The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-06-16 00:00:00

IRISH REVENI'It.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved
the Order of the Usy fur going into a Committee en
the Irish Revenue Inquiry Bill.
Sir J. NEWPORT, alluding to the Commission to be
sent out to Ireland to inquire into the state of the re-
venue in that country under this Bill, expressed a hope
that it would be composed of men who would not be
turned from their purpose by the difficulties which must
inevitably be thrown in their way. Honourable Gen-
tlemen opposite could not be aware of the abuses which
existed, from passing visits of a week's duration in that
country, during which time the hospitality of their land-
lords would naturally hide all the distresses of the cuun•
try (loin them. There were many abuses connected
with this matter existing, which rendered the appoint-
ment of this Commission of great importance, and he
trusted it would he done in a proffer manner.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER entirely
agreed with the Hon. Baronet as to the importance of
the inquiry to be entered into by the Commission. His
Majesty's Government had no other view in appointing
this Commission than an anxious desire to come at a
full and complete knowledge of the points which it was
their ostensible object to inquire into. They were armed
with full powers to overawe opposition, and surround
themselves with that respect which it was so requisite
to the success of their undertaking to command.
Mr. CALCRAFT said, that unless a special case were
made out, the appointment of this Commission would be
a very objectionable ineasure.l The country was already
so much burdened with other expensive establishments,
as to be usable to support unnecessary ones from that
Mouse • _

The Muse then went into the. Committee.
The CH:IIITCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, his
lion. Friend (Mr. Wallace) in consenting to be put in
the Commission, disclaimed all remuneration beyond
his expenses. Mr. Harris also desired no compensation
if he were allowed to retain his official situation. With
respect to the other lion. Gentlemen, no remuneration
was intended to be proposed in the first instance. lle,
however, did not conceive, that taking upon themselves
a task, the discharge of which must occupy them for a
considerable period, and impose on them no small la-
bour, it could he expected that they should receive no
remuneration fi r their services. What they were en-
titled to, it would be for the House to decide hereafter.
The Commissioners would look not to the Crown, but to
that Honse, for any reward which they might be consi-
dered to deserve ; and it would, therefore, be seen, that
as muclf security was afforded against official inter-
ference with time Commissioners as could be desired.

Mr. HUME was not aware, that five Commissioners
were necessary, and did not understand why the Vire-
President of the Board of Trade should be one of them.
If he had duties to perform in the office which be at pre-
sent tilled, he could ill be spared to go to Ireland ; if no
duties were attached to his situation, his salary ought to
he saved to the country. Another of the Cumniiii-
sioners, Colonel Harris, held a situation to which be
had un.lerstood important duties belonged. He was an
Auditor of the Civil List, and in that character received
a handsome salary from the public. If duties of im-
portance were to be performed by him in his present si-
tnation, could he be spared with this Commission three,
four, six months, or a year in Ireland ; and if no duties
were connected with it, ought not his salary to be saved ?
With respect to another Hon. Gentleman (Mr. F. Lewis)
he must object to his appointment unless he would
apse to receive no salary whatever. However high that
• • teditistaal might stand in the estimation of the House
land
he had a great respect for him) be must object to
appeinament unless it took place under the agree-
siege he had suggested. To appoint Members of that
Moose to be oa such a CONIIIIISSIOR with a prospect of
ratan reniunovation, was really in effect to hold out to
them a bribe to bring time ander the influent* of On-
vsenment.—(Hear.)--Qentlemen might smile at 11(11,

:E 8'

jeut such+ was the fact—such a poste& *foreword might
expected tooperate as slireotly in thic way he had
opposed, sidle grant of a regulai salarv.
Mr. F. LEWIS considered that after the remarks
which had been made on Its heitiz propose& that- l's
name should appear in•the commission, it was neces-
sary fur him to say something. If he were asked as
an individual, lie would be ready to take 'vim himself
the duty for nothing, bait a rale could not be laid down
in his case which would not extend to others. Was it
to be assumed that a Member of that House who was•
paid on such an occasion for services, which he Ito-
neatly and diligently performed, must of necessity be
thenceforward so warped in his opinions, that he efuld
no longer be trusted. if be thought this was tm, be•
assumed, lie could wish the earth to gape and swallow
him from the disgrace that would fall on human nature,
in the case he had supposed. For himself he would
say, that pay him or pay him not, he would honestly
perform his duty. He had habits and occupations of
his own from which it was to snatch him away, and
be was only uilling to give up these iu the hope of
being able to do good. As to the q.iestion whether a
Member of Parliament ought to be one of the Com-
missioners, he would say, that were Isis name blotted
out, 11, would at once vote for the appointment oll,tosor
other Member, as he considered it of irnportanee;.for
tarions reason., that some of the Members of 'That
House should he included in the Commission. He had
no personal wish 011 the subject, and was well content
that this House should dispose of the question as they
please.
Mr. WALLACE stated the gronnds on which he
had offered his services to the Commission. Ile had
thought, that if compatible with his other duties, 1
which would admit of his absence from London for a
time, he could proceed to the place where the pro-
posed inquiry was to be carried on to assist in the
undertaking, the public had a right to his service*.
In offering to go to Ireland on this occasion, he dis.
claimed the affectation of offerirg to serve the coun-
try gratuitously. Of all principles, that was the last
which he should feel disposed to advocate. Such a
principle ivoithi he most injurious to the country. All
men were not in a condition to offer their services
gratuitously, and many of those who had rendered
the best services to the nation bail been in a situation
to require remuneration. Ile was too honest a man
to seek for applause by upholding a principle which
he (lid not conscientiously regard as likely to prove
conducive to the public good. Ile was willing to go
to Ireland to engage in the labours of the Commis-
sion; awl whatever might be the difficui.ties with
which his colleagues might have to contend,—what-
ever their ultimate success, he wat. confident that no
efforts would be wanting on their part to vanquish the
one, and to secure the other. . .

