The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-03-07 00:00:00

ab'e that a hen the mode of satisfying the incumbent o as
agreeable to all Tar its that they sbonld not be interfer-
ed with. When the two Commissioners—the one on the
part pf the incumbent, and the other on the pan cf the
'garish—were appointed, they were to meet and settle
apes the stun to 'be psid to the incumbent in satisfaction
for his claim of tithes of every description. If the
Commiasionerte failed to come to any agreement,—
then it would be competent for them to appoint
*s.-1 qmpire, whose decision should be conclusive.—
It it in case they did not agree about the appointment of
the umpire, there was a power given to the Lord Lieute-
nant, after a certain internal, to appoint a Commissioner.
Wheneverit appeared that there was an Insufficient re-
compense for the Clergyman, the Commissioner was to
inquire into the price of corn for the previous three years,
according to which the amount of the composition ass
to be fixed. It was proposed that every three years there
should be power of varying the composition, according
to the price of corn for the previous three years. He
thought the house would prefer that the revision should
be meanie), because in those instances where a composi-
tion bad taken place, to be binding for 14 years, accord-
ing to the price of corn for the previous 14 years, it was
found that much inconvenience, and indeed injustice, were
the consequence. The composition being fixed, the next
question was how it alioald be paid. He proposed that
assessments should he made on bail/ling. in a way similar
to the mode practised in this country, when assesstnen's
were made on different tenements. It was not intended
tomake any change with. respect to the land which was
essentially tithe-free. But he confessed that it was fair
to consider in a different light that part of the land which
was hitherto exempted. ft was not intended to continue
the exemption from the tithe of agistment.—(Cheers.)
• lir thought it but fair, that the land, whether undergoing
cultivation or not, should be assessed in its fair propor-
tion.—(Hear.) The last point n hich .he had to explain I
to the house, was the remedy of the incumbent in case of
bon-payment of the composition. As the law now stood,
the incumbent had the power of coming on the crop for
his tithe. It tram intended that this power should conti-
nne as a resource in ease of non-payment of the compo-
sition, the priority being also continued over the land-
lord. He would propose several a.taitional means of re-
covering the compositions which would be detailed in
the Bill. 'the second measure related to the permanent
commutatations. Whenever an incumbent expressed a
wish to bate a permanent commutation by way of land,
lie Was to carry his application to certain Commissioners
to be appointed under the Bill. and they would select in
the parish itself, or as near as possible to it, a portion of
land which they would purchase, and assess over to the
incumbent, producing, as nearly as it could he ascertain-
ed, a yearly snm equal to the tithe or the composition.
The great difficulty is carrying into effect this plan
wonld be, h+sv to procure the money necessary for the
purchase of the land. It did appear to the Government,
that according to the manner in *MA land might be
purchased in Ireland at present, that this plan might be
carried into effect with considerable advantage. It was
intended to give to the Commissioners for the reduction
of the National Debt, the power of purchasing land in
fee Zir the purposes of this commutation. As soon as
the land should be perchers/4, the right of the in. cum-1
tent to the tithes was to cease, and the tithe or composi-
tion was to be pea over to the Commissioners of the Na-
tional Debt, in remuneration of the sums paid for the
purchase of time land. It would be for him. on a future
occasion, to show from calculations that land might be
perchased in this way upon terms the most advantageous.
lie trusted thst these measore3 would be felt by the house
to he applicable to the evils they proposed to remedy.
'they would, he was sure, contribute to the tranquillity
of Ireland, and to the removal cf those animosities
which unhappily nested there.—(Hear.) He then mov-
ed for leave to br'ng in a Bill to establish a composition
of tithes for a limited period in Ireland.
Mr. it. FITZGER 4LD said he felt every reasoner/ be
satielle4 OS the part e his countrymen with the dlapoalticia.
!manifested by the Government towards that people; This
was not the time for (Bemusing the details of the measure
cow salimltted to the House. But there were one or two
points on which lie owned he required some explanation.—
re should. for instance, consider the plan for establishing
sdeet vestries as wholly iaappllcable to several parishes in
Ireland; for the Right lion. dcutleman world end, on in-
qi,:ry, that in some of L'ore perishes there was not only no
substantial farmer, or resideot Gentlemen of the Establish-
ed Church, but in some eases not a member of the Church at
all. The greet fault of the Bill, as be at present perceived
its hearings. wits that it did not do away with the micer.
tsloty, which was the lamentable vice cf the former system.'
it would be advisable iu any case to make the tithe on artist-
moot a part of the change to be adopted. Ila did not agree
With those who, said that the Vote of the Irish House of
Commons, in 1735, was a robbery on the Clergy. He be-
toyed that the Clergy a short time before had set up a right,
end that this vote was intruded to counteract their claims.
lima object a att:d be to produce a measure which would be
pi:eminent. and net duetuatiug in its. operation.
Sir H. PARNELL said that Curt would be one most
important benefit protineed by thiv measure ; namely, that
It would do away with the annual valuation of tithe proc-
tors.—(lle-r.) He proposed to enter more at large Into
the details of this measure when the opportunity should sr-
rife.
Sir J. NP.WPORT said that he could not avoid ap.
plauding the spirit which showed itself in the measures
of Government for the amelioration of the condition of
Ireland.. He entirely appr6ved of that part of the Bill
which restored the tithe on agistment, for he considered
Ike sormeusion of it as a nefarious ifivasion of the rights
of the poor. He apprehended that much embarrass-
silent would attend the working of the Bill in Ireland,
011 laconnt of the absence of those local persons which
were to be found so happily existing in this country.—
. However, lie was pleased to 'finer that Special Vestries
•would be thus established. Such machinery being once
put in motion, might, with the greatest success, be ap-
plied in other ways, and.he could not believe but that
great service would be done to the country.
Mr. CARED concurred with his honourable friend in
. the opinion as to the benefits to be aaticipated from this
immure.
Mr. S. RICE said he congratulated the house and the
empire upon the prospects now opening upon Ireland.
Last year the house was galled on to assist time executive
by mitaary force, to put down disturbances in Ireland.
dint cow they saw the members of the Government
taming down to ask the Louse to assist them in taking
away the causes of complaint—to assist them in healing
wounds, which had been kept open too long. These new
saeasures would not be lost on Ireland. Whatever ig-
corant persons might pretend to the contrary, he was
persuaded that these acts of Government would produce
It rich harvest of gratitude in that country.—(Hear.)—
The Indiag objection to this Bill was too great cone
pteeity. eerwever, he joined in applauding that part
of the Bill which restored the time of agistment.—
He trusted that the landed 'interest would cordially
to forward and meet time Government half way is
their efforts to put Ireland into a state of perman-nt
tranquillity.
Mr..C. HUTCHINSON said he had never risen in
that house with stronger naafi/am than on the present
oecesien. Ile thanked the Hon. Gentleman oposite in
as strong terms as Lis feelings could snggest for showing
• tsposition,tO do jastice to Ireland. Having shrew
uniformly!) aceostotned to complain, in his place as a
Member of t, that the ireerasts of Ireland were
ateglected. iegiwe him sincere pleasure to perceive that
hie Naiades Ministers were determined to act upon
ettler and &titer principles. As an Irishman, he would
thank them on Waif of the people of Ireland; nay,
more, he would thank them on behalf of the whole Eil}.
pirP ; for in attending to the Wotan. of Ireland, they
would do more to strength', the Empire than could pos.

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