The Sun.
London, England, 1856-06-19 00:00:00

ABERDEEN UNIVERSITIES.

In answer to a que.,tion from Mr. H. BAILLIE,
The LORD ADVOCATE said it was his intention to
propose a measure to Parliament for the union of the
two universities at Aberdeen ; but he should not be dis-
posed to press it through the house this session, if
strongly opposed. He, however, declined to pledge him
self to the adoption of any particular course with refe
mice to it.

REGISTRATION OF VOTERS (SCOTLAND)

BILL.

On the motion for going into committee on this bill,
Mr. G. DUNDAS moved its committal that day six
months. He based his motion on the clumsy and hasty
manner in which the bill had been prepared, and if
passed in its present form would have a mischievous and
pernicious tendency. He complained that sufficient
time had not been given to the people of Scotland to
thoroughly examine and consider the provisions of the
bill, which was read a second time at one o'clock in the
morning without discussion, and said he was not opposed
to any improveroect of the Registration Laws of Scot-
land, but he was to the proposed mode of dealing with
them. He understood the object of the Lord Advocate
in pressing on this measure with this unseemly haste
was to bring it into operation this year, but that would
be impossible. The bill if agreed to would entail great
additional expenses on counties, without commensurate
advantages.
lh. moti m bavinv been seconded,

The LORD ADVOCATE said the objections of the
hon. weathers to the bill had reference to the details,
and should be urged in committee, and not then. The

bill was referred to a Noloot alttiollitiO. tqi ea
from cash side of the house, composed of ten meta, •
of Scotch counties, and five members of Scotch bo•
roughs, who rep-t-fed unanimously in favour of the bill.
Mr. BLACKBURN supported theomendment. No
explanation was given by
,the Li rd Advocate of the
principle of the bill on its second reading at one o'clock
in the morning, and the Lon, member complained of
the hasty manner in which the bill was being pltissed
through the house. He asked for time to consider the
provisions of the measure, and suggested that the bNI•
if it passed through committee, should stand over tiN
next session for the people of Scotland to examine and
express their opinion on it.
After a discu'eion, in which Sir A. Campbell, .Mr. C.
Bruce, Mr. A. Black, Sir J. Fergusson, Sir G. Grey,
Mr. H. Bane, Mr. Lockhart, Sir G. Montgomery, and
several other members took part,
The hou-e divided, when the numbers were—
For going into committee lO2 .‘ •
Against it 49
Majority —s3
The house then went into committee on the bill.

On cane 1,
The LORD ADVOCATE denied there had been any
undue haste exercised in proceeding with the bill, and
said that, so far from its being a crude and ill-digested
measure, the bill had been drawn by one of the ablest
men that could he found for that purpose, and be (the
Lord Advocate) felt satisfied that, if passed, it vould
work well. The bill had been introduced at the requast
of a deputation of influential persons, and he promised
them that he would, if possible, press the measure
through the house this session. He called a meeting of
the Scotch members, who considered the provisions of
the measure, and, with one exception, all present were
in favour of it. A second and a third meeting were
held, to allow those Scotch members who were absent
on the first occasion to express their assent or dissent
to the measure, and it was not until the third meeting
that he received any intimation of an opposition to it.
The hon. and learned lord then entered into the details
of the measure, and defended the course he had pursued
in reference to the bill. It was the wish of the pro-
moters of the bill that it should come into operation this
year, but he was afraid that could not be done. The bill
extended to counties and boroughs, but as it was thought
the bill could not be considered and passed this session to
meet the ensuing general registration, if hon. members
would allow the bill to pass he would limit its operation
to boroughs for one year, leaving counties to be dealt
with in a future session.

Ultimately the propisition was assented to, and the
bill pawed through#committm in its amended form.
The Parochial Schools (Scotland) Bill, committee;
the Grand Jury Assessments (Ireland) Bill, third read-
ing ; and the Burial-grounds (Ireland) Bill, were poet.
poned.
PEACE PRESERVATION (IRELAND) BILL.
On the motion that this bill, as amended, be con.
sidered,
Mr. I. BUTT moved its re-commitment for the re•
enacted clau-ies of the Crime and Outrage Act to be in-
serted in full, instead of, as in the bill referred to, by
number.

Sir G. GREY said it was not desirable to re-commit
the bill, which was one to be enacted for a temporary
purpose. If it should be found desirable to continue it
at the end of two years, it would then be desirable to
insert verbatim the clauses r&erred to.

After some discussion the amendment was withdrawn,
and the bill ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.
The house suspended its sittings at 10 minutes to four
o'clock.

The hou3e resumed at 6 o'clock aad was
[LEFT SITTING.]

CRIMINAL COURT.—(This Day).

OLD COURT.

(Before Mr. Justice Coleridge and Mr. Justice Crowder.)
George °chilli-cc TVebb, who pleaded guilty to a charge
cf stealing a letter concaininp; money, was sentenced to