The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-09 00:00:00

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS BILL.

Sir G. C. LEWIS, in moving the second reading of this
bill, said it was founded on a measure introduced by the
hon. member for Staffordshire some time since and passed
into a law, except that his bill vested the control of the edu-
cation of the children in the Committee of Privy Council,
whereas the present measure transferred it to the Home
office. It was with that exception substantially a reproduc-
tion of the former act.
Mr. CAVE was not going to oppose the second reading
of the bill, because he should have an opportunity of pro-
posing amendments in committee.

Mt -t APDBALIUY vatic' 81041 X Wpgort. in 9944 1114-

ing, and he believed the country was very much indebted
for the establishment of these industrial sch ools.

The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be
committed on Friday.
ELECTION LAW AMENDMENT BILL.

Sir G. C. LEWIS said this bill was a mere re-enactment
of the law now existing, which would, however, expire in
August next. A committee sat on the subject last session
and passed a series of resolutions, on which any new por-
tions of the bill were founded according to their recommen-
dation. With that exception, it was simply a reconstruction
of a former act, and if any amendments were to be proposed,
they could be introduced in committee.

Mr. H. BERKELEY protested against the bill, as 0110
which would increase bribery in a tenfold degree, and was
a counterpart of the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill.
It was the bill that the press and the country denounced
as insufficient and incomplete, and he hoped the house
would reject it. As a consistent reformer, he for one
should raise his voice against this bill—(hear)—and there-
fore, if the hon. gentleman pressed it to a second reading)
he should move that it be read a second time that day ail
months.

Mr. PEACOCKE did not rise to second the amendment
of the hon. member ; but if any hon. gentleman moved the
adjournment of the debate, he would support the motion.
He found that the 15th clause of the bill made a distinction
between boroughs and counties. (Hear.) By that clause •
of the bill provision was made for the conveyance of voters
in counties, but not in boroughs. Now, for his (Mr. Pea-
cocke's) part, he was willing to give up the payment of ex-
penses of voters in counties and boroughs ; bat if they were
to be retained in the one he thought they ought to be so in
the other. (Hear.) He begged to give notice that in com-
mittee he should move the omission of the word" boroughs,"

and if that should not be carried, he would then move as an
amendment that the operation of the bill should be confined
to an area of two miles from the polling places. (Hear.)
Mr. B. JOHNSTONE said the borough which he had
the honour to represent extended a distance of seven miles
from Canterbury ; and did the house suppose that members
of a constituency would be so patriotic as to go seven miles
to and fro to record their votes ?

Mr. CAVE represented a much larger borough than all
of the hon.;members who had spoken—(laughter)—and the
bill as it stood, would, in its operation, have the effect of
preventing many members of the constituency not to put
themselves to the inconvenience and expense of coming to
record their votes. He hoped the debate would be ad-
journed, for if the bill was carried, it would have the effect
of disfranchising three-fourths of his constituents.
Mr. D. GRIFFITH hoped the house would not consent
to the motion of the hon. gentleman. The bill was a very
mild one. The object of the 15th clause was to prevent
payments by candidates ; but that they could not do, unless
they made it bribery for a candidate to pay expenses. He
entertained a strong objection to the payment of constitu-
encies by candidates, and regarding it as bribery— (question,
question)—he thought that was the question, and that they
should not be nice about the choice of terms, but " call a
spade, a spade." (Laughter.) He considered such par
ments bribery, and he thanked the hon. member who
brought in the bill, and he should certainly support the
second reading. (Hear.) .

Mr. DEE DES had strong objections to the principles
of the bill, and entertaining those objections, he hoped the
right hon. gen'tleman would consent to postpone the se'
cond reading of the measure. If, however, he should not
consent to the postponement, he (Mr. Deedes) should feel it
his duty to oppose the second reading.
Sir G. C. LEWIS said the course proposed only con'
firmed him in the opinion that no good could arise from the
postponement of the question. If adjourned, those who had
spoken could not speak again—(laughter)—whereas, if the,'
now allowed the bill to be read a second time, they could
speak again, and make any objections which they might
think proper to it in committee.
The bill was then read a second time, and Thursday week
was appointed for the committee.