The Sun.
London, England, 1845-07-02 00:00:00

HOUSE OF LORDS.

PROTEST AGAINST THE LANDLORDS AND
TENANTS' BILL.

DISSENTIENT-
1. Because whilst we are most solicitous to support
any measure which produces, or which has any tendency
to produce, an improvement in the condition of the oc-
cupying tenantry of Ireland, we are unable to discover
in the provisions of the present Bill any enactment which
will have that beneficial effect.

2. Because we consider the improvement of agricul-
ture and the extension of a demand for labour in Ire-
land, to depend very mainly upon the mutual good
understanding and co-operation between landlord and
tenant, and the contribution of the capital of the one
class in aid of the industry of the other, which the pro-
visions of this Bill seem calculated to check and limit,
rather than to increase and to encourage.
3. Because of the intervention of a government officer,
called in, not as a guide and adviser, by two parties
anxious to combine in the execution of a definite system
of well-considered improvement, but interposing at the
request of one party only, and possibly against the con-
sent of the other, appears to us manifestly unjust in prin-
ciple, and likely to lead to dissensions and jealousies,
where it is most important that goodwill and cordiality
should permanently exist.
4. Because we consider the compulsory introduction
of new and varied obligations between parties who have
already entered into contracts, and this without a saving
of those existing contracts, gives to this Bill an ex post
facto operation, contrary to justice and to the first prin-
ciples on which sound legislation should proceed ; prin-
ciples which have hitherto been regarded by Parliament
as sacred and inviolable.
5. Because the introduction of a measure like the
present seems peculiarly rash, dangerous. and inopp
tune, at a time when it appears from the report of the
commissioners that "in spite of many embarrassing and
couuteracting circumstances, in almost every part of
Ireland, unequivocal symptoms of improvement con-
tinually present themselves to the view, and when there
exists a very general and increasing spirit and desire for
the prosecution of improvements from which the most
beneficial results may fairly be expected."
6. Because a facility of erecting new buildings on
small farms, without taking any adequate security for the
future and permanent appropriation of those buildings to
those uses only which may be conducive to the real in-
terests of the tenant as well as of the landlord, and to
the improvement and good cultivation of the land, can
hardly fail to promote the increase of a pauper popu-
lation, lowering the rate of wages, augmenting the price
of food, adding ultimately to the competition for leases,
and thus aggravating incalculably many of the most
serious evils incident to the condition of the Irish
peasantry.
7. Because a provision to encourage the levelling of
existing fences is not only inapplicable to the greater
part of Ireland, but, as being unaccompanied by clauses
to provide for the erection of new fences of a permanent
or improved character, or indeed of any fences at all,
seems to us most irrational and absurd.
8. Because even if it is assumed that the principle of
the Bill is as wise and just as, for the reasons stated, it
appears to us indefensible and impolitic, it is manifest
that the machinery provided in this Bill by the estab-
lishment of a single officer of the Government in
Dublin, acting through Assistant Commissioners, nomi-
nated by himself; is wholly inadequate to the per-
formance of duties extending over the whole surface of a
great country.
9. Because the enactment of an ill-considered measure,
like the present, may raise serious obstacles in the way
of a wiser system of legislative interference, to which
we should feel disposed to give our most favourable
consideration ; a system which, by affording guidance
and instruction; where skill and science are required ; by
facilitating the application _of capital where capital is
needed and is likely to be profitably applied ; by en-
couraging co-operation not only between landlord and
tenant, but between parties interested in adjacent
estates; by securing to the tenant the strict and accurate
performance of all covenants entered into with him, and
a full return for all improvements which he has
effected with the landlord's approval ; by securing
to the landlord the maintenance of all improvements to
which he may be called on to contribute, shall increase
the amount of agricultural produce, shall augment the
national wealth, shalt stimulate and render more per-
inanent the demand for labour, and thus, without the
violation of any principle, shall facilitate the discharge
of the duties, whilst maintaining the rights of property,
and shall thus improve the condition of all classes of her
Nisjesty's Irish subjects. '
MoNTEAGLE and BRANDoN, LUCAN (excepting for 7th
GOSFORD, reason).
CAMPBELL, CHARLEVILLE,
CHAWORTH (MEATH), STRADBROKE,
CROFTON (except for 7th MA SSAREENE (excepting
reason), for 7th reason),
CHARLEMONT (ditto), SANDWICH,
LISMORE, ROSSE (excepting for 7th
SOMERIIILL (CLAN RI- reason).
CA RDE), LORTON (ditto),
KINNAIRD and ROSSIE, EGMoNT,
CAREW, KINGSTON,
CLANBRASSILL (RODEN) VANE LONDONDERRY.

FIRE IN A RAILWAY TRAIN.—On Saturday after-
noon, according to the information of a gentleman who was pre-
sent, a fire broke out in the Glasgow and Greenock Railway train,
which might have been attended with serious results. It appears
that shortly after the half-past flee o'clock train left Greenock for
Glasgow a smell of burning was felt in one of the third-class car-
riages—in which many respectable persons were accommodated—
and immediately thereafter the flames burst out on the dress of one
of the ladies present. As the train was going at considerable speed
and the wind was high, the utmost consternation prevailed at the
time ; but, by the exertions of the passengers—the most active of
whom was a young seamen—the flames were extinguished, though
not until the lady's gown had been burnt away almost to the body
and sleeves. Fortunately the carriage was not crowded, which
enabled the passengers to escape to the empty end of it, and save
themselves from the flames. Indeed, according to our informa-
tion, the.female portion of the passengers, some of whom had young
children with them, had no small difficulty in keeping clear of the
burning fragments of the lady's dress, which were whirled round
by the action of the wind. The fire, no doubt, took place by
means of a red-hot cinder ejected from the funnel of the engine.—
Glasgow Herald. _

On Monday se'nnight, a pony driven by Mr.
Henry Steed, of Sudbury, who was accompanied by one of his
sons and his eldest daughter, took fright in Melford-road, kicked
through the dashing board, and broke the shafts; the travellers
were consequently thrown out, and Miss Steed's foot unhappily
becoming entangled in the broken dashboard, she was dragged
along at a furious rate,and her death seemed inevitable. A la-
bourer, however, stopped the animal, and she miraculously escaped
with a dislocation of the shoulder and severe contusions. Mr. Steed
and his son, we are happy to add, sustained only a few slight bruises.
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