The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-03 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

ROUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVENING.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at
Ave o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The West Cork Railway (Amendment) Bill was read a
third time.
TUE PROSECUTION OP THE LATE GOVERNOR
EYRE.
The Earl of SHREWSBURY postponed his motion re-
lative to the late Governor Eyre and the course of the

Attorney-General in the matter.
REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE BILL.
On the resumption of the adjourned debate in committee
on the R Tresentation of the People Bill,
The Marquis of SALISBURY moved that a clause be
inserted after clause 27, having for its object to allow all
persons duly registered as voters for any county or borough
in lieu of attending in person to vote by papers under
proper regulations. lie said that he conceived this to be a
matter of the utmost importance, and it was a ques-

tion agitated in the year 1859. It was a course
which ho considered would be highly beneficial to the
general body of voters. This mode of election was re-
garded favourably, he believed, by the majorities in most
constituencies. He would refer to the very small number
of voters in the metropolitan boroughs, and this
small number was to be attributed to the fact that the
occupations of a large number of them would not allow
them to vote personally, and ho could further point
out to their lordships that only one-half, or at
least one-third, voted at the last general election.
He would enumerate to them a few of the larger constit-
uencies, their number of voters, and those who actually
registered their votes. In Liverpool he found that the
number of voters was 20,600, and that only 14,600 re-
corded their votes ; that in the City of London
there were 15,500 voters, and only 10,900 voted ;
in Manchester 21,000 and 14,900 voted ; in Maryle-
bone 23,500, and only 11,000 voted ; in Lambeth,
which was the last he should mention, 27,000, and
only 11,700 voted. With these figures they would
see how essential an element it was in the com-
position of the bill that some provision should be
made to enable voters to record their votes otherwise than
personally. He (the noble marquis) was not advocating
that there should be an indiscriminate power given to per-
sons to present voting papers, but that under proper and or-
ganised regulations they might be allow,.d to do so.
Of course it was necessary to guard against any species of
bribery creeping in, and the proper precautions must be
taken. The noble marquis concluded by moving the
amendment.
After a few remarks from Lord Russell and Earl
Granville,
Lord DERBY said that he was glad that this question
had been brought before the house. As far as these
voting papers wore concerned, he gave to them
his unqualified adhesion. (Hear, hear.) He con-
sidered that it would bo the means of
avoiding much corruption that now existed.
In 1859 the Government then in office, of which ho had
the honour to be the head, had proposed such a course,
and the present Government had wished to introduce
the same system in this bill. At the recent elec-
tion at the University of Oxfcrd carried out by
a system of voting papers double the number of voters
were polled than on any other occasion, nor did he hear
that any inconvenience had arisen in consequence. It
must do away with a great deal of bribery, tumult, and
ill-feeling, which now prevailed. He (the noble earl) had
not had the opportunity of comparing the schema of the
noble marquis, nor did he think he was prepared at once
to accept all he had brought before them. He should not
be sorry that the House of Commons should have the op-
portunity of reconsidering this question, and introducing it
into the bill.
Lord DE GREY disapproved of the clause, and did not
think that it was even advantageous in the universities.
Lord Cairns, Lord Do Ros, Lord Cloncurry, the Duke
of Cleveland, the Earl of Carnarvon, and Earl Fortescue
all supported the motion, and Earl Granville opposed it.
On the committee dividing it was carried by 114 to 36,
or with the large majority of 78.
It was subsequently agreed that tho clauses necessary
to embody the regulations under which voting papers are
to be used should be brought up on the report.
On the motion of Earl STANHOPE, a clause was added to
the bill providing that Parliament should not be dissolved
upon the demise of the Crown, but continuo until dis-
solved or prorogued in the ordinary way.
On the motion of Earl DE GREY, a clause was also
agreed to disqualifying any person who should act as an
election agent from being a returning officer.
A clause moved by Earl GREY, providing that no
member of the House of Commons should vacate his seat
by the acceptance of an office which did not now dis-
qualify him from sitting in Parliament, was opposed by
the Earl of Derby, and, after discussion, negatived.
A similar fate befel another clause proposed by the same
noble earl, disqualifying all persons in the civil service of
the Crown from voting at elections.
The schedules were then agreed to, and the bill passed
through committee, amidst some cheering from the
Ministerial benches, and was ordered to be reported on
Monday.
The Poor-law Board Bill was read a second time ; and
the Agricultural Gangs Bill went through committee, and
was read a third time and passed.
The sitting closed at a few minutes after 11 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKE a took the chair at half-past 12 o'clock.
MIDLAND AND EASTERN, NORWICH, AND
SPALDING, Ix., RAILWAYS BILL.
The Lords' Amendments to this bill were considered and
agreed to.
BARNOLDSWICK RAILWAY BILL.
The Lords' Amendments to this bill were also considered
and agreed to.
UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN IRELAND.
Mr. FAWCETT gave notice that in consequence of the
answer which the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave him
yesterday on the subject of University Education in Ireland,
he would move on going into Committee of Supply on
Friday next, that in the opinion of this house it is unadvis-
able that the Government should advise her Majesty to
grant any charter to a Roman Catholic University, or sanc-
tion any scheme affecting university education in Ireland
un'il Parliament has had an opportunity of being consulted.
COURTS OF LAW FEES, &c., BILL.
The house went into committee on this bill, and an
amendment was agreed to, to the effect that the Commis-
sioners of her Majesty's Treasury should have power from
time to time to prepare amended tables of fees.
The house then resumed, and the bill was read a third
time and passed.
INLAND REVENUE BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
DOMINICA LOAN BILL.

