The Sun.
London, England, 1869-03-10 00:00:00

MAY.NOOTH.

Some .or our contemporaries seem to be so hard
up for any objection to the Irish Church Bill that
they are compelled to raise the old exploded anti-
Maynooth cry. They .quote Mr. Gladstone's letter
to Mr.' Jubb, written during the general election, in
which the Premier said, "Not only my own declarations
upon every occasion, but the resolution unanimously
passed by the House of Commons, bind me in
honour, as I am bound in purpose and conviction, to
propose that the Regium Donum and Maynooth
grant should be wound up, and should cease with the
Church Establishment. Can words go further ?"
They then assert that Mr. Gladstone's present proposal
is a direct violation of this promise. It is nothing of
thesort. He always said it was hi 3 intention ta",,,,, n"
the Irish Church, the Itegium .uonum, an tffi q e ay-
nooth grant. He has fulfilled his promise by proposing
to wind them up in precisely the same way. The State
connection is to cease, and the revenue is to bo
capitalised in each case ; only whereas at present
500,000 Protestant Episcopalians enjoy £700,000 a
year, and 5000,000 of Roman Catholics only £20,000
a year, Mr. Gladstone does not find any surplus fund in
the latter sum as he does in the former; does not
propose, therefore, to appropriate any of the May-
nooth grant as he does of the Church revenues. If
he has over estimated the value of the grant and the
buildings that is a detail capable of alteration.

OCEAN POSTAGE.
The House of Commons will shortly be called
upon to decide a question of great interest to the
mercantile community. It has become necessary
to arrive at a final decision respecting the
manner in which the postal service between
this country and North America shall be conducted.
On the termination of the old contract with the
Cunard Company in 1867, a provisional arrange-
ment was made for 1868. Last summer the Govern-
ment, desiring to put matters on a regular footing,
advertised for tenders, and received, among others,
offers from Messrs. Cunard and Inman, the
heads of the two well-known lines of mail
steamers. These gentlemen proposed to under-
take the service conjointly for a subsidy of
£150,000 a year, Mr. Cunard undertaking two-
thirds of the service and receiving two-thirds of the
money. The Government thought these terms too
high, but offered £70,000 a year to the Cunard
Company, and £35,000 to Mr. Inman. They pro-
posed also that the engagement should be reduced
from ten years to seven. To these terms the contrac-
tors agreed, and the contracts were signed at the
end of the year, but waited for the ratification of
Parliament. The new Ministry proposed to reduce
the term of years to six instead of seven, but the con-
tractors objected on the ground that they could not
construct the ships required for the special service with
so short a term in view. Parliament will, therefore,
have to decide upon the contract as originally signed,
and if not disapproved within a month from this
time it becomes binding. The contractors argue, in
behalf of the subsidy system, that it would not
answer the purpose of any company to take the mails
like ordinary cargo. The entire service, even to the
build and tonnage of the vessels employed, is regulated
by the exigencies of the Post-office contract. When
the notice of the termination of the old contract
with the Cunard company was given in 1866, they
immediately suspended their shipbuilding operations.
The mercantile community are generally of opinion
that a special contract service is necessary for trade.
No doubt the work can be done for less money, but
if we are contented to send our mails by ordinary ,
vessels, we must also be contented to wait their time
and suit their requirements.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

TUE ITABITUAL CRIMINALS BILL.
Mr. James Greenwood, in an interesting letter to
the Star, raises a solitary note of opposition to Earl
Kimberley's Habitual Criminals Bill. He styles the
measure the "New Cruelty to Criminals Bill,"
and protests against the premises on which the argu-
ments in favour of it are founded. The whole of
his present letter is devoted to sheaving that
there is no cause for alarm. Criminals do not co-
o CHINESE MISSIONARIES.
perate ; each man necessarily works for himself, and to the papers
is taught by the very nature of his employment not recently presented with respect to the missionaries in
to trust in others. The present force is sufficient to The Duke of SOMERSET called attention
meet a disorganised body. Mr. Greenwood does not
bill, except that it does not go to work in the
in this letter state his objections to the working of sionaries into China, and then to use the fleet to pro-
theChina. H e asked what right bad we to send inland rais-
in
them when they meet with the treatment
charitable Christian way by which crime is robbed of Iwhich they would only have wet with after they
its attractions. But to his argument, as far as it had preached obnoxious and unpopular doctrines
goes, it must be objected that the present organisa- in Birmingham under parallel circumstances. He
tion has proved altogether insufficient to battle with
strongly condemned the whole system pursued
an undoubtedly great evil. Besides which, certainty in China as nothing else than promoting Christianity by
of detection and punishment, which the bill seeks to
means of gunboats.
obtain, would rob crime of many, if not all, of its The Earl of CLARENDON said the question was one
attractions.of growing interest, and in order to prevent a recurrence
instructions had been sent out to the Consuls and the offi-
cers of the ships of war to withdraw all persons in dan-
ger rather than make reprisals.
Lord CLANRICARDE, in moving for certain returns,
made observations on the proper rule to be adopted in
Ireland as to granting the aid of the police for private
purposes, with reference to the attack on Mr. Scully at
Ballycochey.
Lord DUFFERIN said the papers were not in a fit state
to be produced at present:
Their Lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—LAST EVENING.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.
Bruce's Restitution Bill was read a third time and
passed.

