The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-11 00:00:00

itenitut aint

LONDON, SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1850,

Her MAJESTY'S Government appear determined to
occupy the position of the " dog in the manger," ce-
lebrated in ancient fable. There are many subjects,
and those of no ordinary importance, which they will
neither undertake themselves nor permit independent
Members to meddle with. Their devotion to the
laissez faire policy, the via inertim to which they are
so deeply attached, prevent them from making any
exertion on their own part, and they feel a strong dis-
inclination to permit others to bear away the laurels
which are within their own reach, if they only take
the trouble of plucking them. Their highest ambition
appears to be to do nothing themselves, and to prevent
others from doing anything. To obstruct and impede,
every measure calculated to promote the welfare and
prosperity of the nation is the object to the attain-
ment of which all their energies are directed, and we
regret to say that they are too often successful, and
that their efforts are but too well seconded by a mar-
jority of the chosen representatives of the people.
The proceedings with respect to the Irish Fisheries
Bill afford a strong illustration of the Ministerial
policy. The inland-coast and deep-sea fisheries con-
stituted mines of national wealth ; but these mines
remained comparatively un wrought and unproductive
from a variety of causes that could easily be dis-
covered and ascertained. In the former—the inland
fisheries—this untoward result was chiefly ascribable
to the acknowledged deficiencies 'of the existing law,
There had, within the last thirty years, been a la-
mentable falling off in the quantity of salmon that
entered the various rivers from the sea. These fish had
previously afforded a large supply of nutritious and
agreeable food to the people, and not merely amuse-
ment, but very considerable profit to the proprietors
of land in the different districts. But, owing to the
enormous destruction of the spawning fish on the
beds by poachers, the obstructions interposed by
the fixed weirs and mill-dams to the fish in ascend-
ing the rivers, and the vast number captured
or killed in these dams on their return to the sea,
when comparatively worthless, this great diminution
has taken place. An Act had undoubtedly been
passed in 1842, 5 and 6 Vctoria, c. 106, on the sub-
ject, owing to the continued importunities of the
country gentlemen. The principle of the measure
had, we believe, been decided on when the Noble
Lord the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was
Chief Secretary for Ireland, but it was carried
through Parliament under his successor, the present
Earl Sr. GERMANS. This measure, although in the
right direction, was by no means adequate
to the exigency of the case ; it did not
remove the ambiguity of phraseology with
regard to the definition of what were public and
private rights, that had led to such expensive and
vexatious litigation, and it did not impose penalties
sufficient to enforce its salutary provisions. It was
speedily discovered that something additional was re-
quired, not only to restore the former condition of
the salmon fishery, but to retain it, even in its
deteriorated(condition. The attention of the Govern-
ment was forcibly directed to the subject, and a strong
memorial was presented by a deputation of gentle-
men deeply interested in the question to the Lord-
Lieutenant of Ireland, in the month of May, 1848.
Another Act, commonly called the " Rod Act," was
brought in last year by the Irish Secretary, but that
Right Honourable Gentleman candidly admitted, at
the time, that it was a mere temporary measure, and
that additional legislation would be necessary.
Under such circumstances, the Hon. Member for
Youghal, who had evinced most praiseworthy zeal and
considerable information on the question, obtained a
Committee, who closely investigated and published a
well-considered and elaborate report on the entire
subject. The Government not being prepared with
any measure, a Bill was prepared, founded on these
recommendations, which was brought in by
Mr. ANSTRY, who obtained leave for its in-
troduction and carried it through the first
reading. On Wednesday it stood for the
second reading. The Hon. Gentleman, however, can-
didly stated that, " having received several sugges-
tions for its amendment, it was his intention to move
that it should be committed pro forma, with a view
to the introduction of amendments." This was a
course frequently adopted, and to which no reason-
able objection could be entertained. The Chief
Secretary for Ireland, who appeared as the represen-
tative of the Government, resisted this course. He
admitted that the Bill contained "clauses of which
he approved," and that " some legislation was neces-
sary ; " but he suggested that the present Bill should
be withdrawn, and another introduced in its place.
This course, which would prevent the possibility of
any enactment being sanctioned during the present
session, was very properly rejected by Mr. ANSTEY,
and the result was, that the entire power of the
Government was directed against the further progress
of the Bill, and on the second reading it was thrown
out by a majority of 160.

We deeply regret this decision. If there was any
prospect of a Ministerial measure being substituted
dining the present year, we should wait patiently,
and we have no doubt that Mr. ANSTET would
be satisfied to relinquish the honour which
he so well deserved ; but, unfortunately, no
pledge has been, or will be, given by the Irish Secre-

tart. All that could be elicited from Sir WILLIAM
SOMERVILLE, in answer to the anxious inquiries as to

the course which Rould now be adopted, was the

_ .
rather vague as3urance that he would do that " which

the discharge of his public duty demanded." There
may, however, and we doubt not will, be many con-

flitting opinions on that point. We bolieye that duty
requires the speedy introduction of a Bill or Bills

for the encouragement and regulation, no

merely of the inland, but also of the cons

fisheries, and that these subjects should receive
the immediate attention which their vast importance so

eminently demands. We fear, however, that the Go-
vernment will pursue their usual policy, and content
themselves with having obstructed the laudable
exertions of private Members without being disposed
to make any
adequate effort themselves to remedy
admitted evils.

41. very interesting meeting WAS held on Thursday L
last at St. Martin's-hall, Long-acre.
g-acre. It was the first
annual meeting of the mem
seeing that it has been foruvneds the public support,
which most especiall y dese of an establishment
popularit grievance
that its good effects, if, and seeing
ed in the attempt to
remedy a very terrible
incalculable
out, will be productive
b
of e properly carried
society at large, as well as much benefit to
advantages to; individuals,
the benefits of this institution—
Dormitoryand Colonial Training School—arebest
explained in the followir.g observations maey b Lord
ASHLEY at the meeting alluded to :—" Let those
p
sons," he said, " who object to the institution, er-con-
sider the condition of a vast proportion of those who,
having passed through a prison, were thrown upon
the world with a ruined character and empty pockets,
and totally destitute of the means of earning a liveli-
hood, unless by resorting to their old habits. A pri-
soner was taken to gaol in his ragged and filthy gal-
ments, which were changed fur the prison dress, and
at the expiration of his sentence he was clothed
again in his old and wretched garb, and put outside
the prison walls, and then society expected him all at
Once to become an honest man and a good citi-
zen, and to earn his bread by the sweat
of his brow. Why his very position rendered it im-
possible for him to obtain a situation, and those to
wham he might apply drove him from them with fear
and abhorrence.
What was offered to him ? Sim- I