The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1850-07-30 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.--TUESDAY.

Lord ARUNDEL and SURREY withdrew the Marriages Act
Amendment Bill for the present session.
Colonel DuNNE moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend
the Irish Poor Law. Disclaiming any intention to abolish that
law, he stated the principal features of the measure he pro-
posed to introduce for correcting those parts of it which pressed
most heavily upon the country—namely, a modification of, or
a substitute for, the system of outdoor relief, the removal
from the commissioners of the power of appointing paid guard-
ians, and provisions against the extravaxant expenditure under
the existing Poor Law. He did not wish to press the bill this
session.
Leave was given to bring in the bill.
Colonel SIBTHORP rose to submit a motion for the remission
of the income-tax levied on the tenant-farmers. Their distress
being admitted, he appealed to the Chance for of the Exche-
quer to acquiesce in the object of the motion now, or in the
-next session.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that to relieve
one class from the operation of this tax would be unjust to
other classes, and inconsistent with the principle of the tax.
Next session would be the time for considering the general
question.
.Mr. SPOONER urged that the tenants were assessed to the
tax upon a false principle, and suggested that the Commission-
ers of the Property Tax should be authorized to hear appeals of
tenants who, though charged upon profits, had been suffering
loss.
Mr. DISRAELI considered that there would be no practical
difficulty in relieving tenant farmers from this tax, and he
supported the motion upon the ground that it was his duty to
take every opportunity to obtain for the cultivator of the soil
complete justice.
The house divided, when the motion was negatived by 50
against 32.
Mr. WYLD obtained leave to bring in a bill to incorporate
the general practitioners of surgery, medicine, and midwifery.
HOUSE OF LORDS.—THURSDAY.
The Steck-in-Trade Bill passed through committee.
WITHDRAWAL OF THE MARRIAGES BILL.

The Earl of ST. GERMANS moved that the order of the day
for the second reading of this bill be read for the purpose of
being discharged. He hoped that during the recess their
lordships would consider the bill calmly and deliberately,
without suffering their minds to be t.rejudiced by the vehement
denunciations against this bill, so that early next session they
might take into their consideration the recommendation of
several most pious clergymen and of the learned members of
the commission appointed to consider this subject, and that
some such alteration should take place in the law.
The Bishop of SALISBURY said that the report of the com-
mission appointed gave no opinion on the matter; certainly
not one in favour of the bill.
The Earl of ST. GERMANS said the report pointed out the
evils of the existing state of the law.
The Bishop of OXFORD protested against the Church of
England not condemning those marriages.
The Earl of ST. GERMANS explained. These marriages might
be celebrated in the Church of Rome by a dispensation from
the Pope.
The Bishop of OxFoßn said the Pope might, by dispensa-
tion, legalise a marriage between a brother and sister.
Lord BROUGHAM said that argument from the practice of
the Church of Rome proved too much or too little, for the
Pope might, by a dispensation, enable a man to marry his
grandmother. He should seriously consider the subject during
the recess.
.The order of the day for the second reading of the bill was
then discharged.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAY..

-
The Mercantile Marine (No. 2) Bill, after considerable dis-
cussion, and after the rejection of several proposed amend-
ments. passed through committee, and it was arranged that the
third reading should take place on Tuesday next at twelve
o'clock at noon.
The Medical Charities (Ireland) Bill partly passed through
committee.
in reply to a question from Mr. MONSELL,
Lord J. RUSSELL said that the Security for Advances to Ire-
land Bill bad met with so much opposition that he would not
re-introduce it during the present session.
On the motion for the house resolving itself into a committee
of supply,
Lord NAAS moved that an humble address be presented to
ler Majesty, praying that she will be graciously pleased to
order such measures to be taken as will insure the immediate
establishment of regular steam communication with her Aus-
tralian colonies. After a lengthened discussion, Lord Naas'
motion was negatived without a division.
Mr. HUME called the attention of the house to the system of
charging a fee for admission to St. Paul's.
Sir G. GREY admitted the grievance, and explained that
steps were being taken for abolishing it.
The house then went into a committee of supply ; but no
discussion of importance took place. Nearly all the remaining
estimates were voted, and the house adjourned.
HOUSE OF LORDS.—FRIDAY.

