The Sun.
London, England, 1860-03-15 00:00:00

bound by penalties not to interfere, and therefore
each company is free to dictate its own terms to
the consumer. But, although the customer is not
allowed to transfer himself, he is transferred by the
companies from one branch to another without
being consulted in the matter. The inconsistency
I always apparent in monopolies is exhibited in their
actions. One company charges one rate, another
one altogether different. One charges for carmel
gas 65., another for common gas 45., a third 4s. 6d.
Some charge for meters, some do not. The exorbi-
tance of their demands is fully testified in the
Ifollowing passage from the Secretary's speech :
; " They demand that we shall recognise districting,
and guarantee to them a monopoly. That they
shall have liberty to prescribe any form of contract,
or the consumer must go without gas. That con-
sumers shall give security for three years' gas rent,
or go without ; that a consumer shall either give
three months' notice of discontinuing a supply, or
pay three months' rent. They decline to allow
the parishes to light their own lamps, as is usual
in Scotland and some towns of England, and
refuse to supply a parish with gas only, unless
also they light and extinguish, which is tanta-
mount to giving any quantity they please.
They decline to be bound by a fixed pressure,
whilst all persons using gas cooking-stoves and
heating by gas complain that they cannot keep
the burner alight from deficient supply. They de-
sire us to be content with a gas equal to 12 wax,
instead of 12 sperm candles, when numerous towns
and a large portion of the metropolis have already
obtained the standard we demand. They propose
that we shall only test the illuminating power
at their works, when we obtain it, or pay fm it, in
our houses. They will not consent to purify it,
although the south of London has been almost
poisoned by neglect ; and at the west-end we can-
not do business with the impure supply. They
peremptorily decline to allow us to test it at the
main—they refuse to recognise any machinery
which will protect us from infractions of any law
which may be passed, except that provided by the
Gas Works Clauses Act, one of those acts smuggled
through Parliament, nominally guaranteeing great
benefits really imperative. They ask a price which
is absurd. They demand a maximum of 65., whilst
at Uxbridge the price is now fixed at 3s. They
decline to admit the Metropolitan Board of Works
to appoint auditors, but have a fancy for the Board
of Trade, and the Parliamentary machinery to be
called into operation, to act upon its decision.
They decline to use a machinery (other than the
useless proposals of the Gas Works Clauses Act)
to reduce the price of gas, whoa their dividends
reach 10 per cent., whilst they demand the
power to raise it. We propose a clause
that they should not sell their powers or
transfer them without our sanction. They an-
swer by demanding a legal sanction to district-
ing, and by striking out our restricting clause."
Such an unreasonable claim could never be asserted
under a different system. We confess we are sur-
prised to find Government so reluctant to act, and
Parliament so slow to interfere, in this matter.
Since it is a subject of personal concern to almost
every householder in the metropolis, it is surely a
case where legislation is imperatively called for.
Mr. BEAL, however, expressed little hope of any
active assistance from the Government. They ad-
mitted the validity of the principle at stake, but
declined to interfere, though they allowed that
things could not remain as they were. Parlia-
mentary committees sat on the subject, but owing
to the dissolution of Parliament, and the opposition
of interested parties, they did not bring up the cus-
tomary report. The Parliamentary agent for the
companies, it was stated, had agreed to leave the
four great questions of price, illuminating power,
meterage, and pressure, to the committee of the
House of Commons, whose decision, we hope, will
bring this matter to a speedy settlement. The
general feeling and sense of the public is always
against a monopoly, and when it amounts to an
organised system of dictation and fiscal extortion
it becomes an absolute and intolerable socia
grievance.

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION.

LATEST

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MARca 14.
RELIGIOUS WORSHIP BILL.

Order for Second Reading read; Motion made, and Ques•
tion. proposed, " That the Bill he now read a second
time :"—Amendment proposed to leave out the word
" now," and at the end of the Question to add the words
" upon this day six months 7—Question put, " That the
word now' stand part of the Question :"—The House
divided ; Ayes 131, Noes 168.

