The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-27 00:00:00

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BILL.

The Earl of DERBY moved the second reading of this
Lill, which was agreed to.

THE ADMIRALTY PROBATE AND DIVORCE
COURTS BILL.

The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the second read-
ing of this bill, and stated that it was the intention of
the bill to place the Judge of the Probate in
the Court of Admiralty whenever a vacancy
should occur, and to create two new judge-
ships, which would supply an adequate number of
judges to conduct the rapidly increasing business of
these courts. It would be perfectly patent to their
lordships how great was the necessity for these
additions, when they took into consideration the
extraordinary extent to which the business had increased
in all these courts. Iu the Court of Admiralty, while in
1841 there were only 237 suits, in 1866 there were 627.
It was true that many of the cases that would come
formerly before the Admiralty, such as the claims of sailors,
&c., did not come before that court now, but the Admiralty
Court still look into consideration cases relative to the
ownership of ships: charter parties. &e., which had mate-
rially added to their business. It was also thought that.
when the Divorce Court was first instituted that in the
first year there might be a large amount of business, still
it would not continue. However, it had been found to be
different, and that, while in 1858 there were only 376
motions, there were in 1865 780. One of the principal
advantages to bo derived from the operation of the
bill would be that there would be two judges
to each Court, two to the Admiralty, two to
the Probate, and two to the Divorce Courts,
and such an arrangement as that must materially facilitate
the carrying out of the public business. There would
also be a full Court ready at any thee to decide upon any
question which might arise from the decision of any in-
dividual judge. The salary of the judges was an important
portion of the bill, and he (the Lord Chancellor) did not
think that any objection would be taken to it when the
position which those learned gentlemen had to main-
tain was taken into consideration. There would also
be the fees attaching to the position of the Dean of Arches.
After having introduced these remarks relative to the bill,
the noble lord moved the second reading.
Lord CRAW WORTH stated that ho could not do other-
wise than oppose the bill. He thought that there was
already quite a sufficient amount of judicial appointments
to carry out the functions which they were expected to
perform, and that the increased number provided for by
this bill would be superfluous. He then entered into the
whole question of the proceedings in the Court of
Admiralty.
The bill was read a second time; but its further conside-
ration is to be postponed until the measure for the extension
of the Admiralty jurisdiction comes before the house.

The Confederation of the British North American Colo-
nies Bill was read a third time and passed, and
Their lordships adjourned at seven o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
ROYAL COMMISSION.

The SPEAKER attended at the bar of the House of
Peers to hear the Royal assent given to the Habeas Corpus
Suspension (Ireland) Act.

THE REFORM BILL-WITHDRAWAL OF THE

GOVERNMENT RESOLUTIONS.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
deemed it would be for the convenience of the house if he
t3ok the earliest opportunity of stating the course the Go-
vernment intended to pursue. The great object the Go-
vernment had in view was to secure for the propositions
of her Majesty's Government a fair and candid reception.

It was impossible toconceal from himself the effect of the
observations of the hon. member for the Tower Hamlets
and other hon. members some nights ago, and more espe-
cially the remarks of the right hon. gentleman opposite,
(Mr. Gladstone), that there would be a moral under-
standing that ally bill that the Government might
introduce would receive a frank and candid consideration,
and that the second reading of the bill would meet with
no opposition. (Cries of " Oh, oh.") He deemed it right,
after a consideration of all that had been said, to state that
the Government did not propose to ask the house to proceed
with the consideration of the resolutions, but to apply

themselves at once to the introduction of a bill with as
little delay as possible. (hear, hear, and "Oh, oh.") It
was impossible that there should not be some delay,
because a Reform Bill was not like a road bill.
(Laughter.) He hoped in about a week from
that time—he would not take upon himself at that moment
to state the exact day—but he would say that by Thursday
week at the latest he should introduce a bill for the reform
of that house. (Hear hear, and cheers.)

