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412 THE LEADER. [No. 423, May 1, 1858.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Imperial ¦ Parliament. ¦ Monday, Jj>Ril ...
ration of the City of London to be heard by counsel before the Select Committee on the London Corporation Regulation Bill , against clause 66 of the said bill . — After some discussion , the motion was agreed to . The House adjourned at a quarter-past one o ' clock . Tuesday , April 27 th . OATHS BILL . The Housk op Lords having resolved itself into a committee on this bill , the Earl of "VVicklow moved the omission of the "words denying jurisdiction , power , or authority , ecclesiastical or spiritual , to any foreign prince , prelate , or potentate , within this realm . The
spiritual authority thus expressly denied had been formally acknowledged by legislation . He was opposed to admitting Jews to Parliament by a side -wind . If done at all , it should be done by a special act . —Lord Lynijhitrst thought that , if the alteration proposed by the Earl of Wicklow were adopted , it would give rise to great difficulties when the bill went back to the other House . The power renounced was a usurped power of the Pope , clearly distinguished from the real power of the Crown . —Earl Graxvjlle and Lord Campbell appealed to Lord Wicklow not to divide the House on the amendment , and he accordingly withdrew it .
Clauses ] , 2 , and 3 were then passed . On clause 5 being proposed , the Lord Chancellor rose to move its omission . He advanced , at some length , the various arguments against the admission of Jews to Parliament which he had frequently employed in the other House , and with wliicu the reader is sufficiently familiar , and concluded by exhorting their Lordships to annul the clause . "Whatever might be the threats that were uttered , he trusted thev would fearlessl y and steadily
discliarge their duties as legislators . He could not be disposed to think so ill of the other House , from which he had just come , as to suppose they would do what was threatened ; but , if they should do so , on their own heads would be all the consequences of their own acts . If their Lordships were affected by sucli considerations , they would become the mere registering office of the decrees of the other House ; but , whatever might be the violence or intimidation that was threatened , they should not yield to such influences .
Lord Lyhdhurst said it would be idle for them to attempt to disguise from themselves the position in which they were placed . The bill before them had been sent up year after year from the Lower House by continually increasing majorities . The Legislature of this country only worked well by . mutual concessions ; -and the House of Lords ought , not to make a persevering stand against the mature opinion of the other House , backed by the opinion of the people . If it did make such a stand , it ought to be on a rock , not on a fragment of an Act of Parliament , diverted from its original
purpose . Why not admit Jews to Parliament ? Are they not fellow-subjects , natives of the realm , entitled to equal privileges with other natives ? Three hundred years ago , the Jews might have been aliens ; but that had long ceased to be the case . It had been argued that the country is Christian ; but it is not exclusively Christian , for it includes Jews , and Parliament is supposed to represent the whole population . The House liad sanctioned constitutions for Canada , Australia , and ! N * ew Zealand , by which Jews are admitted to the Legislature ; but were the Parliaments of those colonies unchristian ? If not , what became of the principle ? The Duke of MAitLBoitouoir , the Duke of Kutlanu , Lord Dukoannon , and the Bishop of Cashel , opposed the clause and supported the amendment . —Lord Stratford de Hedcliffk urged the right of Jews to sit in the Houses of Parliament . He had been engaged in obtaining from the Government of Turkey concessions in favour of the Christians , and had been met by the Sultan and his Ministers with much liberality of opinion and generosity of disposition . His Lordship then digressed into a few remarks on the present state of Turkey , with reference to the late reforms ; observing that , " so long as the results of negotiation remain on paper only , important a 9 they may 1 ) 0 to the interests , not only of Turkey , but of humanity itself , they will want their proper consummation . A great deal must depend upon the advice of the ministers who are on the spot ; but a great deal must likewise depend upon the attention which Europe nt large may continue to apply to the subject , and more especially upon the attontion which may bo given to it by those who preside over tho councils of her Majesty . " —Lord Stanlky ov Aldkrlky thought that a continued opposition to tho opinion of the House of Commons would give rise to great inconveniences . —The Marquis of Londonijehby believed that , in tho fulness of time , . lews would become members of Mint House , and that their Lordshipa would in vain endeavour to bar the door . Their Lordships then divided , when there appeared for tho clause—Content 80 Noncontcnt 110 Mujorit 3 ngain ^ t tho clause . 39 The bill then wont thntugh committee , and their Lordships adjourned . COIUUJl'T ntACTICKS AT ICLI ' . OTIONS ACT . Ill tho IIouhe ok Commons , in reply to Mr . Cno . sa , Mr . Wau'ous stated thut the Corrupt Practices Act was under hia consideration , and tliat ho was Irving to
amend its provisions before it was introduced into the House . The result of the election petitions of last year had induced him to think that amendments should be introduced into the act , and he hoped ' , in tho course of ten days or a fortnight , to be able to lay the bill on the table . The bill should be referred to a select committee , and afterwards discussed in committee of the whole House . With reference to tlie extension of the act to municipal elections , he saw no reason why it should not be so extended ; but , bafore taking such a course , they should put the act in a good shape as regarded parliamentary elections .
