Star.
London, England, 1821-03-06 00:00:00

It impossible for their affairs to -be governed by a.
Select Vestry ? tie described the Vestry Meetings
as most disorderly, and said that, on one occasion,
a dog was introduced -for the purpose of barking at
.a peculiar individual when helot up to speak. He
denied that the Vestry Meetings were hitherto guided
by anything like regularity : and as to the character
of the existing Governors, he would state to the
House, that one of them was convicted of being a
receiver of stolen goods.
Sir W. DE CRESPIGNY- spoke against the prin-
ciple of the Bill, and said it was only a step to the
subjugation of the inhabitants of every Parish in the
kingdom.
Dr. LUSHINGTON opposed the Bill in foto. He
entered into an examination of the powers given to
the Select Vestry by this Bill, and thoughtchat they'
were of such a nature as ought not to be entrusted,
to any such body of men. With respect to the indi-
vidual alluded to, as being a receiver of stolen goods,
it was quite true ; but then let the House remember,
that this circumstance occurred nine years ago; that
the individual was first appointed an Overseer by a
Magistrate, and that a Petition for his pardon was
signed by sixteen Magistrates, immediately upon his
conviction. He admitted that there was great con-
fusion in the Parish; but he would not agree to a
measure like this, which took away the rights and
liberties of the Parish.

Mr. PRICE said he thought it necessary that the
government of the Parish ought to be taken away
from the present Guardians, upon the ground that
the Meetings were turbulent and disorderly. Ile
said, that some of the Members of that body had
been convicted of libel, contained in some of their
Resolutions, passed at a Vestry Meeting.
Sir R. WILSON spoke against the Bill, as one
which took away the rights and liberties of the Pa-
rish; and looked upon it as an initiative step to the
destruction of the elective franchise amongst the in
ferior classes, and to limit it to property. Ile there-
fore called upon every friend of liberty to oppose it.
He said that the Governors had been accused of
li-
belling : he held in his hand a libel by the adverse
party, without the name of the printer.
Mr. WILLIAMS opposed the Bill, on the ground
that it was proposed on the spur of the moment, and
when the feelings of the Parish were in a state of the
utmost irritation. It was of great importance whe-
ther or not the rights and liberties of a respectable
Parish should be taken away ?
Mr. W. SMITH said, he held in his band Paper,'
presented to him on entering the house, in common,
he believed, with many other Gentlemen, with the
names of Clinton and Carter to it, whom he under-
stood to be Solicitors for the Bill. He was instructed
to say, it contained many fitlse assertions. If it were
stated by the Hon. Member for Surrey that the as-
sertions in that Paper were true, he (Mr. Smith)
would vote for the Bill being committed. At pre•
sent, lie did not think a case was at all made out to
justify such a measure as this.
Mr. MONCK opposed the Bill on general grounds.
He had no local concern in the Parish, but telt great
objection to the principle of giving such large powers,
to a body for life. He considered it as an introduc-
tion of the Borough system into Parishes.
Mr. HUNIE rose, but the cries of Question were
so repeated, that he sat down, and
Mr. H. SUMNER rose to reply.
Mr. DENNISON explained.
Mr. G. BENNET opposed the Bill, contending
that the Magistrates had the appointment of the Over-
seers, not the Parish.
Mr. H. SUMNER explained.
Mr. BYNG complained, that the agitation of this
question had produced divisions and dissensions of the
wow st kind in the Parish. He thought these would be
perpetuated by the passing of the Bill, as it would
throw power into the hands of a few to the exclusion
of the many, and he therefore opposed the Bill.
Mr.C.Cm.veirr. spoke against the Bill, as did
also Mr. P. Moone.

Loud calls were then made for a division, and upon
the Gallery being cleared, the numbers stood thus :

Fur the Bill l2B
Against it
Majority —B6
The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered
to be committed.