The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-06-21 00:00:00

t IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

hOUSE OF LORDS.-TUESDAY.JUNE 14

The Royal assent was givi;n by COMmission to the
Burghs (Scotland), the Sheriff fled Commissary Courts
(D•

tierwickshire), the Cuunty Election Polls (Scotland), the
Sales of Builion, the Aggravated Assaults, the Cardiff
Waterworks, the Sheffield Waterworks, the Liverpool
Borough Court, the Cambridge University and Town
Waterworks, the Stockport Improvement, the Brighton,
Hove, and Preston Waterworks, the Wakefield Soap
Mills, the Edinburgh High-street and 'Railway Station,
the Scottish Central Railway, the Midland Railway
(Amendment of Acts, &c.), the Blackpool and Layton
(with Warbrick Improvement), and the Wolverhampton
Market and Fairs Bills.
The Earl of EGLINTON, on behalf of Lord Naas, denied
that that noble lord had ever made, or been authorized
by the late government to make, an offer of office to Mr.
Keogh.
The Great Extramural Cemetery Association Bill was
read a second time by a majority of one, the numbers
being—For the Bill-37. Against it-36.
A motion by Lord BEAUMONT for correspondence re-
specting the law of the State of South Carolina on coloured
seamen arriving in port was agreed to, and their lordships
adjourned. THURSDAY, Just 16TH.

THE CAPE CONSTITUTION.—In answer to Lord Pan-
mure, the Duke of NEWCASTLE described the alterations
made by the present government in the constitution of
the Cape of Good Hope sent out by Earl Grey. The
franchise had been reduced from £5O to £25 ; the qualifi-
cation of members of the Legislative Council had been
raised from £l,OOO to £2,000; but the principal alteration
was that the colonists were empowered to amend the con-
stitution themselves from time to time, with the assent of
the Crown.

THE SALT-TAX (INDIA).—The Earl of ALBEMARLE
presented a petition from certain inhabitants of Man-
chester. complaining or the salt duty levied in the British
territories in India, and praying that it might be reduced,
and he complained that the return which he had moved
for on this subject had not yet been presented.
The Lands Improvement Company Bill (No. 2) was
read a second time, after some discussion, and referred to
a select committee.
ENCUMBERED ESTATES COURT.—The LORD-CHAN-
CELLOR brought up a bill for continuing the' Encumbered
Estates Court in Ireland, which would contain amend-
ments, and which he proposed should continue in force
for two years. The hill was read a first time.
After some discussion between Lords BROUGHAM and
CAMPBELL, on County Court fees, their Lordships
adjourned.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17.

THE BISHOPRIC OF SYDNEY.—In answer to Lord
REDESDALE, the Duke of NEWCASTLE said that he had
abstained from recommending her Majesty to fill up the
see, as some arrangement was in contemplation for snak-
ing some changes with respect to the bishopric.
THE IRISH SOLICITOR-GENERAL.—The Marquis of
WESTMEATH proceeded to support the charges which he
had made against Mr. Keogh, of having made use of cer-
tain violent language at a meeting in the town of Moate,
in Westmeath, on the occasion of the Athlone election,
the Effect of which was to incite the mob to take ven-
geance on their opponents in " the dark nights" which
were coming on. He concluded by moving for a select
committee to inquire into the subject.—The Duke of
NEWCASTLE opposed the motion, on the ground that
such accusations were easily made against any innocent
person, and, if tolerated, their lordships would have their
whole time occupied in similar investigations. He thought
the character of the Solicitor-General for Ireland quite
unassailable, whether by the pointed shafts of the Earl of
Eglinton or the rusty bolts from the battered quiver of
the Marquis of Westmeath.—After some further discus-
sion, Lord BROUGHAM said if there was anything in the
case at all, it was one to be decided by a criminal court,
and not by that house, which was not the proper place for
such an inquiry.—The motion was ultimately withdrawn,
and the house adjourned.
MONDAY, JUNE 20.

Their Lordships did not meet to-day, owing to its being
the anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-TUESDAY, JUNE 14.

PETITIONS. - Mr. CHARLES TURNER presented a
petition from the journeymen upholsterers and the white-
smiths and general smiths of the borough of Liverpool,
in favour of the Combination of Workmen Bill, and Mr.
T. PARKER presented three petitions from Preston to the
same effect.—Mr. PILKINGTON presented a petition from
the chairman, trustees, and managers of the Blackburn
Victoria Building Society, against the Registration of
Assurances Bill.

POSTAGE AT PAN'AMA.—In reply to a question, Mr.
WILSON said that in May, 1847, a convention was con-
cluded between the State of New Grenada and the British
Government, by which a stipulation was made that the
postal bags should be conveyed across the Isthmus of
Panama at the sole charge of the British Government for
a sum of 2 reals, or about ls. per ounce. That conven-
tion, which it was then considered a great privilege for
the British Government to obtain, was still in existence;
and he was unaware that any means were being taken to
bring it to a conclusion.
CUSTOMS' REFORM.—In answer to a question when
the bill to regulate the collection of the Customs' revenue
would be submitted to the house, the CHANCELLOR of
the EXCHEQUER said, that the delay which had taken
place bad not been unnecessarily or wantonly incurred,
and that every effort had been made to prepare it. It
was now within a few days of being actually completed,
and it would be laid on the table of the house not later
than in the course of next week.