Upon the motion of Lord BEAUMONT, the three persons,
Byrne, M'Arthur, and II inde, who confessed to having signed
fictitious signatures to petitions from the ratepayers of Liver-
pool, were brought up from Newgate ; and the noble lord,
Xmrs'innt to notioo, tnorprt that thou he reprimanded and dis-
charged.
Lord BROUGHAM concurred in the motion, upon the ground
that the parties might have been the instruments in the hands
of other parties, and that they were not aware of the serious
offence they were committing.
After some conversation to the same effect from the Marquis
Of LANSDOWNE, the Earl of HARROWBY read a letter from the
Liverpool Trade Protection Society, denying a portion of the
evidence given by the parties at the bar with respect to the
mode in which petitions were got up in Liverpool.
Lord BEAUMONT said the committee now sitting determined
to find out the real delinquents, who, if discovered, would cer-
tainly be punished.
The LORD CHANCELLOR then severally reprimanded the
parties, who were discharged—the costs, on account of their
poverty, being remitted.
Lord BaoconAm called the attention of the house to the
course taken by the Attorney-General with regard to an infor-
mation proposed to be filed in the Court of Chancery with a
view to stay by injunction the erection of a building in Hyde-
park for the Great Exhibition in 1851. The noble lord went
into the question "at considerable length, and denounced the
conduct of the Attorney-General as most unconstitutional,
declaring that be bad prevented the public from prosecuting
their case, because he knew that their opponents dared not
meet them in a court of law.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE complained that Lord
Brougham had brought forward this question without giving
the usual notice. It seemed to him that the Attorney-General
had merely exercised the discretion which was admitted to be
vested in him in the manner which he believed would prove
most beneficial to the public. As, however, Sir John Romilly
was about to explain the matter in the lower house, it was not
necessary to say anything more about it.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.--FRIDAY.

The Speaker took the chair at twelve o'clock. Mr. Stanley
took the oaths and his seat for the city of Chester.
immediately afterwards, Sir R. H. INoLIs pretented a peti-
tion from Bath against the admission of Jews into parliament,
which was received with derisive cheers from the ministerial
benches, but with much applause by the opposition.
BARON ROTHSCHILD'S SEAT.

Exactly at a quarter-past twelve, Baron ROTHSCHILD pre-
sented himself at the bar, and advanced to the table between
Mr. J. A. Smith and Mr. W. Page Wood, and having presented
his qualification, which was accepted, said, "I desire to be
sworn upon the Old Testament." (Cheers.) At the request of
the Speaker, the baron withdrew, taking his seat under the
Speaker's Gallery. He was frequently afterwards in commu-
nication with several members, particularly. Lord J. Russell.
Sir R. INoLis rose and said, that ever since the house had
. been a Christian legislature no man bad ever presumed (he
used the word without offence) to offer to take his seat without
takings the solemn oaths in the name of our Redeemer. He
concluded his speech by moving that " Baron Rothschild,
upon presenting himself to take his seat, having requested to
be allowed to be sworn upon the Old Testament, this house
refuses to alter the form of taking the oath." Much excite.
ment prevailed during the delivery of the hon. baronet's
speech.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, without expressing any opinion
.on the subject, moved that, as in the case of Mr. O'Connell
when returned for Clare, Baron Rothschild be heard at the bar
by himself, his counsel, or hls agents, in respect to his claim
to sit and vote in parliament on taking the oaths on the Old
Testament.
Mr. PAGE WOOD contended that the amendment did not
meet the case, and said there was no need of the house being
informed upon the question by counsel, because no Jew was
prevented by law from taking oaths upon the Old Testament.
Ile should therefore vote both against the motion and amend-
ment.
Mr. STUART WORTLEY said he had always supported the
admission of Jews into parliament, but he protested against
the house being taken by surprise or by storm. He would
move that the debate be adjourned, to give time for further
consideration.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL consideredtheproposal for an adjourn-
ment reasonable, and consistent with the character of the
louse, which ought not to decide a question of so much impor-
tance without due deliberation. At the same time, he consi-
dered the same course ought to be taken in this case as in that
•ef Mr. O'Connell, a course which would by no means preju-
dice Baron Rothschild. He hoped that due time would be
taken for deliberation, and a day fixed for further discussion
which Avould be convenient to Baron Rothschild.
Sir BENJAMIN HALL strongly blamed the government for
the delay in the settlement of this question, and said the elec-
tors of London would no longer be trifled with.
Mr. C. ANSTEY said the present parliament might not be in
existence next session ; and if it were dissolved without having
settled this question, it would always be liable to the charge of
baying neglected its duty.
Mr. NEWDEOATE condemned the attempt to force on a
decision as extremely objectionable, bothin point of precedent
and character. He supported the adjournment of any conclu-
sion upon the question till next session, as proposed by Lord
John Russell on Monday.
Mr. OSBORNE, in a rattling speech, warmly assailed the con-
duct of Lord John Russell on this bill, as totally unworthy of
his,character, and said if the Jews had not been a small body
be could not have ventured upon such a policy. An under-
standing had been entered into between the government and
Mr. Walpole to postpone the decision on the question.
Mr. WALPOLE said he had entered into no arrangement.
Mr. OSBORNE, amidst loud cheers, _urged the friends of pro-
gress not to be dragged at the wheels of an equivocating
government, by consenting to any further delay. He asked
the speaker if he was empowered to administer the oath to
Baron Rothschild in the house, in the same way as the judges
did in courts of justice.
The Sezar.v.a, in reply, said the result would depend upon
his answer ; but he could not permit any alteration in the
anode of administering the oath, without the authority of the
house.
Mr. GOIMBITRN, in a long speech, urged the propriety of
further consideration, and supported the adjournment.
Mr. AOLIONBY advised that for the sake of all parties the
debate be adjourned without a division •, but insisted that there
was no necessity to hear Baron Rothschild by himself or
his counsel.
Sir F. THESIGEIL supported the adjournment, and urged the
propriety of the whole question being discussed when the
debate was resumed.
Mr. HOME urged the government to withdraw the amend-
ment that counsel be called in. He said in that case lie would
support the adjournment of the debate. He accused the
Jgo ifeanycon t of•a deliberate attempt to insult the electors of
.sofhifi through% Efron Rothschild, by delaying a discussion
crlitlie question of his admission.
~„.6 Lord J. ItussEr.i. said, in explanation, that the motion of
GeAeral would give the baron the option of
~ " the Attorney-
• -"Waring by counsel pr not.
-: sir. HOME said. tie 41 not wish to appear, and suggested
that he should be salted die question.
- AftPr a few yroldg fmtp Aly, Walpole, Mr. Page Wood, and
' Mr, Stun, .

