The Sun.
London, England, 1842-03-09 00:00:00

CORN-LAWS.

is Noble and Learned Friend, and: sal great deference to
he Noble and Learned Lord opposite, he thought he had pint-
ued the proper• course in excluding persons from giving cvi-
droce for themselves. From his own experience he believed
that very great evils would arise frem admitting parties to give
evidence for themselves. When a par y was swearing for him-
elf, he quite forgot all distinctions between right and wrong,
irtic and false ; his passions were iotlamed, and he states what-
ever might suit his own interest. He would draw the atten-
tion of his Noble and Learned Friend to a case in which a
:Ilan of the most profligate character might proceed against a
Lid y, and be his own witness ; she would to dragged into the
jury-Sox to swear against him, and it must go to the jury
ru decide which was to be believed, one or the other•. He thought
this principle is as the great objection to the French
system of examining prisoners. By giving an astute answer to
a qae;tion, a prisoner very often defeated the prosecution
while, if he were inexperienced and confined by circumstances,
which, though awkward, were not sufficient to prove his guilt,
he might, by his own answer, be brought in guilty. But though
a party should not be examined for himself, let him be examined
against himself.—( Hear, hear.) In a court of equity, by filing
bill of discovery, a man could be compelfed to disclose all he
knew .of a subject, and it was worthy of consideration whether,
in an open conrt, it might not be an advantage for a party to
be examined against his own interest. It would frequently
prevent justice being defeated by frivolous objections at prosent
a witness was often excluded who might give important evidence
What they had to guard against was bias, it was not interest.
The law of Scotland was much more uniform and consistent on
this subject. By the law of Scotland no relation within the
degree of atlblity which prevented marriage were allowed to
• give evidence one against *fluffier, but this was found very
inconvenient, and in•the last Fession of Parliament it was re-
formed. But his Noble F►iend's objection deserved great
co.isideration. lie hoped lie would overcome the difficulty of
w: ich he complained ; but the principle of his bill was to ex-
clu.le the party, but to admit interested witnesses. In this
case how were they to decide who were the witness and who
the party. A Bill had been introduced into the House of
Commons during the lost Session of Parl.ament, but which
provided that neither the nominal party nor the substantial one
should be admitted as witnesses. Ile would not further
trouble the house on this subject, but he would say
it was preposterous to make a difference between a
person who had been convicted of the crime of per-
jury, and who confessed in open court the same crime.
With regard to the remaining part of the Bill he only la-
mented that his Noble Friend had not gone further, and ad-
mitted all persons who stated that they had conscientious
scruples against taking an oath to give evidence without it.
Upon the whole the Bill seemed to him to be founded on the
best principles, but it would require great attention and con•
siderable modification in Committee.

Lord DENMAN expressed his satisfaction at the manner in
which the Bill had been received by the House. It was his
anxious wish- that the Bill should undergo great consideration,
and he should be happy to delay tlle Committee till the most
convenient opportunity.
The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be
committed after the Easter recess.
• Their Lord hips then adjourned till Thursday.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, MARCH 8.
The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly before Four
o'clock.

Mr. Crider presented papers from the Treasury.
On the motion of Mr. CLIVE, the Birmingham anti
Liverpool Junction Canal Bill, and the Birmingham add
Liverpool Junction Canal Extension Bill, were severally
read a second time, and ordered to be committed.
Sir E. FILMER brought in the Gravesend Clarence
Pier Bill, and the Gravesend Town Pier Bill, which were
severally read a first, and ordered to be read a second
r;1111.

