The Sun.
London, England, 1835-08-04 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY

In the Lomas' yesterday, after several petitions both in favour
of, and against, the Municipal Corporations Bill had been pre-
sented, Lord MemouaNE, amidst great tumult, noise, and
repeated interruption, moved the Order of the Day. Lord
Lv:sniierisT insinuated that the Noble Viscount had inis-stated
the Order of the Day. Lord BROUGHAM rose to address the
House; but, amidst the confusion that prevailed, not a single
Syllable was heard. When the noise had somewhat subsided,
Lord MELBOURNE reasoned with their Lordships on the prin-
ciple of the Bill, went into many details, and showed the un-
wise and destructive tendency of the course some of the Con-
servative Peers were bent on pursuing. Lord BROUGHAM
gave way to the Earl of WINCIIII.SEA, who launched out into
a repetition of those invectives against Municipal Reform which
his Lordship employed on Saturday, adding thereto the fol-
lowing resolution :—" Though this House is at all times pre-
pared to take into consideration and to support any measure
for the reform of Municipal Corporations, founded on consti-
tutional grounds, and evidence of existing abuses, they deem
it their duty to withhold their assent from this Bill, which
was calculated to destroy the constitutional rights of Corpo-
rations." The first amendment, however, not being then
disposed of, his Lordship's resolution was premature,
and was necessarily abandoned. Lord Baot-offAsf spoke at
some length against hearing evidence at the Bar. His Lordship
argued with his accustomed force and ability in favour of the
expediency and political justice of Municipal Reform, im-
ploring their Lordships, out of the respect they owed them.
selves, not to mock the nation's reasonable expectation, their
expressed will, and firmly rooted determination. Lord LYND.
HURST went over the old ground, floe glossing over corporate
corruption, now defending it; one while objecting to the le-
gality of the Corporations Commission ; another time boldly
adopting the monstrous principle of self election. In de-
scribing the Bill, his Lordship concluded in these significant
words—`' Under colour of reform it was a party Bill—a party
job, to destroy :be conservative interest in this country ; he
should therefore voit; for hearing evidence." Lord RADNOR
expressed his surprise at i::e speech of the Noble Lord, as it
went to throw out the Bill altogether. Lord WHARNCLIFFE
denied that there was any intention to defeat the Bill by a side-
wind. After some further discussion, the Duke of NEW..
CASTLE moved (but did not divide on it) that the Bill be read
this day six months. Lord PLUNKETT supported the Bill be-
fore the House. The Duke of WELLINGTON opposed it ;
alleging that it was a partial and a general mea-
sure also. Those who complained of corrupt Cor-
porations, argued the Noble Duke, should go to law with
them—it was not for the House of Lords to legislate thus com-
prehensively against corrupt Corporate practices—the com-
plainants might go to the Court of King's Beneh—the doors
Were open to them. After a few words from Lord WEST_
MEATH on the same side, and some pertinent remarks in
favour of Municipal Reform from Lord RIPON, Lord
MELBOURNE said the only precedent for the amendment
Was when Parliament wished to defeat the Abolition
of the Slave Trade Bill, and adopted the course of hear-
ing evidence. They would be, in fact, defeating the Bill,
and perpetuating the existence of the boroughs. He denied
that the Bill was partial, and would contend that it was a ge-
neral act of legislation. He declared that if they decided
'Ton hearing evidence he would take no part in the conducting
of it. The House then divided—For the Amendment, 124 ;
Against it, 54 ; Majority, 70.
Their Lordships sat till 35 minutes past 3 o'clock.
In the COMMONS', the petition from the city of London for
the Repeal of the Stamp Duties on Newspapers was brought
to the bar by Mr. Sheriff ILLIDGE. Several ether petitions,
praying for the abolition of Taxes on Knowledge were also
presented from various other places. A great many petitions,
00 different subjects, were presented. On the Scotch Church
Commission, as respects the late commission, some discussion
took ylace. In Mr. KEITH'S case, a motion was carried that
that individual be sent down to Ipswich in the custody of the
Serjeant-at-Arms. Thanks were voted to the retired Serjeant-
t-Arras. On the House resolving itself into a committee of
_,'QuPply, the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated all the
vireilmstances connected with the West India Loan. The
Right Hon. Gentleman concluded by moving a resolution to
the effect that interest at the rate of 3/. 7s. 9d. be paid out
of the consolidated fund to the West India proprietors entitled
dal compensation. After a few words from Mr. HUME, who
resolution
enwtiarsely approve of the CHANCELLOR'S bargain, the
agreed to. A similar resolution for 1,621,340/. for the island of Barbadoes was also agreed. to without dis-
Ivellessreiottn The remaining clauses of the Irish Church Bill
separately considered in committee. Upon the
Clause which remits the 1,000,000/. lent to the established
cargh a division took place; the clause was carried by a very
bon
majority. The Limitation of Polls Bill was
passed.
i-I°ll the motion of Lord JOHN RCSSELL, leave was given to
England
in a Bill for the reduction of the militia staff in
~ngland and Ireland. He hoped to be ;;ble to reduce the
present staff by at least one- half. It was rear A first time.