Star.
London, England, 1818-05-28 00:00:00

• --

• C.,&

Gist, he was rather sueprised that he should object
talieth a proceetliabl. ejnquiry was not against
honourable Trustees, but for the purpose of ascer-
taining facts necessary to direct the proceedings of
Parliament with regard to the Education of the Poor.
They had a right so to inquire, and it was time
enough when the result of their investigation was
known, to state in what way it was proposed to le-
gislate on the subject. The Noble and Learned Lord
'had shewn great acuteness at various times in pick-
big boles in Bills, but when he undertook to bring
forward Bills of his own, he did not always manifest
the most extraordinary sagacity in their preparation.
This fact reminded him of a story he had heard of a
certain Member of Opposition, who, sell& he,re-
xnained with his party, delivered many eloquent
speeches, but on being transferred to the Adminis-
tration, spoke with less talent than before. The cir-
cumstance being mentioned to Mr. Soarne Jennings
with some expression of surprise, he answered, that
it was nothing extraordinary. A man, said he, has
spent his life m breaking windows, and you want to
'Flake him a glazier—(A latigh.)—lt was because
the subject required investiration—because Parlia.
went had a right to inquire into it—and because the
mode of inquiry proposed to be adopted was recog-
nized by the practice of Parliament, that he should
vote for going into the Committee, and afford the
Bill every support in his power.
Lord REDESDALE was convinced that the Bill
could do no good,• and might occasion infinite mis-
chief. The Commissioners would not do their duty
if they di 1 not rigidly inquire into all Charitable
Foundatims ; and if they did do• their day, it would
give disgust to all who had hitherto executed their
trusts most faithfully and beneficially: the measure
would also have the effect of deterring every honest
man from accepting a duty which might subject him,
to malicious and groundless charges. The Bill, it
bad been said, would be a vehicle for information
but it would be a vehicle for scandal, and a vehicle
for immense vexation. The expenses of carrying the
Bill into effect would also be enormous. In each of
11,000 parishes in England, the expenses would
amount to three or £4,000. It would thus occasion
enormous taxation upon parishes. The machinery
already existing was sufficient to correct any abuse
that could be pointed out, and this Bill could there-
fore do no good. It would convert that House into a
criminal court of justice. The effect of it would be
to disqualify individuals from being Trustees. He
had conversed with many Trustees, who said that
they would not have accepted of the trust. if they
had been aware of such a measure as this. The Bill
extended to all contributions excepting those which
were excepted." if Jews were excepted, why not
Roman Catholics—why not Quakers ? The good
charitable lady (Mrs. Fry) who was employed in re-
forming prisoners in Newgate, was not excepted from
the inquiries of the Commission to be appointed. If
such a Bill pncim, Trustees would consist only of
persons of great zeal and of little discretion. He
should on those grounds give his negative to going
into the Committee.

Lord HOLLAND explained.
The Earl of CARNARVON said, that if the House
was piepated to resist all preliminary enquiry, be-
caw*c they did not then know what might be the re-
sults of that enquiry, and to say that they would
receive only specific bills for every'
abuse which could
somehow or other be proved to them, this bill must,
of course, be rejected. But, unless they were pre-
pared to go so far, he could conceive no reason, and
he he ird no reason, why the bill should not be com-
mitted. It might come out of the Committee a bill
much improved, and certainly a bill calculated to do
infinite good.
The House then di
tents B—Majority for the Committee 2.
The Bill was then committed.
Lord LIVERPOOL, by several amendments in
the preamble and clauses, restricted the bill to cha-
rities for the purpose of education.
Several other amendments were also introduced
and agreed to. The Report was ordered to be re-
ceived- to-morrow.

10—Non-con-

After the various other Bills were forwarded in
their respective stages, the House adjourned at Half-
past Eleven.

ezi
to.
Ito
tai
Ps
T 1
en
I:n
is
foe
T 1
to
cn
wi
it
• r
the
nit
en(
nil
voi
Bil
ca
ch
. if
Fo
' trtl
WC
ns
to
ha,
bu
for
11
au
en,
I ale
.1; the
I foe
cri
to
. ha
thi
ha
,
WI
RI
ch
.
th
su
pe
fi sh
tRI
w,
ca
SU
rC
so
of
he
tm
in
• te
rit
an
4 ce
tit
to
of
NI
sr
WI
14,1
< nai
• i
rot
• t to
' : et
1 frt tri
so
t
al
di
st
i
t.l
! . tl
ti
tl
a
{
•
.;
4\