The Sun.
London, England, 1869-03-26 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS AFTER
EASTER.

When the House of Commons reassembles on Thursday
evening next, the adjourned debate on the motion to
inquire into the corrupt practices at Norwich will be con-
tinued, and the Attorney-General will on the
same evening propose a similar motion to in-
quire into the election practices at Bridgwater.
The principal business on Friday will be the consideration
of the Navy Estimates. The second reading of the
Attorney-General's Bankruptcy Bill is fixed for Monday,
the sth of April, and his supplemental bill for the aboli-
tion of imprisonment for debt is also down for
second reading. On Tuesday, the sth, Mr. Graves intends
to call attention to the rates of inland postage,
and will move that it is desirable to reduce the rates
to one halfpenny for newspapers and printed matter
under two ounces. Mr. Sheridan will move a resolution
that it is expedient further to reduce the duty on fire
insurances ; and Mr. Seely will direct the attention
of the House to the report of the select com-
mittee on the American postal contracts, and
will move a resolution thereon. The adjourned
debate on the second reading of the Libel Bill
stands for the same day, Mr. Newdegate having moved
an adverse amendment to its further progress. The
financial statement of the Government will be made by
Mr. Lowe on Thursday, the Bth, on which day the Con-
tagious Diseases Bill (No. 2), the Valuation of Property
Bill, and the Assessed Rates Bill are fixed for
second reading. Sir Michael Hicks Beach will move
that the latter shall be referred to a select committee. On
the following day, on the motion to go into Committee of
Supply, Mr. Fawcett will move that all appointments to
the civil and diplomatic services ought to be obtained by
open competition. Mr. Evan Richards intends to call
the attention of the House to the question of friendly
societies, after which he will propose that the Government
should introduce a measure to remedy the present insuffi-
cient state of the law in relation to this question. Mr.
Maguire has given notice to bring forward his motion on
the land now held by the London Companies in Ireland,
and will move that an humble address be pre-
sented to her Majesty praying that she will be
graciously pleased to issue a royal commission
to inquire into the subject. The question as to the
continued appointment of the Lowthers to the post of
Lord-Lieutenant of Cumberland and Westmoreland will
doubtless give rise to a party discussion, and will be in-
troduced
by representatives of both sides of the House
Mr. Howard and Mr. Hodgson. Mr. Locke King is to
bring hi a bill to afford facilities for performing
divine service by ministers of the Church of England.
The Married Women's Property Bill and the Burial
Regulation Bill are entered for second reading on the
14th of April, and the Sunday Trading Bill is to be con-
sidered in committee. Mr. Lopes is to move that the
former be read a second time on that day six months ; and
Mr. Brady will do all in his power to resist the further
progress of the latter measure.
The Irish Church Bill having been fixed to come on for
consideration in committee on the 15thApril,Mr.Newdegate
has already given notice that he intends to move that it
be referred to the committee in six months' time. This,
of course, will be defeated if the member for North War-
wickshire goes to a division, and Mr. Aytoun will then
move his injunction relating to the Maynooth Grant. The
second reading of the bill to legalise marriage with a
deceased wife's sister is down for Wednesday, April 21,
but will not be allowed to pass the stage without
an effort to shelve it on the part of Mr. Assheton Cross.
On the 28th of April Mr. Newdegate intends to move
that the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill be not read a second
time ; and on the following Wednesday Mr. Cavendish
Bentinck has given notice that he does not think the Uni-
versities' Tests Bill ought to go into committee. On the
2nd of June Mr. Locke King's Real Estate Intestacy
Bill is to come on for second reading, on which occasion
Mr. Beresford-Hope will move an amendment that it be
read a second time upon that day six months.
Several motions are upon the paper for which no days
have yet been fixed. Mr. Whalley intends to bring in a
bill for the abolition of turnpike tolls in England and
Wales ; Sir Henry Bulwer is to move a resolution in
favour of the Ballot; Mr. Charles Forster has given notice
that he will call attention to the inconvenience of the
ratepaying clauses of the Reform Bill ; Mr. Taylor has
determined to bring in a bill" for a recurrence to the ancient
constitutional system of payment of members ;" Mr. Gilpin
will once more make an effort to do away with capital
punishment ; Mr. Gourley thinks the funds of trades
unions ought to be dealt with by the House, and will bring
in a bill for that purpose ; Mr. Gregory's motion " that
all museums and galleries supported by the State should
be open to the public on Sundays after the hours of
Divine morning service," will probably meet with
strong opposition ; Mr. Benjamin Smith has given
notice to make another effort to introduce the
metric system of weights and measures into:this country.
Mr. Knatchbull-Hugessen has not yet fixed a
day for the introduction of the Government bill to
alter the present mode of administration of county
finance. Sir Lytton Bulwer has given notice that, "on the
earliest occasion after the decision of the United States
Senate with respect to the treaty recently signed in
London becomes known, he will call the attention of the
House to -the relations between Great Britain and the
United States," and to move for papers.
The army and navy estimates will give rise to some
important motions. Lord Elcho intends to move that the
Army Estimates fail to furnish a sound basis for the efficient
and economical organisation of the war power of the
nation; and that the establishment of a sufficient and reli-
able army reserve is a matter of urgent need. Captain,
Frederick Beaumont is to call attention to the expendi-
ture to be incurred in completing our fortifications, and Sir
Henry Hoare will move the omission of Vote 9 of the
Army Estimates. Mr. O'Reilly has given notice to
direct the attention of the House to the present system
of the government of the army and the administration
of military affairs.

We understand that Mr. Gladstone intendr4 to
visit Lady Herbert of Lea, at Wilton, during tho present
vacation.—Echo.

BAKED APPLES.—It appears that Voltaire was
not the author of the famous saying that " the only ripe
fruit to be eaten in London was baked apples." The
honour belongs to the Marquis of Cariaciali, Ambassador
at London and Paris. On one occasion the King of
England asked him if the fine day did not remind him of
Naples, to which he replied, " Ah, sire, the moon of the
King, my master, is worth more than the sun of your
Majesty."

BEWDLEY ELECTION. —The Hon. Major Anson,
the defeated Liberal candidate at the late election for
Bewdley, issued on Thursday an address to the Liberal
electors for that borough, in which he intimates his inten-
tion of claiming the seat on a scrutiny. We understand
that Major Anson has fortified himself with high legal
opinions before resolving on this course, and he has every
confidence in gaining the seat. It appears that the Con.
servatives admit they polled some bad votes, but maintain
that they will hold good on the polling-book, and cannot
now be invalidated.