The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-07-09 00:00:00

'LOCIL-YoKENS7 SILL.

A conversation of some length then took place on
the motion for reading the Local Tokens' Bill a se-
cond time.
_ _ _

Mr. IIUSKISSON observed, that local tokens of
all descriptions (not excepting gold) were now, and
bad been long in circulation, and that wherever they
prevailed the absence of Bank tokens was not felt at
all as an inconvenience. The obvious tendency,
however, of this system was to enhance the prise of
provisions universally, and although the present Bill
might serve to check the evil in some degree, it was
not to be concealed, that it gave the Bank the en.
tire contronl over the currency of the country. The
price of silver had risen in the last year, from ss.
11d. to Gs. s!cl. and in the event of a bad harvest,
on equal rise might be again expected.
Mr. D, GIDDY expressed his hopes that the Bank
would furnish the country with an ample supply.
Mr. VANSUTART said, that in consequence of
what had been said relative to gold local tokens, he
should propose to reinsert the word " gold," which
had been omitted in the Committee as unnecessary.
Sir S. ROMILLY suggested, as an amendment,
that It would be an act of justice to the issuers of
the Local tokens, who had been at expense in the,
coinage to extend the period to which their circula.l
008 was limited from 1813 to 1814. _

After some remarks from Mr. Banker, Mr. Rose,
Mr, Hume, and Mr. Haskisson, the Amendment
Vas withdrawn.

The Bill was then re-committed and the Amend-
ments ;greed to.
NIGHTLY WATCH BILL.

Mr. WHITBREAD presented a Petition from the
parish of St. Luke against the Nightly Watch Bill,
which was ordered to lie on the table. He then ob-
served, that he hoped this Bill would be postponed
till the next Session, inasmuch as it was altogether
inadryeate to its object, and would impose upon the
parishes subjected to its operutiou au additional an-
peal expellee of 74,0001.
Sir SAMUEL ROM ILLY remarked that the Bill
gave new and extraordinary powers to the Police
Magistrates; and that those who now petitioned
against it were the inhabitants for the protection of
whose iute. _its the Bill was introduced.
Mr. W. SMI'PH, Sir F. lIIIRDE FT, and Mr.
ABERCIIOM BI g concurred in reprobating all the
provisions of the Bill.
Mr. HUME declared, that he had left the Cern-
enittee en fiuding no attention paid to any of his sag-
sestioos,
Mr. BRAGGE BATHURST was of opinion that'
something useful might be found in it, and would
therefore move to postpone it for further considera-
tion till Monnay next.
Mr. BY NIG said, all the parishes in the county of
Middlesex were unanimous in their opposition to this
Bill, which they considered as a direct tax, that
would prove perfectly nugatory with respect to its
avowed object.
Mr. MELLISH, in the present advanced state ofl
the Session, wished the Bill to be deferred till next
Session.
Mr. BROUGHAM could see only one means of :
Improving the Bill, which was to omit every part of •
it. He strongly condemned the practice of legislat-
ing in the heat of the moment. The origin of the j
present Bill was nothing more than the atrocities
committed by a single individual, and which atroci-
ties nem now almost forgotten. It was open feel-
Inp of this kind that the House was now called
upon to alter the whole system established in the local
Acts, some of which hack passed so late as the last I
Session, He thought that acting constables, who
were regular housekeepers, serving the office as such,
Were equally entitled to the prot4ction of the House
with the Police Magistrates. There were eight
Boards of these Magistrates, composed of poets,l
counsellors without practice, authors, translators,
Arc. They were not satisfied, like the Treasury,
with baying one epic poet, but they most have one
or more poets, politicians, authors, or translators,
In each of these eight Boards, and to them was given, I
by a clause added to the Bill in the Committee, but I
not printed, the power of appointing superintending 11
constables, who were to visit, inspect, and report
to the different. Boards as to the coodus4tof all the
regular constables of the night, who might, if tree'
Boards saw cause, be removed, and others appoint-
gl in ;heir place. This clause he wits certain could
not be *greed to ; and be begged to prole* against
)asty measures like the present, introdueedin con-
oeTsence of some temporary alarm.
The Petition was ordered to lie ca the table. 1
On the motion of Mr. GOULBURN, the third
folding of the Sill was postponed fig Mile y.
TOI.JiMATIOII LOT.
Mr. WHITBREAD said, be had:-dobsyed bring.
log furword a motion en this saltier/yea the under-
astauding that it was to toe •tekesit up by the Right
Cenflomoo ("polio (the Cboooollor of