The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-07-24 00:00:00

MAILS ON RAILWAYS

Mr. LABOUCHEEE moved the further consideration of the
report on the Mails and Railways Bill.
On the question that the Speaker do leave the chair,
Mr. W A LLACE objected to the bill, and inoved as an amend-
ment, that it be committed that day six months. The hon.
member said he was a friend to railways,'and wished to see
them extended to all parts of the kingdom, but he never could
consent to any measure which would give them a monopoly
in travelling. He wished some check to be put upon the
charges of different companies, and he thought parliament
ought to call upon every railway company to produce their
accounts once a year, in order to protect the public against
imposition, and secure the cheapest mode of travelling to her
Majesty's subjects. He objected to the government insisting
upon the' mails being conveyed by railroads. He concluded
by moving, that the further consideration of the bill be post-
poned for six months.
The amendment of the hon. member not being seconded,
the house went into committee on the bill, Mr. Bernal in the
chair. _ _

On the first clause being read,
Mr. LABOUCHERE said, before any new principle of legis-
lation was attempted relating to railroads, be was anxious to
see how the present law would operate, and thus at a future
session if necessary, parliament might interfere. He thought
this bill had provisions which would secure the service of the
Post-office being regularly performed by railroad companies.
It was his (Mr. Labouchere's) wish to make the best bargain
for the public with railroad companies he possibly could.
The expense of paying the mails by railroads at the present
time was much greater than when they were conveyed by
coaches. Since the day the mail was sent part of the way by
the London and Birmingham railway, there had been an in-
creased expense incurred by the Post-office, on that line
alone, of between £3,000 and £4,000; therefore, if the
house was not prepared to give up the revenue derived from
the Post-office, it was absolutely necessary to pass some
such bill as that under consideration. (Hear.)
Lord G. SOMERSET did not wish railroad proprietors to be
paid extravagantly, but he wished them to be fairly re-
munerated. _

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL considered railways as public
roads, and subject to the same kind of legislations as other
roads, Troops, baggage-waggons, &c., engaged in the public
service, did not pay toll on roads, and he did not think it
would be contended that parliament had not the power to ex-
empt carriages in the public service from toll on railways.
(Hear.)
Sir J. GRAHAM had great objections to some of the strong
provisions in this bill. He considered there was a vast dif-
ference between railroads and other roads. It was true her
Majesty's troops did not pay turnpike tolls, but if they were
conveyed by canals, canal proprietors were paid for their
conveyance, and he thought railroad proprietors in such a
case were entitled to payment.
Lord SANDON differed with the learned Attorney-General
as to his opinion of the power and right of the crown relating
to railroads. He considered railroads as private property,
and therefore the house could not legislate respecting them
in the same manner as they could as to public roads. A fair
and reasonable remuneration ought to be paid for the con-
veyance of the mails.
After a few abservations from Mr. BAINES,

The CHANCLELOR of the EXCHEQUER condemned a par-
liamentary discussion of the kind which had taken place. It
would be much better to discuss each question as it rose, when
the different clauses came under consideration.
After a desultory conversation, clauses up to 14 inclusive,
were agreed to without amendment.
On the 15 clause being read, which refers disputes to be
settled by arbitration.
Mr. WARBURTON thought it would be much better to settle
a fixed payment. If a company were authorised to resort to
arbitration, disputes would be continually arising, which will
.be attended with great expense.
Another desultory conversation ensued.
Sir S. GRAHAM Said he bad no interest in the railways,
t ~direct, but he thought that the public -should have
Toe benefit of a quick transmission of letters atm !tape,. At
the same time the interest of railway proprietors ought to be
-fully considered. The right hon. baronet concluded by moving
.a proviso to the clause to the effect that the arbitrators
should be empowerad, when considering the amount of re-
muneration to be paid for the conveyance of mails on rail-
roads, to make such compensation according to the original
cost of constructing the different lines of railroads.
Mr. LAROUCHERE opposed the proviso. He was anxious
that the proprietors of tailvays should be fairly remunerated
for conveying the mails, but he objected to opening such a
wide field of inquiry as ascertaining the costs of construct
ing any particular line of railway. (Hear.) In the dis-
charge of hisofficiat duty he was bound to protect the interest
of the public (hear) ; and therefore he could not consent to
a motion which was likely to take away the revenue derived
from tire- Po.lt office. (Here.) - -

Lord SANDON and Mr. HAwEs supported the proviso.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that it was the
wish of government to give the proprietors of railroads fair
remuneration for what services they might render to the state ;
at the same time they were bound to protect the interests of
the public. (Hear.) He wished the whole question to he
left to the discretion of the arbitrators.
Sir R. PEEL said, when railroad bills were passed, they
had not been sufficiently considered. They had constituted
a monopoly which it would not be easy to break down. Par-
liament ought to have said, when a bill was applied for, if we
give you the right of taking possession of property, you shall
undertake, if necessary, to perform the business of the public
at a reasonable rate. (Hear.) He (Sir R. Peel) did not
think the proviso of his right hon. friend correctly worded ;
he did not think an arbitrator ought to be tied down as to the
exact mode of inquiry, and he thought the bill as it originally
stood was not unjust. He thought the question of remuner-
ation ought to be left to the unfettered judgment of the arbi-
trators, subject to revision by an umpire. He thought after
what had been said it would be better for his right honoura-
ble friend to withdraw his amendment, and allow the original
clause to pass in its present form.
Sir J GRAHAM said, if the government would let it be un
derstood by the public, that the arbitrators were to be left en-
tirely to their unfettered opinion and judgment, he should have
no wjection to withdraw his amendment.
Mr. LABOUCHERE could assure the light hon. baronet it

was the anxious wish of the government-that the arbitrators
should be left to their free and unfettered judgmea in deci-
ding the amount of remuneration. (Hear.) knd great care
would be taken to appoint fit and proper persons to sit as ar-
bitrators.
Sir J. GRAHAM said, after this assurance he would with-
draw his motion.