Mr. GLADSTONE said he wished to follow the state-
ment of the right hon. gentleman with a few remarks.
The right hon. gentleman had not now stated fully the
intentions of the Government, and, previous to his state-
ment, he had placed a motion in the hands of the clerk of
tho house which he meant to move by way of amendment.
It was to the effect that it was the opinion of the
house that the further discussion of the motion by
resolutions would only tend to create delay, and that
any plan that the Government had on the question
of Reform be submitted to the house in a definite form.
(Hear, hear, and cheers.) It was impossible there should
not be some delay—that was inherent from such a change
of proceeding, but the right hon. gentleman was not liable
for that blame. Delay was necessary for the consideration
of the various details of such a measure; but what he
hoped was that there would not be a longer delay than
was absolutely necessary. (Hear, hear, and cheers.)
With respect to the other topics touched upon by the
right hon. gentleman that there was something like
au engagement existing in that house that there should be
no opposition offered to any bill her Majesty's Govern-
ment might introduce—(hear, hear)—he felt it right, that
no misapprehension might exist, to state that he
could not consent to anything that appeared to limit
the discretion of any hon. member. (Hear, hear.) It was
to certain parts of the bill that some observations had
been made, but with respect to the bill itself it was
right that every member should reserve his discre-
tion entire and unfettered, and to state their opinions
unreservedly upon any bill that might be brought
before them. (Hear, and cheers.; He could only express
his great desire that hon. members on his side of
the house would find the bill which was to be sub-
mitted by her Majesty's Government such as to
enable them at once to give their ready assent to it,
to expedite its passing its earlier stages, and then
fair to join issue on any point that members on his side
of the house might unfortunately find themselves com-
pelled to differ from the propositions of the Government.
Committee would certainly be the place where the nume-
rous amendments and proposals could most properly be
discussed. (llear, hear.)
Mr BRIGHT said as the right hon. gentleman the
Chart ellor of the Exchequer seemed to be in the mood for

receiving advice from members of his (Mr. Bright's) side
of the house, perhaps he would allow him to give him the
same advice that he had given to Earl Russell ; and that
was tc introduce his Franchise Bill by itself. (Hear, hear,
and cheers.) If he did that he (Ur. Bright) would
promise that ho would not read to him any portions of the
speech of the noble lord the member for King's Lynn.
(Loud laughter.) It was wanted to remove the grievance
of the excluded working classes. (Cheers.) That was the
chief and material point, and every day it was left untouched
it Wcamo charged with evil to all parties. (Hear, hear,
and cheers.) It was the universal feeling that the measure
proposed by the Government was very incomplete and
very unsatisfactory, it was as bad as the one of last
year, if not worse; and nothing useful could be
derived from delaying the great question until the
distribution plan was settled. He thought the wise and
prudent course was to take the Franchise Bill first and then
deal with others. (Hear, hear) It would afford them a better'
leverage to deal with the little boroughs ; for himself he
would not object to leave that until after a general election.
(Hear, hear.) They ought to sittle the question of the
franchise Lest, and after that they could apply themselves
with reference to the distribution of seats. To take it
into the question of the franchise would only be clogging
the bill. ((Tear, bear.) It was not a statesmanlike
way of dealing with the question, and he hoped they
would abandon it for the present, and apply themselves
to the one grte question of the franchise. (llear, hear,

and cheers.)
Lord JOHN MANNERS said he sliduhl like to know
what Earl Russell thought of the advic,: of the hon. gentle-
man. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) At the proper time it
would be shown that the distribution of seats was a pro-
per part of the measure, and if her Majesty's Government
acted on the advice of the hon, gentleman, it did not ap-
pear to him that the present Government would derive any
more good from it than the Government of Earl Russell
bad done. (Laughter.)
The motion for the. adjournment of the house, which
had been moved by Mr. GLAnsroSE, was then withdrawn.
OFFICES OF PROFIT.

Sir S. NORTHCOTE moved fora return showing the
total number of offices of profit which might have been
held at oue time by members of the House of Commons at
the commencement of the years 1827, 1817, and 1867 re-
spectively ; distinguishing thoso the acceptance of which
would have rendered it necessary for the members accept-

ing the same to vacate their seats.—T he motion was
agreed to.

ARMY (INDIA AND THE COLONIES).

Major ANSON moved for a select committee to inquire
into the duties performed by the British Army in India
and the colonies; and also to inquire how far it might be
desirable to employ certain portions of her Majesty's Native
Indian Army in our colonial and military dependencies.

