The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-09 00:00:00

HOUSE OF LORDS.—(YEsTERDA.Y.)
The LORD CHANCELLOR took bis seat op the woolsack
at 5 o'clock.
The Earl of ALBENIARLE presented a petition
from a person named Williams, who took an interest in
institutions for the benefit of the poor, praying for an
extension of the elective franchise to persons who had
purchased a Government annuity to the amount of
101. The noble lord called the attention of their
lordships to the act 16 and 17 Vic., chap. 45, for the
facilitating the purchase of annuities to the smallest
amount for 11. up to 301. He believed it was one of the
measures calculated to confer great benefits on those for
whose benefit it was mainly passed. He thought that ,
the person who possessed a Government annuity was as
much entitled to vote as those persons who possessed'
the 40e. franchise.

THE DEBATE LAST NIGHT.
The Earl of CARDIGAN rose to put a question to
the noble I)rd the Secretary of State for War. He
regretted that he was absent last evening when
the subject of China incidentally arose. Certain
charges had been made against a gallant officer who was
in command of a important expedition that was now on
its way to China. He was very glad that the noble lard
opposite had made such good remarks in reply, highly
condemnatory of the conduct of those officers who had
made themselves parties to anonymous statements re-
flecting upon the character of an officer who was not in
a position to defend himself. He entirely concurred
with the opinion expressed, that such officers, who were
guilty of such attacks, should not be further employed
by the Government, and asked if, in the present state of
affairs it would not be advisable to institute proceedings.
When an officer publicly avows himself to be the author
of such statements, he should be compelled to prove
them, add in the event of his not being able to do so,
whether he ought not to be dismissed from her Majesty's
service. It was high time that some check should be
put upon conduct of that character, for he
hetieved if it was allowed to continue much
longer the discipline of the army would be destroyed.
Lord PANNIURE said in the case where junlDr offi-
cers, anonymously or otherwise, made attacks upon su-
perior officers, he should feel it his dnty to give the
Commander-in-Chief every assistance to maintain
the discipline of the army. With respect to the
charges that had been made against the
noble earl himself, who had been made the
subject of some attacks in a book published in
the first instance a❑onymously, he (Lord Pan.
muse) advised the noble earl to have confidence
upon the honour and gallantry of his own con-
duct and character, and to treat such charges
with the contempt they deserved, but if the noble earl
wished to take any steps in the matter, he (Lord Pan-
mere) would afford him every assistance in his power
to bring the libellers to justice. He would take
that opportunity of setting himself right with the public
press. It was reported that be had said that be did not
think it was right for public journalists to criticise the
appointments that had been made by Government. Now,
he never had the folly to make such a remark. On the
contrary, be held it to be the proper vocation of the public
press to make such remarry as they thought necessary
upon the appointments made by this or any other Go-
vernment, because the press was sumosed to be the
organ and guide of public opinion. He did but com-
plain of the manner in which the attacks had been
made upon General Ashloninaham; namely of allowing
the appointment to be made, and then three leeks after-
wards to elapse before the General left the country with-
out saying a word against that officer, and only bringing
forward those accusations when the General had left
the country and had arrived at Malta on his way to the
aceue where his important lab mrs were to be brought
into action.
After a few words from the Earl of CARDIGAN,
The Earl of HARD WICKE said it was most un-
seemly for any person to make such anonymous attacks.
Wheu such charges were made, it was most disgraceful
that the parties did not append their names to the
statements.