AYES-131.
Adam, W. P. Ewart, William Mitchell, T. A.
Agnew, Sir A. Ewart, 3, C. Morris, D.
Alcock, T. EWing, 11. B. C. Noble, J.
Ayrton, A. S. Fermoy, Lord Onslow, Guildford
Bagwell, J. Foley, Iron. H. W. Padmore, R.
Baines, E. Forster, Charles Paxtoy, Sir J.
Ball, E. Portesne, lion. D. Peacocke, G. M.
Barrow, W. IL Freeland, H. W. Pease, 11.
Bass, M. T. French, Fitzstephen Pechell, Sir G.
Baxter, W. E. Gilpin, C. Pilkington, James
Bazley, Thomas Glyn, G. C. Pollard UrquhartW
Beach„ W. W. B. Goldsmid, Sir F. Ricardo, 0.
Beale, Samuel Gordon, C. W. Rich, 11.
Beaumont, W. B. Greenall, G. Ridley, G.
Berkeley, H. Greene, Capt. J. Robertson, D.
Biggs, John Gregson, S. Roebuck, .T. A.
Black, Adam Gurney, Samuel Roupell, W.
Bright, J. Hadfield, Geo. St. Anbyni J.
Briscoe, J. I. Hanbury, R., jun. Salt, Titus
Brocklehurst, John Hankey, Thomson Scholetle.d, W.
Browne, Lord J. T. Hassard, M. D. Seymour, 11. D.
Bruce, H. A. Henley, Lord Shafto, R. D.
Buchanan, W. Jackson, W. Sheridan, R. B.
Butler, C. S. Jones, D. Smith, Augustus
Buxton, C. Kendall, N. Somerville, Sir W.
Caird, James Kennard, C. Somes, Joseph
Carnegie, lion. C. Kershaw, J. Spooner, R.
Clifford, C. C. King, J. K. Stacpoole, W.
Coningliam, Wm. Kin; lake, A. W. Stansfeld. J.
Craufurd, E. 11. J Kingscote, Lt.-Col. Steuart, A.
Crossley, Frank liinnaird, Hon. A. Sykes, Col. W. H.
Dalglish, Robert Knatclibull-Hugcss Taylor, Hugh
Davey, R. Langston, J. H. Traill, G.
Davie, Sir H. R. F. Lawson, W. Turner, J. A.
Davie, Col. F. Lee, W. Watkins, J. L. V.
Dent, John Dent Leighton, Sir B. Wemyss, J.
Douglas, Sir C. Lindsay, W. S. Western, T. S.
Dunbar, Sir Wm. Locke, John • Westhead, B.
Duncombe, T. S. Lysley, W. Whalley, G. IL
Dunlop, A. Mackie, J. Willcox, B. M.
Ellice, Rt. Hon. E. Mackinnon, W. A. Willoughby, Sir H
Ellice, E., jun. Marjoribanks, D. C.
Elphinstone, Sir J. Massey, W. N.
Evans, Sir De L. Mellor, John
Evans, T. W. Mildmay, II

Annexation
Separate kingdom

Annexation .

TELLERS.
King, lion. L.
Horsfall, T. B.

operations.

Among the various benevolent and philanthropic
societies of the metropolis, the Railway Benevolent
Institution deserves to fill a prominent place. A
country whose railway traffic is so immense and
so continuous, whose commercial enterprises are so
greatly facilitated by the rapidity of transit afforded
by rail, owes something to the class of men whose
lives are spent in the arduous and often times

dangerous employments afforded by the railway
system. The numerous accidents which occur,
more especially to the stokers and engine•drivers,
throw honest and deserving families into distress,
while thi• 49411 engaged in other branches with
less risk ot'i,t, and limb are still subject to the

losses ocerifoned by age and sickness. The gene-
ral good chEacter and civility of the men employed
on the various lines add to their claim on public
benevolence and sympathy, and the many who are
drawing large incomes from railway property
should consider that this society possesses a legiti-
mate demand on their support. The noble chair-
man of the public dinner, which was celebrated
last evening, said that he was of opinion that by
evincing a generous sympathy for their employees
they would get a better class of men, who,
knowing that their families would he cared
for, would face the hazards attendant upon
their calling. Lord SITELBURNE went on to say
that so deeply was he impressed with this convic-
tion that he proposed the proprietary should sub-
mit to a rate, and some idea may be formed of the
vast amount of railway property in the United
Kingdom when he stated that a rate of one half-
penny would produce £lO,OOO a-year. The cordial
support thus given by the chairman of one of the
largest railway companies in the kingdom is a
valuable testimony to the excellence of the institu-

Jr YLD'S MAP OF SAVOY AND

SARDINIA.