MARY LEBONE PAVING BILL.
Colonel THOMAS WOOD said that he should, at the
lieitation of the Secretary of State for the Home 1)e-
-rtnient, postpone the second reading of the Marylebone
irish Paving Bill.
Sir B. HALT, trusted that the Hun. and Gallant
Member would divide the Bill into two parts.
Mr.WAKLEY trusted that the Bill would never pass a
seeond reading. The affairs of the parish had hitherto been
uninaged in accordance with the wish of the inhabitants.
wished to know if they were now going to place the
management in the hands of a minority, and take it,.
away tiOni the majority ? Where WOS the neJessity of
tie, change ? Would the minority now obtain power to
legislate ror the majority ? Ile trusted, that with regard
to Private Bills, a different system would be pursued
from that heretofore. adopted. Bills were brought into.that
(louse, and the practice was, that Government did not in-
terfere. They were then read a second time, and
they remained in Committee at a great expense to
the parties. He hoped the same reomlatiems would be
adopted with respect to private Bill}, which were adopted
with reference to public Bills'or the same description.
The present Bill had 'produeed such a commotion
throughout the extewsive parish of Marylebone, as
he (Mr. Waldo)) never before saw exhibited. The
people there were astonished to find the county
Member bringing in a Bill ; and they believed he
must have been earwigged -by a small minority, and that
when he was better informed of the facts lie would not
persevere. A more objectionable, or a more unneces-
sary Bill he (Mr. W.) never saw, and he hoped, upon
reflection, the Ilon. Member would withdraw it.
• Colonel WOOD said it was very well for the lion.
Member to say that the whole parish was excited, but a
great many respectable parishioners called upon
:tint and begged that he would introduce the Bill,
and in such circumstances he could not see how tie could
do otherwise.—(lleac, hear.)
Mr. MACKINNON said, that having been a church-
warden of the parish of Marylebone lie wished to make
i fetl; observations. The present was a Bill with which
the Government had nothing to do, and the hardship
dint was complained of arose from the Bill introduced
by the Right lion. Baronet the Member for Nottingham.
By that Bill scrutineers were appointed and five different
polling places were selected, the consequence of which
was that one of the districts was overlooked, and there
was no security for the proper conducting of the election.
The feeling was that the vestrymen were not -elected
by the people at large.
Sir J. C. HOBIIOUSE felt himself called upon to say
it few words after the allusions which had been made by
the Hon. Gentleman who had just spoken to a measure
which he (Sir J. Hobhouse) had the honour to
introduce. Their laws were not like the laws of the Modes
and Persians, and therefore if there were anything de-
fective in the present law let it, be altered. If the act were
defective as regarded the appointment of scrutineers,
let that defect be remtdied, but this 13111 did not confine
itself to that point. With regard to the general work.
no Hon. Member had justly
ing of the Act, which,
observed, had passed almost ‘vithout opposition, lie (Sir
J. Hobhouse) must saythat in the parish with he Was
connected he had linind it to work well.—(Hear,
hear.) If the complaints of the working of the Act in
Marylebone were well founded, the Gallant Colonel
was right in endeavouring to improve it. But it should be
remembered that this was a private Bill, introduced for
-the'putpose of getting rid of a public Act—Of-ear, heard
—and therefore it was necessary that it should be
watched most jealously. He protested against the prin-
ciple of endeavouring, by means of a private Bill, to put

Colonel BAILLIE presented a petition from
lloniton, praying the House to pass a law,
enacting that in a►l cases corn should be sold by
measure, and not by weight, or otherwise to declare
what weight should be taken fin• a bushel of wheat.
PARLIAMENTARY REFORM..

