The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-16 00:00:00

no.") Companies, however, like individuals, could some-
times be penny wise and pound foolish; and he put it
calmly to the meeting whether, in carrying this amend-
ment, they would not be realising that axiom.—
("No, no.") F.,110w the recommendation of the di-
rectors, and they would secure a contented and
efficient executive staff, but pass the amendment for the
sake of a paltry saving of 2d. per share on each half
year's dividend, and their railway would be conducted
by a discontented and defective body of officials.
Mr. WITHERS, another member of the consulting com-
mittee, said all the force which was brought to bear
upon Mr. Saunders to induce him to reduce his salary
was nothing more than this. It was urged upon him
that, as the head of the executive, a voluntary reduction
on his part would have a good moral effect upon the
lower branches of the executive.—(Hear.) The scale
of remuneration now proposed by the committee was
agreed upon in consultation with a deputation sent from
the executive itself, and he called upon the meeting to
adopt it without further delay.—(Hear, hear.)
After some further discussion the amendment was put
to the vote and declared to be carried.

A poll was demanded, and fixed for a future day.
Tnanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the
meeting broke up after a most protracted sitting.

METROPOLITAN INTERMENTS
BILL.—(THIS DAY.)
A public meeting, convened by the Anti-State Church
Association, was held this day at the London Tavern;
C. Gilpin, Esq., in the chair. The object of the meeting
was to take into consideration that part of the Metro-
politan Interments Bill which will have the effect of
securing a perpetual sinecure to the clergy in compensa-
tion for the loss of fees, which a discontinuance of in-
terments in existing burial grounds will entail upon them.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, wished
it to be understood that the object for which
the meeting was called was not to uphold the
great abuses which existed in the present practice
of burying the dead among the living ; the pro-
moters of this meeting had as much desire to re-
medy these matters as the promoters of the Bill could
have. What they sought to oppose was the extortion of
those who sought:to create a, permanent sinecure in the
Church, and who opposed themselves in this manner
to the, progress of the really valuable portion of the
Bill.

Mr. N. GRIFFIN moved the first resolution :
" That this meeting, while it recognises the necessity
of discontinuing the practice of interment in populous
localities, demands that any legislative measure having
in view that object, shall be framed on sound and equitable
principles.
That without pronouncing an opinion on the ge-
neral provisions of the Metropolitan Interments Bill
now before Parliament, this meeting regards those por-
tions of it which are of an ecclesiastical character with
strong feelings of dissatisfaction.
" That, in particular, it objects to those clauses by
which it is enacted that the incumbents of parishes in
which burial grounds may be closed by the operation of
the Bill, and whose present duties in connexion
with interments will be discharged by a body of salaried
chaplains, shall receive, both they and their successors, a
perpetual annuity as a compensation fur the loss of fees
for services which they will no longer be required to
perform."
"That whatever view may be taken of the claim of
the present incumbents to such compensation, this
meeting denies the justice of taxing the community by
making a similar provision for their successors, and
enters its firm protest against the creation of additional
sinecures in an already burdensome ecclesiastical esta-
blishment."
It was a painful thing for him to reflect that this mea-
sure had proceeded so far as it had done in a British
Parliament. He did no deny that legislation was neces-
sary in this matter, but it ought, to be simply on the
principle that the public health should not suffer by the
carelessness of private individuals. To that extent only ,
ought legislation to proceed. But the present measure
went much further than this; but the meeting
would find in the 29th clause the particular reason why
the Anti-State-Church Association had interfered, and
why the meeting had been held. It was the clause
which provided compensation for incumbents, &c., and
he begged it to be understood it was not simple and
equitable compensation that they objected to—they would
have been quite ready to agree to that; but not satisfied
with compensation to the present iracnmbent, it went on
to lay the foundation of a perpetual sinecure to the suc-
cessors of the present incumbents, and that
too to be paid in a most unconstitutional
manner. As far as he was coecerned, he should
advise an opposition to the entire Bill, though
he agreed in the principle of it; but it had so much of
wrong and injustice ticked on to it that those who
had mixed up right and wrong in such: a manner I
must take the blame if the good which was in
the, Bill were to be rejected. He objected to
the principles and manner of taxation which
was contained in the Bill. He did not think when he
looked at the growing spirit in the country, that :it
would be possible for the Board of Health to levy such
a tax an was proposed.
The ltev. T. H. HINTON seconded the resolution.
Air. P. H. HOLLAND rote to move an amendment to
the motion, which he thought would be calculated to
carry out the views of the mover of the resolution,
without bringing them into a collision with the sup-
porters of the Bill. He was a member of the Sanitary
R. form Association, and hal a great desire to see the
Bill pass as soon as possible, he believed thecompensation
clauses were an impediment to the Bill, and he wished to
see them modified. He did not, however, think that the
present occasion of an Interment Bill was a time to
make an inroad on the Church; and he was more dis-
posed to content himself with guarding against any future
encroachments on the part of the Church He should, there-
fore propose, in place of the last clause of the resolu-
tion, to insei t a elause which would agree to the prin-
ciple of compensation to those who might be injuriously
c.ed by the Bill, and that the amount should be
at Lied by a/hitt-idiot).
Mr EDWARDS seconded the resolution.
Mr. PARIS, who announced him-elf as the agent for
the Lortdon Association for the Abelition of Burials,
which created some merriment in the meeting, depre-
cal ed any opposition to the Bill OR the ground of compen-
sation, as it would have the effect of retarding the passing
of a good measure. The Hon. Gentleman was pro-
ceeding with his speech, but was greeted with so much
uproar and derision that his speech became inaudible.
The resolution was supported by Mr. ROGERS, and
also by
Mr. S. CRAWFORD, M.P., who expressed his pleasure,
as aa old supporter of civil and religious liberty, at join-
ing the Auti-State Church Association, in opposing
this flagrant violation of both. He himself was a mem-
ber of the Established Church, but he had ever de-
clared himself against its connexion with the State, which
he thought had inflicted a mortal injury upon it. It was,
then, from a feeling of regard to the Church that he
should oppose these clauses, both in his place in Parlia-
ment and everywhere else that he was able., .
Mr. E. MIALL was proceedieg to speak to the reso-
lution when our report left,
1 •

