The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-19 00:00:00

respect, and all manner of expedients were resorted to
in order to delay the prsscaedings.
ilLord BROUGHAM said it was with the view of
remedying the incc,nvenience referred to by the noble
earl that he proposed to give jurisdiction to County
would not CnotA
Courts.
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ruptcy, but that that law would be entirely recast. He
believed that a
partial attempt to reform the law by
calling in the assistance of the County Court judges in
the administration of bankruptcy would be of little
advantage, and unless the whole system were recast he
did not think any satisfactory result could be expected.
Lord WENSLEYDALE cordially concurred with his
noble and learned friend that this was a subject which
required the most careful consideration in all its parte.
Indeed, the law of bankruptcy and insolvency was in a
more unsatisfactory state than any other brands of
modern law, and he hoped his noble and learned friend
' who last spoke, and all others who were conversant
with the subject, would endeavour to effect those im-
provements which were absolutely requisite. Nothing
satisfactory could, however, be done without going into
a consideration of the whole subject. The bill just intro-
duced by his noble and learned friend, and that which
was already upon the table, dealt with parts of the sub-
ject ; but be thought some method should be devised for
carefully considering the whole question in all its bear.
ings. The present system was undoubtedly attended with
great inconveniences. Indeed, he had ocly been in.
_formed yesterday by an hon. member of the other house
that it was a matter of serious complaint on the part
of the inhabitants of Westmorland and Cumberland
that they were compelled to travel from the remotest
parts of those extensive counties to Newcastle-on-Tyne
for the transaction of bankruptcy business. It would,
undoubtedly, be a much more convenient arrangement
if the commissioners went about from place to place so
that meetings might be held in the vicinity of the bank•
rupta' residences, without subjecting creditors to untie
pessary expense.

Lori STANLEY of ALDERLEY said, the public
owed a deep debt of gratitude to his noble and learned
friend for his contribution towards the improvement of
the law on this subject by the bill which he had just laid
upon the table, He concurred with his noble and learned
friend that there was scarcely any branch of law in which
the necessity of reform was universally admitted. Ire
would net enter upon the different points which had been
noticed in the course of the discussion, but it seemed to
him that the essence of his noble aed learned friend's
bill was to transfer the duties of the Commissioners of
Bankruptcy, as far as it could be done, to the County
Court judges. He thought that there was a broad dis-
tinction between the trader and the nen-trader. In
bankruptcy there were generally more or less assets to
administer, but insolvency persons frequently same
before the courts without any means whatever and the
same machinery was not necessary which was required
in bankruptcy, With regard to the measure which was
being prepared in the department which he was con-
nected it was in a very forward state, and be trusted it
would soon be introduced either in that or the other
House of Parliament. He hoped that the measure would
meet some of the mere obvious difficulties, and give fa-
eilities for those arrangements which were now common
by voluntary agreement among the creditors, whereby
the funds of bankrupts would be administered with as
little waste as possible. It would not interfere with the
consideration of the general improvements of the laws
on the extended basis which the noble aid learned lord
thought so necessary, but he trusted that as it would
correct many evils it would meet with the 'assent of
Parliament, with such alterations as might be deemed
desirable. (Hear, hear.)
The bill was then read a first time, and their lordships
adjourned at a few minutes past 7 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.
Major GITIti took the oaths and his seat for Limerick.

PETITIONS.
Several petitions were presented for an Equalisation of
per.r rates in the metropolitan districts ; for the restore•
tion of Oudr-; for an inquiry into the causes of the
Indian reb,llion ; for Parliamentary reform, comprising
an extension of the franchise and vote by ballot.
LORD LIEUPENANF OF IRELAND.

Mr. ROEBUCK postponed his motion relative to
I;ia abolition of the office of Lord Lieutenant of Ire-
and till this day fortnight.
CHURCH RATES.

Mr. PACKE gave notice that on going into com•
tnittee on the Church Rate Bill he should move that it
be committed that day six months. (Hear, hear.)
LORD PRIVY SEAL.
Mr. WISE gave notice, that on the 4th of March he
should move a resolution that it was the opinion of the
house that the recommendation of the Committee of
I€so, on official s:ilaries, recommending the discontinu•
arcs of the office of Lord Privy Seal, and the transfer
cf the duties t) s.)me other department, be carried into
effect. (hear, hear.)

RAILWAYS IN INDIA.
Mr. LIDDELL gave noties that on this day fort•
night he should call the attention of the house to the
oauee that had delayed the construction of railways in
Indio, with a view to inquiry. (Hear, hear.)
THE DEFENCE OF CXWNPORE.
General CODRINGTON asked the First Lord of the
Treasury v,htther any additional det.patch had been
received by the Government from the Commander-in-
Chief and from the Governor-General in India, referring
to the operations of General Windham in thedefence of
Cawnpore in November last ?