The proviso was then withdrawn; and after a few words
from Mr. WALLACE, the original clause was agreed to.
The remaining clauses were agreed to without amendment,
and the house resumed.

Mr. F. M AuLE moved the third reading of the prisons bill.

Mr. LANGDALE moved a clause, by way of ridei, empower-
ing magistrates, when a number of prisoners in any gaol for
three years amounted to SU, professing the same religion, to
appoint teachers or clergymen of the same religion if they
think: lit.

On the clauses being put from the chair,
Mr.. PARKINSON moved that the house do adjourn.
Mr.. ESTCOCRT supported the motion for adjournment.
Aft,:er a few words from Mr. Ellis, Mr. Langdale, and Mr.
O'Coinnel,

M r. F. -MAUL& said he would not object to the debate being
adjourned until Monday.—Debate adjourned until Monday.
The Court of Chancery (Ireland) Bill was read a third time
and passed.
The other orders of the day were disposed of, and the house
adjourned at half-past four o'clock.

COMMERC [AL INTELLIGENCE AND
MONEY MARKET.

SATURDAY, TWELVE O'CLOCK

Consols for the Account onened 944 , Money 2gli 4.
Exchequer Bills, 82 pm.; India Bonds, 814; Bank Stock,
2064 ; India Stock, 2644 2654. Spanish Active, 22i ; Por-
tuguese, 364; Three per Cents. 244 ; Brazilian, 804 ; Mexi-
can, 254; Colombian, 274 ; Dutch, 54i 55k.
HALF-PAST ONE.

Consols for Account are at 948, Money 94i a ; Exchequer
Bills lower, 83 81 pm.; India Bonds higher, 80 82 pm.;
Bank Stock higher, 2116 207; India Stock, 2651. Spanish
Active, 22k, with coupons ; Portuguese, 362; Three per
Cents., 241; Brazilian, 801; Mexican, 251; Colombian,
271; Belgiaz, 10213; Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents.,
54 i; Five per Cents., 1021.
FOUR O'CLOCK.
Consols for Aug. 28, 941 1; Spanish Bonds, 24.
Portuguese New Bonds, 361.

From the Morning Chronicle. )

FRIDAY EVENING.

Although the present abundance of money has not been
observed to drive up the general share market to the extent
which many of the frequenters of the Stock Exchange appear
to have expected, as the results of the late payment of the
half-yearly dividends, yet a great deal of capital is going into
sound and useful employment in several companies for the
building of steam shipping for various parts of the world.
OC these above 5,000 tons ore about to be laid down for the
a from Engia:Ji to New York. all lo thiv

“..aere steam ..,hluery is k ootvia t.: Lich- tow,
,:c!,Cl.Po:i'al and perfect than in the United State,. A co:n
pany is also in progress for steam navigation on a tare Seale
to the East Indies, by way of the Cape of Good Hope; and
another for the establishment of iron steamers in the Ganges
and its tributaries to the city of Agra, which will cover a
thousand mites of the presidency of Bengal. To Brazil there
are steam-vessels about to depart from Liverpool, for the
navigation of the coast from Rio de Janeiro to Bahia and
Pernambuco • and one iron vessel also is building at South-
ampton for the Rio Doce river; whilst a third company has
obtained an exclusive privilege for the navigation, by steam-
vessels, of the bay of Bahia for a certain number of years.
All these undertakings must absorb no inconsiderable amount
of capital, nor can English enterprise, perhaps, be directed
to any more useful channel than the extension of the advan-
tage of steam navigation to so many distant quarters of the
world.

(From the official list, conta
transa
BRITISH FUNDS THIS
Bank Stock, 206 7 6!j
a per Ct. Red., 94 I
3 per Ct. Con., 94
33-. per Ct. Anns.lBlB,
SIX: per Ct. Red., 1021
New 314 per Cents., 10e,
Long Ans. 1860, 15 7-16 e
Ditto, 30 yrs. 1859, 151
Ditto. 30 yrs. 1860,

lining thelisisiness actually
toted.)
DAY AT THE CLOSE.
India Stock, 265%
India Bonds, 80 2
South Sea Stock,
Bank Stock for Acct., 206,4
Consols for 28th Aug. 9'll
£lOOO Ex. Bills 83 81 163
£5OO do. 81 83
Small do. 81 83
,Ditto Commercial,
SHARES.
(The quotations give the actual price, without reference to
• premium or discount.)
Brazilian, St. John Del Rey, 6 Asphalte, Liverpool,
British Iron, 101:‘ Asphalte, Polonceau,
Cheltenban& Great Western, Asphalte (Claridge's Patent,)

7 -
Loo4don and Greenwich, 1:51 Asphalte, British,
Croydon New Scrip, 61 Asphalte, United States,
Anti-Dryrot Company, 13.1 13 Asphalte, Netherlands,
Asphalte, Scotch, Asphalte, Swiss,