The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-31 00:00:00

TILE NEW GOVERL MENT OF INDIA BILL.

(From the Standard.)
Those who augur ill for toe success of the India
Bill in consequence of the criticism which it has
given rise t), can have but a very slight acquain-
tance with the nature of the question they have
undertaken to discuss. To any one who really un
dtrstands the matter it must be obvious that an
India Bill which would satisfy everybody, and
meet the requirements of every interest, is what
the unaided labaurs of no Cabinet could produce.
Au India Bill, to be passed in its entirety as
struck off the ministerial anvil, is a thing that this
nation has never seen, and can never see. Eu every
India bill that has been introduced very great
modifications have been made during its passe,ge
through Parliament. Every one knows, to go
back no earlier, how greatly the acts which re-
ceived the Royal assent iu 1833 and 1853 differed
from the original projects of law. In the nature
of things it could not be otherwise, for le-
gislation on India t place always under
certain conditions which in regard to no other
species of legislation exist. Domestic questions
every one understands, and respecting them the
principles, whether in favour of or adverse to them,
are well defined and clear. Whatever ministerial
department they relate to, every member of the
Cabinet can form on them as sound an opinion as
another, and all can exercise in regard to them an
equally potent voice. The same may be said of
them when they are brought before either house.
But the nature of Indian legislation is very differ-
ent. In respect to it there is no single well under-
stood interest or principle to consult. On the
contrary, there are conflicting interests and prin-
ciples to reconcile at every turn. Teere are the
interests of ahundred and eighty millions of natives
to study on the one hand ; and on the other, there
are the interests of the European settlers, and the
mercantile body connected with them here, the
lai ter being op posAl to the former in many points.
There are all the arrangements to be made fur the
carrying on a despotic government in India ; and at
the same time these arrangements have to be re-
conciled to the views and feelings of the repre-
sentatives of a free people at home.
Nor are the d,fficulties surrounding the Indian
question confined to tutte. In the very ontnoi, of
the matter teey commence. They begin to show
themselves the moment it is dt cided by a Govern-
ment, whether Whig or Conservative, to bring in
an Indian Bill. For, fiom the want of sp-cial
knowledge upon Indian matters than. exists among
English statesmen, and which Mr. Gladstone so
freely admitted on a late occasion, the preparation
of the measure must necessarily be left almost
wholly to the President of the India Board for the
time being. But the more conversant this Mini-
ster may be with the state of popular feeling and
the arts of English parliamentary government, the
more acceptable he may be able to make his mea-
sure to the public here, the more certainly will
that part of it be a failure which relates to
India. On the other hand, the more he
has turned the study of his life to the Orien-
tal part of the question, the more likely is
his bill to fail to be entirely palatable to the
House of Commons. Of the two, however, it
is infinitely preferable to have' at the head of the
India Board a statesman thoroughly conversant in
all its details with the government of India, be-
cause in that case we can be sure that the basis of
the measure will be sound ; whereas, in the other

case, a bill might be introduced and hurriedly
passed through Parliament, having everythint, to
secure for it unmeasured popularity, but which
might prove utterly fatal in India to the existence
of our rule. If a bill be too Indian, the defect
can, in its passage through both houses be easily
remedied ; but it it were too English, or in otner
words too plainly shaped to meet the exigencies
of ministetial jobbery in Downing-street, as it
seems to be generally felt that Lord Palmer-
ston's was, then the country would have to pay
dearly afterwards for the momentary indulgence
pf its fancies now. Reasonable tnen will there-
fore rather look to the principles which au
Indian Bill enunciates than to the details which
it embodies for carrying those principles out. No
Ministry in its senses could exiiect to be able to
prepare a bill that should p =Bs without modification
through both houses ; all that Government can
do is to do what the present G-overnment has done,
and that is to lay upon the table a mea,ure framed
on right principles, and forming a safe and solid
ground-work for completion in its passage through
Parliament, into a really good and satisfactory law.
Viewed in this light, looking rather to principles
than to details, we think it would beditficult to fiud
anything mere satisfactory than the line adopted in
the bill of the present Government. There had long
been felt to be an insuperable objection to the con-
tinuanceof the system of irrespons!bility involved in
the double government ; and that system the pre-

sent hill entirely puts an end to. s'
On the other
hand, it was impossible to hand over India en-
tirely to Downieg,-,treet ; and in the present bill a
council so independent of the Adnainis,ratiou is
provided as to make it impossible for any Minister
to pervert the trust confided to him, unless in the
absence of the most extraordinary vigilance on the
public's part. Then, again, the placing the p itro-
nage in the hands of the Government was sten to
be porrupring ; it is left, therefore, entirely in the
Councd's gift. But at the same time directorial
nepotism had been loudly complained of ; and
effectual provision against this is made by the
clause which enacts that, though the Council are
to nominate to appointments, the nomination can
only take effect after he name shall have been
submitted, on the responsib lity of the Minister,
fer the approval of the Qu en. Lord Palmer-
ston's bill gave n t security for the inclusion
in the Council of men of Indian expeti-ace
the present act establishes t ,at men of the
highest Indian reputation shall form half the
board. In the late Premier's bill there was no
guarantee for the Indian stockholders ; the present
bill gives to them and to the members of the great
and increasing Indian railway interest the nomina-
tion of four me tib,,rs. Finally, the European
commercial body in India, and the vast mercantile
interests connected with it in this country, will
find ample means of being both heard and pro-
tected, in the clause which confrrs five nominations
on the five greatest manfactuting and commercial
cities in the United Kingd.
That a bill which contains in itself such elements
of good ; s this does, can be decried in the latigutge
of passion that has been employed by som- j Jura ils
against it, is merely a proof of the length to which
party spirit runs. At the same time it exhibits

