The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-03 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS--THIS DAY.

The SPEAKER took the chair at half-past 12 o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The following bills were read a third time and passed :
—Downpatrick, Dundrum, and Newcastle Railway ; Wa-
terford, New Ross, and Wexford Junction Railway.
EXTRADITION TREATIES ACT AMENDMENT
BILL.
Lord STANLEY rose to move the second reading of
this bill, the object of which was the amendment of the
act upon which the extradition treaty with Franca was
founded. The principle laid down in extradition treaties
was now almost universally adopted iu all civilised coun-
tries, and nothing but the best results had followed the
adoption, and now all that was sought by the measure
was to remedy an oversight which now had become per-
fectly necessary. He did not think there was any person
now who would wish that the old state of things should
ever again recur, when a man had committed a murder
in London, and, obtaining six hours' start of justice, could
on reaching the streets of Boulogne and Calais walk openly
about, perhaps rejoicing in the perpetration of the crime.
It had been said that the present bill was most extensive
in its alterations, and that a great many present of-
fences were not embraced within its provisions; such
was not the case. The alterations made by the
measure now under the consideration of the house were
very limited, and to effect the object of the bill was to
make certain documents in the French courts evidence in
the case under the treaty precisely in the same manner as
they were in cases not under the treaty. The bill left the
law just the same as it at present existed, and the sole ob-
ject he had in view was to remedy that which was simply
a technical error. The crimes coming within the scope of
the treaty were murder, attempt to murder, fraudulent
bankruptcy, and forgery. He believed the bill was to be
opposed, because it was said that it might bo used fcr
political purposes, but he was ready to agree to proposals
to meet such an objection provided those political offences
could be defined. He was not prepared to agree to many
of the assertions put forth against the bill; because he
knew precisely what was, and what was not, the object of
the bill.
Mr. TORRENS moved the second reading of the bill
that day three months. He contended that the measure
was not simply one to amend procedure, but that it con-
tained principles that were looked upon with the
greatest jealousy by the people of England. He
opposed the bill as strongly as he possibly could,
because he was not disposed to do that which
was only to be borne in countries not so happily
governed as England. He was desirous of leaving the law
as Sir R. Peel left it in 1843, and if there was a measure
which had for its object the abolition of all viva voce
evidence the one now under discussion was of that nature.
The bill laid it down that certified copies of the warrants
and depositions should be considered sufficient for the sur-
render of any person ; but he, for one, was not disposed to
meet all the demands A the French Government which
' had been made, and he presumed the present amendment
of the Extradition Treaty was made as a peace-offering,
. in the hope that the Government of France would be
satisfied with it. As such he opposed it, because
. he was not disposed to give to France those extensive
t powers which she was only waiting her time to demand.
The French Government made a similar demand for the