This bill was likewise read a third time and passed.
The Local Government Supplemental (No. 6) Bill, the
Prorogation of Parliament Bill, and the Naval Stores (No.
2) Bill were also road a third time and passed.
ARTISANS AND LABOURERS DWELLINGS BILL.
On the order of the day for going into committee on this
bill,
Mr. BAZ LEY moved, "That in the opinion of this house
it is not expedient that the provisions is this bill, by which
it is proposed to impose upon the local authority the
obligation, if and when required by the owners, to pur-
chase condemned properties at prices to be ascertained
under the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, should receive
the assent of this house." Seeing the late period of the
session he recommended that the bill should either be with
drawn or amended in such a manner as would make it
acceptable. lie regarded it as totally impracticable that
municipalities should become agents of property, and,
fact, engage themselves in matters with which they had
nothing to do.
Mr. POWELL deprecated the introduction of abstract
resolutions with the view of obstructing the passing of
bilis.
Mr. Sergeant GASELEE thought the amendment was a
very effectual way of putting a stop to the bill, and it would
therefore receive his support.
Mr. HARDY remarked that the bill would lead to groat
difficulties, and perhaps bo the means of reducing munici-
palities to a state of insolvency. He did not see why this
should not be taken into consideration.
Mr. WHALLEY supported the amendment.
Mr. LOCKE urged that it was as much the duty of mu-
nicipalities to buy up pestileat houses as to make sewers.
Mr. CANDLISH was strongly in favour of the bill.
Mr. TORRENS said the amendment was proposed vir-
tually to defeat the bill. The Corporation of Manchester
had always been opposed to schemes of the present nature,
but as the Government did not oppose the bill, he should
do all in his power to 'Cress it forward.
After some further discussion the amendment was with-
drawn and the house went into committee on the bill.
The consderation of the various clauses occupied the
house up to the time allowed by the standing orders.
PUBLIC HEALTH (SCOTLAND) BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
The sitting of the house was then suspended.

At the evening sitting,
Th 3 ATTORNEY-GENERAL stated, in rerly to -Major
Anson, that he NS AS not aware of any proceedings, civil or
criminal, pending against ex-Governor Eyre, and it was
b3yoad his provihce to'hazard an opinion as to what course
the Government might take in the event of any further
prosecution being instituted by the Jamaica Committee.
A conversition of some interest was raised on a question
put by Mr. ITANREv to the Speaker, as to the meeting held
iu the tea-room on Monday evening relative to the Royal
Parks Bill, and which was attended by other gentlemen
than members of the house, and at which speeches were
made by such gentlemen with regard to the discussion then
aboutaen to take place oa that measure. Had Mr. Speaker
b
accordanceinformed of these facts, and was the proceeding in
TheB with the established rules of the house ?
EAJCER answered that he had been informed of
what had occurred, and that the proceeding was not in ac-
cordance with the rules thet house, but was of au entirely
uoyol ehamtor, As soon 48 an iutamatiou Was liven to