ample evidence of the utter igni ranee of the true
state of the case. Indeed it would be difficult ta
find a clearer instance of the nonsense that some
writers can put forth on the subject that the great
exception taken by the Times to that part of the
scheme which provides that the Indian members
shall be appointed specially with refezence to the
several presidencies in which they hive ssrved.
This may or may not be a wise restriction on the
minister's choice, but when it is spoken of as an
imposslble and absurd one, we would merely refer
to the Indian Bill of 1853, in which precisely the
same provision is made iu respect to the members of
the Legislative Council at Calcutta ; a provision
which has now been in active and successful opera-
tion for the last five years. Such facts as these should
surely make the opponents of the measure more
cautiou4, while its friend will see how little they
need be influenced by interested or unmeaning
cries. That tfe bill should be carried as it stands,
without the slightest change or modification, is a
thing neither to be expected nor perhaps desired in
a country where the Minister is not an autocrat,
but has a Parliament to consult. But that the
principles it embodies will find favour and ac-
ceptance with all but the Palmerstonian partisans
we can have no room to doubt, because they are
the principles most consonant with those which have
been given utterance to by nearly all the great
authorities on Indian affairs. The views we our-
selves hold upon the modifications that might with
advantage be admitted in the bill before it passes
we shall take an early opportunity to explain.

COURT CIRCULAR.

WINDSOR: MARCH 30.

The Qaeen and the Prince C.,nsort rode out on horse-
back yesterday afternoon, accompanied by the Prince of
Wales and the Princess Alice. In attendance were the
Countess of Caledoo, Lord Raglan, Lord Colville, and
Captain the Hon. D. de Ros.
In the evening her Royal Highness the Duchess of
Kent dined with lit r Majf,ty, attended by Lady Fanny
Howard. The Belgian Minilter and Macrame Van de
Weyer, and Colonel W. Ridley, Commanding Officer
21 Battalion Scots Fusilier Guards, bad the honour of
being invited.
_

Her Majttty the Queen rode out on horseback this
morning, attended by the Countess of Caledon, Lord
Raglan, and Lord Colville.

ME. COBDEN FOR ROCHDALE. The Rochdale Li-
beral E.tct.,rs' Association, at their last meeting, ap-
pointed J. Chadwick, E:q., chairman, and then consi-
dered who would be the inuA likely candidate in casd of
a dissolution. There was a unanimous feeling in favour
of recommending Mr. Cobden to the electors as the most
fit and proper person to units the Liberal interests. The
proceedings of the committee will be subject to the ap•
proval of meeting of the Liberal electors.

MADAME TIIfiSAUD'S EXHIBITION.—This exhibition
continues to draw a.nsideratile nutni--rs of admiring
visitors to view the vuri oti,ct,,, of arc nod lonoidac.
ture,f deposited there. Among the figures which appta,r
to be most attractive is that of Maret;alPtlissier, caused
no doubt by that gallant officer having accepted the
office of Ambassador to this country. We understand
that many novelties are in preparation for the approach-
ing holidays.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.---(This Day.)

VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT.
(B4ore Vice-Chancellor Sir William Page Wood.)
IN RE BARB.-PETITION YOH JUDGMENT.

This was a competition for priority of claims between
the assignee of a chosen action and the assignee under
bankruptcy for a property purchased by the bankrupt of
the value of about 1,0001.
In 1810 a commission of bankruptcy wan issued against
the bankrupt, and assignees or trustees were appointed
under the Bankruptcy Act. In 1818 the bankrupt suc-
ceeded to 1,0001., purchased the property in question,
and assigned it for an annuity. Notice of the assignment
was then given to the assignees in bankrOptcy.
EFI Honour the Vice-Chancellor was of opinion that
the chosen assignee of the bankrupt, having done all that
he could do to obtain possession, by giving notice of his
assignment to the assignees or trustees in bankruptcy,
the chosen assignee was preferable to the assignees in
bankruptcy, and declared accordingly, but without costs.

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Pane.)
IN RE 3. lIARKS.

EXTENSIVE FRAUD.—To-day was appointed for the
last exami❑ation of this bankrupt, who had carried on
business ai a coach builder at Paddington, and who was
convicted a few months since of conspiring to defraud
his creditors, and was sentenced to eight years' penal
servitude.