Mr. O'REILLY moved the additian of the following
words to the motion, "Or to organise a force of Asiatic
troops for general service in suitable climates."
The subject gave rise to a discussion, in which Major
Dickson, Sir H. Rawlinson, Captain Vivian, and Mr. Laing
took part.

General PEEL intimated that if the question at issue
were of a merely military character be should have opposed
the motion for inquiry, and even in its present shape he
thought a select committee was not the best tribunal to
conduct the house to a correct conclusion. But there were
questions of a sanitary and economical nature which might
perhaps render it expedient to appoint a committee. It
would be easy enough for such a body to inquire what were
the duties performed by the British army in India and the
colonies ; but if they came to decide how the performance
of those duties should be distributed they would find them-
selves in a difficulty. Upon that point military men were
best able to speak, and if the committee confined themselves
to that class of witnesses he believed they might obtain any
number of them who would give the most opposite opinions
as to the propriety of employing native troops in place of
Europeans for 'general service. Again, whether it was
proposed to raise native troops, and reduce the number of
British troops in proportion, or whether the native troops
should be in addition to the number voted by Parliament,
made a material difference in the matter of expense. He
should disagree with any proposition to substitute such a
force for British regiments in healthy colonies, and should
strongly object to seeing Indian soldiers doing duty at
Gibraltar, Malta, or New Zealand. There were 42 regi-
ments of British troops in the colonies, and only nine places
where native troops could be substituted for them, and
this would have very litttle effect in reducing the require-
ments on the British army generally. Another objection
was the difficulty of supplying to native troops a sufficient
number of officers who would be acquainted with their
customs and language. Moreover, there was great advan-
tage of having British troops in the colonies, for the colo-
nists repose€l greater confidence in them, and in some in-
stances maintained them at their own cost. He hoped the
committee, if appointed, would inquire into particular and
definite objects ; for if they wandered over military ques-
tions he could not see that any good result would follow.
Lord CRANBORNE suggested that the committee
should not content themselves with an oral investigation
only, but should also address their inquiries to the highest
authorities in India. By that means they might collect
very valuable information, and possibly be the means of
introducing an useful reform in our military system.
The Marquis of HA RTINGTON entirely dissented from
the policy of employing native regiments as a substitute
for British, and
_ _

Major PARKER expressed a natural distrust of com-
mitting the honour of the British flag in other parts of the
world to a class of troops who had betrayed it in India.
The motion, with the rider of Mr. O'REuax, was then
put and agreed to nem. con.
Mr. DENMAN obtaiced leave to bring in a bill to re-
duce the annual duty upon the certificates of attorneys and
solicitors and others, under protest, however, from Mr.
Bass, who thought the brewers had a more equitable claim
to be relieved from the heavy charge upon thew, and with
a pretty distinct intimation from the Chancellor of the
Exchequer that he disapproved of these attacks upon the
Consolidated Fund, and that he should oppose the mea-
sure in its future stages.
Mr. FAWCETT moved a resolution to the effect that,
in the opinion of the house, it was expedient to extend the
educational clauses of the Factory Acts to children who
are employed in agriculture.
The motion having been seconded by Colonel AKROYD,
Mr. GOLDNEY urged the difficulty which stood in the way
of bringing the Factory Acts into operation in the rural
districts by the disinclination of the parents to send their
children to school. He was certain, however, that neither
the country gentlemen nor the tenant farmers would ob-

ject to any measure which Parliament might consider
necessary to improve the education of the agricultural

labourers.
Mr. TREVELYAN spoke at some length in support of
the motion, and the debate was continued by Mr. Read,
Sir F. Crossley, and Mr. H. Bruce.
Mr. WALPOLE was of opinion that the educational ,
clauses of the Factory Acts were more applicable to an
urban than a rural population, and doubted whether, with-
out considerable alteration and amendment, they could be
adapted to the purpose of the mover of the resolution. He
hoped the motion would not be pressed to a division, but
that the hon. member would be content with the discus-
sion that had taken place. The whole question of the
Factory Acts was about to be dealt with, and if practic-
able the educational portion of the subject might be con-
sidered with a view to extending the benefits conferred on
factory children to the country generally.
Eventually the motion was withdrawn.
Leave was given to Mr. CARNEGIE to bring in a bill for
the abolition of the landlord's right of hypothee in Scot-
land, which he explained embodied the opinions of the
minority of the select committee which reported ou the
subject last session.
The house adjourned at ten minutes to eleven o'clock.

