The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-02 00:00:00

MEDICAL PROFESSION BILL.

On the raotion of Lord ELCIIO, th© second reading
of this bill wag withdrawn.
PROPERTY QUALIFICATION BILL.

The adjourned debate on going into committee on this
bill was resumed.
Mr. BENTINCK explained his reason for moving the
committal of this bill this day six months instead
.1 a similar motion on the second reading, from a belief
that her Majesty's present Government, and the mem-
tiers of the late Government would have opposed it, and
now dealt with the measure on principle and not on ex-
-36 diency. Ho considered a proper ty qualification esseu-
tial to the construction of the house, but he based his
opposition to the measure because it should form part of
a reform bill, and that the house ought not to be called
upon to express an opinion on a partial measure of this
kind. If the present law was defective, it ought
to be amended, and not repealed. The evasion
of the law was no argument against the continuance of
a good principle. A qualification was necessary to
prevent men from coming into the house who bad other
duties to perform, and who would be open to corruption.
If the house repealed the property qualification it would
oe necessary for them to abolish also freedom of arrest,
which was adopted to prevent trickery. And if they
did that they would make that house a refuge for bank-
rupts and disreputable characters. He complained of
the absence of Lord Palmerston on this occasion, as well
as Sir George Grey, who, he (Mr. Bentinck) said, ought
to be in their place in the house and support the opinions
expressed three years ago, that the property qualifica-
tion was essential to the preservation of the constitu-
tional character of the house. With a reform bill im-
pending, it was not desirable to legislate on what must
form a part of such a measnre. He wished to see some of
the anomalies of the Reform Bill of 1832 got rid of, and he
oiled on the members of the Treasury benches to support
him, as in all probability they would have done, if they
had been in cpposii ion. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. KER SEYMER card the practical working of
no qualification for Scotland bad been to produce repre-
sentatives as respectable, wealthy, and talented as any
who represented England. His experience. on election
committees led him to believe that "qualification" was
a snare to hon. gentlemen who sought the honour of a
seat iu this house. He should be sorry to see another
election under the present state of the law. He should
euppert the motion for going into comn.ittoe.
Mr. H. DRUMMOND wished to know what ad-
vantage would be gained by the change proposed ? lie
considered the abolition of property qualification choull
form a portion cf a comprehensive measure cf reform,
and to be comprehensive it should touch the
House of Lerds—(hear, hear)—by avoiding pauper
peers, and the abolit:on of voting by proxy.
(Hear, hear.) This measure was an attempt to
separate political power from wealth, which, if adopted,
would end in the universal destruction of property.
(Hoar. hear.)
Sir G. C. LEWIS considered the real security for the
sociel condition of =inhere cf Parliament was to be found
in the ordeal they had to undergo for gaining the suffrage
of the house. The substantial qualification of members
would be wholly untouched by this measure. Tile re-
peal of the hct would merely make a technical and for-
mil change in the law, and remove a gross scandal from
their legi,lation. lie supported the ir..ewuro, beeatL:e it
would put an end to pi falls for hon. members, which
was a diszrace to the house.