INFANTKV IX Tllli 15 AST INDIES . In answer to General Codrington , General Pkel said that every one of tLe regiments sent from this country to India in 1857 had been furnished with the Enfield rifle . The regiments serving in India previous to the war were furnished with the smooth-bore muskets ; but last year 35 , 000 , and up to the 19 th of last month 82 , 000 , Enfield rifles were sent out , and he had reason to believe that every regiment is supplied with them . The distribution of these stores rests with the East India Company .
DUCHIES AND KINGDOM OF DENMA 11 K . Mr . Wise asked the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he would lay upon the table a copy of the report made in May , 1857 , by Consul-General Ward , of Leipzig , to the British Government on the differences which had arisen between the Duchies and the Kingdom of Denmark , as well as a copy of any observations or reply communicated by the Danish Ministry to her Majesty ' s Government in reference to the said report . —Mr . Sisroxouii Fitzgerald . said the question of the hon . gentleman had reference to a subject which , as he was well aware , had created great interest in Denmark and in Germany , and upon which the Government
of her Majesty might be called upon to express an opinion . The paper referred to was a report drawn up by Mr . "Ward at the request of the British Government ; and he thought the hon . gentleman would see that , upon a matter of this European importance , which is still pending , and as to which her Majesty ' s Government might be called upon to take a particular line of conduct , it was not for the interest of the public service that a confidential report should be published , to the world by being laid upon the table of the House . As regarded the latter part of the question , he liad only to state that the despatch of Mr . Ward was communicated confidentially to the Danish Government ; but no further official communications had passed on the subject .
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE . Mr . M'Mahon moved for a select committee to inquire into the expediency of further improving the administration of justice by increasing the number of assizes and assize towns for civil and criminal business in the several counties of England and Wales . The suggestion , he observed , was not a novel one : if adopted , it would only be a return to ancient usage . — The motion w " as supported by Mr . Collins . —Mr . Walpole aaid that tlie subject liad been already inquired
into by a commission composed of men of the greatest knowledge an I experience , and he doubted whether a further inquiry could add any material information . — The motion was supported b } r Mr . 1 Iai > fieli > , Lord Godericii , Mr . Bkight , Mr . Ciiarlicswouth , Mr . Bowyer , Mr . Beecuoft , Mr . EmvAims , Mr . Powkll , and Sir John Walsh ; and opposed by Sir George Grey , Colonel Smytiik , the Attounky-Geneiial , Mr . Ayrton , and Mr . Mkllor . —Mr . M'Maiion having replied , the motion was negatived without a division .
MASTERS AND WORK-MEX . Mr . Mackinnon' drew the attention of tlie House to the report of the select committee of 185 C , appointed to inquire into the expediency of establishing equitable tribunals for the amicable adjustment of differences between masters and operatives , and moved for leavo to bring in a bill to enable masters and workmen to form councils of conciliation and of arbitration . —Mr . WalroLifi said ho would not oppose the introduction of the measure . The law upon this subject did not give satisfaction , and he thought that facilities might ho offered for referring disputes between masters and workmen to arbitration . —Leave was then given .
Till ! COUNTY I ' - RANOHIHE . Mr . Locke Kincs moved for leavo to bring in a bill to extend tho franchise in counties in England and Wales , and to improvo tho representation of the people in respect of such franchise . The objection to his motion generally was the promise of a coming llofonn Bill ; but that excuse could not now be made . An objection was also urged to bringing forward what arc called piecemeal measures of Parliamentary ltoforni ; 'but , in the pro-sent . state of the feeling of tlie House and the country , the only way in which the question of reform can bo dealt
with . ia by bringing forward small , honeat , and just measures , llo preferred u small , honest , and just inoa-Huro to a largo one , which often affords scope for the introduction of dishonest provisions . It i . s a disgraco to this country , wliero wealth alone gives a titles to the elective franchise , that a person living in a house in one town paying n small rent ( should have a vote , and another , living In another town in a Let . u-r house and paying a larger rent , should have no kIiuvo in tho election of representatives to Parlianiont . On a former occasion , tho lmmiber for Carlisle had s « id that
sonicthing should have been stated in the bill with regard * the rate at which a man was to be-en titled , to a voteand he therefore hud proposed that it should b ' rating of 51 . at least . —Mr . Bysg seconded the motion The Chancellor ov tiik Exchequer said he had no objection to urge against the principle of the bill but lie believed it would embarrass those who wish to ' hnprove the franchise . It would increase the anomalous disproportion between the . counties and the boroughs ' and , if it passed , they would have a very large constituency returning a very small number of members and a very small constituency returning a very lar ^ e num .