-.-
)Ir. CALCRAF l' must object to the appointment
of his Hon. Priced to be a Member of the Commis•
sion. It had long been his object to diminish the
influence of the Clown in that (louse, and he could
not therefore now vote for a proposition which went
to increase it. The Hon. Member who had just sat
down spots: wills as ousels solemnity of going to
Ireland, as if he had been about to pass into an
enemy's country. He had spoken on this subject as
if, instead of being about to cross the Channel in a
steam-boat to a country where he was sure of being
hospitably received and esstertained, as if he (sad
been going in the forlorn hope. It seemed that the
duties of the lion. tientietu.tn's situation as Vire-
President of the Board of f rade, did not make his
attendance necessary here, ant! so he kindly offered to
go on this desperate expedition to Ireland without
(imbuing any additional 'enumeration, his expenses
being allowed. Ile wished him much pleasure—
thought it quite reasonoble that all his expenses
should be defrayed, but considering the public to he
already entitled to his time, he should have regarded
any demand for an additional income as very objec-
tionable. Ile re•statlll his u!.jections to the appoint-
ment of his Honourable Friend, objecting as he (lid
to the extension of the power of the Crown in that
(loose, even in the person of that Honourable lien-
tleman (Mr. P. Levi'). Ile was surprised that Mr.
Harris could be spared, after what hr had heard on
former occasions of the impor'ant duties attached to
the other of Auditor of the Civil List. He briefly
noticed the meths of the other Commissioners. and
concluded declaring it to be his intention to take
the sense of the House on the motion for placing
the 114111 e of Isis lion. Friend (lir. F. Lewis) uo the
Commission.

110111 SON lorgEed to say, that the Vice-Pre-
sident, as well an the Pro... Went lif the Board of Con-
troul Irtol a go:o(i d:•al to dn. Though one aright be
absent for a time by throwing more than a natural
share of the business on the other, it by no weans
followed that Oro duties which they had to perform
were not important, or that one of them could be
dispensed with. He considered that going to Ireland
as a Commissioner, leis lion. Friend would still be
engaged in the performance of duties connected with
the trade and commerce of the country. Though the
lion. Gentleman made so light of going to Ireland,
as if the Commiss:un were but ir party of pleasure,
the (tight Hon. Baronet near him could perhaps give
him a very different idea of the character of seob•a
Commission. For the lion. Gentleman whose Mtge
haul been so particularly objected to, he should not
have expected any harsh comments on Ida appointment.
hut rather that the. House would congratulate itself
on obtaining his services. From the eludes which
the Commissioners went to perform—from their ex-
ertions to ele:ttose the Augean Stable he was going
to say--(a laugh)—he anticipated great advantages
to the country, and was certain that any remuneration
whith Parliament might think proper to award would
be well bestowed.

Lord A. HAMILTON thonght a more proper person
could not be named to be on the Commission than his
Hon. Friend. lie must, however, oppose his being ap-
pointed noe of the Commissioners, from his regard for
the principle that a Member of that House ought not
to be go appointed. He did not say that it was to
be laid down that a Member of that House could not
receive pay without being warped from his indepem
deuce. lint would his Hun. Friend lay down the oppo-
site principle that those who received pay were to be
exempted from all suspicion? He should certainly give
his vote agaiust naming a Member of Parliament to be
one of the Commissioners. He was fortified in the ob-
jection be had made by the course takes 11 his Hon.
and Learn.) Friend, who, on a former occasion, offering
bimaelt to be one of the Commissioners to 'Aquino into
the State of &location among the Poor, bad pr
to give up his seat in that Klan. If Ministers wished
.o have a Member of Pun/moat, why did they not iambs