amendment of the Extradition Treaty in 1852, but that IRELAND.
demand was refused, because the House of Lords did its Lord NAAS moved the second reading of the bill for
duty ; but the demand had been again made, and the further suspending the Habeas Corpus Act in Ireland, as-
House of Lords were not so jealous, and were disposed to suring the house that nothing but the belief of its absolute
assent to the request, but the House of Commons were the necessity would have induced the Government to ask for a
guardians of the liberties of the people, and he hoped they continuance of these extraordinary powers, which had
would not give their approval to the bill. He looked upon been so boldly and prudently used by the late Government
the measure as one of the greatest importance ; and to let that they had produced a great sense of security among
the house know what was thought of it by persons capable the loyal and well-disposed portion of the community.
of forming a good opinion of its operation, M. L. Blanc, in a Altogether 756 persons had been arrested, and 320 were
letter he had addressed to him (Mr. Torrens), strongly de- still in custody, who must be discharged unconditionally
nounced the bill, and said the passing of the measure would on the Ist of September if this Act were allowed to expire.
be to make the right of asylum iu England a snare. He (Mr. The Government desired to deal with these men in a spirit
Torrens) hoped, therefore, that ono of the oldest and of forgiveness, but before discharging them desired to have
cherished rights that England possessed—namely, that of these powers continued, so that they might take securities
asylum—should be surrendered by such a pettifogging bill from them that they would leave the country and engage
as that now on the table. It had been said that the bill no more in their treasonable designs. To show that Fe-
made no addition to the catalogue of offences, but what nianism was not yet extinct he pointed to the raid on
guarantee had the House of Commons that next session Canada and recent meetings in the United States, and
demands would not be made for an extension of the offences mentioned that within a very recent period drilling had
dealt with in the bill, because he believed the more you been going on in various parts of Ireland. It was hoped
trod on slime the further it receded. (Hear, hear.) He did that when, by the continuance of these powers, the Ame-
not wish to disparage the reputation of the Emperor of the rican agents were driven and kept out of the country the
French ;on the contrary, he was ready to give him praise people would at last become awake to the hopelessness of
for his exertions for strengthening the bonds of amity this conspiracy. Lord Naas next adverted to Mr. Ma-
between this country ; but then he was not immortal, and guire's resolutions, expressing a modified concurrence in
therefore no one could say what changes a few short years some of them -in any other sense but as an amendment to
might not bring about. He hoped the house wpuld stillhold this bill—but dwelling chiefly on the laSt two, which
firmly to their sacred and cherished right of asylum, and point to Liberal legislation as the true cure for Irish ills.
refuse to give its assent to the present bill. He pointed out that Fenian agitation was not directed
Sir R. P. COLLIER said the right hon. gentleman had against any causes which could be remedied by legislation ;
altogether mistaken the object of the bill, because he had that the Fenians repudiated the authority of the Roman
laid it down that it was the surrendering of one of the most Catholic Church, and contemplated a general confiscation
dear and cherished rights in England, whereas in effect it of the land, so that no change in the Established Church or
was a bill of the most limited proportions. It was simply in the tenure of land could content them. That, however,
and truly a bill to remedy international defect, and not a he assured the house, would make no difference in the
measure that was merely the first portion of a deep laid earnest desire of the Government to introduce and promote
scheme on the part of France to effect great and extensive any legislation which might be advantageous to Ireland.
changes in the law, in order to render England the jackall Mr. MAGUIRE moved a string of resolutions affirming
of foreign nations. The matter decided in the House of that the circumstances of Ireland have changed since the
Lords in 1852 was extremely different from that now under act was first passed, that the supremacy of the law had been
discussion. He could but think that the distrust that was sufficiently vindicated by the ordinary tribunals, that poli-
expressed with respect to the purity of the French courts tical excitement had faded away, and recommending a libe-
of justice was calculated to have the worst effect. ral and remedial policy instead of repressive measures. He
[LEFT SPEAKING.] asserted that there were not above 50 men now in prison
who would not gladly give any assurance in their power
to get out, that Fenianism was dying out both in America
and Ireland, referred to the records of the assizes to show
that crime was greatly on the decrease, and after dilating
at great length on the land question, which he asserted lay
at the root of the difficulty, he exhorted the Government
with great fervour to come forward next session with large
and liberal measures of conciliation.
Mr. GLADSTONE, agreeing with Mr. Maguire that the
land question was the chief cause of Irish evils, and sharing
in the desire to see it justly settled at the earliest moment,
supported the bill, pointing out that in former cases the
powers now asked had generally been takea for a longer
period than six months, and expressing a confident belief
that they would be excised in a lenient spirit. In discuss-
ing Mr. Maguire's resolutions he pronounced a glowing
eulogium on the good faith of the American Government
during the late raid on Canada, and an equally vigorous
denunciation of the malignant wickedness of that enter-
prise ; and, while agreeing in the general spirit of the reso-
lutions, he argued that they were no reply to this demand
of the Government. The members of the late Government,
having consulted together, were of opinion that had they
remained in office it would have been their duty to make a
similar request ; consequently they were ready to take their
share of responsibility for this measure.
The bill was opposed by Sir G. Bowyer, Mr. O'Beirne,
and Mr. Dillon, who argued that no sufficient case of
urgency had been made out, and supported by Sir F. Hey-
gate, who believed that it would bring about a feeling of
confidence which would induce a return of English capital
to tho country.
Mr. OSBORNE charged the condition of Ireland on Eng-
lish legislation, and particularly on the measures of re-
pression which had been adopted, and taunted the English
Government with not daring to call out the Irish Militia
or put arms in the hands of Irish Volunteers. He pointed
to Canada as a proof that Irishmen when well governed
were orderly and loyal ; and described Fenianism as a com-
munistic attempt at rebellion, pillage, and murder, the
most dangerous feature of which was that the well-to-do
farmers in the south sympathised with it, and would join
the movement en masse on their first success. Passing to
the remedial measures which should be introduced, he re-
pudiated the "cuckoo-cry" of "identical institutions," and
insisted that the Establishment—with which successive
Governments had been prevented from dealing by the
bigotry of Scotch and English members—should be re-
formed, and if this were delayed too long it would be abo-
lished, the Ecclesiastical Titles Act repealed, and Trinity
College thrown open to men of all religions. He recom -
mended, also, the substitution of a Royal Prince or a Royal
residence for the Lord-Lieutenant, an official of no power
or authority ; and a settlement of the land question. Ad-
mitting that the winter could hardly be got through with-
out some measure for dealing with the American agents,
he declined to intrust these large powers to the present
Government, and in support of this he commented on the
declarations and surroundings of various members of it.
In Mr. Disraeli's knowledge of the Irish question, and in
his ability to deal with it, were he not trammelled by the
bucolic respectability behind him, he had the fehseteatrlulsoti
and, in concluding a witty and effective speech,
would regenerate a people.
on him to initiate a policy which, though it might shock a
faction,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL
frrk
Ireland,s IRELAND (Mr.
repeated that
these extraordinary powers v
Trinity College and the landlords
absolutely necessary to
Walsh), after some preliminary
e remarks defence of
Nlere with the 300
this bill passed,
remaining in the gaols, desperadoes
enable the Government to deA
would in three weeks be let loose
in Ireland. These men
and 'who unless
had returned from America after the war,
were the very worst of all the prisoners ; they were ad-
venturers who
from the great towns of England, and they had not been
released because they could find no one to be security for
their good behaviour, or refused to leave the country. To
show that the virulence of Fenianism had not abated, he
related the particulars of several recent assaults committed
in Dublin, and, while advocating for Ireland a comprehen-
sive policy which would foster industry and enterprise,
dd
ue par
feoc an t ofdatoh et
hrevival
aotfe poef r esnon
wi a
fldaeg iat ati
rangeo n , a no
fd
irritating
nttfrnho °-
topics.
After some remarks from Sir J. Gray and Mr. Watkin
in support of the resolutions, and from Mr. Pim in support
of the Bill, Mr. M'Laren defended the Scotch members
from the charge of bigotry brought against them by Mr. B.
Osborne, and on a division Mr. Maguire's resolutions were
rejected by 105 to 31.
The Bill was then read a second time.
The other orders were disposed of, and the Rouse ad-
journed at 20 uunutes to two O'clock.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-LAST EVENING.
Tho LORD CHANcELLon took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Imperial Gas Company (No. 3), North British (Tay
Bridge) Railway, and Caledonian and Scottish North
Eastern Railway Companies. .
THE JAMAICA COMMISSION.