Mr. NE WDEGATE opposed the measure on the
ground that it should form part of a general measure of
reform. (" Divide.")
Mr. D. GRIFFITII supported the measure.
Mr. IiNIGHTLEY opposed the measure. The Go
vernment did not oppose the bill, and ae it was one
point of the Charter, he asked her Majesty's Government
if they were prepared to support the other points of the
charter also. Perhaps the learned Attorney-General
could answer the question if universal suffrage would
form part of the proposed Government Reform all.
(Hear, and laughter) Allusion had been made to their
being no qualification for Scotland, but it had no more
to do with the question before the house than
if the honourable member for West Surrey,
or any other honourable member, walked into
the house with only his shirt on—(laughter)—and urged
in excuse for his conduct that trs,wsere and coats were
not worn in Scotland. (Oh, and laughter, and Divide )
Sir M. FARQUHAR opposed going into committee.
Mr. HENLEY considered this measure should form
a portion of a reform bill, and as such a measure roust
be brought forward, ha should vo e egotist the bill, 11
being opposed to bit-by-bit legiAstion.
'rue house then divided. The numbers were— •
For going into committee 222
Against it
Majority -113
The house then went into committee on the bill.
On Clause 1,
Mr. BENTINCK said the measure Lad received hero•
tofore opposition from both sides of the house, and it was
only owing to the change that had taken place in parties
that the measure had been carried so far. He asked for
an explanation from hon. gentlemen who occupied front
seats on both sides of the Louse of the change in the opi-
nions on the measure, and asked them if they had
changed their opinion on principle cr expediency
Mr. WALPOLE defended the course he had taken
in reference to this measure, and said he had acted on
principle. In 1852, when L ,rd J. Russell introduced his
measure of reform, the abolition of the property qualifica-
tion formed part of it, and after Mr. Suffield, then a mem-
ber of thehouse, introduced the smaller portion of reform
and Lord Derby's Government having assented to the
introduction of the greeter measure of ref )rm, he (Mr.
Walpole) considered it was not right to refuse the in-
troduction of that bill. (Hear, hear ) It, how-
ever, was not carried, and last year the hon. and learned
member for West Surrey took it up, when he (Mr. Wal-
pole) voted against its second reading, on the under-
standing at that time that Lord Palmerston wished it
postponed that be might introduce a general measure
of refertn which would embrace the question
now before the house. He expressed no opinion
then on the measure, and he contended ho was
not open to the charge of change of opinion.
The basis ofigrepresentation should be property,
but by getting rid of the property qualification they
would not meddle with that basis but abolish a nominal
sham it was desirable should be no longer maintained.
By the maintenance of this political sham they kept
men of great ability, like Mr. Southey, from obtaining
a seat in that house. (Hear.)
Col. NORTH said the question was now in the same
state as it was last year. (No, no.) Her Majes y's Go-
vernment had promised a reform bill. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. W ALPOLE —No. We have it under consi-
deratic•n.
Col. NORTH condemned the change of opinion that
often occurred on a change of seats in that house.ille re-
ferred to what bad lately transpired in a court of law,
where it was shown one of the body did not know where
to raise 401., and asked if a person so situated was
fit to represent any borough or county. He (Colonel
North) considered freedom of arrest a most disgraceful
privilege— (hear, hear)—and dishonourable to a body of
gentlemen, especial y those to whom the interest,
honour, and welfare of the country were confided. (Hear.)
Lord J. RUSSELL said a property qualification was
an innovation of the ancient constitution of the house,
and was introduced by an act of Parliament in the reign
of Queen Anne. He hoped the right hon. gentleman the
Secretary of State would pursue a similar course in re-
ference to another measure of the hon. and learned mem.
ber for West Surrey, that would come before the house
next week.
Lord J. MANNERS denied that be bad changed his
views on this subject. He defended his vote of last
year on the ground that the measure was rejected on a
question of time. He contended this measure would
not interfere with the stability of our institutions. The
opposition to this measure was a mere fight about
shadows.
After some remarks from Mr. HUNT, who withdrew
his amendments on the bill, relative to the payment of
election expenses, and the abolition of the freedom of
arrest, on the ground of irregularity ; and from Mr.
BENTINCK in explanation,
Clause 1, the only clause in the bill, was agreed to,
and the bill passed through committee, and was ordered
to be read a third time to-morrow.
MARRIAGE LAW AMENDMENT BILL.

This bill passed through committee pro forma, for the
introduction of amendments, and W 39 ordered to be re-
committed on Monday next.
NISI PRIUS COURT (IRELAND).
The ATTORNEY GENERAL for IRELA.ND ob-
tained leave to introduce a bill to appoint a clerk cf
nisi prius for the Consolidated Nisi Prius Court in Ire.
land.
The other orders were disposed of, and the house ad.
journed at 20 minutes to 6 o'clock.

CANTERBURY HALL.—The renowned Sam Cowell, the
prince of comic singers, having returned to London• for a
brief period, has accepted a short engagement with the
spirited proprietor of this favourite—and deservedly
favourite—place of amusement. During the present week
Mr. Cowell is announced to sing each evening two of
his most popular songs—a circumstance that will attract
tLoueands. It would be idle at the present moment to
speak of the great ability of this humorous vocalist, and
we make the bare announcement in order that his many
:dalliers may not miss the opportunity of bearing him
previous to his departure from London. . .

MEntoras OF I.lxoar,L.—Thii work, which Las just
appeared, is like'y to excite unusual and general interest.
It is not only in dramatic and artistic circles that the
memoirs of Madik. Rachel will be perused with
avidit.-p, for the whole world of readers must be attracted
by so full and particular an account of the career of one
who achieved such extraordinary fame, and under such
extraordinary fame, and under such exceptional circurn-
stanee,g, as the great French tragedienne. The book is
full of amusing and characteristic anecdotes, not only
of Rachel herelf and her family, but of the many re-
markable and distinguished persons with whom during
her chequered life she came in contact, from King Louis
Philippe and the Emperor of Russia downwards.