The Sun.
London, England, 1844-03-09 00:00:00

ledge or public spirit to give an honest vote ? The real
secret was that certain Hon. Members had not the moral
courage, while they saw two parties among their con-
stituents, to offend either of the parties, and therefore
they were exceedingly glad to shirk their duty.
The presence of the local Member on a Committee w ould
tend to check some of the back-stairs influence that now •
prevailed, and that Member would act under the control
of public opinion. He thought they had departed from
the open English principle in the resolution they had
adopted. If the constituents did not approve of his
conduct they had the remedy in their own hands.
He thought it would be right thatthe-local interest of par- -
titular places should be consulted in such matters, and
that Committees should not be deprived of the advan-
tages of hearing the arguments of those well acquainted ' •
with the details of the matter.
Mr. P. BORTHWICK having seconded the motion,
Mr. GLADSTONE said he thought the resolution now' -
introduced by the Hon Gentleman was superfluous. He
thought the grounds taken in support of his position by the .
Hon. Gentleman opposite were quite useless, and he would
even say almost invidious; for in Committees, upon any
other subject, no such powers were ever called for. If
such a power was allowed to exist in the present instance,
a great deal of inconvenience would . arise, because a • -
great many of those gentlemen who now proposed
to have the right of attending those Committees
would be actuated by different and discordant interests.
He trusted that the House would feel no hesitation in .
negativing the motion.
Mr. W. PATTEN was extremely glad to hear
what had fallen from his Right Honourable -
Friend. There had been a great difference of
opinion in Committees as• to whether Members
Isere to be allowed to attend and represent the inte-
rests of their constituents. He thought that if. it had
been known at the time when the measure was introduced -
that Members would have the power of stating the case
of their constituents who were not able to appear by
counsel, many who. supported the measure would have
voted against it on that express ground.
Mr. LADOUCHERE agreed in substance with what
had fallen from the Right Hon. Gentleman. He was
so !aware ,however, that any Member of Parliament had
a right to address the Committee on behalf of his con-
stituents. His impression had hitherto been that the
right extended only to attending the Committee, and
there was the greatest risk of inconvenience through
protracting the proceedings of the Committee unneces-
sarily, if any other principle were adopted. Perhaps the
Speaker would be good enough to state to the House
what was the practice of Parliament in reference to this
matter.
Mr. GLADSTONE said he had not meant to state
that any Member had an absolute right to address the
Committee; all he had meant to say was, that practically
no objection -s-as telt to the making of a statement.
The SPEAKER wished to observe, in reply to the -
question of the Right Hon. Gentleman, that no Member
who was not a Member of the Committee had any right
to interfere with the proceedings. He had no right to .
examine witnesses though he might be present in the room.
Dr. BOWRING said that regulation which prevented
Members from interfering with the proceedings of Select
Committees on Railroads, upon which 'they were
not appointed, had given great satisfaction, and he
thought it was desirable to extend the rule to all other
Select Committees as well as Railway Committees.
After a few words from Mr. H. HINDE,

Mr. HINDLEY withdrew his motion, observing that
if any measure affecting the interests of his constituents
were referred to a Select Committee, he should apply
to that Committee, as a matter of courtesy, to receive
his suggestions.
The Newbury and Great Western Railway Bill was
read a second time, and ordered to be committed.

Mr. R. PALMER presented a petition from the
landowners on the line, against the Newbury and Great
Western Railway Bill.
The Slamannan Junction Railway Bill was read a
second time, and ordered to be, committed. •
NORTH BRITISH RAILWAY.
Mr. MACAULAY presented a petition. in favour of
the North British Railway Bill, which was read a second
time, and ordered to be committed.
NOTICES OF MOTION.—ATHLONE ELECTION.
Mr. W. 0. STANLEY gave notice that when the
Committee on the Athlone election presented their
Report, he should move for a Select Committee to in-
quire into the whole circumstances attending the election
for that borough.