The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-19 00:00:00

traders clauses ought undoubtedly to be fairly discussed,
and therefore the report had better be taken after Easter.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that the discussion
on that part had already lasted two hours, and would not
require much more time to conclude. He had promised,
however, that the suggestions he had received should meet
with due alteration. He hoped the committee would have
the discussion on the report on Thursday next.
Mr. S. ESTCOURT thought that course would be pro-
ductive of great inconvenience, and suggested that the dis-
cussion should take place after Easter, when they would
have ample opportunity of fully considering it in the month
of April.
Lord PALMERSTON said the discussion would not take
very long, and it could be easily finished on Thursday next.
Mr. HENLEY reminded the committee that a change
had taken place that evening in what was called the
"dead men's clause," with which the public had a right to
be informed. The amendments made ought to be printed,
and then the discussion on the report could take place after
Easter. The proposition was, not whether they were to finish
the debate on the report on Thursday, but whether they
should vote several thousands of pounds extra to county
court judges in one night without due consideration.
The ATTORNEY-GENE RAL was most anxious to give
every facility for discussion, but he could not consent to
anything which would prevent the passing of the bill. He
intended on Thursday to move that the report be brought
up and the amendments considered.
Mr. HENLEY protested against so large a sum of
money being voted and reported in one day.
Mr. BRIGHT suggested the postponement of the con-
sideration of the clauses which increased salaries until next
week. It was impossible to discuss such a question in one
day.

After a few words from Mr. DEEDES and Mr. CONING-
HIM,

The CHAIRMAN left the chair, and reported the bill to
he house amidst cheers.
WAYS AND MEANS.

On the question that the house go into committee of
Ways and Means,
Mr. CONINGHAM said he wished to impress on the
noble lord at the head of the Government the absolute
necessity of sending a vessel out to recall Sir B. Walker.
The committee on the Admiralty Board would be of no use
whatever. In fact Sir B. Walker was required not so much
to defend the Admiralty as to account for his own want of
energy and efficiency in the department of which he had so
long had the control.

Lord PALMERSTON said that that was a question not
to be discussed in the house, but was one for the committee.
The house then went into committee, and
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved the
disallowance of the items £140,000 and £ll,OOO for stores,
until the report of the committee on transport service had
been received and considered.

the motion was agreed to, and the house resumed.
POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANKS BILL.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved the
second reading of this bill.
Mr. S. ESTCOURT objected tod,the haste with which
this bill was pressed forward. The Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer had given the house no sufficient reason for its
adoption, or any ground to believe that the machinery of
the Post-office would be adequate to the discharge of the
new duties proposed to be put upon it by the bill. It was
a question which the house ought seriously to consider
whether this was a responsibility to which they ought to
give consent. As matters stood at present, if any fraud
was committed, the Government could at once lay their
hand upon the offending party; but by the proposed bill,
in reference to the places of deposit, they would not have
such facility of power. The risk to which he wished to call
the attention of the house in the present instance was
that for every £lOO deposited the Government undertook to
pay the amount ; but if the scheme of increasing the places
of deposit were increased in the manner proposed, and if the
per centage was increased as proposed, that risk would be
increased, and the depositor or the country might suffer.
He would not at that late hour of the night enter into de-
tails, but he questioned whether it was possible to carry out
such a scheme without increased risk of fraud and loss. He
very much doubted whether this plan would not in some
respects become popular, and whether it would not, in his
opinion, in time, entirely supersede the existing savings
banks, because of its secrecy, for it was well known that the
labouring poor, when they had a little money saved, and
when they desired to place it in a savings bank, did not de.
posit it in the bank nearest to them, but, in their desire not
to have it known, went to a savings bank some distance from
the locality in which they resided. But such was the
secrecy with which all matters connected with the Post-
office was generally transacted that such a precaution, as to
immediate localities, would be obviated, and the depositor
would have no hesitation in availing himself of the Post-
office. There were, however, in his opinion, risks to the
public interest in the provisions of the proposed bill which
ought, while there was time, to be guarded against. He
thought it would be better they should look the danger in
the face, and determine upon the system which it would be
expedient to adopt. What he desired was, that they should
have some central body standing between the Government
and the other parties. What he should desire was, that all
these matters should be seriously considered in going into
committee. He feared that the only place in which these
savings banks could be established would be in towns, and
in that case they would come into competition with the
existing savings banks. He would not, however, object to
the second reading of the bill.
Mr. FORSTER thought the proposal by this bill would
be a great boon. He believed it would not be possible to
dovetail the proposed system with that at present in force.
It might be requisite to provide a different sort of persons to
work the Post-office savings bank system than those who
have held the office of postmasters and postmistresses.
Mr. HANBURY took exception to the objections raised
by Mr. Estcourt, and expressed approval of the scheme,
which he had hoped would supersede the existing savings
banks.

