The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-05-10 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-TUESDAY, MAY 3.

THE CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL.—The LORD CHAN-
CELLOR, in moving the second reading of the Charitable
Trusts Bill, described the mode by which the Govern-
ment proposed to put an end to abuses, and to place all
the charities in the country upon a more useful and
efficient footing. Read a second time.

THE ANNUITIES COMMUTATION BILL.—Tn proposing
the third reading of the South Sea, &c. Annuities Com-
mutation Bill, Earl GRANVILLE stated it would be neces-
sary to introduce a supplemental measure. The bill was
read a third time and passed.
Their lordships then adjourned.
FRIDAY, MAY 6.
The Salford Extension and Improvements Bill was
read a third time and passed.
REGISTRATION OF ASSURANCES.—The LORD CRAN-
CELLOR moved the third reading of the Registration of
Assurances Bill.— Lord ST. LEONARD'S opposed the
measure, which would, in his opinion, do great harm, its
only advantage being that it would facilitate the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer's scheme for taxing real property.
Their lordships then divided, when the bill was carried by
57 to 29.

The Lunacy Registration Bill, the Lunatic Asylums
Bill, and the Lunatics' Care and Treatment Bill were
read a third time and passed on the motion of Lord St.
Leonard's.

Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-TUESDAY, MAY 3.

CHICORY.—Mr. WILSON, in answer to Sir John Trol-
lope, on the subject of the duty on foreign chicory, stated
that the duty would be reduced from £2O to £4, and that,
for the convenience of English growers, it would con-
tinueat that rate till September,lBs4, when it would cease.
POST-OFFICE ESPIONAGE.—Lord PALMERSTON, in
answer to Mr. Phinn, stated that no instructions bad
been given to interfere with the letters addressed to
foreign refugees, nor did he believe that any such letters
had been interfered with in any way.
COUNTY FRANCHISE.—Mr. LOCKE KING made his
annual motion for leave to introduce a bill to make the
franchise in English counties the same as that in
boroughs, namely, the occupation of a tenement of the
annual value of £lo.—Lord Jorcv RUSSELL suggested
the withdrawal of the motion. The Government were
not indisposed to consider the whole question, and they
would submit their proposals under circumstances which
would ensure a full and calm discussion. The motion
was withdrawn.

PROSECUTION OF A CANDIDATE FOR BRIBERY.—Sir
JOHN SHELLEY, founding upon the report of the Chat-
ham Election Committee that Sir Frederic Smith had
been guilty of bribery, by procuring employment in the
Post-office for the son of an elector, moved that the
Attorney-General be directed to prosecute Sir Frederic
Smith for bribery, in accordance with the standing order
of the house.—Sir FREDERIC THESIGER expressed a
hope that, after considering the evidence, the house
would not interfere. A discussion ensued, the prevailing
opinion being that there was no intention on the part
of Sir Frederic Smith to commit bribery, and that his
proceedings could not fairly bear that construction.—
Mr. DRUMMOND said he would like to see the man
who, in his conscience, could say that be was entitled to
throw the first stone at Sir Frederic Smith. Let the
house do what it may, influence would be exercised, and
the representatives of the Three per Cents, the Bank
directors, East India Company's directors, railway kings,
and the like magnates, would continue to sit within the
walls. He did not think the result of recent inquiries
very much calculated to put the Emperor of Austria or
the Duke of Tescany much in love with representative
assemblies. It was too much to object to a voter's wife
getting a few yards of ribbon, when so much in a " legiti-
mate" way was done with a bit of ribbon in the " other
house." As to the motion, those who voted for it would
be disgraced, and not Sir Frederic Smith. On a division
the motion was rejected by 188 to 78 ; majority, 110.
MILITARY AT ELECTIONS.-Sir JOHN FITZGERALD,
in moving for leave to bring in a bill, providing that the
act which regulates the presence of soldiers in England
during a parliamentary election be extended to Ireland,
proceeded to narrate and criticise the military and legal
proceedings connected with the Six-Mile-Bridge affair,
but before be had completed his survey the house was
" counted out."