The Sun.
London, England, 1835-06-15 00:00:00

TAXES ON KNOWLEDGE.

The HONOURABLE MEMBER then presented a petition
from the Mechanics' Institution of Greenock—from the
operative stone-masons of Greenock—the operative blacksmiths
and others, praying for the repeal of the taxes on news-
papers. They stated, that the law would not be so
often transgressed, but for the ignorance in which the
people were kept. They further stated, that they, in
their humble station, were willing to be taxed to the same
extent in any other way. so that these taxes were repealed.—
( Cheers.) Also, one from the same parties, in favour of the
Bill introduced by the Honourable Member for Sheffield,
for the building of halls for public instruction in the
various towns of the kingdom—(hear) ; and one from the
Unitarians of Greenock, against any grant of money
for the further endowment of churches in Scotland ;
These petitioners stated three very singular facts. They
said Greenock was divided into five parishes, and yet there
was hut one parish school in the whole town--(Hear, hear)—
that the minister of one of the parishes only was paid
by endowment, the others being paid from other funds, and
that that clergyman of the largest endowment of any in Scot-
land, having in fact as much as would decently endow three
churches.
Mr. BRODIE presented a petition from 435 inhabitants of
t
complaining of the manner in which slaves were
treatedcuiripna,
ttiloien
ACcotl,o ntibees . a
ppn t Notwithstandingices
were
flogged
ed passingand of
treated re
in the most cruel and oppressive manner.
TITHES (IRELAND.)
Sir R. BATE SON presented a petition from tha Lord-
Lieutenant, and a large body of the landed proprietors of the
county of Londonderry, on the subject of tithes. He regret-
ted that he could not see on the opposite benches any Member
of his Majesty's Government connected with Ireland; he would be
satisfied if he could only see the lion. and Learned Member
for Dublin, who he believed was one of the most influential of
the Irish Ministers.—(Hear, and a laugh.) lie saw only
some of the the followers of the lion. and Learned Member—
Mr, O'DWYERrose to order. He complained of the
word " followers" being applied to Members of that House.
The SPEAKER made a few observations, which were
quite inaudible.
Sir R. BATE SON did not think the word so very objec-
tionable. Ile had heard the word " tail" mentioned .in that
House with impunity, over and over again. And he ( Sir R.
Bateson) had selected the most harmless word he could use,
without meaning any personal offence. But, as it appeared to
offend the sensitive feelings of the Hon. Member for Drogheda,
lie i
should not use it again. He had given notice of this peti-
tion, and regretted that none of his Majesty's Ministers were
present. The petitioners stated, that after the Tithe Bill of
1832, they had entered into a compact. with their tenants to
pay the tithes for them, some of the landlords had not done
so, and as it was understood that the balance of the million
fund would be applied to the payment of arrears, which would
be nothing less than a bounty in agitation, it was hoped that
if Any portion ot the arrears of tithes for 1834 were paid,
thog uho had secured the quiet and tranquillity would have
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