Messrs. Butler and Canninga, who had been employed
by the creditors, discovered that goods to the amount of
12,0001. and upwards had been fraudulently takes out
of stock and consigned to Sydney, but the goods were
so badly packed that the carriages were so much injured
that it cannot realise by a very large amount the invoice
price as above, and the assignees had been compelled to
refuse the offer made ; but there was a fund of 2,3001. 111
hand to meet debts proved for 20,0001.
The bankrupt had taken no steps to furnish any
accounts, and the assignees did not think it necessary to
put the estate to the expense of bringing the bankrupt
up from Leicester gaol.
The examination was adj ,urned sine die, and, at the
request of tt,n oredibori, a dividend meeting was ap•
pointed to divide the assets in hand,
Mr. Wilkinson appeared for the assignees.

CITY SHERIFFS' COURT.
(B?fore Mr. Prendergast.)
IMPORTANT TO THE MERCANTILZ WORLD.-MASON V.

LILBURN.

Mr. Buchanan appeared for the plaintiff, and a
coun••,el for the defendant.

Plaintiff, a commercial traveller, upon his own ac-
count, sought to recover a sum of 51. 2s. 6d. for goods
bargained and soldo
From the evidence of the plaintiff it appeared that
plaintiff called upon defendant, a draper, of the High-
street, Bedford, and obtained an order for a quantity of
small paper, and some casing paper. These goods were
sent, and defendant wrote up to plaintiff saying that he
ordered roll paper, and that the other was so much
damaged that he should return it, and expressly desired
plaintiff not to send any more until defendant saw him
(plaintiff). Plaintiff, however, sent the roll paper, but
defendant refuaed to receive it.

Mr. Buchanan conte.nded that these were goods bar•
gained and sold, and plaintiff, having completed his con•
tract, was entitled to recover.
His Honour—Defendant says that he won't receive
the second lot.

Mr. Buchanan—And thereby seeks to get out of hie
order.

His H,,nour—And does so. The order given by de-
fendant said half a ream of casing, and this order WAS
signed by defendant. His Honour could not understand
how pla►ntiff came to change the paper.
Plaiutiff—To oblige defendant.

Hie Honour—You could not oblige defendant to re•
ceive the other paper then. You have broken your own

bargain.

Some question then arose as to a larger quantity be-
in g sent than ordered, and plaintiff admitting that he
sent double the quantity, his Honour said that ended
the case.

Defendant had paid IL 15s. 2d. into court, and expressly
desired plaintiff not to send any more.
His Honour—Defendant has already paid into court
twice as much as he ordered. This is really too bad.
In each case plaintiff has sent double the quantity or•
&red.

Mr. Buchanan said plaintiff had completed an order
for goods bargained and sold, and defendant was bound
to receive.

His Honour said it was most important for oonasaero is
travellers to attend to the order given. Plaintiff, by
sending double the quantity, broke his own contract,
and hi Honour should find a verdict fur defendant with
costs.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—(This Day.)

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

VIOLENT ASSAULT ON THE PORTER OF A. Wont.
HOUSE.—Three determined-looking young fellows, who
gave their names George Morris, 21, Charles Tregare,
23, a❑d David Chandler, 23, were placed at the bar
before Mr. Beadon charged with committing an assault
of a most serious nature on Charles H. Wise, the porter
of the workhouse of St. Martin's-io-the-Fieids.

Josiah Roahier, messenger to the workhouse, said that
on the previous night aboat 8, he was in the workhouse,
and hearing a scuffle outside in Castle-street, he went
out and found the prisoner Morris scuffling with Wise.
He tried his utmost to separate them, and while doing
so the prisoner Tregare ran off. He saw the prisoner
Morris strike Wise several times, and also saw Tregare
kick him. While scuffling with Morris, Wise did his
best to defend himself, and his face was covered with
blood. When he first went out, Wise said, "These
three fellows have attacked me." Wise bad just re.
turned from taking a woman into custody for being
drunk and disorderly, and ho believed that was the
Call'e of the attack on him. While taking Morris into
cu,tody, the prisoner Chandler tried to rescue him from
him by seizing hold of his arm and pulling him. Wise
was unable to attend owing to the dangerous nature of
the injuries he had received.
The following certificate was here handed in

"I hereby certify that Charles W. Wise is suffering
from great pain in the abdomen and back, as also of the
head, arising from various blows and kicks in those
parte. He has been delirious, evidencing a severe shock
to the brain. I have seen him this morning, and, al.
though better, is not able to leave his bed ; and I am of
opinion he will require great care and attention for
some days.
"T. BAINBRIDGE, M.D., St. Martin's-lane.
"March 31."

Mr. Beadon said it was a very serious matter indeed,
and asked the prisoners whether they wished to say
anything.
The prisoners making no reply,
Mr. Beadon said he should remand them for a week,
to see what might happen to the injured man.
Tae woman, named Ellen Bryan, had previously been
charged with drunkenness and violent conduct in the
workhouse, having only just come out of prison for a
similar offence, and was finad 103,, or 21 days' hard
labour.