..

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he would willingly withdraw
his amendment if the debate were adjourned.
Sir JAstes GRAHAM said be considered the Attorney-Gene-
ral's amendment to be withdrawn, and advised the friends of
Baron Rothschild not to oppose the adjournment.
Some desultory conversation followed, after which the debate
was adjourned.
An uproarious discussion then took place as to the day on
vihich the debate should be resumed ; and eventually, after
two divisions, the debate was adjourned till twelve o'clock on
Monday. The house then adjourned.
The house re-assembled at a quarter to six o'clock. A new
writ was ordered for the borough of Dungarvon, in the place of
Viscount Nortland, who has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.
Lord Jo ti ri RUSSELL gave notice that on Tuesday lie would
move, with respect to the lords' amendments to the Irish
Franchise Bill, that the house should agree to the £l2 qualifi-
cation, but disagree to the other amendments.
Mr. DisaAELI gave notice that the proposed alterations
would be opposed by himself and his friends.
Lord J. RUSSELL intimated that he had made what he
thought a liberal concession.
Lord J. RUSSELL brought up a message from her Majesty,
expressine her desire that Marlborough House should be ap-
propriated as an establishment for the Prince of Wales, from
his eighteenth year, during the life time of her Majesty, and
requesting the house to make the necessary arrangements for
that purpose. The noble lord gave notice that on Monday he
would move that her Majesty's most gracious message be taken
into consideration.

Mr. BAILLIE then drew attention to the report of the com-
mittee appointed to investigate the transactions at Ceylon,
which he condemned as discreditable to the committee itself,
and not very respectful to the house, to which it recommended
that the evidence should not be communicated. Heshould, at
the earliest possible period of next session, move for the pro-
duction of the evidence.
Mr. HUME. in the strongest language, denounced the con-
dnct of the Governor of Ceylon, whom the government was
endeavouring to cloak, asserting that if tried by a court-martial
for his conduct, as a gentleman, as a governor, or as an officer,
he would not be allowed for one hour to hold a commission in
her Majesty's service; and yet, in the face of all that had taken
place, he was suffered to continue in his government. He called
upon the noble lord, in the name of hu,nanitv, to have the evi-
dence printed which was suppressed by a majority of one only
in the committee, and not leave the inhabitants of Ceylon at
the mercy of those who had proved themselves merciless.
Lord J. RUSSELL said they could not discuss the affairs of
Ceylon in the absence of the evidence which the committee did
not think proper to report, but he would assure the house that
the serious attention of the government should be given to the
whole question.
Mr. GLADSTONE agreed with the noble lord that the question
could not be conveniently discussed in the absence of the evi-
dence; but t•e was not at all surprised at the strong language
made use of by the hon. member for Montrose, who would do
no more than his duty in again raising the question at the com-
mencement of the next session, not only on the conduct of
parties in Ceylon, but also on the conduct of the noble lord at
the head of the Colonial Department, and, by no means the
least important, on the conduct of the committee.
The subject was allowed to drop.
Colonel Si BTHORP then drew attention to the subject of tbe
Exhibition of 1851, commenting strongly upon the refusal of
the Attorney-General to assent to the filing of an injunction to
restrain the commissioners from proceeding with the erections
in Hyde Park.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, in reply, entered at considerable
length into his reasons for the course he had pursued.
The subject then dropped.