The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-09 00:00:00

THE DANUBE.

Mr. MEAGHER asked the First Lord of The Trea-
sury whether he could afford any information as to the
present state of the river Danube, as far as its safe and
proper navigation was concerned ; and whether there
were any reasonable hopes that the river might new be
sufficiently clear to allow of spring shipments being made
to and from the Danubian provinces I_ _ _ _

Lord PALMERSTON said that the Commissioner
bad not been able to come to a decision on this
matter. A question had arisen, that the St. George's
entrance south of the Sulina would be the better
entrance, and they were commanding that point.
RETIREMENT OF THE SPEAKER.

The SPEAKER rose and said that, before the Cierk
proceeded to read the orders of the day, it woull be
necessary for him to occupy the attention of the house
for a few minutes. (Cheers.) He said after the state-
ment that was made by the noble lord at the head of
the Government to the house on Tuesday night
it was evident that a dissolntion of Parliament
was rapidly approaching. (Hear, hear.) I feel
that it is only consistent with that respect especially due
from me to the house, that I should inform them that it
is my intention to retire from Parliament at the close of
the present session. It is 18 years since I first had
the honour of being elected Speaker of the house, and I
cannot contemplate the termination of my official career
without great pain—(hear, hear)—nor allow it to close
without offering my sincere and grateful acknow-
ledgments for fee uniform and consistent support which
I have received, not only from all parties is the house, but
I might say with truth from every individual member.
(Cheers.) I am quite aware that in the discharge of tke
very onerous duties of this chair I had much need of
that kind indulgence that has always been extended to
me, especially of late, when I have been too frequently re-
minded of my increasing inability to do justice to the task
committed to me— (cries of " No, no,")—but it has been
my constant endeavour, as is welt known to the house,
to improve and simplify the forms of proceeding.
(Cheers.) At the same time I have also endeavoured to
maintain unimpaired all the rights and privileges of th•
house—(cheers)—and all those rules and orders that
have been sanctioned by ancient usage, and which
long experience has taught me to respect and ve-
nerate, and which, I believe, never can be
relaxed or materially altered without prejudice to the
freedom of discussion and the independence of the house.
If I have been in the least degree instrumental in pro-
moting so desirable and essential an object for the pub-
lic interest, I am indebted to the cordial co-operation
that I have received from every member of the house,
and for which I never can be sufficiently grateful. (Loud
cheers.)

Lord PALMERSTON said—Sir, I am sure that I
am but the faithful organ of the opinions of every mem-
ber of this house when I assure you that it is with the
deepest regret—(hear, hear) —that we have heard the
announcement that has fallen from you. It is no compli-
ment to you, nor any flattery, to say that I believe there
oever sat in that chair any man, who combined a greater
degree of all those various qualities which constitute a
speaker of the house—(loud cheers)—and with the regret
which I am sure every member must feel at losing your

services for the future must be mingled sethiments of
deep gratitude. (Cheers) I trust that the house will
not, on the present occasion, enter into any ex-
pression of those feelings, which any man
here present must entertain, and I give notice
that I shall to-morrow, before the commencement of
public business, move an expression of the thanks of
the house to you, sir, and an appropriate address to the
Crown on what we have just heard. (Cheers.) In order
to facilitate the business of the house, he moved that on
Thursday the order of the day should take precedence
•f notices of motion.
Agreed to.

COMMISSION OF SUPPLY.(SCOTLAND) ACT
(1856) AMENDMENT BILL,
This bill was read a third time and pa,ised.
WAYS AND MEANS.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER brought
up the report, which was agreed to.
INCOME TAX BILL.
Oa the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. DISRAELI said that as we were now at war
with China, and considering the state of the session, he
should not offer further oppoSition to bill, and attacked
what he called the turbulent and aggressive spirit of the
Government.
After some remarks from Mr. B. COCHRANE,
Mr. WILLIAMS complained of the tax being eon-
tiuued on incomes under 150/.
Major REED impressed on the Government that
there must be a readjustment of this tax. •
Mr. MUNTZ said that the country would not be
satisfied with the present modification of the tax.
Sir G. STRICKLAND complained of the inquisi-
torial nature of the tax, which was one that ought not
to be continued in the time of peace.
Dr, MICHELL also complained of the inequality of
the tax.
Lord PALMERSTON defended the Government
from Mr. Disraeli's assertion of the aggressive and tur-
bulent policy of the Government, and said that he sup-
peed it referred to China, and that it was said with re-
ference to the Hastings. He (Lord Palmerston) con-
sidered that the clear-sighted and straightforward
conduct of the people would not be led away by the de-
clamations of the right hon. gentleman, and he had no
doubt the people would not give an agreeable answer to
the right hon. gentleman.
Mr. GLADSTONE addressed the honse, contending
that the excessive taxation and high expenditure of the
Government had a very material connection with the
foreign policy of the Government.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)