The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-04-23

duce comprehensive measure for the extension
OF the suffrage, and upon this some Of TIE
liberals, who had formerly voted against him,
turned in his favor, and the second reading of
the present bill was rejected by 900 to SO.
Mr.. Hume, however, voted in the minority, he
having sat in Parliament too long to trust TO
ministerial promises" One of the measures
justifyng the cynical mood Of this veteran was
discussed last night, namely, the bill for Jewish
emancipation. 1t was thrown overheard last
year by the ministers, with a pledge that it
should be one of the first things brought for
ward this session; but it is only now introduced
after two months delay, and without any signs of
more vigorous intention. II was carried, how
ever, by LOG to SO, doubtless to be thrown out
Tor the third time by the House Of Lords--a
step which that assembly would not repeat so
often IT they saw that they had powerful and
earnest ministry to deal with. The majority
on this occasion was larger, in proportion to the
number of members who voted, than in either
Of the former instances.
Among the less important matters which have
occupied the legislature, have been the defence
OF the Ceylon administration, by Lord Torring-
ton 10 the House of Lords, and another CON-
plant against the foreign refugees in this coun-
try. Lord Torrington having been superseded,
people would be glad to let the humiliating
chapter of his mbecility and tilnorous cruelty
pass out Of mind, and his apology, therefore,
was quietly listened to.
But the matter is to have another discussion
in the House of Commons as his accusers feel
that in justice to themselves they cannot let the
matter drop. Something of similar sort is
also threatened with regard to Raiah Brooke,
in connection with the destruction Of the Malay
pirates. conducted by him about two years ago.
He is now In Europe on account or his health,
and the opportunity Of his presence is to be
taken to demand an investigation which the
government had hitherto resisted
The accusation against the foreign refugees
was made this time BY Mr.. s. Wortley in the
House Of Commons. He complained ola awide-
spreading conspiracy extending through Eu-
rope" and referred to the existence Of body
Of foreigners in London, styling themselves the
committee Of Central European Dem ocracy AS
a remedy he wanted the revival of the alien act.
He was told, however, that all due precautions
had been taken for the prevention of any inn
proper plans, and tkat conspiracy here against
a foreign government was an offence at common
law, punishable by fine and imprisonment, and
requiring therefore no extraordinary powers for
its repression.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The dissensions in the Church connected with
the Papal movement, still continue to be the
active topic amongst a large majority Of the
public, and the papers are filled with letters con-
tanning bitter personalities and attacks of all
sorts. Meanwhile an address to the clergy has
been issued by twenty-four of the Bishops and
Archbishops, urging them not to use too lib
eral judgment about the rubrc, but to refer all
doubtful points to the heads Of the church, and
at the same time denyin, right, which some
Puseyite clergymen have asserted, that all forms
may be inti oduced from the ancient Catholic
church which were not actually forbidden at the
reformation.
A large dinner was given to Lord Stanley the
day before yesterday at the Merchant Tailors'(
Hall. Mr.. Thomas Barring presided. 1t was in1
tended as a great demonstration, but unfortu.H
nately it aroused some associations which were
hardly likely prove favorable to the renctionary
cause, since it was in the same hall that Sir
time when he headed the great protectonist
party whom he shortly afterwards abandoned.
STEAM NAVIGATION
Considerable activity exists in the extension
of ocean steam navigation. new company
has been fo:med for the India and China route,
which will avail itself Of the overland transit
through Austria. It's capital is to be fl, 100000.
The general screw steam company, who have
lately established line to the Cape of Good
Hope, propose likewise to carry their operations
on to the Manritius, Madras and Calcutta, so as
to fret an entire sea steam communication
with the East. Their capital will be FL, 100000,
and they are building screw vessels of 700
tons, and 300 horse power the average speed of
which is to be nine knots.
At the same time there il n growing feeling
against the monopoles caused BY the granting
Of mail contracts and 1t is probable that before
long the system will be abandoned. Openeom.
petition is dcmarded, certain proportion of
the postage Of each letter being allowed to the
vessel that may carry II. In this case, of course,
whichever was the swiftest and best conducted
line, would be selected, as 1t always should, by
the merchants for their correspondence.
An opposition has also been set up, which Is
likely to terminate successfully against n silly
stipulation enforced by our government, that a. n
the ships in the contract mail service must bel
constructed Of wood, and not of iron, as the lat
ter affords less resistance to shot and the un.
derstaI ding between the government and The
contractors is, that in the case of war all these
vessels may be pressed into the service of the
copntry. II has been shown, however, that iron
admits of much greater buoyancy, speed, and
economy, while its safety 10 life Is infinitely
greater, as ships constructed Of il can be built
in compartments. The question, therefore. il.
whether our entire passenger and postal traffic
with the world is TO be kept less speedy and
safe, and more expensive, than il otherwise
would be, to meet contingency which nav
never arise, and which had better be dealt with
on its own merits. In fact, Il Is shown also that
the idea Of taking postal vessels off their rel
spective services in time Of war; Is in itself nj.
terly erroneous; since Il Is admitted that as n
general rule, that service would be more import
ant at such periods, than at any other.
MONEY MARKET, &c.
The English funds have been rather firrper
during the week, and consols which at the last
date were quoted s6i, have closed this afternoon
nc 96f.
The preparations for the exhibition are going
on fayorab'y, and every matter connected with
the American consignments has been arranecd
to the satisfaction Of all parties.
The board of trade returns, just issued for
the month Of March, show great steadiness ini
tho dacarad valto of r<.rfs t,o