Lord PALMERSTON said he rather thought a nom.
munication had been received at the India House, and
also at the Board of Control, relative to the operations
referred to ; but the gallant general mast know that no
communication existed between the Governor-General
of India and her Majesty's Government at home. He
believed he might say that explanations had been
given that completely acquitted General Windham from
all blame connected with the engagement near Cawnpore,
when part of the baggage and tents were lost. An inquiry
was now going on in India respecting the conduct of
others supposed to have been in fault on that oocasiea.
He believed, however, he was justified in saying that
General Windham displayed on that and other occasions
in India those qualities for which ha was so much dis-
tinguished. (Hear, hear.)
MEDICAL ARMY DEPARTMENT.

Mr. GROG AN a,ked the Under-Secretary for War
when the warrant in reference to the medical department
of the army, in accordance with the recommendations of
the committee, would be issued

, .
Sir J. RA MSDEN said the recommendations of the
committee were so varied and important that they re-
quired considerable consideration bat ►re their final &clop-
ton. It was impossible to say the precise time when
they would be carried into effect.
CHARITY COMMISSIONERS.

Mr. HOPWOOD asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department, whether it was the intention of the
Government to take any steps for enlarging the powers
of the Charity CommissionPrs, with a view to simplifying
the proceedings between them and the Court of Chun•
eery ?
Mr. BAINES said the Government did not deem it
desirable to introduce such a measure this session.
LORD LIEUTENANCY OF IRELAND.

Lord PALMERSTON presented a petition from the
City of Dublin, against the abolition of tho office of
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

DIOCESE OF MANCHESTER.
Mr. HADFIELD asked the following questions :
"Under what authority the Bishop of Manchester has
appointed a chancellor of the diocese of Manchester I
Whether Dr. Bayford, recently appointed registrar of
the Court of Probate, stills holds the office of chancellor
of the diocese of Manchester ; and, if he does, whether
he will be permitted to hold both offices ! Whether
Mr, John Border, recently appointed registrar for the
city of Manchester and hundred of Salford, is to be per-
mitted to hold the office of secretary to the Bishop of
Manchester, and the other offices held by him under the
bishop, or in connection with the diocese or archdeaconry
of Manchester ?"

Sir G. GREY said the question of the boa. and
learned gentleman referred to a subject with which the
Government had nothing to do. He believed the Bishop
of Manchester had made the appointment under his
general authority to do so. If he did not elect a
g been disposed
0 f
i n
chancellor within a given time the Archbishop had the
power of doing so. (hear, hear.)
The
someothe instances,r business
andt the paper
withdrawn
bav i
in others, then
adjourned debate on India was resumed.

GOVERNMENT 01? INDIA BILL.
The debate on the introduction of this bill was resumed

ohseoanid that before he proceeded with
the C odleobnaetle hireK EthoughtS'
idea set
thathim himself
erliognhgte otottlir:
court of directors taodr sbteoen
leadft to musttheenoughin
d
minorities, which had operated to his plearisnoiltie::rejjunel'itcal",-
and had delayed his obtaining the post of chairman. If,
herefore, he had any prejudice, it would be against the
Company. He might therefore be co ered rather as a
witness of the truth than an apologist for the Court of Di-
rectors. With regard to the question itself, the noble lord
had admitted that the East India Company had donemnch
for India, and said that it was not on account of any delin-
quency on the part of the Company that he proposed their
abolition, but on account of the inconvenience of their go-
vernmer. What did the Chancellor of the Exchequer
say? Why, that the Company had done nothing at all, and
that the magnificent empire which Augustus might have
envied, had been acquired by the insubordination of their
servants. What did another member of the Government
say ? He must go back to the noble lord. The noble lord
had said that the system of check and countercheck was
carried too far, until it clogged and impeded the progress
of the machine of administration. Now, what did the hon.
member for Kidderminster say ? That the power of the di-
rectors was nothing at all ; that they were merely subordi-
nate to the Board of Control ; and he then described the
manner in which the business was carried on, without
allowing any real power to the Court of Directors. Here
were three menibe:s of the Government opposing each
them
other, and so little agreement was there between
that they brought forward three opposing reasons forteei
same measure ; and if a fourth member of the Government
e,r,n be
at
were to speak, he had no doubt that ter would
h
fourth opposing reason. Ho fully agrepdwlt the noble
I lord that the Court of Directors was deserving
of praise,
fif Innedia. T
that they had done much for the b
but his statements referred to
e rea
day. He would brio
forward some statistics which g
Court of Directors of the pr t
- should disprove the alleged
t e Exchequer.
for hiTmh et
to
honourableacs w with
member stthtiemyne
chs a,d t o
and do
not
tottho ntghe
he
i
Chancellor of the Exchequer said ;
e e arguments of
that right honourable gentlemen lit a speech of most
as
factstou nedfi
ntfhgoercelEohnqentieicesnke of
t remained ihad disproy d th