Mr. BAINES thought the country should feel very much
obliged to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for introducing
this simple measure which he believed would prove of sub-
stantial benefit to the population, especially to the indus•
trious classes. The money order system had worked well,
as was shown in its great increase during the last ten years.

There was no interest in the existing savings banks to pre-
vent the adoption of the proposed plan. The latter, he
believed, would work on a self-supporting system, and had
the approval of Mr. Rowland Hill and other Post-office
authorities.

Mr. AYRTON reserved to himself the right of discuss
ing the details of the measure when. they went into corn
mittee.

After a few words from Mr. PHILLIPS and Mr. HOP
WOOD,

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
the limits of the deposits in this new plan would be the same
as in the existing system. It was •intended to extend the
operation of the measure to Ireland. To attach the new
plan, which he believed to be perfectly impracticable, to any
scheme for remodelling the organisation of the existing
banks, his experience led him to believe would in the attempt
turn out a failure. The proposed undertaking possibly
might assume large dimensions. A great portion of the
present system rested in the confidence placed by depositors
in the local managers. If the old savings banks suffered
from the establishment of the new banks, it could only
arise from the estimation of the latter in the eyes of the
industrious classes. The object of the bill was to provide
facilities for encouraging habits of saving and economy on
the part of the people. It was not, however, intended to
make at once all money order offices savings banks. These
establishments would be gradually expansive, and in pro-
portion to the demand made for them. Self support would
be the fundamental principle of the measure, and no at-
tempt by a higher rate of interest would be made to draw
away deposits from existing savings banks. He hoped the
rate of interest would be carefully considergii by the com •
mittee, but he was of opinion that it would be better to
fix the amount of interest rather too low than too
high. There was no new financial principle in the bill,
but undoubtedly it would have the effect of in-
creasing the amount of deposits, and consequently the
sum held by the Government on call. Experience led him
to believe that holding such deposits would not be attended
with any danger. The system was a safe one with a mode-
rate rate of interest, and the disadvantages were not to be
weighed against the benefits which it was calculated to
confer. The present Post-office machinery was, in his
opinion, admirably adapted for carrying out the provisions
of the bill, and would be fully equal to any requirements
that should be made for the effectual working of the plan.
He did not see any manner in which an organic connexion
could be established between the Post office savings banks
and the existing savings banks.

The bill was read a second time.
The Exchequer Bills Bill was read a second time.
The Consolidated Fund (£4,000,000) Bill passed through
committee.

The Marine Mutiny Bill was read a second time, as was
also the Mutiny Bill.
Mr. WHITE gave notice that in committee he would
move the omission of the clauses respecting courts martial
and corporal punishment.

The Constructive Notice Amendment Bill was road a
second time.

The house adjourned at ten minutes to two o'clock.

[ADVERTISEMENT.] Pills and medicine invariably agr-
giavate and perpetuate diseases ; their annoyance, dis-
appointment, and expense may be avoided by persons
in indifferent health sending only their address to E.
S. Barry, Esq., 77, Regent-street, W., London, and they
will receive gratis and free by post the " INVALIDS' OWN
GUIDE," or Natural Restorer, without medicine or ex
p,nse, of perfect digestion, strong nerves, sound lungs, and
refreshing sleep, to the most enfeebled, insuring the remove.
of indigestion (dyspepsia), constipation, liver complaints
nausea, epilepsy, paralysis, debility, nervousness, palpitatiot ,
cough, asthma, consumption, dropsy, flatulency, diarrhoea,
dysentery, biliousness, fevers, sore throats, catarrhs, colds,
noises in the ears. rheumatism, gout, impurities, eruptions,
hysteria, neuralgia, irritability, sleeplessness, acidity, palpi-
tation, heartburn, headache, despondency, cramps, spasms,
sinking, fits, bronchitis.—"Unquestionably the safest Quids
to health.",

UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN.

DISGRACEFUL RIOT AT THE INSTALLATION OF THE

LORD RECTOR.

