The Sun.
London, England, 1858-07-16 00:00:00

HIGR WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

THIS DAY —Morn., 44 min. aft. s—Evan., C min. aft. 6
To-MoitsoW—Morn., 26 min. aft. 6—Even., 48 min. aft. 6

satisfactory to know that there is to be a respons-
ible body, with adequate powers and large re-
sources, who are willing to undertake the task.

Last night the Government of India Bill was
read a second time in the House of Lords, and
this evening it will, it is to be hoped, go through
committee, or smile progress be made in that
stage of its progress. There is no possible d►;.tnger
of its being carried by a large majority, although
one of the highest authorities on Indian affairs
objected to sonic of its provisions.
Lord DER,BY gracefully expressed the deep ra.•
gret which he entertained that the duty devolved
on him of proposing the measure, which ought tc.)
have been in the hands of one who had previously
been a valued colleague. It does not deal per-
manently with the subject. Further legislation
will unquestionably be necessary on various points
relating to revenue, finance, and land regulations,
and how far we may avail ourselves of the services of
the natives, either in military or civil capacities.
But there will be sufficient time for these enact-
ments. If Ministers attempted to carry too
much they could not accomplish anything. It
was only by extraordinary exertions that they
were able to provide a responsible Government
for the Anglo-Indian Empire—a Government
that must answer to Parliament for its proceed-
ings—which will have ample opportunities of
obtaining the best advice, but must eventually
decide for itself, and be liable for the results.

While the state of affairs in India is still so
disturbed—while the rebels are still prowling
about in many districts, it would be impossible,
even if the state of public affairs and the condi-
tion of the Thames permitted, to legislate finally
on the subject. We may congratulate ourselves
that what could be done has been achieved, and
that 150,000,000 of Queen VICTORIA'S subjects
will henceforth be governed in her Royal name,
and by one of her chosen Ministers. We con-
fess that we should have been better pleased if
the original bill introduced under the auspices of
Lord ELLENBOROUCII had been carried. The
elective principle was a valuable feature in the
project, which unfortunately had been abandoned
in consequence of certain factious proceedings in
another place.
This evening Lord DERBY intends to answer
objections ventilated by Lords GRANVILLE and
ELLENEOROII6II. It could not be expected, under
the circumstances, that the measure would be
perfect. Every effort, however, was made to im-
prove it, and we have no doubt that before the
end of the month a measure will receive the
Royal Assent admirably calculated to promote
the welfare, happiness, and prosperity of the
people both of England and of India.

The West Cornwall election, though not a con-
tested one, has not been without its significance.
The present Ministry may see in it, as well as in
the East Norfolk one, which way the tide of opi-
nion is flowing, and must make up their mind as
to the conditions of office for another session.
West Cornwall has been, ever since the Reftrm
Bill, with the most trivial exception, a Liberal
county ; and the same, almost, might be said of
the eastern division. Yet, the Liberalism grows.
The late member, Mr. MICHAEL Wllmams, was
an advanced Liberal, but Mr. ST. AUBYN, his
successor, who took the oaths and his seat
but the other day, is a more advanced Li-
beral still. Mr. WILLIAMS would abolish rates
for .new churches ; Mr. ST. ArBYN would
abolish them for new churches and for old ones
too. He not only was confident that the fabrics
of the churches would be as well kept up as they
now are without rates, not only thoroughly justi-
fied Dissenters, but took the worst case suggested
by the horns—he could not believe that in a
country se full of charitable, benevolent, and
religious societies, all raising large sums of money,
another society would not arise, if wanted,
to provide for the repair of churches which the
parishioners were too poor to sustain.

So on the Ballot—although Mr. ST. AIIEYN
will not profess the devotion of Mr. BERKELEY,
yet he advances on his predecessor.
Mr. WILLIAMS " would, if possible, avoid
resorting to the ballot." His successor will give
it, if the majority of a constituency wishes for it.
This was turned to good account by the meeting
present at the hustings, which, for Truro, was a
very large one. Mr. R. T. GRYLLS, one of his
cordial supporters, put it to the meeting whether
they wished for the Ballot. The whole meeting,
with four exceptions, held up their hands for it ;
and afterwards determined to hear the Secretary
of the Ballot Society, who was present, on the
subject. That gentleman informed the new mem-
ber that one of his first votes might be on the
Ballot ; that Mr. BERKELEY will seek to
amend the Government Bill on Corrupt
Practices at Elections, by introducing a clause for
the establishment of the Ballot, on the same prin-
ciples as in our Australian Colonies. He also
reminded him that in many constituencies, and
just those which most need it, instancing Stam-
ford, the majority dare not ask for the ballot and
their liberty. We have not the slightest objec-
tion t, a provisional ballot at first, quite confident
that a few examples would render the demand
universal ; but in all reason, a comparatively
small minority—we should say one-fourth of the
average number who actually vote—ought to be
entitled to demand it. Where unfair influents
is strongest, and protection most needed for
the voter, just there but a small minority c)uld
ask it with impunity.
_ _

Lord DERBY may yet learn another lesson from
-this bye election—that the advanced Liberals are
still disposed to use him fairly, if he treats them
fairly. That they will not condeseend to factious
combination merely to exclude him from office.
Here aro the sentiments of a Church-rate Aboli-
tionist, and a very fair friend to the Ballot, a
man attached, t )o, to the regul ix Liberal party :
—" Now, gentlemen," said Mr. ST. ALBYN,
" with regard to the present Government, I must
say for one, that I shall be glad if liberal mea-
sures can be passed by my friends the Liberal
Government. But I go to Parliament an inde-
pendent man, and as long as the present Go-
vernment continues to pass measures that meet
, with my approval, they shall meet with no
factious opposition from me. I think, when we
talk of a Reform Bill looming in the distance, that
if the present Government go on very long as they
have begun, there will be nothing left to reform ;
and if they can do it quicker than a Liberal
Government, although I shall very much regret
that circumstance, it will not be for me to turn
them out on factious motives. I shall act per-
fectly fair with that Government, whether
my views coincido with theirs generally or
not ; but I wish to congratulate them on
having been converted to our views on so
many important subjects. I have said, and
that I
beg to repeat it, go to Parliament
an independent man. I will not be bound by
any pledges on any measure whatever. You
know the general- tenor of my opinions, and you
have heard my professions ; if I should swerve
1
from those opinions, and not come up to those
professions, why, the remedy is in your own hand:'.'
honourable These we regard as manly and