The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-09 00:00:00

incidents than the present impost. In his opinion the nib'
stitution of a pew rent would meet the circumstances of the
case, as in rural districts, and be entirely free from the ob-
jections that existed to the present rate. He concluded by'
calling on the house to settle this long-agitated question,
and adopting the bill now submitted tothem. (Hear.)
Mr. K. SEYMER supported the amendment, and co
plained of the course adopted by successive go vernments since
Sir R. Peel's Administration to the present time, in not
bringing fsrward a statesmanlike measure, instead of leav-
-fag it to private individuals to deal with this question,
who were animated by a desire to abolish church rates alto-
gether. He believed such a sweeping. and one-sided bill
would not satisfactorily effect the object contended for by
the hon, member who had supported it on the present oc-
casion, and previously when the question was debated in
that house. He contended that it was clear this bill origi-
nated, as had been stated by a preceding speaker,
with those who had a desire to do away 'with
the Church Establishment. Those per sons, he
thought, should, through their representatives in this
house, have openly declared their views. However, that
party preferred to proceed by sapping and mining until
they succeeded in blowing up the Established Church,
which was exactly what he wanted them not to accomplish.
(Laughter.) He hoped that all who were favourable to the
connection between Church and State would vote against
the bill.
Mr. BRISTOWE supported the motion as a Churchman,
and said that a large number of his co-religionists were
opposed to a compulsory rate, while the number of those
in favour of their continuance had been diminishing con-
siderably of late years.
Mr. DISRAELI opposed the bill in consequence of its
centralising character, which would, interfere with the pa-
rochial constitution of this country, which was not less Im-
portant than even its political constitution. They were
called on to sanction a measure which proposed to alter *
system which, for centuries, had waked beneficially,
which was approved by the nrtjority, and not complained
of by the minority. (Hear, hear, from the Opposition.)
It was to be regretted, no doubt, that the custom which
prevailed in one part of this country for the preservation
of the fabric of the Church should have fallen into
disuetude in another. However, that was not ground
sufficient to justify their adopting the plan proposed by this
bill, which was founded on a mere speculative theory, and
not calculated to effect a satisfactory settlement of the
question. It should be remembered that when the subject
on former cccasions was discussed the argument was chiefly
that the existing system was felt to be a grievance
to Dissenters, but thero was no such argument in the
present instance. There was no agitation forcing this
question on their consideration, and if they adopted the
bill they would be introducing a principle which would
probably extend to further alterations in reference to the
State establishment of a charact3 r which they never
contemplated. The effect of the bill would be to revolu-
tionise the parochial constitution of the country, and he
called on the house to reject a measure so uncalled for and
so dangerous. (Opposition cheers.)
Lord FERMOY supported the bill, and alluded to the
beneficial results that had attended the abolition of shinid-
lar rate in Ireland.
After a few words from Mr. Packe and Mr. Hubbard
against, and Mr. Thompson in favour of the bill,
Sir J. TRELAWNY replied briefly.
The house then divided, and the numbers were—
For the second reading 263
Against
The announcement was received with loud cheers by the
Opposition, as it exhibited a considerable reduction on the
majority of last year.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS BILL.
On the motion of Mr. SLANE; this bill was read a se•
cond time and ordered to be committed.
0 ATTORNEYS AND SOLICITORS BILL.
Mr. J. LOCKE moved the second reading of this bill.
He stated that the object of the measure was to afford
facilities to articled clerks to enter the profession, and to en-
able clerks who have served for ten years without
being articled to have the same privileges, on condition of
their serving three years as articled clrks. The learned
gentleman explained some of the provisions of the bill,
which he had done at its previous stage.
Mr. BOVILL asked the house to postpone the measure, in order that the profession generally might have time to
consider its details.
The discussion was interrupted at a quarter to 6 o'clock.
WAKEFIELD AND GLOUCESTER ELECTIONS.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE postponed his motion on the sub-
ject till to-morrow night.
The house adjourned at 10 minutes to six o'clock.