Star.
London, England, 1829-03-26 00:00:00

and wet exercised on as fair a principle as possible. An
Hon. Member atp peered toloppose that the Societal-I ofl
State aecommanded the appoustmeat.of Clergymen as
Magistrates. This was a aiistakt. /He (Mr. Pal) hadil
never recommended may peisoo to ba appointed a Jut.
.tire of the Peace. Indeed, belied cautiously abstained
from any interference withlhe appointment of Magis-
trate% lest it should be supposed that it was desired to
give a political bias to the Magistracy. On this account
he threw all the responsibility of selection on the Lords
Lieutenant of the respective counties, where it should
rest, and, he might add, by whom the power bad been
properly exercised. To give power to any Board of
Commission to examine Magistrates, and deter mine upon
their legal acquirements and fitness for the office of
Justice of the Peace, was altogether out of the question.
An individual arrived at the age of 21, and who pos-
sessed the necessary qualification as to property, could
exercise legislative functions in Parliament without any
previous examination. The idea of examining candi
dates for the Magistracy was impracticable. With respect
to an exclusive law affecting the Clergy, he believed
that it would be attended with great public injury. In
fact, he believed the Clergy did not aids to be included
in the Magistracy, but he felt satisfied that during that
portion of the year when many of the lay Magistrates
were necessarily absent from the country upon duties
which called them to the metropolis, great inconvenience
must arise if there were not resident Clerical Jestices of
the Peace upon the spot. He had no desire to have
Clergymen appointed to the Magistracy, except where
the public interests required it. It was impossible to
lay down any precise rule on the subject which local
circumstances might not render it necessary to vary. It
was admitted that Clergymen performed their Magis-
terial duties with diligence and ability, and therefore be
should be sorry to see them excluded by any general
ru!e ; he might add, he should be equally sorry to see
any rule as to their general admission or general exclu•
siren adopted. With respect to Magistrates Clerical, or
Lay, attending at Petty Sessions, he had taken pre-
cautions in the Bill against the attendance of Justices
being directed so as to carry a particular object or over-
bear then. This was a provision in the Bill, the main
I,bject of which was to regulate the administration and
proceedings of Courts of Magistrates assembled in Petty
Sessions and, with that view, be thought an open Court
a much better security for the due administration of
Justice than any other which it was possible to deem.
Mr. HUME said it was highly desirable. at least, that no coo.
vicdon Amid take place except by the sentence ,[two Magistrates,
and in open Court.
Lord J. RUSSELL hoped time would be afforded so as to allow
an opportunity to remit, suggestions as to the clauses in the 8W
front practical men.
Leave was then given. and the 8W was introduced. read a lest,
and ordered to be read a second time this day fortnight.
Sir A. GRANT brought up the Report of the Committee on
the Qualikaties of Freeholders (Ireland) Bill, which was agreed
to after an observation from Mr. Hasa, and aim from Sir Jamas
0111411111111.

The Innkeepers' BM was read a third time, and poised.
Mr.UYNO sieved the second reading of the County Bridges:BM.
Lord LOWTHZR opposed it, and after a Mort cosiversatiuo,
the second reading was reopened, is comemsence of the thin attend-
ance of the House, and flied for Wednesday neat.
Mr. 11.LBOD presented Petidons from th• Borough and bow-
porued Trades, also from the Inhabitants et the town, of Inverness ;
and another from Yearn, in the meaty of Russ, against granting
further contusions to the Roman Catholics. _ _ _

The otberikiiiraot the Day were thee disposed of, sad the
House adjourned at a Quoston•PUK Ihrso oTtocz.