The Sun. — 1860-05-21 (London, England)

DERS.  Feb. 15 Feb. 22 March `.7 Feb. 21  more eloquence in the absence of the absentees than there was in the pertinacious logic of those present. If the working author took no part in this agitation it might be reasonably concluded that he had considered the matter, and had ascertained that he would lose more by the positive penny and the prospective twopence in the pound of increased income tax than he would gain by any remission of paper duties. If no members of Mechanics' Institutes were there, the cause probably was that they cared more for cheap tea at home than for saving a few pence in the expenses of their news-rooms. - The numbers of this deputation but vainly disguised the hollowness of the agitation. Lord Derby saw through it at once, and as a preparation for what the Lords intend to do to-night nothing could have been more smartly contrived than the parade of this very weak deputation before the country. The members of it are, indeed, all of them very respectable persons, but they arc all directly interested in a pecuniary way in the abolition of these duties. No doubt they are very sincere in their constitutional terrors, but unluckily they had scarcely any one to accompany them whose sensitiveness for the Constitution was not sharpened by a close sy-mpa• thetic action of the breeches pocket. This is very unfortunate, for, instead of discouraging the Lords, it must too manifestly have no other effect than to show them that they are dealing with only a class interest—an interest powerful when great public questions are at stake, but among the weakest of all interests when it is fighting its own private battle. It is one of the blessings of a free press that it educates the people to criticise and appreciate the press itself. Let no public organ presume to be too importunate with the public upon its own particular interests.  We do not propose here to-consider the answer returned by Lord Derby to the deputation. It is a mere minute of the argument which be will elaborate this evening. Lord Derby thinks that the paper duty is a bad tax, and that it should be among the first_of the ordi nary items of taxation. to be removed, but that it should not take precedence in repeal of the extraordinary war taxes. He would give the Tea Duties and the extra Income Tax the precedence of the Paper Duties. We are afraid that, accordin g to all appearances, the country generally agrees with Lord Derby in this view. Of course, we do not so agree, and the gentlemen of the deputation do not so agree. It will be also easy enough to get together half-a-dozen rooms full of mob to declare that they do not agree; but there is no active sympathy with us in this iisappoiatment. The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, whose decision we print  tution for Sheltering Females Discharged from Prison, and for the support of 91 " lunatic idiots" formerly in the House of Industry, ending with the salary of a minister and the supply of water to the poor from a public fountain. Lastly comes the vote of £39,747 for Dissenting ministers in Ireland. This is the last of the estimates at present issued ; the estimate for special and temporary objects is yet to come.  HORRIBLE MURDER OF d