Mlt. MACRORIE.
The London agents of the Cape and Natal News
are advertising that their next number " will contain
full particulars of the consecration of the Bev. Mr.
Macrorie as Bishop of Pietermaritzburg." It appears,
therefore, that the Anti-Colensoites have fully
resolved to incur the responsibility of, to use the
language of their own party, settingup altar against
altar. It will be interesting to see in what way
Bishop Colenso meets this invasion of rights which
the law courts have confirmed.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
THE IRISH SOCIETY.

Ml'. MAGUIRE gave notice that on the 6th of April ho
should move amongst other things the abolition of the
Irish Society.

Mr. DILL WYN gave notice that on that day week he
should move for a return of all persons convicted within
the metropolitan police district of using false weights and
measures, with the sentences inflicted.
GIBRALTAR.

Mr MONS ELL, in reply to Mr. Ribbed, said that vari
ous matters were in procase in order to improve the condi-
tion of the convict prison at Gibraltar, and also to supply
better water for the garrison as well as the prison.

THE FENIAN. CONVICT MACKEY.
Mr. C. FORT ESCI.TE said the list of crimes commit-
mitted by the convict Mackey, as well as the other assump-
tions, were in the main all correct with but one exception,
and that was that the convict had been discharged. (Loud
laughter.) There never had boon the slightest intention
of granting a pardon to Mackey, and the name of that
person would not be found amongst those mentioned in
the return.

THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

(From the Anglo -American Times.)
General GRANT was installed as President of the
United States last Thursday, when he broadly
shadowed his designs in his inaugural address. In
the first place he announced a well-known fact, that
he will commence his duties untrammelled. Then
he states that, although without a policy to enforce
against the people's will, he will have a policy to
recommend. In this he clearly intimated his well
considered intention of upholding the power and
dignity of the Presidential Office ; and that there
might be no mistake, he added that he will veto bills
whe❑ he believes such an exercise of the Executive
authority to be necessary. Having thus quietly in-
formed Congress of the position with regard to
them and the extreme Republican tarty he de-
signed to take up, which tallied with his announce-
ment to the Congressional Committee sent to in-
form him officially of his election, that he would
remove officials, whether appointed by his predeces-
sor or himself when they failed to discha!ge the
duties of their office to his satisfaction, he stated the
measures he considered most advisable—the pay-
ment of the United States debt in Gold, and the
early resumption of specie payments. He thinks
the public debt can be discharged within 25 years,
but for this a system of economy and retrenchment
must be enforced, and honesty insisted upon in all
officials. No repudiator should, in his opinion, hold
any public office—a declaration which will be re-
ceived with dismay by many, and probably direct
against him much animosity. His conclusion,
however, is based on sound reasoning ; for
those who advocate a dishonest policy for the na-
tion can be but little influenced by feelings of
honour in the regulation of other business, and as
the PRESIDENT holds it to be of paramount import-
ance that the affairs of the nation should be admi-
nistered by honest men, he is justified in taking
such views as indicative of immorality. He sup-
ports the adoption of the recent Negro Suffrage
Amendment, and in this he appears to be in bar-
mony at least with the State Legislatures, if we may
take the rapid ratification of Kansas, and Lou-
isiana, Missouri, and West Virginia, and what
really does surprise us of Nevada as proof, though
that State has just introduced a bill to protect
Chinese settlers. The PRESIDENT had the good sense
to abstain from committing himself on the Alabama
controversy or about Cuba. Although he might
have spoken a few words on either subject to arouse
enthusiasm in thecountry,'yetGen. GRANT is not the
man to imperil his reputation for a wise caution, the
national peace and that of his own administration,
for the sake of any popularity. There are subjects
enough likely to cause difficulties without the
complication of a PRESIDENT committed by a hasty
and inconsiderate pledge. The address is satis-
factory in the highest degree, as it embodies the
policy to carry out which GRANT was elected, and
his firm determination to uphold the Constitu-
tional status of his office will meet with approval,
for men now begin to ask themselves whether
during the unfortunate contest between ANDREW
JOHNSON the Republic has not drifted too far
from its Constitutional landmarks. The Senate
has evidently been pushed by Senator MORTON into
a direct vote on the repeal of the Tenure-of-Office
Bill which it has refused to pass by 26 to 22. This
itself proves the danger of placing an authority out-
side the Constitution in the hands of any body.
The Senate now has the power, and though both
the PRESIDENT and the House of Representatives
desire to withdraw what is no less than an encroach-