The Earl of ROMNEY said that he wished for some ex-
planation on the part of the Government in reference to
the proccedings of this commission. Some difference of
public opinion prevailed in reference to the course adopted
by the military and civil authorities in the lato outbreak
at Jamaica.

Earl of CARNARVON said that the importance of the
question brought under the consideration of the house by
the noble earl could not be exaggerated, but he regretted
at the present late period of the session it would be impossible
to give Parliament and the country at large a full and satis-
factory explanation on the subject. The result of the
commission showed that excesses had been committed
by the executive representing this country, but the cir-
cumstances were very exceptional. As regarded the part
taken by the navy in Jamaica, he must say that that branch
of the public service was free from the blame that was at-
tributable to other departments, but at the same time
sufficient had been developed in the course of the inquiry
to justify the course he had adopted in directing an inves-
tigation by the authorities of the Admiralty. Ho referred
to the peculiar functions of the commission, which, ho
said, were analogous merely to those of a grand jury. Tie
adverted next to the names of some of the principal
officers who had taken a prominent part in repressing the
insurrection, and said that their conduct was not free from
grounds of censure. He thought that there were grounds
for disapproving of the policy pursued by Governor Eyre.
He said that he had given instructions to Sir John Grant,
in whose discretion and energy he had the greatest reli-
ance, to make every inquiry into the circumstances con-
nected with the late outbreak in Jamaica.

Earl RUSSELL expressed his high approval of the
manner in which the Commission had conducted their

labours

The subject then, dropped.
THE PUBLIC PARKS.

Earl RUSSELL, at the request of Earl Derby, consented
to postpone a question relative to the public parks, of
which he had given notico for that evening, until to-

morrow.
The following bills were read a second time : —Turn-
pike Trusts Arrangements, Poor-law Amendment, and
Aberdeen Provisional Order Confirmation. _

---- -- - -- . ---
The Land Drainage Supplemental Bill passed through
committee.
The other orders of tho day were then disposed of, and
the house then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—LAST Eirmnia.
Tho SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
LORDS' AMENDMENTS.

The Lords' amendments to the following bills were
agreed to :—Barry Railway (Extension), Cambrian Rail-
ways (New Works), Ellesmere and Glyn Valley Railway,
Hounslow and Metropolitan Railway.