The Sun.
London, England, 1869-02-16 00:00:00

FLEET SPEAKING

lIOUSE OF COMAIONS.—THIS EVENING.
At a quarter before four o'clock the SPEAKER took the
chair, and the proceedings from that time until the com-
Lnencemeut of public business were occupied with the
swearing-in of members.
THE ELECTION PETITIONS.
The SPEAKER then informed the house that ho had
received front her Majesty's judges the results of their
inquiries into the petitions presented against the returns
for New Windsor, Wexford, Guildford, Bewdley, Dum-
fries, Drogheda, Limerick, Athlone, Lichfield, Sligo, Car-
low, Belfast, Wallingford, Westbury, Norwich, Staley-
bridge, Dublin, and various other place's.
The CLERK then read thedecision of the judge to each of
the petitions, which has already appeared in The Sun.
Mr. Gladstone entered the house at 25 minutes to 5, and
was received with some slight cheering from the Liberal
side of the house.

THE IRISH CHURCH.
•
Mr. GLADSTONE gave notice taat on the Ist of Marcia
he should move that the Acts relating to the Established
Church in Ireland and the Acts relating to Idaynooth, be
taken into.consideration.
BANKRUPTCY.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL gave notice that, on the
2Gth of February, he should move for leave to introduce
a bill to amend the law relating to bankruptcy.
UNIVERSITY TESTS. •
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL gave notice that, on the
2id of February, he should move for leave to introduce
a bill to abolish university tests. (Hear, hear.)
LOCAL TAXATION.
Sir M. LOPEZ gave notice that, on the 30th of Febru-
ary—(Loud laughter)—he would move for leave to intro-
duce a bill to deal with local taxation. (Hear, hear.)
THE BALLOT.
Mr. LEATHAM gave notice that on the 16th of March
he should introduce a bill for legalising the vote by ballot.
PAYMENT OF MEMBERS.
Mr. TAYLOR gave notice that after Easter he should
move for leave to introduce a bill for a recurrence to the
ancient and constitutional practice of payment of members.
(Loud laughter.)

FALSE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Lord E. CECIL gave notice of his intention to move
for leave to introduce a bill to punish people using false
weights and measures.
THE ADDRESS.
The SPEAKER having received her Majesty's gracious
Speech on the occasion of the opening of Parliament,
Mr. El. CO WPER then rose to move an address to her
Majesty in answer to her Royal Speech. He said he hoped
tho present Parliament, which had been elected on an en-
larged basis, would fulfil the high expectations entertained
of it. It was gratifying to know that friendly feeling
continued to exist between her Majesty and all the great
Powers ; and with respect to Greece, if that country
became the question of continental consideration Eng-
land could not abstain from taking part in it. With re-
spect to America the subject had been dealt with in an
enlarged spirit, and without knowing how the arrange-
ment would be received in America he, simply
trusted that a fooling of moderation would
be exhibited, and that the matter that had led to such un-
fortunate differences should bo at once and for ever, if
that were possible, settled. If the result should be the res-
toration of friendly relations between the two countries he
was certain it would be a source of universal satisfaction.
He could but regret that an outbreak had occurred in New
Zealand, but he hoped that the promoters of differences
between the Europeans and the natives would be singled
out and dealt with as they deserved. It was extremely
satisfactory to know that it was not thought neces-
sary to renew the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act is
Ireland, and he hoped that her Majesty's subjects in that
part of her realm would redouble their exertion to encou-
rage and promote a better state of things. (Hear, hear.)
There were certain intimations in the Royal Speech that
various improvements in the law with respect to
contested elections and other matters, but he thought that
something ought to be done to consider the question of
the ballot (Hear, hear) He was glad the subject of
financial boards was to be taken up by the
Government—(hear, Lear)—as he thought it was no-
thing but right the ratepayers should have some control
of the funds which they contributed. (Hear, hear.) He
would not further allude to the subject of the Irish
Church than to say that the difficulties which surrounded
the subject were very great. (Rear, hear.) However,
he had great confidence in the Government
that they would deal with the matter, be-
cause they did not consider that the difficulties
to which he alluded were insurmountable. (Hear,hear.) Ono
great difficulty he admitted was what to do with the
money—(hear, hear)—.but he thought that house, when
the subject was calmly taken into con ideration, would be
able to solve even that great problem. (Hear, hear.) He
was sure the people of Ireland felt an era of hope was
cdlauwdneibnyg,nainodvinwgitthhethaadtdress. pleasing thought he would con-
Mr. MUNDELLA seconded the motion, and said that
the honour he bad been selected for was not out of any
personal consideration for himself, but solely conferred
because he represented one of the largest working con-
stituencies in the kingdom. The bon. gentleman having
tsopuecehcehd
reuspuouniedlthieisysaerairs topics contained rnthellk,3-e1
Mr. DISRAELI rose, and in his opening observations
said there was no intention of moving an amendment to
the motion before the house.
[LEFT SFEASING.]