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

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, WEDNESDAY MORNING.
ENDOWED SCHOOLS COMMISSION.
The Belfast N6weetter announcer, with an appa-
rent sir of auth,,rity, that. the report of this com-
mission, which will be made public in a few days,
will advocate the opening of all school endowmen's
to persons of all religioul denominations. "In
other words," says the Tory organ, "the Protestant
foundations of Ulster will be throirn open to
Roman Catholics."

THE PATRONAGE QUESTION.
The Dublin morning organ of the Irish Derbyites
exclaims vehemently against the appointment of
Lord Clauricarde to a p,,st in 'he Ministry of Lord,
Palmerston. It is charged against the noble Marquis
that while bolding the office of PoAmaster-
General but eight Protestants were recipients of
hiA bounty. The Evening Post, the Whig- organ
doubts the truth of this statement, but remarks
that, if even well founded, the objection " comes
with a very bad glace from a journal which has
been the organ of the Derhy Government, which
during the whole period of its existence never had
appointed a Roman Ca holic to any office of emolu-
ment under the Crown.'

THE GREAT SLANDER CASE.
The prospects of the finale are not improving!
The le -trued counsel for the plaintiff, who corn-
nu-nced his rip- eel to evidence on Monday after
noon, resume dyesterday morning, and occupied the
day horn the rising until the adjournment of the
Court, long after the shades of night had set in.
Tile jurors sworn to try the merits of such a case as
this would require to be gifted with marvellously
retentive memories. Mr. M‘Donough's role is not
yes played out. The learned gentleman begins his
third chapter on evidence this morning.
THE BELFAST TEA FRAUDS.
The 1% orthern Whig complains that the Govern-
ment advisers continue their persecution of the
Belfast tea-merchants by way of endeavouring to
remedy th 9 "blundering management" of local
officials in connexion with the case of John James
Moore. The Whig adds :
" Toe putdic are aEready aware that respectable tea-
dealers were some time since summarily arrested for
the duty on teas which they had purchased, duty paid,
from Moore. With respect to other merchants the
law advisers of the Crown have now adopted a different
course, and have sued, by information in the
superior courts, for the recovery of the penalty,
which will be at least three times the vahie of the
tea purchased. Notice of this proceeding has already
been served on the heads of several firms, but the infor-
mations will not be filed till the parties enter their ap-
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 have
tAken a part in the Moore frauds.. Already this raid on
the trade has considerably embarrassed business in
Bel-
f st. Dealers justly complain that not. rious laxity In
the administration of the business of the Customs in
Belies' should fora series of months be permitted to
hamper legitimate traffic. It is surely time that Govern-
,,ient should see the irupolicy of continuing these
tll-
advised proceedings against certain tea merchants whose
mercantile position places them above suspicion, and who
are I.kely to have the sympathy of the great body of the
public. There may he guilt in some quarters, but to get
at the guilty it is rather hard to make the innocent suffer.