The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-25 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—YESTERDAY.
The S2EAxtut took the chair shortly after 12 o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Northampton Water Bill, and the 'Wigan Gas
Meter and Fitting Company Bill were read a second time.

PETITIONS.
Several petitions were presented against and in favour
of the Nonconformist Burial Bill; against legalising mar-
riage with a deceased wife's sister; against the Poor-law
Removal Bill, and the Endowed Schools Bill ; against
the Masters and Operatives Bill ; in favour of the Budget ;
for the introduction of a bill to suppress Sunday trading iu
intoxicating liquors ; for the passing of a comprehensive
Reform Bill ; and for the better observance of the Lord's
day.
UNIVERSITIES ELECTION BILL.
_ .

On the motion for going into committee on this bill,
Sir G. C. LEWIS said, that before the Speaker left the
chair he wished to make some explanations in respect to
this measure, which his hon. friend who introduced it had
not done, and, therefore, the house was not acquainted with
its provisions. Their universities were a peculiar body as
regarded the election of their representatives, the constitu-
ency being limited to Masters of Att,,, and the fact was,
such election was an act of convocation. The Masters of
Arts were scattered through the United Kingdom,
and the consequence was that an undue intim.-

once was given to those who were resident at
the universities„who were chiefly fclergymen or engaged
in tuition, and the clerical element had an undue prepon-
derance in the election of those representatives. In order
to render these voters more exclusively clerical the bill pro-
posed that Masters of Arts, who were not resident at the
universities, should be permitted to vote by letter. lie
suggested that it might be more advisable under the cir-
cumstances to refer the bill to a select committee.
Mr. WALPOLE approved of referring the bill to a
select committee, and expressed his approval of vote by
proxy, particularly to elections at the University of Cam-

bridge.
Mr. WARNER said that he was not against
voting at these elections by proxy. If they passed this
bill they would be effecting a constitutional change in the
representation by throwing the electoral power into the
hands of the county clergy. He had great respect for
that body, and had no doubt they would exercise their
franchise properly, but it was a question whether from their
disconnection with the university they would render the
member selected less really a representative of the univer-
sity. He did not wish to oppose the bill, and agreed that it
would be advisable to refer it to a select committee.

Mr. DENMAN said that it was a mockery to give the
franchise to 3,000 electors of the university, when only
1,000 of them could be present at elections. He was in
favour of the bill, and he reminded the house that the
system adopted at elections for the University of Cam-
bridge was virtually by proxy.
Sir W. HEATIICOTE approved of referring the bill to
a select committee, but he did not think the measure was
calculated to effect the object proposed.
Lord ENFIELD said his name was on the bill, and
after the intimation of the opinion of the house he would
not oppose its reference to a select committee, but he trusted
the house would pass the bill without any unnecessary
delay.
Mr. DODSON, the mover of the bill, defended it at some
length. He agreed, however, to the suggestion that the
bill should be referred to a select committee, and concluded
with a motion to that effect.

Mr. S. ESTCOURT opposed the reference to a select
committee.

Mr. HENLEY said that there were special circum-
stances in reference to the constituency of the University
of Cambridge which rendered special legislation. However
the present bill proposed to extend considerably the pre-
sent system of voting by proxy, which might have the effect
of secret voting. Considering that the bill had not received
any discussion at its previous stages, he thought it should
be referred to a select committee.
Mr. SCLATER -BOOTH, while he approved of the bill
being referred to a select committee, hoped it would not be
shelved, but would be passed this session.
After some remarks from Mr. HOPE and Mr. AYRTON,
the motion for referring the bill to a select committee was
agreed to.
NONCONFORMISTS' BURIAL BILL.
Sir M. PETO, in moving the second reading of this bill,
said that he, when he had the honour of moving the first
reading of the bill, addressed the house at such length
that ho thought he would best consult the feelings of hon.
members if he reservea making any observations in
anticipation of the objections that might be urged, but re-
ser vb them until the objections had c.n made. He had wade
inquiries to ascertain the working of the burial system in
their colonies, and had received information on the subject
which was of a most satisfactory character. A letter from
a clergyman of the Church of England in India, stated that
in that country the privilege of burial in consecrated ground
was not withheld from Dissenters, which worked
admirably. In America there was no dis-
qualification relative to interments in consecrated
ground, nor anything in the slightest degree offensive. In
Canada, Nova Scotia, and the Cape of Good Hope, a simi-
lar system prevailed, and worked most advantageously.
The same remark applied to Scotland. In Ireland the va-
rious religious denominations had agreed to make applica-
tion for the burial of the deceased in the consecrated
ground, and if the minister refused this application, he
was bound to give reasons to the Lord Lieutenant for his
refusal. He referred to different cases with which he was
acquainted to show that the existing system was unjust in
its operation, and read the letter of a churchwarden to thrit
effect. He disclaimed any connection with the Liberation
Society, which he considerc .1 had done great injury to the
cause of civil and religiOus liberty, as the Church Defence
Society had injured the State establishment, which of late
years had been doing much for the promotion of religion
and enlightenment. (Hear, hear.) Therefor o the object of
his bill was not to effect the achievement of the Noncon-
formist triumph, and he appealed to the house to pass the
bill by a large majority.
Sir W. lIEATHCOTE moved as an amendment that
the bill be read a second time that day six months.
After some general remarks he said that any alteration
that had been made in reference to the burial law in Ire-
land did not illustrate the case of the hon. baronet (Sir M.
Pete), for there were peculiar circumstances in regard to
that country which rendered legislation necessary. Tie
contended that the bill was compulsory, and allowed the
friends of a deceased person to have any ritual they wished
performed without consulting in the slightest degree the
feelings of Christians who might be strongly opposed to
such. He strongly objce,tecl to the bill on other grounds.