The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-13 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

THIS DAY.—Morning, 6h. 40m.—Afternoon, 7h. Gm.
Ta-Mogn.ow.-Morning, 7h. 35m.—Afternoon, Bh. 10m.

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LONDON, WEDNESDAY, 'MARCH 13, 1867.

Nothing of moment occurred in either House yes-
terday, but some matters of general interest were
considered. The Lord Chancellor moved the
second reading of the bill for the recovery of certain
debts in Scotland. He explained that it had been
well received in Scotland, and only one petition had
been forwarded against it. The Edinburgh Chamber
of Commerce and the Scottish Trade Protection
Society were in its favour. The object of the bill
was to extend the summary jurisdiction of the
Sheriff to the amount of £5O, it now being confined
to £l2 under the Small Debts Act, as it has been
beneficially exercised and a general desire for its
enlargement has been expressed. It is also intended,
by the provisions of the bill, to take, under the same
jurisdiction, a class of debts that have been sub-
jected to triennial prescriptions—merchants' ac-
counts, servants' wages, and other things of the
same kind are included in this list. The recom-
mendation of these changes is that they will diminish
costs, besides being more simple and satisfactory.
Under the circumstances of the case, it seems as
well that the bill should have been read a second
time, and as those who are the best acquainted with
its details and most familiar with its practical
working are thoroughly in favour of it there
is no reason to be doubtful as to the effects
that it will produce. Anything that tends to
simplify anti shorten the working of the law is
generally an advantage, and more time is spent and
money wasted in the prosecution of these frivolous
matters than they are often worth.

In the House of Commons Mr. APLAGAN
moved for a select committee to inquire into the
subject of Protection from Fire, and he observed
very truly in introducing this motion, that many

reasons led all to consider this matter with attention.
During the last few years there have been numerous
fires that have occurred, and public attention has
been attracted towards them in consequence of the
mystery with which their origin has been invested,
and life and property have been sacrificed at such
a rate that the question has increased in importance
and interest. It has not unnaturally followed
upon this feeling of disquietude and dissatisfaction
that people have expressed a wish that Parlia-
ment should do something in the matter, and
by instituting an inquiry into it should
devise the best means for the "protection of
life and property from fire," or, at auy
rate the best that can be conveniently and suitably
adopted. We think that the hon. member made
good his case when he urged upon the house the
desirability of appointing a select committee to
investigate the matter ; and by so doing, as he
explained, be was only following in the course
which was taken in 1862, when a select committee
was held on the subject of Fires in the Metropolis,
by which many valuable suggestiops were made, and
a good deal of useful information imparted to the
public generally. Among these matters which
must pre-eminently demand attention may be cited
the most suitable construction of public buildings
and warehouses, for of course a great deal depends
upon that as to the chance of putting out fires and
of preventing their very rapid spread. Next comes
the best means for extinguishing conflagrations,
which will, take in the supply of water, and the
arrangements and appliances that are brought into
use on such occasions, like the establishment of
fire brigades, &c. ; thirdly, it is proposed to have
a judicial investigation into all fires. Mr.
M‘LaGAN mentioned the fact that in the town of
Liverpool alone from the years 1838 to 1843 the
warehouse risks caused a loss of three-quarters of
a million. The insurance companies were obliged
to raise the mercantile rates of insurance to 30s.
and 40s. per cent. from Bs. Two acts of Parlia-
ment were passed, however, by means of which
it was arranged that a large supply of water
should be introduced for extinguishing fires, and
the other that the owners of warehouses should be
compelled to erect and alter their warehouses ac-
cording to certain conditions and restrictions. The
best proof of the efficacy of these plans may be
seen in the fact that the rates of insurance fell again
to eight shillings per cent. We see no reason why
these measures should not be extended to other
parts of the kingdom with the same success they
have met with in Liverpool.