HARWICH ELECTION.—A motion for a new writ for
Harwich, in the room of Mr. Peacocke, was opposed,
but after considerable discussion it was carried by a
majority of 249 to 104.
THE BALLOT.—Mr H. BERKELEY once more moved
for leave to bring in k bill to protect electors by causing
votes at parliamentary elections to be taken by ballot.
After a long speech he called upon the house to restore
to the people a chartered right, to which they were as
much entitled as to the enjoyment of the sun's rays.—
In the course of the subsequent discussion, Mr. SIDNEY
HERBERT denied that the ballot would prevent intimida-
tion either in England or in Ireland ; and as to bribery,
if it were desired to aggravate bribery, he should say,
resort to the ballot, which would hold out an inducement
to the candidate to bribe and cast a convenient mantle
over the dishonest voter, whom it would effectually screen
from detection.--Mr. COBDEN spoke at some length in
support of the motion, as did also Sir ROBERT PEEL.--
Lord JOHN RUSSELL spoke against the motion, and upon
a division it was negatived by 234 to 174.
SOAP DUTY.—An attempt was made to go into com-
mittee on the Soap Duties, but it was resisted, and the
house counted out at half-past two o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15.
PETITIONS.—Mr. COBBETT presented a petition from
the mechanics of Oldham in favour of the Combination of
Workmen Bill.—Mr. ASPINALL presented a petition from
Clitheroe, and Mr. DRUMMOND from the boot and shoe-
makers of Liverpool, to the same effect.—Mr. J. B.
SMITH presented a petition from Stockport, praying that
the house would present an address to her Majesty to use
her good offices to induce Austria and France to withdraw
their troops from the Roman States.—Mr. BARNES pre-
sented a petition from articled law students of Bolton,
against the proposal to reduce the stamp duties on articles
of clerkship.—Sir G. STRICKLAND presented a petition
from Preston, for closing public-houses and beer-shops
on Sundays.
ELECTIONS BILL.—The house having resolved itself
into a committee on the Elections Bill, was occupied for
some time in considering its clauses, some of which were
postponed, and the rest agreed to, with amendments.
SALE ov LAND.—The Sale and Purchase of Land
Bill was read a second time, and, on the motion of Mr.
Drummond, was referred to the Select Committee on the
Registration of Assurances Bill.
IRISH LEASES.—The house went into committee on
the Leasing Powers (Ireland) Bill, the details of which
had not been got through at the approach of six o'clock,
and the Chairman was ordered to report progress.
The Combination of Workmen Bill was read a third
time and passed.
SOAP DUTY.—The house went into committee upon
the soap duties, when a resolution, to the effect that the
Excise duties upon soap should cease, was agreed to and
reported, and leave was given to bring in a bill.
Mr. FRENCH obtained leave to bring in a bill to
establish seamen's savings banks.
THURSDAY, JUNE 16.
PETITIONS.—Mr.THICKNESSE presented a petition from
the tailors of Wigan, and Mr. F. PEEL, from the journey-
men tailorsof Bury, in favour of the Combination of Work-
men Bill.—Mr. F. PEEL presented a petition from the
faßndolt3oln:r
T . BARNESCommercialßenefit fromt Buhediilrdei
cntgorsßoocfiettby of
f e 13y
Bank ur
o,
against the Registration of Assurances Bill.

ADVERTISEMENT DUTY.—In answer to a question,
the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the
Government had no intention of proposing any change
whatever with respect to the duties on advertisements
except the reduction from Is. Gd. to Gd.
THE LATE GOVERNMENT.—Mr. KEOGH entered into
a lengthened statement to prove that Lord Naas had
asked him last year if he would accept office under Lord
Derby, if an offer were made to him that effect. He
declared that he had an interview with the noble lord at
his own house. The Derby administration was then in
course of formation, and the noble lord, notwithstanding
the denial of Lord Derby in another place, said he had the
authority of Major Beresford to ask if he (Mr. Keogh)
would accept office in the new government. He replied
in the. negative ; and subsequently, having made some
opposition to Mr. Disraeli, he was taken to task by Major
Beresford for ingratitude, seeing that an offer had been
made to him which he had declined.—Lord NAA.S did
not deny the interview ; but he did most distinctly deny
the construction that was attempted to be put upon it.
He never made an offer of office to the hon. and learned
gentleman ; but he did ask him whether he would accept
office if an offer were made to him ; and the reply was, not
that the question appeared to him to be a jest, as he had
asserted, but that he and his friends having assisted Lord
Derby's party in overthrowing his predecessors, he ex-
pected such an offer would be made.—After futher dis-
cussion, which occupied the greater part of the sitting,
the subject dropped.
TAx ov SuccEssioNs.—On the order for going into
committee on the Succession Duty Bill, Sir W. JOLli, 1E
urged, upon various grounds, the postponement of the
committee.—The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER de-
aclt v ineadriatoneew
consentithan
to
understanding
nproposal d whiching
as heto
theconsui considered
tto o
hb
ee
taken with the bill.—The

house ,vent into committc
the seventh clause, the Chairman w

ordered to report progress.
SCOTCH SHERIFFS' COURT

7The house wen

.pou the Sher

reported progre

Other bills were advanced a stage, and the ho

adjourned at half-past on(
FRIDAY, JUNE 17

o'clock

)NS.-31r. (