Star.
London, England, 1830-12-10 00:00:00

GRAND JURY ASIRUMENTI.

Sir JOHN NEWPORT said, the great Increase of Grand Jury
Assessments in Ireland called for some legislative restraint for the pro-
tection of the people. In the last year they amounted to upwards of
800,0001. according to the returns made, which it was known were less
than the real amount. They were leviedl by persons almost irrespon-
sible, and over whom the persons paying the rate had no controL He
would now move certain resolutions respecting those levies, founded on
reports of committees of the house ; after the adoption of which by the
house, it would become necessary to take measures for the remedy of
the evil. The right hon. gentleman moved a series of resolutions de-
claratory of the amount of Grand Jury Assessments in Ireland, at dif.
ferent periods of time.
Mr. M. FITZGERALD said it was wholly impossible for the grand
juries of Ireland to exercise the power of taxation with which they are
intrusted, with advantage to the people. The landholders of Ireland
could not long endure the oppression of taxation under which they
had long been suffering. (Meer.) The grand jury system was con-
demned even by grand juries themselves, and was, in fact, a hope.
less system. T'he drain from Ireland by absentees was one under
which no country on earth could prosper. As he could not compel
the residence of proprietors, he would compel them to contribute
from their property to the employment of the people. Poor laws
in Ireland would only aggravate the evils under which the country
was suffering. It was his intention, under the late Administra.
don, to have submitted a plan for the employment of the peo-
ple of Ireland which was approved of by the Duke of Wellington. He
felt the necessity of making an advance of capital for the improvement
of Ireland and the employment of the people, which capital should be
repaid, both principal and interest, by a tax on land, but certainly not
to be paid by the occupying tenant. It had been his intention to give
notice of a motion on the subject; but there was no open day until af-
ter the Christmas recess, and he was confident it was impossible long
to delay its consideration. Ireland would continue to be a drain on
England unless she were allowed to improve her condition out of her
own resources.

Sir JOHN WALSH said he felt that all Irish questions were
English questions. He thought the employment of the people was a
most important question to both countries.
Mr. JAMES (RATTAN said, the grand juries of Ireland were ea
anxious as any members of that house to perform their duty correctly.
The system had existed in Ireland for above a century, and, though it
required improvement, should be dealt with cautiously. The great
evil of Ireland was absentees, and the house should be extremely cau-
date how they resorted to any measures that would Increase their
numbers.

FITZGERALD explained.
Sir R. PEEL thought it would be better, before the house should
affirm resolutions, that they should be printed, and a few days allowed
for their consideration. He was not prepared to say that he did not
concur in the resolutions ; but as they went to condemn the present
system, before they were entered into, a new system ought to be pre-
pared.
Mr. O'CONNELL approved of the suggestions which had been offer-
ed by the hon. baronet (Sir R. Peel) ; but he thought the principles of
11 his plan would require to be more directly defined. The hon. member
concluded with giving his support to an alteration In the law, and he
was favourable to the printing of the resolutions.
Lord ALTHORP was convinced that the Grand Jury Law of Ire-
land required revision s • but he had to communicate to the house that the
Chief Secretary of Ireland had a bill in a forward state of preration,
which would embrace the purpose that had given rise to this discussion
.—that of revising the law of Grand Juries.
Mr. G. DAR SON commented at great length on the present law,
and gave it as his opinion that the fault did not lie in the men, but in
the system.
Mr. WYSE and Mr. O'BRIEN expressed their opinions in a simi-
lar manner.

Mr. S. RICE thought further discussion unnecessary, after the as-
surance of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that the question would
be brought forward in a practical shape. The hon. baronet who had
proposed the resolutions, would then have the opportunity of establish-
ing his own principles. On that account he (Dlr. 8. Rice) would re-
commend the hon. baronet to withdraw his motion.

Sir JOHN NEWPORT, after a few observations, withdrew bis
motion accordingly.