The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-02 00:00:00

THE LICENSING SYSTEM;

The bill brought in by the Earl of Lichfield to regulate
the granting of licenses proposes to transfer the power of
granting licenses for the sale of spirituous and fermented
liquors in counties to committees to be appointed at the
Epiphany Sessions for every petty sessional division,
each committee to consist of not less than three nor of
more than five justices of the peace ; and these committees
are also to have power to issue licenses in boroughs
not having a separate grant of quarter sessions. The
bill also imposes a rateable qualification, no premises being
licensed which are not rated in one sum on a rent or
annual value of £3O per annum—that is to say, in places
where the population exceeds 10,000 persons. In places
where the population is less than 10,000 but above 2,500,
the annual value of the premises to be licensed shall not
be leas than £22 ; and in no case shall a license be
granted to persons in respect of premises which are
not rated to the relief of the poor on a rental of
£l6 per annum. It is propmed to confer an important
power upon local boards exercising the Local Government
Act, 1858, by enabling.them to raise the rateable qualifica-
tion for heerhonse licenses by any sum not exceeding 50 per
cent. of the amount now by law required, within the juris-
diction of the local board. An applicant for a license is
not only to produce a certificate of rating signed by the
overseer of his parish, but also a certificate from the
superintend mt of police, declaring that he has not
been couvi .ted of any crime or offence which would
disqualify him ; and one from the same authority,
or from an officer of health, to the effect that the
structure and sanitary condition of his houSe is satis-
factory. Any person having a legal or equitable in-
terest in :,'louse may object to the granting of a license
for it, am. if notice of objection he given to the corn.
mittee it it ,o be conclusive against the granting or
renewal of th, 'icense. In cases, too, where a license has
not been prcvi, sly granted, and an objection is raised by
two-thirds of the owners of property (or other persons
having a greate. interest therein than as mere tenants)
within 100 yardt f the house for which a license is asked,
the committee may refuse the application if they are of
opinion that the establishment of a public-house would
injuriously affect the value of the property within the
limits prescribed. In cases where the grant or transfer of
a license has, bowel Cr, been refused, the right of appeal
to the general quarter sessions of the peace is given.

The excitement in the country on the matter before the
House of Commons increases as the debate draws to a
close. King's Lynn, represented as it is by the Foreign
Secretary, has held a meeting, and has repudiated the
amendment moved by its member. As a set-off, how-
ever, thirty-nine rev, gentlemen of Mr. Bright's consti-
tuency pray the House not to adopt the revolutionary
measure now before it. The Nonconformists of Derby and
the Reformers of Manchester, Macclesfield, and Bristol affirm
their adhesion to the Liberal party, though at the last-
named city amendments in favour of the Ministry receive
considerable support. Liverpool, on the other hand, Pos-
sessing a Working Men's Conservative Association, has
replied to a previous meeting by holding a large assembly
—one account gives the number present at 4,ooo—which
adopted unanimously petitions against the disestablish-
meat of the Irish Church. Mr. Mason Jones is producing
excitement at Preston. His last lecture caused a scene of
the wildest confusion.
Scene doubts having been entertained by the electors of
Alarylebene as to how Messrs. Harvey Lewis and Cham-
ben —both of whom went into the Tea-room last year—
wo-tild -vote on this occasion, a deputation determined to
u-sit upon them to urge both hon. gentlemen to support
their leader. In the meantime, however, one of the
organizers of the movement had communicated with the
bumble members, and in reply a letter signed by both
gentkeeien was received, stating that they fully approved
of Mr. Gladstone's policy, and that they would support
all the resolutione he had placed on the paper.
The constantly changing scenes of the political conflict
have been watched with breathless interest by both parties
on the other side of St. George's Channel. An energetic
whip is applied in the press to doubtful members, who
must have felt themselves in a dilemma, since, which-
ever way they turn, they
are met by appeals and ad-
monitions, remonstrances and threats. In the Roman
Catholic journals Mr. Gladetone's statement is not made
the subject of any special comment, but the ulti-
mate doom of the Establishment is pronounced. In the
Conservative papers it is commented upon as showing
a struggle against convictions, and either masking a larger
scheme of 'spoliation under the appearance of a conciliatory
arrangement, or as sincerely offering what would wholly
fail to satisfy the one side, while it would humiliate
and exasperate the other. The tone of Lord Stanley's
reply produced evident disappointment, but Mr. Hardy's
speech revived to some extent the drooping spirits of the
Church defenders.

Still, as the week has advanced, and as the divisions in
the Cabinet have become more palpable, all hope of saving
the Trish Church has gradually faded from the Orange
conservative
party. The Dub/in Mail,
one of the strongest
of its organs, declines any longer to rely upon a Govern•
ment advised by Lord Mayo and spoken for by Lord
Stanley. Recognising the certainty of defeat, the Mail
°infuses that the vast structure is effectually undermined,
and that the division determines whether Mr. Gladstone
shall instantly apply his portfire to the train, and
terminate the brief suspense by the shock of a
magnificent explosion. History affords few paral-
lels for the catastrophe. An institution which
has existed for more than three centuries, which since the
days of the Tudors has rested at the foundation of every
compact between the kingdoms—at the basis of interna-
national faith and constitutional symmetry—and mingles
with the theory of property itself, is to be tried and exe-
cuted at the drum's head. It will remind people of the
fall of the Church of France, in the throes of the Revolu-
tion, by one excited vote of the States-General.

For some time past the Conservatives of Bedford
normagh had reckoned on having as one of its candidates
at the next election Mr. James Howard, the well-known
agricultural implement maker. To a requisition asking
him to come forward, however, Mr. Howard gave a reply
in the negative; among other reasons, on the ground that
his views on many important political topics were much in
advance of those avowed by the party. Notwithstanding
this reply, it was generally hoped that Mr. Howard's
scruples would be overcome. So far from that being the
case, however, the subsequent policy pursued by the
Government hail determined Mr. Howard to withdraw
altogether frost the Conservative party and to join the
Liberal ranks.

Per contra, in East Kent, Mr. Leigh Pemberton's
aeelarations against. the polioy of Mr. Gladstone have met
With the warm support of the Conservative party, and
tirtflatto7 Placfl itliaMbstteges 111000.