Mr. Sil AR MAN CRAWFORD presented a petition
agreed to at a public meeting of the township:of Blatch-
ingworth and Calderbrook, in the parish of Rochdale, and
signed by the Chairman (Joseph Schofield. Esq,) on be-
half of the meeting. The petitioners stated that the man-
ner in which the Miaistered measure on the subject of
the Corn-laws had been received by the House, furnished
conclusive evidence that the House of Commons, as at
.present constituted, did not represent the opinions of the
people, and they therefore prayed that the elective fran-
chise.might be granted to every male inhabitant of 21
years of age, Of sound mind and 'unconvicted of crime ;
also for annual Parliaments, vote by ballot, no property
qualification, paid members, and equal electoral districts.
IMPORTATION OF FLOUR.
Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORD presented a petition
the .Beetlnfansptantylonu.arsaifoldrmßedreaind
from the Committettihiouf
their Company, statine
Belfast in the year 1800, and that it still existed for the
purpose of supplying the inhabitants with bread of good
quality and free from adulteration ; that owing to um-
favourable. seasons the petitioners could not often pro-
cure flour of a lit quality for bread in Ireland, and
that the. law as it has existed hi that country precluded
them from importing ilour suitable to their purpose.
The petitioners therefore prayed that. the House would
remove the restrictions at present existing on the im-
portation of flour into Ireland.
Captain JONES presented a petition from the Giand
Jury of the county ‘Vestmeath, praying for ad increase
in the duty upon tbreign oats proposed by the present
Government.
Mr. ORMSBY GORE presented a petition from
several clergymen iu Yorkshire, born in IVales, praying
the House to take into its consideration the advantage of
appointing clergymen acquaintel with the WelsClan-
guage to genetics in Wales. Mr. O'CONNELL presented a petition from certain
millers in Ireland, praying for a. further protection to the
millers of that country.
Mr. HAWES presented a petition from Lambeth,
signed by 2,000 inhabitants, and six otherapetitions from
various parts of the metropolis, praying for a total and
immediate repeal of the Corn-laws. •
Mr. VILLIERS presented several petition.; from
places in the West Riding of Yorkshire, in Derbyshire.,
and Staffordshire, to the same effect.
Mr. SHAW presented a petition from the county of
Cork, cemplahting of the present proposed scale of
duties on wheat and flour, in proportion to each other,
and prayiteg for peoteation to Irish agriculture.
Mr. MILhS presented a petitimr against any further
rent to the Catholic College of Maynooth.
Lord SAME tN presented a petition against the
operation of the proposed corn duties.
NU riCil:s OF MOTIONS. -•-
.
Mr. IVODEHOUSE gave notice that to-morrow he
should move that there be laid on the table of the
House, a statement of the quantity of each kind
of grain imported from Ireland into England,
front 1821 to 1811 inclusive, divided into szpten-
nitil periods, spee,:fying the quantities of barley,
wheat, oats, oatmeal, mud malt ; also of the quantities
of grain imperted. Iron 1802 to 1341, in periods of ten
years, and other details connected with the Corn trade
with Ireland.
Lord C. FITZROY bogged to give notice that, to-
merrow he would move for a Return of the Memorials
addressed to the Board of Trade, praying for the legis-
lation of a measure regarding Masters and Mates in the
Merchant servi:y.
Dr. BOIVIt LNG- gave notice, that he would defer his
motion for the coreespondence respecting the establish-
!ll,,2lt, of an English Ushop at Jerusalem till 'Thursday,
the Util of march.
•• Mr. FERI:A ND heg.g.ll leave to withdraw the mo-
tion of which be hail given notice, in addition to the
notice of the Ito:tet-able Member far Salford
(Mr. 8r0th.1.,,0.1), for a return of the names or
:inns of all occupiers of cotton, woollen, flax, and silk
mills, or faetories, wh pay their wages in goods instead
of money." lie hint been told by many Hon. Gen-
['oaten in that I limae, who were well acquainted with the
sebject that the motion was an impracticable one.—
(Hear, hear.) And he would, therefore- beg leave to
withdraw it.---Miitiu,t withdrawn.
Mr. ()VON NELL ..begged leave to postpone to this
day week the in ition of which he had given notice, ler a
"copy of the instruclions given to time respective Crown
diei tors ors end, respecting the challenging
Jurors ie Crown cases by eaelt of the following gentle-
tiler, when tilling tile uuhiec of A ttornev-General
Ireland:—Mr.in Richarck, now Baron Diehards ;
Mr. O'Leghlen, now Sir Michael 07.ogh!en,
Baronet ; Mr. Brady, now Chief Baron Brady ; Mr.
Pigott, late Attorney-general for Ireland ; Mr. Black-
barn, now Attorney-Gothval for Ireland ; specifying the
particulars in which they diner. Retitle, of the number
and names of the Ministers appointed in the present
year to be suporunin,mary prosecuting Counsel on each
Circuit in Ireland. Ii turn of the number and names of
Barristers so appointed who Ita've declined to act. Re-
turn of the number and names of Barristers who were
employed last year us supernumerary Crown Counsel,
