The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-05-28 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-THURSDAY.

Mr. W. 0. STANLEY called the attention of the Howe
of Commons last night to a petition praying for inquiry
respecting free schools in the diocese of Bangor and St.
Asaph, and moved for a select committee.
Sir J. GRAHAM stated the wish f the government that
the large funds appropriated by private benevolence to
charity should be made duly available, regard being had
always to the intention of the founder, and to the main-
tenance of judicial control. A bill for effecting these ob-
cts would be introduced into the other house by the
L.Lord Chancellor soon after Whitsuntide; and be hoped,
therefore, that Mr. Stanley would not press his motion
to a division.
Several other members concurred in this recommenda-
tion, and the motion was withdrawn.
Mr. HUME moved an address to the Crown for dis-
pensing with fees upon grants of honors for eminent pub-
lic services. This had been long since recommended by
a committee. The fees on the honours granted to the
King of Prussia had been charged to the public, which he
grievously complained of. He wished to see all the fees
of the Herald's-college, the Patent-office, and other pub-
lic departments connected with this subject, commuted
for salaries.
Mr. GOULBURN said, that the fees in many cases were
positively vested by common law in the holders of these
offices. The fees upon appointments bed formerly been
borne by the Crown. Afterwards, when the civil list was
reduced , and put upon anewarrangement, parliament under-
took to relieve the Crown from this burden ; and hereby,
at the present day, parliament, when called on in each
particular instance to defray a charge of this descrip ion,
bad an opportunity to pronounce its opinion upon the
fitness of the advice given by ministers in the particular
promotion. Thus a useful check was maintained, and
the value of the Crown's favour enhanced by the approval
of the Howe of Commons. He was afraid no general
change could be introduced which would not create more
inconvenience than it would remove. He believed there
was a feeling in this country favourable to the outlay oc-
casioned by visits of crowned heads in honour of her Ma-
jesty.
Mr. WILLIAMS wished the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer to cite some legal authority for the right of
officers to take fees. Fees on honours granted to indi-
viduals should not be borne by the public. He saw no
reason why a few of those titles on which heavy fees were
payable, such as dukedoms, should not be put up for sale.
(Marks of disapprobation.) Well, there was nothing dis-
honest in raising money by voluntary means. As to the
Attorney-General, who was one of the parties entitled
to fees upon patents, be should like to have that officer
paid by a salary, and obliged to attend, not only to the
government business, but to the framing of the bills
which passed through parliament.
Mr. HUME then withdrew his motion ! after which
Mr. CHRISTIE rose to move an address to the Crown
respecting the Universities, their statutes, revenues, and
general condition, with reference to education ; but as he
was beginning his speech, notice was taken that 40 mem-
bers were not present and the house was counted out.