Mr, Maitland, the Solicitor-General, was installed Lord 1
Rector of the University of Aberdeen on Saturday after-
noon, amid a scene of excitement and uproar probably never
surpassed within the walls of a Scotch college.
It may be remembered that at the election of a Rector
for this University some months age, two gentlemen were
put forward—Sir Andrew Leith Hay and Mr. Maitland.
At the voting the "nations" were equal—two for each can-
didate—the total number of students being, however, by a
considerable majority in favour of Sir Andrew, whose
known feeling against the " fusion" of the two colleges,
which had just taken place, and the fact of his residing in
the district, made him popular with the students. But the
Principal of the University (Rev. P. Colin Campbell) gave
his casting vote in favour of the Solicitor-General; and as
the students considered this act an improper and illegal
usurpation of power, the excitement amongst them was in-
creased by this proceeding, and has continued to grow in
strength up to the present time. It is, however, but right to
say that there is not the slightest ill-feeling on the part of
the students towards Mr. Maitland personally; the oppo-
sition to his election rests solely on the circumstance that
the majority of the youths look upon him as being in a
great measure the nominee of the Principal and Professors.
Hence their objection to his filling the rectoral chair—an
objection which it was widely rumoured would result in a
riot at the installation on 3aturday, and it did so.

The proceedings were fixed to commence at two o'clock,
and half an hour before this time the students began to
assemble in the fine hall of what was Marischai College.
By way of precaution a number of police were stationed in
the square of the College, and all sticks had to be given
up before admission could be obtained. Shortly before
two o'clock the hall was crowded by some 600 of the stu-
dents—a limited number of gentlemen of the city being
also present. Without loss of time the opposing students
gave indications of their future conduct during the pro-
ceedings. A very Babel of noise rose in volume after
volume as the minutes sped on. Forms were broken, and
their woodwork hurled without ceremony amongst the
supporters of Mr. Maitland ; peas being vig„rously and
plentifully scattered about. Yells, whistlings, in all
octaves and modes unmusical, were kept up continuously ;
while the " burr " of an instrument similar in sound to a
watchman's "rattle" of byegone nights was heard ever
and anon, when there seemed a likelihood of vocal organs
getting tired or giving away. Two o'clock came at last,
and with it the town serjeants preceding the Magistrates
and members of Council, the Principal and Professors of
the University, with Mr. Maitland. The appearance of
these gentlemen, as they took their places on the
platform, was, as might have been anticipated,
the signal for an increase of the storm. Pieces
of wood—the wreck of some ten or twelve forms
—peas, barley, and other missiles, were flung without
respect of person, at all and sundry of the officials
—the Principal and the Solicitor-General coming in for a
liberal portion of the assailing shower. All the students—
opposing and non-opposing—stood up on the forms; seve-
ral of them holding defiantly aloft the party colours which
they had worn as supporters of Sir Andrew Leith Hay.
Having reached the centre of the platform. where the
temporary desk was erected, Principal Campbell made in-
dications that he was to open the proceedings with prayer.
No sooner, however, had he held up his hands—he was
evidently afraid to shut his eyes—than the shouting waxed
louder and louder, and peas rattled on his face and body.
Pausing, the rev. gentleman looked around him as if horri
fled at the wild uproar, and once more an effort to com-
mence. But it was in vain; the noise was deafening, and
for at least five minutes nothing but wild clamour was
heard. At length, amid great uproar, the Principal re.

newed his efforts, and this time with greater success—com-
parative quietness reigning for a short period. The rev.
gentleman, however, at about the middle of his prayer,
which was in Latin, having made a slight pause by trans-
posing a phrase, a voice sung out, " That's a Maxi" [a
great error], and hearty laughter mingled with the Princi-
pal's solemn sentences—sentences which every now and
then, too, were answered by " amen" intaned from the
students in the opposing end of the hall. Immediately on
concluding his prayer, the Principal was about to proceed
to administer the oath to Mr. Maitland, when, greeted by a
hurricane of cheers, Mr. Emslie, a student, attended by two
of his comrades, and waited upon by a law agent and a notary
public, advanced to the desk and began reading a protest
against the election of the Solicitor-General as Lord Rector.
The reading of their document occupied some six or seven
minutes, and it was listened to most attentively by Mr.Mait-
land, who smiled good humouredly as the reader dwelt
emphatically on the "incompetency and illegality" of
the day's proceedings. The document having at length
been finished, it was duly signed and lodged in the Prin-
cipal's hands ; after which that gentleman administered the
oath to Mr. Maitland, amidst terrific cheers, hisses, and
yells.

