The Sun.
London, England, 1860-06-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 13, 1860.

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been made in some places in reference to English members
taking a part in the discussion of Scotch bills. (" No, no,"
from the Scotch members.) With respect to the bill, peti •
tions against the Annuity-Tax Bill had been signed by
no less than 15,000 or 16,000 inhabitants of Edinburgh,
and he considered the measure one of the worst that had
ever been introduced on the subject. He objected to the
bill that it partook of a political character, as well as being
oppressive to the religious convictions of a large number.
He was much surprised that the hon. member, and other
hon. members, should have supported it in the face of such
petitions as those to which he adverted. He contended
that the effect of the bill would be to create apathy and
indifference in regard to religion in Edinburgh.
The motion was then agreed to, and the house went into
committee on the bill.
Clause 1 was agreed to, with some amendments.
On clause 5,
Mr. BLACK BURN proposed an amendment, vesting
the property-of the local churches in Edinburgh as well as
their administration.
Mr. BLACK strongly objected to the amendment, on
the ground that it would deprive the inhabitants of pro-
perty which they themselves acquired.
The LORD ADVOCATE also opposed the amendment.
Mr. MURE considered it absurd to suppose that the
commission in their management would deteriorate the
value of property.
The house then divided, and the numbers were—
For the amendment 4O
Against it
78
Majority
The clause was agreed to.
On clause 6, an amendment was proposed, the object of
which was to have one• tenth of the sittings reserved as free
sittings.
After a short discussion, the amendment was agreed to.
Alterations for the purpose of securing the rights of the
Town Council in reference to their seats were also agree,
to

On clause 8,
Mr. BLACKURN moved an amendment to the effect
that the sum proposed by the bill to be paid to clergymen
should be raised from £4,200 to £5,000 a-year.
The LORD ADVOCATE said shat the amendment
went so deeply to the root of the principle of the bill that he
could not assent to it. It was originally proposed to make
an allowance annually for thirteen ministers for 15 years,
when it was to terminate. The Town Council, however,
preferred the imposition of a permanent allowance, and it
was in conformity with this view that the sum of £4,200
was inserted in the bill.
Mr. MACKIE thought the proposed increase was too
large, but that if the hon. member had asked for the allow-
ance to be raised to -4500, he thought his proposition
was entitled to approval.
Mr. BLACK entertained a different opinion, and thought
the allowance should be reduced to £4,000. If the amend-
ment were passed he certainly would take the sense of the
house as to the reduction which he proposed.
After some discussion,
Mr. BLACKBURN said he did not consider that £4,500
a year would be adequate to meet the expenses, including
£3OO a year for collection. He would not, however, press
his amendment in its original form, but would agree to the
substitution of the £4,500 a year.
Mr. HADFIELD said that the sum of £6OO a-year was
considerably more than the clergymen of the Church of
England received on an average, and he strongly objected
to a sum of £3OO. There were 25,000 churches in England
which did not cost the church estate a farthing, and he
thought it was a proof of the luke-warm feeling that pre-
vailed towards the Established Church in Scotland that no
person could be found to collect the tax without payment.
The hous.?, then divided on the amendment as altered,
and the numbers were—
For the amendment 58
Against it
Majority
—3l
The amendment was accordingly lost, and the clause
was"s greed to.
On clause 10,
Mr. MU RE moved the following amendment :—To
add " And provided further that the tenants or occupiers
of any property liable in payment of the increased police
assessment shall be entitled, and they are hereby autho-
rised, in making payment of the rent of the said property,
to retain from such rent the amount of such increased
assessment, except in the case where the said property
shall, prior to the passing of this act, have been let for a
term of years, in which case the said increased assess-
ment shall be borne by the occupier till the expiry
of the period for which the said property was let."
The hon. and learned member stated that the object of his
amendment was to throw the burden of such assessment
on the proprietor as a more equitable arrangement. A
proprietor who purchased his property subject to a portion
of this tax could in future not complain.
Mr. BLACK opposed the amendment, which he thought
would be most unjust to the proprietor.
After some discussion the hcuse divided, and the num.

hers were—