The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-31 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, WEDNESDAY MORNING.
ENDOWED SCHOOLS COMMISSION.

The Belfast News'etter announces, with an appa-
rent air of authority, that the report of this com-
mission, which will he made public in a few days,
will advocate the opening of all school endowmen,s
to persons of all religious denominations. "1
of er words," says the Tory organ, "the Protestant
foundations of Ulster will be thrown open to
Roman Catholics."

THE PATRONAGE QUESTION.
The Dublin morning organ of the Irish Derbyitas
exclaims vehemently against the appointment Of
Lord Clanricarde to a post in the Ministry of Lord
Palmerston. It is charged against the noble Marquis
that while holding the office of
Postmaster-
General but eight Protestants were recipients of
hii bounty. The Evening Post, the Whig organ
doubts the truth of this statement, but remarks
that, if even well founded, the objection i 4 comes
with a very bad grace from a
been the organ of the Derby Government, /rill";
during the whole period of its existence never ha"
appointed a Roman Catholic to any office of emolu-
ment under the Crown." journal which hais

• THE GREAT SLANDER CASE.
The prospects of the finale are not improving.
The learned counsel for the plaintiff, who com-
menced his speech to evidence on Monday,after-
noon, resumed yesterday morning, and occupied the
day from the rising until the adjournment of the
Court, long after the shades of night had set in.
The jurors sworn to try the merits of such a case as
this would require to be gifted with marvellously
retentive memories. Mr. WDonough's role is not
yet played out. The learned gentleman begins hie
third chapter on evidence this morning.

THE BELFAST TEA FRAUDS.
The _Northern Whig complains that the Govern-
ment advisers continue their persecution of the
Belfast tea-merchants by way of endeavouring to
remedy the "blundering management" of local
officials in connexion with the case, of John Jame
Moore. The Whig adds :
" The public are already aware that respectable tea•
dealers were some time since summarily arrested
the duty on teas which they had purchased, duty pafid,or
from Moore. With respect to other merchants the
law advisers of the Crown have now adopted a different
c3nrse, and have sued, by information in the
superior courts, for the recovery of the pettish,'
which will be at least three times the 'value of the
tea purchased. Notice of this proceeding has already
been served Ou the heads of several firms, but the infor-
mations will not be filed till the parties enter their ar
pearance, which must be perfected before the 15th of
Jan. We may mention that an eminent opinion. has
been given to the effect that the Crown can only seekto
recover penalties where the defendants are shown to hay'
taken a part in the Moore frauds. Already this raid on
the trade has considerably embarrassed business in Bel*
fast. Dealers justly complain that notorious laxity in
the administration of the business of the Customs in
Belfast should for a series of months be permitted to
hamper legitimate traffic. It is surely time that Govern•
went should see the impolicy of continuing these ill-
advised proceedings against certain tea merchants whose
mercantile position places them above suspicion, and who
are likely to have the sympathy of the great body of the
public. There may be guilt in some quarters, but to get
at the guilty it is rather hard to make the innocent suffer.