The new Lord Rector then took the chair, and spreading
out the manuscript of his address before him, began to read
therefrom. But it was useless ; his performance was mere
dumb show—not a single syllable could be caught for the
clamour. Ceasing shortly, smiling at the excited crowd
before him, and dodging the missiles which continued to
fly in all directions, he waited for a hearing. At this
moment,

Mr. BURR, a student who had taken a leading part in
promoting the. cause of Sir A. L. Hay, stood out from
his fellows, and said—Mr. Maitland, I am requested by the
students of this University to inform you that they hope
you will not think of addressing them, as they—[The con-
clusion was 10-t in a shout of derisive laughter from the
students in favour of Mr. Maitland.]
Again that gentleman began to speak, and this was
heard—" I accept as frankly this protest which you have
now offered"—when the tumult again drowned his voice,
while at the same moment a splinter of wood struck him on
the nose, and blood instantly flowed from the scar. Still
the learned gentleman smiled good naturedly, and, indeed,
looked the calmest and most contented person on the plat-
form. Half an hour had now passed with nothing done,
and, as the excitement seemed to be increasing rather than
abating, •
Principal CAMPBELL, advancing to the frDnt of the plat-
form, with considerable energy exclaimed—" I will take
other means to put an end to this disgraceful scene. I have
marked two or throe gentlemen who have been taking an
active part in these proceedings, and"—(Cries of " Out
with them 1" " Expel them I" concluded the sentence.)
But the row abated not, and a gentleman having whispered
something to the Principal, he said—" Yes ; we shall call
in the police." (Great shouting, and " Oh, oh 1") The
Principal continued—" I am sorry to say some of you have
to-day . . . Your prospects in life are ruined by the
proceedings of to-day; some of you are not only making
use of expressions of opinion, but using dangerous missiles."
In the lull which followed these remarks,

The LORD RECTOR was heard—" It must be painful to
the whole Senatus—it is peculiarly painful to myself—
these proceedings." He then recommenced his address,
and got over about a dozen sentences, when the tumult was
renewed by the protesting students making a rush to leave
the hall.

Principal CAMPBELL, with energy—Lock the door.
The College servants, followed by some of the Professors,
hastened to obey, and after a struggle succeeded in their
object.

The LORD RECTOR, when silence had been thus obtained,
said—A gentleman upon ray left hand has kindly asked
me to begin again ; shall Ido so? (Loud cheers, and cries
of "Yes, yes," from the three or four hundred students
who were still present.) Accordingly his lordship com-
plied, and, amid repeated applause, had read perhaps for
five minutes, when the return of the students to the door,
with shouts for instant admission, brought him to a stand-
still again. Some of the Professors, highly indignant at
these repeated interruptions, proceeded to the door, and for
several minutes were engaged in a personal encounter with
the roused pupils, who at one time had two of the learned
gentlemen apparently on the floor amongst their feet.
Again the uproar ceased for a minute or two, and the Rec-
tor, who throughout was amazingly calm, once more re-

sumed reading. He had only proceeded, however, a page
or two, when stones came whistling through the windows
from the excluded students in the courtyard of the College.

Unheedful of this—though some of the magistrates (the
Provost is not at home) took means to have the throwing
stopped—Mr. Maitland held on to his manuscript, and
had done so for about ten minutes, when, with a com-
bined rush, the students returned to the door, burst
in, and disorder again prevailed. This was too much, and
closing his manuscript,
The LORD RECTOR, in a lofty and emphatic tone, said—
Gentlemen, I had hoped to have addressed to you some ob-
servations which I. had thought not unbecoming for the
present occasion, and which I was certain were not likely
to create, but were calculated to allay, excitement. But,
unhappily, gentlemen cannot but thinkyery unhappily
—there have been some few members of the University
acting upon views which I think, on calmer consideration,
they will abandon—(cheers)—acting not merely in afrank,
manly way to express and vindicate their protest, which
protest I was here as frankly to receive as they to offer.
(Cheers.) With all regard for those gentlemen—regard, let
me tell them, which is unabated by the evidence I have this
day seen of the excitement under which they are acting,
because I am quite confident that the exhibition which we
have had here is no fair index of the character and demea-
nour—(cheers)—to say nothing of the hospitality to a
stranger—(hear, hear)—which I am sure is the characte-
ristic of the whole students in this University. (Applause.)
These gentlemen have to-day protested, and they did right.
(Hear.) I now, upon my part, protest—and I protest upon
behalf of the great body of the gentlemen who voted against
my election, that they have no part in this demonstration.
(Hear, and loud applause.) It is impossible that they can.
And I protest also, upon the part of the very demonstrators
themselves, against it being supposed that this heedlessness
into which, in a moment of excitement, they have been
hurried, is the slightest index of what we may expect from
them either here in their University career or in their
professions in after life. (Cheers.) I do regret
it; but I trust that it is a thing which, having oc-
curred in a moment of excitement, will be forgotten and
never remembered against them at all. (Cheers
and hisses.) But, gentlemen, lam A:00 Vat in I