The difficulty of ascertaining the causes of fires
is very great, and every one must have observed
how often it is said in connection with these acci-
dents that the cause of the fire is unknown. At
present, although the Fire Brigade make many
inquiries, it is found that it is almost impossible to
arrive at the truth of the matter, for, in 1866, thirty-
six per cent. of the reports of fire were returned
" cause not known." It is well-known that great
assiduity is displayed by the members of the Fire
Brigade, but at the same time it seems necessary to
have a thorough investigation made by those accus-
tomed to sift evidence. The late Mr. BRAIDWOOD
was of opinion that great benefits would follow upon
a" legal inquiry" into every case, and no doubt he
was correct in his judgment. No opposition having
been made by the Government to this motion it
was agreed to, and we hope that good results will
follow from it; and there can be no second opinion
as to the necessity for some investigation being
made.

We have already- become so accustomed to the
wonder-working agency of the Atlantic Cable that
it creates but a momentary feeling of surprise to see
the date of yesterday at the head of the news from
New York ; and yet it is certainly one of the
greatest marvels effected by modern science. We
are now kept completely au courant with the-pro-

gress of American affairs, and know the variations
and modifications of the policy of the several parties
sooner than many inhabitants of the States them-
selves. The great question of Reconstruction, which
some time ago seemed to be abandoned in despair
by all sides, is again the prominent topic of discus-
sion. The Radicals appear to be sensible that their
legislative failures in this respect have alienated the
country, since, however anxious the extreme mem-
bers of the STEVENS party may be to exter-
minate the Southern whites, and share their
lands between New England speculators and the
blacks, the public generally are fully sensible that
American prosperity cannot be fully reinstated
until confidence and security are restored to the
South. The damaging effect upon trade and com-
merce of the present unprofitable and unsettled
condition of the rich and fertile Southern States
cannot be compenFated for by any tariff however
exorbitant its provisions. There is a growing
feeling among all classes that it is quite time that
matters were settled, and the present abnormal
state of things put a stop to; and this feeling is
making itself felt in Congress, though the proceed-
ings of the Radicals as yet show little improvement.
We learn by the news of the day before yesterday
that the House of Representatives has passed a
supplement to the Reconstruction Bill, empowering
the military commanders of the South to take a
census, and register the votes of the population,
call a convention, and form a constitution under the
Military Government Bill. Congress, it is said
in the same intelligence, will not adjourn until the
question of further proposed guarantees for the
reconstruction of the South is settled. On March
12th, however, the' news ,is different, and we learn
that Mr. SUMNER'S proposal in the Senate to pro-
vide further guarantees for the reconstruction of the
Union has been defeated. The Radical party
is evidently no longer unanimous in either
House, and it is very likely that Mr.
SUMNER'S extreme views about the blacks may have
offended some of his followers. At any rate the
question remains unsettled, though even if the
measure of military government were passed in the
most complete form by Congress there would still
remain the insuperable difficulty of the PRESIDENT'S
opposition. As Mr. JOHNSON is by his office the
recognised head of the army, his objection to this
military reconstruction scheme is something more
than nominal ; and even though Congress may
override his veto, it cannot force him to carry into
effect measures of which he entirely disapproves.
Whether the talk about a compromise being likely
between the PRESIDENT'S party and the more mode-
rate Republicans has any foundation in fact is as
yet uncertain, but it is quite possible that the pro-
gress of time and the conviction of the serious nature
of the crisis may bring about something of the
kind. The heat and passion of 'the conflict are over,
there is no immediate prospeOt of a change at hand,
and wise and thoughtful Americans cannot but be
sensible that the South, as it now is, is a terrible
source of weakness to the States. In the event of a
foreign war, what an opportunity would it offer to
an invading army ! It is not like the usual shrewd-
ness and " 'cuteness" on which Americans pride
themselves to have a door always open for the
enemy to enter. The Southern people must be
more or less than human if they refuse to co-ope-

rate with those who would of course promise them
independence ; and it might over-tax even the re-
sources and the energies of the Northern States to