Again we have the indefatigable and ever wide-
awake Mr. Wyld in the field of enterprise with his
maps. Now we have a clearly-defined and admi-
rably-finished map of Savoy, part of Switzer-
land and Sardina, the Duchies of Parma, Mo-
dena, Tuscany, and the Romagna, with Vene-
tia and part of the Tyrol, all dovetailed to-
gether with south east frontier of France in 1792

—the same limits as settled by the treaty of
Paris, 20th November, 1815. Besides we have the
extended frontier of France during the Republic in
1796 which embraces the same territories as the
proposed addition to the French Empire of 1860.
The map taken altogether becomes doubly valuable
at this critical juncture of time in the affairs of Italy.
Mr. Wyld deserves well of the public for his promp-
titude in bringing out this last new map.

cannon
nsainitdohthwaitthMthr.e
THE RIVAL CANNONISTS.—it
AV‘O%ll-.lel determine
Armstrong, for
fire,
Whitworth has offered to shoot a s
of produpcotiov
£Glooc:ocrononatesnidte,antidlo tthesetisr
tio».boetegsne,ohSaisr
relative merits as the best gun for field service, endurance
in use, facility in loading and firing, accuracy
11.,
of penetration, length of range, economy
capability'of firing any form of shot—solid or hollow, shell
or case, and efficacy against iron and stone, and throw-h
water. The Government will not find it easy to evade this
challenge, for Mr. Whitworth is not a very likely individual
to be beaten by official dodging, and the questions put to
Mr. Sidney Herbert in the House of Commons by Mr.
13aillie, Capt. Vernon, and Mr. Legh, show that that as-
sembly is becoming. aware of the merits of the case as be-
tween Mr. Whitworth and the War Office, and alive to the
importance of fairly determining the relative value of the
Armstrong gun and its rival,—Ziccipoq Albion,

MIMI

ihE SUN, JA THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 15, 18

BOLOGNA.

Annexation
Separate kingdom
Void through informality

RAVEN `A.

~,A ~ .~

Separate kingdom
Void through informality

FORLI.

Annexation
Separate kingdom
Void through informality
FERRARA.
Annexation ..

Separate kingdom
Void through informality
The total numbers are as follows :

FRANCE.

W

The following telegrams have 'been received at
Mr, Reuter'4 office :

FLORENCE, MARcit 14.
The returns of the vote in Tuscany, with the
exception of 32 communes, show

330,087
13,156

BOLOGNA, WEDNESDAY EVENING.

The result of the voting in Romagna has been
proclaimed today by the Court of Caseation, amidst
loud cheering.

The following is the result of the voting in
the different provinces:—

'76,276
63
161

38,115

39,269
54
76

48,999
83
138

Annexation
Separate kingdom
Void through informality
At Fusignano 500 women presented themselves
to vote, but their votes were of course declined.

202,659
254
444

The following is the official return of the voting
in the Romagna :
BOLOGNA, THURSDAY MORNING.
For annexation to Piedmont 200,659
„ Separate Kingdom
Cancelled

TURIN, MARCII 14.

The Sardinian Government, it is asserted, has
consented to the demand of France to effect the
cession of Savoy and Nice by a special treaty to bo
concluded between France and Sardinia.

The treaty will be followed by• a ♦ote of the
municipalities, and the two contracting parties
will afterwards communicate to the European
Powers the nature and the motives of this terri-
torial arrangement between them. By this ar-
rangement Sardinia cedes to France, Savoy unto
Mont Cenis, and Nice unto Villafranca, inclusively.
Thus all the passes of the Alps will be possessed
by France, who likewise obtains the districts of
Chablais and Faucigny. Mr. James Fazy and Dr.
Kern have been informed by the French Govern-
ment that France declines to enter into negotia-
tions for ceding Chablais and Faucigny to Switzer-
land.

