The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-16 00:00:00

OAKS•

free institutions, arises from this, that her empire is not
homogeneous, but so varied that the parts of it cor-
respond one to the other, and all, without emulation or ,
collision, co-operate to the common prosperity. To
return to Texas—if we were enemies to the -United
States, we should most earnestly desire that the
annexation may be consummated, for the imme-
diate effect of that step would be to render it impos-
sible for the States ever again to disturb other nations
by a war, and its not much more remote consequences
must be a dissolution of the Commonwealth ; but that,
we fear, is inevitable in any event. We are not, how-
ever, enemies to the United States ; on the other hand,
we wish them to enjoy all prosperity, and to deserve it :
and therefere we most deeply regret a step that would
commit them finally and irrevocably to the practice of
slavery.

IMPERIAL PARLIAME
(THIS EVENING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The SPEAKER took the Chair at the usual hour.
Mr. O'CONNELL presented a petition from Dublin,
praying the House to suspend the Standing Orders with
respect to the Dublin and Cashel Railway Bill.
Mr. M. O'CONNELL presented a similar petition.
Mr. COLLETT presented several petitions from
Dublin in favour of the Dublin and Cashel Railway Bill.
Mr. EASTCOURT moved that the Committees on
the following Bills have leave to report on or before the
18th June next :—Ayr Bridge Bill, Preston and Wyre
Dock, &c., Bill, Paisley General Gas Bill, Lakenheath
and Brandon Drainage Bill, Monkland Railway (No. 2)
Bill, London and South Western Railway (No. 1), and
North Wales Mineral Railway Bill.—Agreed to.
ASHTON AND STALEY-BRIDGE RAILWAY.
Mr. M. GIBSON moved the further consideration of
the report on this Bill.
Mr. GISBORNE expressed his surprise at the deci-
sion the Committee on the two competing lines of
railway, namely, the Ashton and Sheffield Railway and
the Leeds and Manchester and Ashton Railway Bill,
had come to in recommending the adoption of both lines.
The opinions stated before the Committee showed that
Sheffield had made out their case. He was most anxious
that no such precedent as this Bill established should be
recognised.
Mr. LABOUCHERE thought the Hon. Member was
right. Some impartial person should be appointed who
could decide the points at issue, and he, therefore,
approved of what was termed the arbitration clause.
After a few words from Lord G. SOMERSET,
Mr. HAWES thought the decision was unsatisfactory;
it appeared to him that the Committee had sanctioned
two lines, while they had taken evidence of the traffic
only on one.
Mr. GLADSTONE said the question had been re-
ferred, in fact, to arbitrators from the Board of Trade.
He thought the motion could not be entertained on a
point of form. The question was whether, on account of
the important defect attending the arrangements which
had been made, the House would intercept practically
the progress of the Bill. If the works could be executed
under the clause he did not think there was any objec-
tion to warrant the House in intercepting the Bill.
Mr. V. SMITH defended the conduct of the Com-
mittee. It wus impossible for the Committee to come
to a decision without the evidence of an engineer. The
Committee, having satisfied themselves that the arrange-
ments could be made, decided that the means of carry-
ing them into effect would be to refer them to a compe-
tent authority.
Mr. J. PARKER disapproved of the new precedent
attempted to be introduced, but he was contented to have
the clause rather than run the risk of losing the Bill.
After a few words from Mr. CLIVE, the Bill was read
a second time and ordered to be engrossed.
The Chester and Holyhead Bill was read a third time
and passed.
DUBLIN AND CASHEL RAILWAY.
Mr. SHAW presented petitions from Dublin, praying
for the suspension of the Standing Orders with respect to
the Dublin and Cashel Railway Bill.
Mr. M. O'FERRAL presented a similar petition.
Mr. SHEIL presented a similar petition from the
Chamber of Commerce of Cloamel.
Mr. HAMILTON presented a similar petition from
Down.
Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN presented a similar peti-
tion from Clare.
Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL presented similar petitions
from Kerry.