
became law there would be but one mode of punishing'refrac-
tory boroughs, namely, disfranchisement. No alternative, no
discretion, would be left in peculiar cases, and Pailiament
would be obliged either to take no steps whatever or dis-
franchise. That such a result, and especially when it' was to
originate in a committee appointed by another House of Par-
liament, and over which their lordships would exercise no
control whatever, could be a proper one he utterly and posi-
tively denied. Even if the house were to institute an inquiry
of their own, and upon that inquiry originate a bill, no good
could come of it, as it would be sure to be resisted by the other
house. Under all the circumstances he thought the best
course their lordships could adopt would be to refer the bill to
a select-committee, in accordance with the suggestion of his
noble friend.--( Hear, hear.)
The Marquis of L ANSDOWNE said he would have no
objection to adopt the suggestion, as it seemed to be the wish
of the house.

After a few words from Lord WYNFORD the bill was read
a second time, and referred to a select committee, which was
named.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE BILL.
On the motion of Viscount MELBOURNE the Justices of
the Peace Bill was. committed pro forma,land ordefed to be re-
committed on Monday next.
The house glen adjourned at a quarter past eight o'clock. .