The following telegram has been received at Mr.
Iteuter's Office from the Peninsular and Oriental
Steam Navigation Company :
CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS.
MARSEILLES, THURSDAY.
The Panther, with the above mails, arrived here
at 6 a.m. this morning.
Mails to leave for London at 10. Letters on
Saturday.

MADRID, MARCH 14.

On Monday last a Moorish messenger delivered a
letter to Marshal O'Donnell from the Emperor of
Morocco, expressing his desire for peace, and re-
questing the Marshal to facilitate an arrangement
advantageous to both nations.

Marshal O'Donnell consented to negotiate, but
declared that he will not suspend his military

BERLIN, MARCH 14.

The committee of the German National Associa-
tion now assembled in Berlin is about to publish an
energetic declaration against the theory of natural
boundaries, and the annexation of Savoy to France,
stating therein that Germany will be strongly
united in future times of danger.

TETUAN, MARCH 12.

The second campaign has gloriously commenced.
On Sunday last numerous Moorish tribe; includ-
ing the Kabyles of Melilla, attacked the encamp-
ments at Tetuan; and were repulsed.. The Moorish
positions were taken, and the Moors pursued for a
distance of half a league. Their losses were con-
siderable.

PARIS, WEDNESDAY.

A Paris letter in the Independanee has the follow-
ing:—" I believe it to be quite true that the penalty
of msjor excommunication is suspended over King
Victor Emmasuel. The ceremony will be performed
at St. Peter's at Rome with great pomp ; the Car-
dinals present; the Church hung with, black; the
figure of Christ on the cross veiled; and wax tapers,
yellow in colour, successively lighted and extin-
guished. All the monastic orders will go to the
Cathedral in procession, and return to their monas-
teries chanting the Afisertre. The person who
transmits me these details, says that he does not
think that the Pope himself will pronounce the ex-
communication, but that a cardinal will be delegated
to do so. It is stated that a number of English
have already arrived at Rome, in the hope of wit-
nessing the curious spectacle, should it take place."
" We are informed," says the Courrier de Paris,
" that the elections in Savoy and in the county of
Nice, to decide on the annexation of those provinces
to the French Empire will take place on the 18th
inst."

The French Government has just given an order
to a Mulhouse firm for 3,000 pieces of calico for
troops, the whole to be delivered within a month.
A piece consists of 100 metres, which, multiplied
by 3,000, gives just 300,000 metres. It is said that
so large an order has not been given since the last
war, but I do not say how far it would be correct
to infer from it, as some do, that large bodies of
troops are about to be put in movement.
BOURSE, March 14.—The market was at first
rather heavy, but rallied on the English Consols
arriving with a rise of 1. Threes improved from
67f 75c to 67f 95e. Mobilier varied from 742 f
50c to 745 f ; Lombard, 535 f to 53Gf 25c ; Austrian,
502 f 50e to 505 f; Lyons, 887 f 50c to 891 f 25c ;
Orleans, 1,385 f to 1,387 f 50c; Eastern, 638 f 75c to
to 640 f. The following are the last quotations :-
4i per cents. 95 55 Credit Fonder.... 745
Do. end month Belgian 4/ ..
3 per Cents 6B Piedmontese (5) .. 80 I
Do. end month 67 95 Roman Bl
Bank Shares 2BOO Austrian
Credit Mobilier .. 747 -40 Spanish Threes
Do. Account ..... 746 25 Home Debt 43

RAILWAYS.
Cash. Account.
1390 - .. 1390
Orleans
New ditto
Northern 832 50 .. 832 50
892 ..
Lyons and Maditerramean 893 75
Gcnev 50
470 .. 470
Southern a
490 25 .. 493 25
Western
638 75
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard .... • 537 50 .. 636 25
Exchange on London, at sight, paper, 25f. 10c. ; money,
25E 71c. ; three months, paper, 24f. 872 c. ; money, 24f. 85e.