The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-27 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS—YESTERDAY.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his scat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.
THE MARRIAGE LAWS.
Lord WODEHOUSE presented petitions ntnucrously
signed in favour of legalising the marriage with a deceased
wife's sister, from Birkenhead and Liverpool.
TUE BANKRUPTCY BILL.

The LORD CIIA IiCELLOR presented several petitions
In favour of this bill.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Clifton and Durdhara Downs (Bristol), the Garston
and Liverpool Railway, Marlborough Railway, and Exeter
Railway Bills were read a second time.
The Great Northern of Scotland Railway and the Leigh
District Gas Bills were read a third time and passed.

THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.

Lord LYVEDON presented a petition from the inhabi

tants and taxpayers of Calcutta and of Bengal Proper com-
plaining of the system of government in India. The
noble lord said he differed from some of the statements in
the petition, but in o thers he entirely concurred. The petition
contain-A the names of persons of great importance in
India, and also the names of nearly all the gentlemen in
the legal profession in practice there. The complaints
of the petitioners were the great increase which
had lately taken place in the taxation of the
country. Her Majesty's Government had taken the unusual
course of sending out a special financial commissioner, and
various heavy imposts had been made on the people
there. The petitioners particularly referred to the
increase of the Mysore grant, which was said to.have ab-
sorbed half the sum produced by the income tax. Having
applied to the legislative council for information, the peti-
tioners had been repulsed, and this he considered the real
grievance of the petitioners. They moreover complained of
the manner of the military expenditure of the Indian Go-
vernment, while they stated that the military expenditure
at home was economical at the expense of India. The
petitioners also complained that there were no exact
estimates of the cost of the Indian army—(hear, hear)—
and they most earnestly urged that some steps might be
takes to remedy this state of things for the future. Another
of the prayers of the petition was that the members of the
Council of India should have seats in Parliament, and also
that the number of those gentlemen might be increased.
He thought there was great objection to the Legislative
Council of India, and thought it absolutely unnecessary
for the well being and good government of India, and he
concluded by asking in which of the two houses the mea-
sure relating to India would be brought forward.
Earl DE GREY and RIPON said he was unable to state
the precise time at which the bill would be brought for-
ward- relating to the Council of India, but it was in
a very forward state, and would be brought under the con-
sideration of the other house very shortly. The noble earl
had touched upon the Mysore grant, but the ultimate re •
suit of that transaction would be that, whereas, under for-
mer arrangements, certain districts were, set aside for sup-
plying the wants of the Mysore princes, that family
would now be provided for by an annual charge of
£17,000. He thought their lordships would come
to the conclusion that the arrangement made for those
princes was much more conveniently provided for than for-
merly. With reference to the motion for papers on this
subject made in the Legislative Council in Calcutta, he was
surprised to hear his noble friend approve of that part of the
petition. He altogether denied that the Legislative Coun-
cil was a Parliament, or had the right to exercise the func-
tions of a Parliament. He thought it highly desirable to
have depots at home for the regiments in India ; and
with respect to the India accounts relative to the
military expenditure, papers relative to them would be laid
very shortly before Parliament. He altogether denied that
the Secretary of State had power to make an uncontrolled
charge on the revenues of India.

The Duke of ARGYLL defended the passing of the act
of 1863.

The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said ho condemned
from the first the constitution of the legislative council.
He saw from the first t 4eir desire to nibble at the religion
of the people, and he attributed to that council more
than anything else the outbreak of the late mutiny. If the
Government entertained feelings against the council, he
trusted they would have the courage to abolish a body
which was inconsistent with the honour, the credit, and the
strength of the government in India.
After a few words from the Marquis of Clanricarde and
Earl Grey, the subject dropped, and their lordships
adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—YESTERDAY.
.INDISPOSITION OF THE SPEAKER.
At a quarter to four o'clock the Clerk of the House read
a letter from the Speaker, stating that from illness arising
from rheumatism he was unable to attend the house this
evening, but that he hoped to be able to resume his duties
on Monday.
Mr. MatsstY, the Chairman of Committees, then took
the chair at four o'clock.