To Reach the Far East Proceed West.

The Colorado, which steamed from San Francisco
on New Year's Day, reached Japan on the 22d, and
Hong Kong on the 30th January. We endeavoured
in a leading article in our issue of the 2nd inst. to
draw more general attention to what we believe to
be the most useful as well as the greatest work in
progress in the world. The new highway, which
hitherto has attracted so little attention here—
being regarded, from its very magnitude, as
a thing to come into operation in the far
future—is at last exciting notice. It is now
discovered that a telegram may be sent to
Japan from Europe in three weeks. A message is
received in San Francisco from London in a day,
and if the day be that of the departure of one of
the Pacific mail ships on the China Line, it is
nearly sure to be delivered in Japan in the time
specified. This is the first sign of the coming
change, and people are beginning to talk of the
close connection which the march of civilisation
westwards has at length established between the
oldest and the newest of great nations. It may be
questioned, says the T ivies, if the commercial public
have as yet fully realised the facility given to busi-
ness by these telegraphic communications. The
commercial public have, indeed, realised little or

nothing of the importance of the work going on in
the United States. The attention of merchants
connected with Japan will awake to the facility
offered them of speedy communication with a coun-
try which has hitherto been the most difficult to
reach. But this is a very small part of the boon
about to be conferred on mankind So little has
the work been noticed that even the announcement
that messages can now be forwarded so quickly
to Japan takes people by surprise, and
is regarded as something new and startling.
Within the next two or three years they will be
surprised that they are now surprised at the small
instalment of the great accommodation which the
future in this route has in store for them. We be-
lieve at this moment, taking the line as it stands,
that the best way to Japan and the north of China
is via New York. Although the journey across the
Rocky Mountains might be too fatiguing an under-
taking for any but young men in good health, yet
the traveller can go the whole way in comfortable
steamers, crossing the Isthmus of Panama by rail.
Yokohama and Shanghai can be reached by ship-
ping in any of the steam lines to New York, with
perhaps greater economy and more comfort than by
any other route. From New York a passage is
taken to Chagres, and the traveller crosses the
Isthmus in time, as it is said, to light his cigar by
the Atlantic and throw the end into the Pacific.
The Pacific Mail steamships carry the passenger to
San Francisco, and thence to Japan. A map gives
a false impression of distances, which can only be
removed by consulting a globe. The value of the
position of New York as a station on the track to
China comes as a new idea, reversing all our pre-
vious notions. We have been so accustomed to
proceed East that it gives a violent wrench to our
thoughts when we are told that the proper way to
reach the far East is by going 'West. The Isthmus
of Panama is, month by month, rising in hn-
portance to the English. This is the point now
milieu at by the traveller to Australia
and New Zealand. New York is not yet alive to
the importance of the traffic springing up between
Great Britain and the Isthmus. When the pro-
prietors of the lines between that city and Chagres
realise the value of the carriage, they will move to
obtain a share of the profits, in which they will be
aided by the powerful interests of the steam com-
panies between Europe and New York. A traveller
seeking to reach San Francisco has little idea how
information is to be obtained, and those proceeding
to New Zealand and Australia have a settled con-
viction that the only route is by the West India
steamers. These misconceptions will, however,
quickly adjust themselves, for the public are too

keenly alive to their own interests in making
arrangements for long voyages to remain for any
lengthened period gropingili the dark. They have,
too, another advantage in the profits of the com-
panies concerned to guide them aright. When it
is recognised that to reach China we must proceed
west and not east, the best of the routes open will
soon be discovered, and in the meantime the grand
work which is for ever to solve the problem is
proceeding towards completion. The Union Pacific
Railway is pushing on to Denver at the rate of
one mile each day ; and but a short time will
elapse before the Salt Lake City is connected by
rail with San Francisco. Then, indeed, to reach
the far East the traveller must proceed West, and
we believe that even the facilities now in existence
render this route the correct one for those whose
destination is China.— Anglo-American Times.