Star.
London, England, 1808-05-13 00:00:00

REVERSION BILL.

On the third reading of this Bill,
The Earl of LAUDERDALE observed upon
the circumstances attending the progress and rejec-
tion of the former Bill and those which preceded the
introduction of the present, and had taken place
during its progress, and contended that the present
Bill evidently appeared to have been the result of a
compromise. With respect to the Committee of Fi-
nance, he did not expect much from their labours,
after the little they had yet done. He thought their
time would have been much better occupied in con-
sidering whether the immense expenditure in the
army, ordnance and navy, could with expediency be
reduced, than in the compromise from which this
measure had resulted, or in the consideration of the
abolition of a sinecure place. Some regulation might
undoubtedly be made with respect to sinecure places,
but it was material to consider with respect to this
question, the remuneration which ought to be given
to those who gave up their professional pursuits for
the business of the State. if it was to be. laid down
that no persons but those possessed of property and
fortune were to be admitted to offices, then he thought
they would not be likely to obtain much talent, but, if
ability was requisite, there must he means to make
such a provision for persons of ability that they might
be induced to quit their professional pursuits. He
thought this was better done by sinecure places than
by pensions.
Lord HA RROWBY, with respect to the idea of
a compromise, observed, that the constant practice
of the constitution was a compromise, as if the dif-
ferent branches were continually to exercise all the
powers they possessed, public business could not go
on. With respect to sinecure places, lie agreed with
the Noble Lord that the State ought not to be placed
in a worse situation than the professions in the State,
and therefore ought to have the means of inducing
persons of to quit their professions to engage
in public business. He supported the bill, and disa-
greed entirely with some doctrines advanced on a
former night, respecting danger to the constitution.
He thought the dangei• which some Noble Lords saw
in this Bill was more to be apprehended from resisting
salutary reform.

The LORI) CHANCELLOR said if there had
been a unnpronlis.!, he was no party to it. With re-
spect to the Sill, he could see no ground for that
theory of danp;zr to the constitution, and invasion of
the prerogative, which had been advanced in a for-
mer debate, or that the dignity of the House was at
all attacked. He thought their true dignity consisted
in yielding to a proposition of salutary regulation, and
making a firm stand where an attack ivasreally made
upon the constitution.

Lord HOLLAND observed upon the extraordi-
nary eircumstuues attending these Bills, the amend-
ment r.tovcd in the Comer Dill being negatived by
a large majority ; and yet it formed the substance
of the present Bill, which had been agreed to by the
House.

Lord 1-IAWKTSPITRY observed, that there were
three opinions with respect to the former Bill, and
that two of the parties,coalesced against the amend-
ment then proposed, by which it was negatived, con-
trary to the real sense Of the House.

Lord HOLLAND in explanation, observed, that
he could only take the vote of the House as an indi-
cation of its opinion.
The Earl of DARNLEY in a few words suppor-
ted the Bill.

The Bill was read a third time and passed.
Adjourned till to-morrfAv.

ITOU3E Or COMMOYS.

Lord YARNIOUTI t reported from the New Talton Commit-
tee, that Bryan Cooke, Esq. is duly elected, and the petition not
frivolous or vexatious.

Mr. HUSK ISSON gave notice, that he should to-morrow
most ti Resolution, that in all cases of Inelosure and other Bills-,
in which the Crown was interested, the Surveyor General, or
other person, having the charge of the Interest of the Crown in
the District, should attend as a Commissioner on the part of the
Crown.

Mr. R. WA".D presented a Petition from the Governors of
Greenwich Hospital, for dividing the Living of Syrnondburn,
into two or more Curec.

Mr. WHARTON brought in a Bill for granting an Additional
Duty on Made Corks imported.—Read a hrst time. and to brread
a second time onWeducsclay.

The Three Nlil!ioni, and One and a Half Millions Exchequer
Bills were read a third time, and passed.
Mr. WHI-1 BRE prts•n ed a Petition from the Provost and
Town Council of Annan, in favour of -the bill for preventing the
granting of Offices in Reversion. •

fie also presented a Petition from the same body, against the
Scots Judicature Bill, complaining particularly of tho inefficacy of
that part by v.l;:ch it is proposed that the Court of Session shall
be divided o:Ilv into two Chambers.—Both Petitions were or-
dered to lie cn the table.

The Rtgort of the Committee of Supply was brought up. The
grant of an Annuity of 10,CC0I. to the Duchess of Brunswick
was agreed to n,
After a tew wo:•4s between Mt...TIERNEY and Mr. PERCE-
VAL, on the grant fur Sierra Leone, the other resolutions were
also agn re to.
_ _

'1 he Irish Past Offi-e T;i11 was reported, and ordered to be read
a third time to-mJrrow.

nov ERN:kTENT A NNUITTF.R.

Mr. HUSKTs'!;ON gave notice of a motion for to-morrow to
u!horize the Hoideis of Tht cc rer Cent. Stock to purchase An-
nuities.

SCOTS JUDICATURE BILL.

A Message from the Lords stated that their Lord,hips had
passed all for the better regulation of Justice in Scotland, and
concerning. zppeals, to which they desired the concurrence of the
House. The Bill being read a first time,
The SOLICITOR GENERAL of SCOTLAND moved that
it be read a second time on Monday.
Mr. HORNER pled the indisposition of an Hon. Member in-
terested in. and who had raid great attention to the judicial affairs
of Scotland, as a reason for postponing the second reading to the
first open day atter tie,dz v. It was accordingly fixed for Wed-
nesday next.