ment on the prerogative of the PRESIDENT they
have as yet failed in doing so. It is in vain to tell
the Chamber that it was a temporary power dele-
gated to it to checkmate ANDREW JOHNSON, that
the necessity having ceased, the unconstitutional

weapon should be given up. Like in all such bodies,
once secured, the power is tenaciously held, and
even in an an expiring Senate, with some members
voting about to leave the Chamber for ever, the
repeal of the obnoxious measure could not be ob-
tained. Thus the PRESIDENT commences his term
with a subject of dispute between the Executive
and the Senate, which it is evident from his address
may ripen into a quarrel, for it is clear that he has
no intention of being a " dummy," however silent,
and not only has be a policy, but has determined to
select and remove on his own judgment alone the
great officers of State.

CO..VGI?ESS.

SENATE.

On the 11th Feb. the Judiciary Committee asked
to be discharged from the inquiry into Judge. Un-
derwood's decision, as they did not think it proper
to interfere by legislation with the special adjudica-
tion of a court. Mr. Davis, of Kentucky, offered
a resolution declaring " the noisy and disorderly
conduct of Benjamin F. Butler and other members
of the House of Representatives, during the count •
ing of the electoral votes, a wrong and insult to the
Senate of the United States." At the instance of
Mr. Ferry the resolution was laid over. The bill
for the execution of judgments i❑ capital cases was
passed. The Currency Bill was considered. The
bill authorizing importation of machinery for repairs
was passed. An evening session was held, at which
the River and Harbour Bill was considered.—On
the 12th the bill for the better administration of
justice in the Territories was reported with amend-
ments. The bill relating to the public debrand
currency was considered. Mr. Williams' amend-
ment to prevent the conversion of more than two
millions of currency into bonds monthly was re-
jected. The River and Harbour Bill was considered
in evening session. On 13th the credentials of Sena-
tors-elect Fenton, New York, and Stockton, New
Jersey, were presented. Mr. Stewart introduced a
bill to allow of naturalization at once. Mr. Robert-
son introduced a Constitutional amendment provid-
ing for the decision of questions as to the validity of
electoral votes. 'The Judiciary Committee reported
a Naturalization Bill, making the term four years
and six months, and requiring application to be
made of the United States Courts or of the Regis-
ter in Bankruptcy. The River and Harbour Bill
was recommitted.—On the 15th Mr. Howard, from
the Committee on Ordnance, reported a bill to esta-
blish an Ordnance Commission, and consolidate the
Ordnance with the Artillery Department. The bill
to authorize payment of Treasury officials in the
South who could not take the test oath was dis-
cussed. The replies of Gen. Grant and Mr. C3l-
- to the notification of their election were pre-
sented. The Indian Appropriation Bill was consi-
dered.—On the 16th the House bill to prevent
loans and United States notes was passed, and goes
to the President. The credentials of Carl Schurz,
Senator elect from Missouri, were presented. The
joint resolution granting a pension to Mrs. Lincoln
was taken up, and Mr. Sumner moved to make the
amount $5,000. After considerable discussion the
bill was laid aside, and a local bill taken up, by a
vote of 21 to 19. Mr. Morton moved to suspend
the order and consider the bill. repealing the
Tenure-of-Office Act, but the Senate, without act-
ing upon it, went into executive session, and thed
took a recess. An evening session was held, at
which the House bill relieving certain Southerns
was concurred in.

HOUSE OF ItEPRESENTATIVES.
On the 11th Feb. Mr. Butler's resolution yester-
day, protesting against the counting of the vote of
Georgia by order of the Vice-President, came up as
the first business in order. Mr. Butler suggested that
it be referred to a Special Committee, upon whose
report a full discussion could be had. Messrs. Shelia-
barger, Thomas, and Eldridge spoke against the re-
solution, and were followed by Mr. Bingham, who
strongly denounced it. Mr. Schenck took different
ground, and favoured Butler's side. After further
debate, the resolution went over until to-day.
—On the 12th a bill was reported and passed, giv-
ing $lOO,OOO to be distributed as prize money to
Commodore Winslow and the men of the Kearsarge
for the destruction of the Alabama. The Recon-
struction Committee reported a bill reorganizing a
Provisional Government in Mississippi, which was
ordered to be printed and recommitted. Mr. But-
ler's resolution protesting against the- counting of
the vote of Georgia was discussed, and finally, on
motion of Mr. Logan, the whole subject was
tabled by a vote of 131 to 55. A motion to recon-
sider was then tabled, which prevents any further