The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-17 00:00:00

JAMAICA.

The West India and Pacific Steamship Com-
pany's steamer American has arrived at Liverpool,
with Jamaica dates to March 26.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS—Tuis EVENING.

The LORD ClidNegkLoit, took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

INNOVATION ON THE CHURCH RITUAL.
The Earl of SuArraapay laid on the table several
petitions against any alteration in the ritual of the Church
of England.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Paisley Water Bill was read a second time, and the
following bills were read a third time and passed :—Titanic
Steel and Iron Company, Lowther's Naturalisation, South
Essex Railway, and Banbury Gas (Amendments).
THE DIVORCE ACT.
The Earl of CARNARVON presented a petition from
Harlowe praying for a repeal of the Divorce Act, and also
against any innovation in the Church service.
CATTLE, &c. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES BILL.
Earl GRANVILLE moved the second reading of this
bill, and explained some of its provisions, which he said
were calculated to make it simple and expeditious in its
operation.
The bill was then read a second time.
CATTLE SHEDS IN BURGHS (SCOTLAND) BILL.
The Duke of ARGYLL moved the second residing of
this bill, which was agreed to.
COUNTY COURTS BILL.
The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the third NlVling
of this bill, which was agreed to
ELECTION RETURNS.
Lord CAMPBELL moved that a select committee be
appointed to examine the electoral returns laid on the
table with a view to the changes they suggest as desirable
or necessary in the right of voting ; and to inquire into the
conditions upon which the occupatien franchise might be
lowered with advantage in counties or boroughs of
England or Wales. The noble lord, after some preliminay
observations, said that with regard to tho desirableness of
an inquiry of this nature by the house, he thought it only
necessary to refer to the identity of circumstances that
existed at present as compared with those of 1860. The
suggestions that had been made in the latter year bad
been canvassed. Then, as at present, the possibility of a
large constitutional change. At the present time, as in
1860, the house were called on to exercise its power
in altering or modifying a measure which proposed
to make alterations in the state of the franchise.
Having adverted to the policy pursued by
i Lord Palmer-
ston in reference to the previous reforms introduced, and
to his opposition to anything tending to effect a violent
democratic change, he contended that much benefit would
result from the inquiry of the committee he proposed. Mr.
Dudley Baxter had written a very interesting pamphlet on
the subject of electoral statistics,- and it appeared
that some hallucination prevailed on the subject. The
effect which would be produced by the house
exercising its functions in reference to this matter would
be, that it- would throw a light on the actual political
position in which the class to whom the franchise would
be extended, would stand in regard to capitalists. It was
very important to ascertain whether the class in question
would be likely to be influenced by those who employed
them, and whether they were likely to act on their own
judgment, or to be operated upon by agitators. If the
latter were the case, the effect would be one not contem-
plated by many supporters of the extension of the franchise
because it would throw a large amount of political power
into the hands of employers and demagogues. He con-
tended that a large extension of household suffrage was a
measure that required great consideration, and the inquiry
ho proposed was calculated to secure for the subject that
consideration. No doubt those in favour of a large mea-
sure wore desirous of securing a settlement of the question
and restoring tranquility, but he considered that no measure
however comprehensive would secure that result, because
popular disquietude arose from distress, the desire of the
democratic class to extend their power, and other causes
withomt the control of any act of Parliament.

[LEFT SPEAKING.]

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Tins EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.

DOVER ELECTION.
The petition presented against the return of the sitting
members for Dover was withdrawn.
FACTORY ACTS.
Mr. FAWCETT asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department when the Government would intro-
duce their promised measure for the extension of the Fac-
tory Acts. And whether the Government had consi-
dered the desirability of regulating the employment and
education of children who are employed in agriculture.
'Sir G. GIi.EX W 4 It was ih3peopible that he could Az

day for the objects named by the hon. member. With re-
spect to the latter part of the question he had to say that
no plan was under consideration for regulation of the chil-
dren employed in agriculture.
TROOPS IN INDIA.

Mr. O'REILLY asked the Secretary of State for War
when the following cavalry regiments would return from
India :—the 7th Hussars, and the 2d and 3d Dragoon
Guards ; and what length of time each of these regiments
would have served in India ?

The Marquis of HARTINGTON said the 7th Hussars
would return to England in 1871, the 2d Dragoon Guards
in 1869, and the 3d Dragoon Guards in 1870. The regiments
were kept there solely by circumstances connected with the
late mutiny in India.
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