and who are not included in the foregoing returns."
The Hoe. MEMBER then moved, pursuant to notice, fi r
a return of the numbers, names, and description of the
persons who have registered arms in the county of
Down, Ireland.
Mr. SHAW asked if the Right Hon. and Learned
Gentleman had any objection to extend his motion to
all Ireland.
Mr. O'CONNELL said that he had no objection
whatever.
The motion was then agreed to.
Mr. HUTT gave notice that to-morrow he would pre-
sent a petition front the Corporation of Hull, complain-
ing of the appointment of Municipal Magistrates.
Mr. ELPHINSTONE moved for a return showing
the amount of capital tel which the several rates of
Legacy Duty have been paid in Great Britain, in the
year ended the sth day of January, 1542 ; abstract of
the total amount under each rate since 1797 ; account
showing the total amount of Duties on Legacies,
Probates, and Administrations received in Ire-
land, in the year ended the sth day of January, 1842 ;
Returns for the year 1841, ended the sth day of Janu-
ary, 1842, showiLg the amount of capital on which the
several rates of legacy duty have been paid in Ireland,
and distinguishing the amount f each rate Return of
the total amount of Revenue received in 'the United
Kingdom in the year ended the sth day of July, 1842, for
Stamp Duty on Legacies,distinguishing those on direct and
on reversionary bequests, if possible, on Probates, Admini-
strations, and testamentary inventories ; distinguishing
the amount from England and Wales, Scotland and Ire-
land ; with au abstract of the whole amount of duty re-
ceived since 1797. Amount of total duty received in the
United Kingdom since 1797, to the sth day of January,
1842. (In continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No.
146, of Session 1841.)—Ordered.
Dr. BO%VEING begged to put a question to the Bight
lion. Baronet, the Secretary for the Home Department.
Ile understood that, within a few days, he-had received
a document on the state of the manufacturingllistricts,
which contained a great number of facts.collceted by a
committee of gentlemcn, who were charged to examine
into the state of the working population. He would be
glad to know from the Right Iron. Baronet When la
would lay that dominant, on the table of the House ?
Sir J. GRAHAM said that it the Hon. Gentleman
would repeat the question to-morrow he would probably
be able to answer it.
Mr. intoThEuToN wished to say that at the...time
when he gave notice of his motion for a return .of the
number of manufacturers who paid their wages upon the
truck system, he was not aware that 100 manufacturers
would come forward and give that denial which they had
done to the statements of the Hon. Member opposite.
His object in giving notice that lie would move fur that
return, was to show that the truck system was
not adopted generally amongst manufactnrers at Man-
chester. After what had occurred he would withdraw
his motion ; but at the same time he called upon the
Hon. Member to state when he would move for a Com-
mittee to inquire into the system.
CONSULS AND DIPLOMATIC AGENTS.
Mr. DISIZAEI,Isaid he rose to submit to the House the
motion of which-he had given notice, with respect to the
consular establishment of the empire.. It appeared to him
that at a time when theeonunercial interests of the country
were almost monopolising their consideration, it was not
inopportune to consider whether those establishments
which were maintained in foreign countries, for the pur-
pose of superintending, and, it' possible, encouraging
our commerce, were adapted to promote that object.
That was the
.question which he wished to submit W the
consideration of the House. Ire thought it was of the
utmost importance that those agents who were appointed
to superintend the commercial affairs of the country should
be capable of performing their duties, and of assisting
in protecting the interests of commerce generally. The
interests of this country were attached to and conducted
by two.principal bodies. One the diplomatic body—
the other the consular body, one of these bodies were
destined to aft, ad to what were called the poli-
tical interest, and the other the commercial in-
terest of the country. -It was the duty of the
House to see that a particular class of those interests
should not he entrusted to an inferior order of ag,'!.ose•
It would IR, expedient to inquire whirr_
et.h
political and Commercial interests should
or
at-
War,
tended to. The, question
.bf.
or the duratton
the consitlera-
:te dt o
State.to drawio
qeestions which aubmitted thenssetllte
rommo_c,a,
tiut" Itith°se."g"ts who urflt. was t"len iniTessary tor en tielr t o
inter-
ests o_ country.
.rate,d the commercial
consideration the SR .1.2 t .
or the prohatlltt Ptooeafc either, were
the line
interests of the yeah,
ore rlasr of nacn,the minutest interests of trade
Thus whilst the from the political class of agents.
titry. at lt
s.siglceieeisiint'le;'wesoarfseotf(hiaiieffitit:cenu most ancient
were superintended
the tour quarters ouc W 95 the
consular establishment, another was the theatre of its
most recent introduction: he alluded to the Turkish em-
pire and the South American republic. On the coast of
the Mediterranean, from Llano. Sc