her of members . He believed tho inea . sure would lead to protracted agitation , and would fail to give satisfac . tion in the country . - The ' question of the representation is one that-must be considered as a whole ; and there ¦ was no doubt that Parliament , approaching the subject in a temperate spirit , might extend the basis of representation with advantage . He could not consent to the introduction of a bill which , if carried , must embarrass future legislation . It was the intention of the Government to give their attention to the questiou of Parliamentary reform ; and , under these circumstan ces he felt it his duty to move , as an amendment , the previous question .
Lord John Russell observed that ISlr . Disraeli had attempted to draw a line between the representation of counties and boroughs which was not founded on substantial justice . With respect to his argument that the question should be taken as a _ wholc , ho could find in > fault with that . But , if all that is wished for cannot lie obtained , let them take the precedent of the first lteform Kill , and accept as much as they could get . He had great doubts about the bill to be brought in by the present Government ; and he therefore recommended the House to accept the measure of Mr . Locke King . —Mr . Lahouciiere said he should vote fur the introduction of the bill ,- as circumstances had altered since last year . He agreed with Lord John ltus . sell , that little
confidence is to be placed in the promised Keforin Bill of the . ( lovernmentv—Mr . -Phillips opposed the measure , which was supported by Mr . John Locke , who at the same time put in a plea for the ballot . —Mr . Knigh ' ti . ky objected to the proposed extension of tlie franchise , and Mri Clay supported it . — Mr . Bentincic combated the position that the influence of a member of the House depended on the breadth of his basis—(« lawjli )—in other words , the number of his constituency . The noble lord , the member for the City of London , represented a constituency of 20 , 000 , while the noble lord , . the ' member for Tiverton , represented only 200 ; yot it was i ^ enerallv understood that tJie
influence of those two noble lords in the House was pretty nearly balanced . ( Luw / hter . ) Believing that the measure would only increase the ¦ anomaly already existing , ho should oppo . se its introduction . —Mr . Collins , although a member of tlie great Conservative body , was not i > n « who opposed a modification of the measure of lie form introduced in 1 S 32 . However , he opposed the motion . —Mr . Staniioi'h , also opposed the measure , on tho ground that next year , probably , a new franchise might he part of the promised measure of general lieform . — Mr . Locke Kin <; briefly replied , and the previous question was negatived without a division , followed by loud cheers . —Leavo was then given to brinir in tlie hill
PILOTS IN Till : ISLE OV WIC 1 IT , & C . Mr . Cliefoiu ) called attention to tho state of the law nf tecting pilots in the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth districts , and moved for returns from the Trinity-house showing the rntc of profits accruing to such pilot * . — Mr . Henley made no objection , and the returns were ordered . WEIGHTS AND MEASTItKS . Mr . John Locke moved for leavo to bring in a hill to amend an Act of the 5 th and Gth of William IV ., cap . G 3 , relating to weights and measures , one of tlie clauses of which contains a proviso , -whereby , under decisions of tlie Courts , the main object of the ad , that there should be one uniform measure , was defeated . He proposed by lii . s bill to amend this defect , and to make it compulsory to sell by measure tested by weight . — After a short discussion , leave was given .
CIIUKCIIES AND CHUUCllVAItnS . Mr . Pulluh moved a resolution , " That this House will to-morrow resolve itself into a committee to consider the expediency of providing for tho repair of churches and tlie innmtcimncu of churchyards , by substituting for church-rates mich an annual rentohargi ; ui" > u all hereditaments in respect of which church-rates niny now be lawfully assessed upon tho occupiers us will fairly represent the total nnnual union nt now raised by church-rates ; such rentoluxrgc to bo a fixed and uniform poundage on tho ratable value of such lierodknnunts ,
and to bo made a charge on tho owners . " —Mr . HrxmN moved , as an amendment , the following resolutions : — "That it is desirable thai in Home pnri . slies power should bo given to laiike an addition , to a limited amount , to the . tithe , in order to maintain the . fabric of Ui < - churehes ; " and " tlnit in . some parishes in towns power should lie given to tho churchwardens or the vestry to p lace a rental on n certain proportion of the sitting . " Tins amendment was accnudod l > y General TnnMiw > s . —Sir John 'J ' kislawjs -y opposed * Mr . Pullor ' a motion , which , ho far from remedying the grievance , would pi'i ' -
412 The Leader. [No. 423, May 1, 1858.
412 THE LEADER . [ No . 423 , May 1 , 1858 .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), May 1, 1858, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_01051858/page/4/
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