IMPERIAL PA,RLIANIENT
(THIS EVENING.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Their Lerdships met at Five o'clock:
Lord CAMPBELL presented a petition against the
Bill authorising, a marriage with a deceased wile'e sister.
DEPARTURE OF THE FRENCHAMBASSADOR.
Lord BROUGHAM drew the attention of the
House to the sudden- departure of the French
Ambassador from this country on her Majesty's birth-
day. That Ambassador had left this country,
is 'be understood, and he regretted his departure, be-
cause he considered it of the utmost importance that the
greatest cordiality should subsist between this country
and France, 'more especially as France was at present
almost the only country of -Europe with Which we had
of late been eeabled to entertain cordial relations:
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE regretted the sudden
departure of the French Ambassador, but he could as-
sure his Noble and Learned Friend that. it was not of
that great importance which he supposed attachei to it.
The departure of the French Ambassador was owing
-Solely to circumstances 'which rendered his presence
in the French' capital necessary.'"lt was' the deiire
of the French 'Government that that most excellent
person should proceed to the' French capital, because it
was thought that his presence there for a short time
would be more useful than could be his presence here.
In his opinion, the presence-of that excellent gentleman
in Paris would be more useful to the connexion between
the two countries than it could be fur the present here.
Lord BROUGHAM had expected that answer, and he
buly -wished that as good an explanation could have been
given of 'the absence of the Russian Ambassador.
The Marquis of
.LONDONDERRY wished to know
whethertlld r
easnuymnpotitoi cne .ohtad
hostilitiesbe en gi v
ne
gh a ti
no rs
tßousrseieaceo, fthe
becausein-
it was monstrous that on©
should uncertake hostilities without9f the protecting. powers
otherse'Marquis LA giving notice to the
abiOlu‘ht NSDOWNE'said' that the papera
Waal-the table would' • Bite Lull explana-
tion: on the sub!ect.
GRENVV
ICII
RCP
I -
AL 7040VEDIENTI
BILL.",
This Bill;Was read second time
SPX-
PROCESS AND PRACTICE •
This Bill was lead a third time
al-p—a--ed---1
DISTRESSED ADVANCES AND. IasPA.V w
• (IRELAND) BILL..
The
reading of Ma
thi rqu
sisßill. of .LANSDOWNE reeved the third
After a short conversaticin the motion
,viis 'agreed to,
and the Bill was pas:ed.•
The Marquis of LONDONDERRY presented
Lion from. the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Council of
Dublin against the abolition of the Lord-Lieutenantey or
Ireland.
Their Lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE 011' COMMONS.
The SPEAKER took the Chair at Five Minutes before
Four o'
CONSIDERATION OF LORDS' AMENDMENTS,
The Lords' amendments on the Buckinghamshire
Rail Way Bill were considered uud agreed to, with some
verbal amendments.
TIIIRD READINGS.
The following Bills were read a third time and
passed :
Peterborough Improvement, Police, and Cemetery, &c.
Waterford and Kilkenny Railway.
CON6OLIDATION OF AMENDED BILLSc.
Chester and Holyhead Railway.
Montypool Gas Light and Coke Company.
SOUTH WALES RAILWAY.
Oa the motion that the report on this Bill, as
amended, ohcaild be agreed to,!