The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-19 00:00:00

PIERS AND HARBOURS BILL.

This bill was read a third time and passed.
REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE BILL.

The house went into committee on this bill.

On clause 15 being proposed, on which the question
arose for the union of the universities of London and
Durham for the purposes of Parliamentary representa-

tion,

Mr. LOWE presented a petition from the heads of the
University of London and urged the postponement of the
subject, on the ground that the proposal had not been a
sufficient time before the house to enable Lite matter to be
well considered by the University of London. The Uni-
versity of Durham was local, whilst that of London was
cosmopolitan, and ho felt certain that the proposition
could not be appreciated with gratitude by either body, be-
cause it would be impossible, however good the one mem-
ber might be, for him to truly represent the feelings of the
two universities.. lie would be fit for ono, but totally un-
fit for the other. (Hear, hear.) Both universities were
excellent in their way, but they were both founded for dif-
ferent ends, and for different purposes. (Hoar, bear.)
fie (lid not think it possible to propose the uuiou of two
greater contrarieties than that now submitted to the house
by her Majesty's Government. Ho could not in ac3ordance
with the forms of the house move the postponement of the
clause, but ho hoped the, right hon. gentleman the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer would. not persevere iu pressing
forward the proposal of the Government for the union of
titel,re tiraversiti.,.: for
Sir M. RIDLEY said he was 'not so much alarmed at

the proposal of the Government as his right hon. friend
opposite. (Hear, hear.) He hoped the Government would
persevere in their proposal.
Mr. BRIGHT said the great effect of the right hon.
baronet's remarks was not so much with regard to the union
of the two universities as to show the desirability of ob-
taining political representation for Durham. The Uni-
versity of London was founded for purposes somewhat
peculiar—viz., to grant degrees to persons who, for various
reasons, could not avail themselves of the Universities of
Oxford and Cambridge. The proposal of the Government
he considered short-sighted and unwise, because they
might just as well hope for a happy state of
things by proposing to unite the University of Edin-
burgh, with its high Protestant feeling with the
College of Maynooth. The union of the two
universities was proposed for certain purposes, for good
reasons, he had no doubt, to a very few persons; but if
the house, he felt certain, by a strong expression of opi-
nion, refused to assent to the proposal, the Chancellor of
the Exchequer would be very much obliged to it.
Mr. B. OSBORNE said he had nct yet voted on this
question, which had all at once assumed such gigantic
proportions. (Laughter.) He could not for the life of
him understand how the idea about the union of the two
universities had entered into the minds of Her Majesty's
Government. Ho had no doubt the hon. member for
Durham had poured the venomous distillment into the
ears of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. (Laughter.)
He for one until very lately was unaware of the
existence of the University of Durham—(oh, oh, and
laughter)—and he believed that a great many of his
countrymen shared in that state of darkness. (Laughter.)
Durham was generally connected with short horns, not
scholars. (Loud laughter.) However, the existence of
the university had been introduced, and in a manner that
would be a very good advertisement for it. (Laughter.)
He did not believe the Government sincerely wished to
carry the proposal, and therefore he called upon all true
Radicals to come forward to the rescue of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, who, like Prometheus,
was chained to the rock by that insidious man the member
for Durham. (Loud laughter.) The two universities
were teasing the Chancellor of the Exchequer, like Polly
on the one side and Lucy on the other, and ho only hoped
he would and by saying "to neither a word will I say."
(Loud laughter.) He thought the course they were pur-
suing was altogether wrong, and therefcre ho should move
to fill up the blank in the bill with the word " Liverpool"
—(loud cheers)—instead of the word "universities."

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
could not understand why such an opposition should be
offered to a proposal which affected England, whilst the
advisability of the same proposal for the union of the
Lniversities of Aberdeen and Glasgow was tacitly ad-
mitted. (Hear, hear.) It was said that neither of the
Universities of Durham or London possess very largo
constituent bodies, but he had not boon influenced
by that, but by what had been the state of ad-
vancement, the present condition and brilliant pros-
pects for the future of each university in submitting the
proposal to the house. (Hear, hear.) He had heard no
solid reaso* against the proposal of tho Government, and
therefore he hoped the house would give its assent.
Sir G. BOWYER reminded the house that if they re-
jected the proposal Durham would be the only university
unrepresented, and to prevent that he should give his vote
in favour of the proposition of the Government.
Mr. CARDWELL strongly objected to the proposal
and he hoped the house would reject it.
Mr. MOWBRAY remarked that it is not the fact to say
there were religious tests required at Durham. Divinity
was the only matter in which such were required.
Mr. CRAWFORD asked whether it was possible for the
proposal of the hon. member for Nottingham to be put in
any shape to the house ?
The CHAIRMAN replied by putting the question to the
house for its decision, viz., " That the blank in the clause
be filled up with the word universities.' "
On a division there appeared—
Ayes ... 226
Noes .„ ... 225

Majority for Government 1
Mr. TREVELYAN then moved an amendment, the
effect of which was to unite the University of Durham
with that of Oxford. •(Loud cheers.) lie did so because
ho believed the sympathy of Oxford and Durham was
stronger in sympathy than Durham and London, and
therefore he moved the amendment.
The CnArnmAN then put the question to oink the word
"London," and to insert the words "Durham and Ox-
ford."
Sir G. BOWYER asked whether it was the intention to
give the power of voting to all the graduates at Durham ?
Mr. MOWBRAY replied in the affirmative, and said that
it was in the power of every now comer to become a gra-
duate. Of course they must have been graduates for a
certain period before they became entitled to the pri-
vilege. Ile had further to state that he believed
it was the intention of the authorities in the event
of representation being given to the university, to re-
move the restriotions which now required members