The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-21 00:00:00

Q I Una= eqint

LONDON, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1851

•
In the House of Lords last night,
The LORD CHANCELLOR stated in reply to a question
from Lord BROUGHAM, that it was the intention of the
Government to appoint a third Vice-Chancellor, and
that in the course of the ensuing week he hoped that the
Government measure for the reform of the Court of
Chancery would be brought forward.
In reply to Lord STANLEY,
The LORD CHANCELLOR said it had not yet been de-
termined in which House the measure should be brought
forward.
Their Lordships then adjourned.
In the House of Commons, after the transaction of
the usual preliminary business,
Mr. SLANEY moved for the appointment of a Select
Committee to consider the law of partnership. His
object was, by intrOducing the principle of limited part-
nership, to induce small capitalists to embark certain
portions of their capital in trades which would prevent the
accumulation of capital in the hands of great capitalists,
and at the same time afford increased employment to the
industrious classes.

Mr. LABOUCUERE could not agree in all the conclu-
sions of the Hon. Gentleman, but conceiving that some
alterations might be advantageously made in the law of
partnership, he should not oppose the appointment of
the Committee.
The motion was then agreed to.
Mr. LOCKE KING then moved for leave to bring in a
Bill extending the county franchise in England and
Wales to all occupiers of tenements of the yearly value
of 101. As they had last year made a similar extension
of the franchise in Ireland, he could see no good reason
that could be urged against his proposition.
Mr. Humn seconded the motion.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL, whilst admitting that those
whom it was proposed to enfranchise would exercise
the suffrage with soundness and discretion, considered
that the alteration was not desirable, beeause it was the
principle of the Reform Bill to rest the county franchise
upon the basis of tenure, and not of occupancy. On
that ground he had opposed the Chandos clause, and
he could not consent to carry the principle of that
clause still further, so as to swamp the freeholders by
the occupiers. The Noble Lord concluded by stating
that he should be prepared to introduce in the next session
of Parliament a measure for the enlargement of the
franchise.
Mr. HUME could not understand why the Noble Lord
should delay the introduction of his measure for a year.
Mr. COBDEN rejoiced at the intimation made by the
Noble Lord of his intention to introduce a measure for
the extension of the franchise. lie thought the consti-
tuency proposed to be introduced by this measure would
be more independent than the 50/. tenants-at-will, and
the 40s. freeholders would, he knew, be delighted at the
success of this motion.

After a few words from Mr. P. HOWARD,
The House divided, when there appeared—
For the motion ... 100
AgainEt it... • 52
Majority against Ministers
..• —4B
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL obtained leave to bring in
a Bill to consolidate and amend the laws relating to civil
bills and the courts of quarter sessions in Ireland, and
to transfer to the assistant-Earristers certain jurisdiction
as to insolvent debtors.

__ ....
The remaining business was then disposed of, and the
House adjourned.

The discussion on the PRECIOUS BUDGET is to be
resumed this evening; in case the Whig Cabinet
shall dare to despise the voice of public opinion,
loudly and unequivocally expressed, and to render an
obstinate and unreasoning adherence to the unjust,
impolitic, and ridiculous " scheme" of Sir CHARLES
WOOD, there is still a locus penitentie of which they
may avail themselves—there is still an opportunity
for an honourable retreat. If Lord JOHN RUSSELL
should come to the rescue this evening, as he has
been compelled to do on many former occasions,
and totally and unconditionally withdraw the
miserable abortion that has excited so deep a
feeling of contemptuous indignation and disgust
throughout the length and breadth of the land, he
may yet retain office and preserve his tottering Mi-
nistry. A considerable time must unquestionably
elapse before he can regain his former position or re-
trieve his lost popularity. The mere fact that he
could for a moment have sanctioned the ridiculous
views of the mischievous blockhead who has brought
odium and disgrace on the entire Ministry, must ex-
ercise a most damaging influence on his cha•
racter as a statesman. Nothing but a bold and
decisive course can avert an ignominious defeat,
and as a necessary consequence a change of Ministry
1 and an appeal to the country, which, in the present
state of public feeling, must prove ruinous to the in-
terests of the Whig party. The entire system of
taxation must be strictly investigated with a view to
its revision and modification. The taxes that press
on industry, that retard the full development of our
commercial relations with other countries, that are
injurious to health, morals, education, or cleanliness,
must be either totally repealed or, at least, greatly
reduced, with a view to their ultimate abolition.
And, above all, these palpable inequalities that
shock our feelings of justice, as being repugnant to
every prim?.iple of equity, must be got rid of as
speedily as practicable. The people will not tolerate
an habitual disregard by their rulers of those ordinary
rules of et,l3ics by which individuals must be go-
verned ; thoy will not sanction a palpable departure
from the paths of honour and honesty, or such an
administration .of the national finances as would
reflect, disgrace on a private firm if it con.
dtiete44 its own affairs in g similar manner. The