Star.
London, England, 1809-04-28 00:00:00

ulc course of last Session, • submitted to the House am
increase of salary to the Puisne Judges, and to the
Welch Judicature. It was his intention to have
brought it forward, and to extend it to the Chief Jus-
tice, Common Pleas, and the Chief Baron of the
Exchequer. He did not think it necessary to bring
it forward at an earlier period, as the principle was
,o clear, and the operation so simple, that it could
pro
duce neither a length of discuoion, or any diffi-
c:lty of determination. He was happy, from what
had dropped from the Noble Lord (Folkstone), that
hv common consent the present Bill was confined to
those objects only which it had originally in view._._.
Though he would be sorry that the consideration of
those offices which were saleable in the law depart-
rent, should be postponed for such a period as twelve
months, if the postponement operated upon the pro-
pa administration of justice, yet he could not see any
inconvenience which would arise from continuing the
present system another year. It was clear that justice
,could be as duly administered as ever. The Chief
Instice would not possibly appoint an unfit officer in
i, court, without subjecting himself to the severe
citicism of the other Justices. He was indeed sur-
prised that the exception should exist as it did, but
there was no harm to be apprehended frcvn conti-
nuing it another year.
Mr. THORNTON said, that by different reports,
it :ippeared the sinecure places disposed of in this way
would amount to 50,0001. ix-.)ich would form a hand-
some fund for remuneration of the Judges.
Mr. ROSE said a few words on the inaccuracy of
t2:ese reports.
Mr. W. WYNNE was of opinion, that not only
the interest of the Judges should be attended to in
this Bill, but that of all other persons possessing the
right of disposing of places.
The House having gone into a Committee on the
Bill,

_
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
introduced a new preamble, which was intended to
obviate any inconveniences arising from a reference
to the fcrmer Act.

The CHAIRMAN then read one of the clauses,
which was objected to by Lord Folkstone, who pro-
posed, that instead of the words " some offices," the
wo:ds " all offices in all parts of his Majesty's domi-
nions," should be inserted.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
objected to this generalizing amendment, as it• would
take in even the dice of Clerk to the Bank; and in
fact ali offices under private patronages.
Mr. MAXWELL wished that the operation of the
should extend to the offices in the disposal of the
Keeper of the Signet for Scotland ; Sheriff's clerk-
and many others.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER ob-
sr..rved, that the Bill was extended to Scotland and
Ireland, and the offices consequently therein. There
'vas also, in the Bill, n clause excepting its operation
to all offices legally saleable before the Bill was made.
If certain offices were not legally saleable they were
of course included in tle Act. If they were legally
saleable, it would be injustice to the persons holding
them not to except theni.

Mr. HORNER. concurred with his Noble Friend
on th p:op:•lety of generalization. This statute did
not include in its operations, he said, the principal
situations which may be disposed of ; the words were
"all offices under the superintendence, and controul."
This he begged leave to say only operated on the in-
frior, without any provision as.to the superior offices.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
cnnceivcd that the several departments nocelisarily
included the principal office, as well as the several de-
putations of that office.

Lord FOLKSTONE said, that all the arguments
of the Right Hon. Gentleman evinced the necess:Ly
of general worc-Is in preference to those which were
mentioned in the Bill.

The clause was then read as originally worded.
Lord MILTON and Lord FOLKSTONE were
anxious that the provisions of the Bill should extend
to the disposal of Offices by the Government of India.
Mr. P. IVIOORE declared, that 20 years' experi-
ence had convinced him, that the administration of
public affairs in India was more pure and disinterest-
ed than in any other part of the United Empire.—
There were no,: any Offices but those in the Supreme
Court of Judicature, which could possibly come within
the purview of the Bill.
The ATTORNEY and SOLICITOR-GENE-
RALS maintained the justice, in case it should it
be deemed expedient to extend the provisions of the
Bill to India, as proposed by the Noble Lord, to en-
act, that the operation of the Bill should not take
place until a sufficient time had been given for the
Bill to be published in India.
After a short discussion, in which Mr. YORKE, Mr.
BnURNE, Lord CASTLEREAGH, and Mr. HORNER
Participated,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
stated, that he would consider the subject, and pre-
pare a clause to meet the ideas of the Noble Lords.
Lord FOLKSTONE,for the purpose of facilitating
the obtaining of evidence, proposed an amendment to
t:ie clause, by which an offence against the Bill was
constituted a misdemeanor. The amendment went to
inflict a penalty of £2OO,
.to be granted to the infor-
raer. He had the subsequent intention of proposing
tnat the informer, if implicated in the transaction,
should be indemnified on giving information.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER ob-
erved, that the effect of the proposition made by the
Lord, if carried into effect, might frequently
lie to put an informer, who had obtained an office by
corrupt means, in possession of £2OO, and secure him
in the office so obtained.
Lord FOLKSTONE. withdrew his amendment on
the clause extending the penalties of the Bill to those
who gave more than the regulated price for Commis-
...ions in the Army. •
General LoFrus thought it unnecessary, as there
was already a punishment adequate to the offence in
the Office of the Commander in Chief.
Mr. S. STANHOPE said, that it was well known
(..at more than the regulated price had been, and was
P-equently given, in spite of the existing regulations.
He thought, Gentlemen who had purchased at thatt. .
gher rate, ought to be allowed to sell again at the
arite rate they bought.
ELLISON protested against this, as remu-
nerating those who had committed a breach of a
kmvii law, aad taken more than what they declared
upon their honour they did take.
Mr. W. SMITH regietted that such a practice

cle tours,
increase
Welch J
brought i
tics, Con
Excheque
forwart
clear,
produce n
c;:lty of c
bad drop}
comim
those obje
Though I
those offic
ment, shot
months,
per admin
in,:onvenit
present sy!
would be
Instice PVC
court,
CitiCiSlTl C
prised tha
there was
twins it a:
Mr. TF.
it :ippeare.
cvould am,
some fund
Mr. RC
I:ese repo
Mr. W.
the interes
this Bill, I
right of di
The lit
Bill,
The CI
introduced
obviate at
to the fern
The Cl-
which wa:
posed, tha
wo:ds "
nicns," sh
The CI
objected t(
take in e•.•
fact all oil
Mr.
Bill shoal,
Keoper of
ships, and
The CF
served. th:
Ireland, a!
'vas also, t
to all officl
Ii certain
•
of course
saleable, ii
them not t
Mr. HC
on thz pro
not incluc
situations
"all offices
This he be!
ferior, with
Th 2 C 3
co'rceivcd
included tl
putations
Lord Ft
of the Rig
of general
mentioned
The chat
Lord M
anxious th
to the dispi
Mr. P.
ence had 4
public affa
ed than in
There were
Court of Ju
the purviet
The A.'.l
RALS m
be deemed
Bill to Ind
act, that tl
place until
Bill to be i
After a
S, BrltlrtN)
Participate
The CI
tated, tha
pare a chat
Lord PC
the obtaini
me clause,
constituted
inflict a pc
raer. He
mat the in
should be i
The CE
th:
Lor
!Je to put a
corrupt me
!u the offic
Lord Ft
the clause
who gave
:,ions in the
General
was alread
the Office
Mr. S.
t..at more
trequently
He thongt. :
gher rats
le rate
EL
rcrating t
lam
lmnlqu
Mr. W.