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_ 412__ tH E- .LE _AD^j. ^ . _ __ [No, 4...
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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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Isfonday, April 26th. Government Op Indi...
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 House of Lords having resolved itself into a committee on this bill , the Earl of YYicklow moved the omission of the words denying jurisdiction , power , or authority , ecclesiastical or spiritual , to any foreign prince , prelate , or potentate , withia 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 LrNr > - hubst thought that , if the alteration proposed by the Earl of "Wicklow were adopted , it would give rise to great difficulties when the bill went tack to the other House . - The power renounced was a usurped power of the Pope , clearly distinguished from the real power of the Crown . —Earl Granvilx . e and Lord Campbell , appealed to Lord Wicklow not to divide the House on the amendment , and he accordingly withdrew it .
Clauses 1 , 2 , and 3 were then passed . On clause 5 being proposed , the Lord Chancellor rose to more 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 which 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 they would fearlessly and steadily
discharge their duties as legislators . He could not l ) e 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 then * Lordships were affected by such 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 tlireatened , they should not yield to such influences .
Lord Lykdkukst said it would l > e 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 T > y 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 jock , 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 liundred 3 ears 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 had sanctioned constitutions for Canada , Australia , and New 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 Marlbouough , the Duke of Rutland , Lord Dungannon , and the Bishop of Casukl , opposed the clause and supported the amendment . —Lord Stratford » e Redcliffe 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 l > y 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 , " long as the results of negotiation remain on paper only , important as they may bo to the interests , not only of Turkey , but
of humanity itself , they will want their propel 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 Avhich liurope at large may continue to apply to the subject , and more especially upon the attention which may bo given to it by those who preside over the councils of her Majesty . " —Lord Stanlky of Aldkklky thought that a continued opposition to the opinion of the House of Commons would give rise to great inconveniences . —The Murquia of Londonijisury belioved that , in the fulness of time , Jews would become members of that House , and that their LordBhips would in vain endeavour to bar the door . Their Lordships then divided , when there appeared for the clause—Content 80 Noncontont 11 !) Majority against , the clause 39 The bill then went tluough . committee , and their Lordships adjourned . CORHU 1 T I'HACTICICH AT BLKCTION 8 ACT . In tho IIoubk of Commons , in reply to Mr . Ciuish , Mr . Waia'OLk stated that the Corrupt Practices Act was undor his consideration , aud that ho wais trving to
amend its provisions before it was introduced iato 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 the extension of the act to municipal elections , he saw no reason why it should not be so extended ; but , before taking such a course , they should put the act in a good shape as regarded parliamentary elections .
INFAJNTKV-INT THE EAST INDIES . In answer to General Cooringkhxs , General Pjsel said that every one of the 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 O * ' DENMARK . 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 . SEVMOUR Fitzgebald 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 had 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 OP 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 was supported by Mr . Collins . —Mt . Walp olb said that the subject had 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 by Mr . Hadfield , Lord Goderich , Mr . Bright , Mr . Charleswoiitii , Mr . Bowyer , Mr . Bekcroft , Mr . EmvAitbs , Mr , Powell , and Sir John Walsh ; and opposed by Sir George Grey , Colonel Smythe , the Attorney-Geskral , Mr . Ayrton , and Mr . Mellor . —Mr . M'Mahon having replied , the motion was negatived without , a division .
MASTERS AND WOKKMEN . Mr . Maokinnon drew the attention of the House to the report of the select committee of 185 G , appointed to inquire into the expediency of establishing equitable tribunals for the amicable adjustment of differences between masters au < l operatives , and moved for leave to bring in a bill to enable masters and workmen to form councils of conciliation and of arbitration . —Mr . Wal-1 'oi . k said he would not oppose the introduction of the measure . The law upon this subject did not give satisfaction , and- ho thought that facilities might bo ofl ' crcd for referring disputes between masters and workmen to arbitration . —Leave was then given .
THE COUNTY FRANCHISE . Mr . Locke King moved for leave to bring in a bill to extend tho franchise in counties in England and Wales , and to improve tlio representation of tho people in respect of such franchise . The objection to his motion generally was the promise of a coming Reform Bill ; but that excuse could not now bo made . An objection was nlso urged to bringing forward what are called piecemeal measures of Parliamentary Reform ; but , in the present Htatc of the feeling of the House and the country , the only way in which the question of reform can bo dealt
with ia bj' bringing forward small , honest , and just measures . lie preferred a small , honest , and just measure to a large , one , which often aflbrdH scope for tho introduction of dishonest provisions . It i . s a disgrace to tliia country , where wealth alone gives a titlo to tho elective franchise , that n per «> u living in a- lujuso in onu town paying a small rent should liuvo n vote , nud another , 'living in unothcr town in a better houso ntul paying a linger rent , should havo no shuns in the election of representatives to Parliament . On n former occasion , tlio member for Ciulitilo hud « ui < l that
something should have been stated in the bill with regard to the rate at which a man was to be entitled to a voteand he therefore hud proposed that it should be a rating of 5 / . at least . —Mr . Byng seconded the motion . The Chancellor of the Exchequer said he had no objection to urge against the principle of tlie bill , but he believed it would embarrass those who wish to improve the franchise . It would increase the anomalous disproportion between the counties and the boroughs and , if it passed , tliey would have a very large constituency returning a very small number of members , and a very small constituency returning a very large
number of members . He believed the measure 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 question of Parliamentary reform ; and , under these circumstances , he felt it his duty to move , as an amendment , the previous question .
Lord John Russell observed , that Mr . Disraeli had attempted to draw a line between the representation of counties and boroughs which vas not founded on substantial justice . With respect to his argument that the question should be taken as a whole , he could find no fault with that . But , if all that is wished for cannot le obtained , let them take the precedent of the first Keforra Bill , 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 . Laboucherk said he should vote for the introduction of the bill , as circumstances had altered since last year . He agreed with Lord John Russell ,- that little
confidence is to be placed in the promised lieform Bill of the Government . —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 . ' , Knightlev objected to the proposed extension of the franchise , and Mr . Clay supported it . — Mr . Bkntinck . combated the position that the influence of a member of the House depended on the breadth of his basis—( a laugh )—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 ; yet it was generallv understood that the
influence of those two noble lords in the House was pretty nearly balanced . ( La / tf / kte ?' . ) Believing that the measure would only increase the anomaly already existing , he should oppose its introduction . —Mr . ' Collins , although a member of the great Conservative body , was not one who opposed a modification of the measure of Kefomi introduced in 1832 . However , he opposed the motion . —Mr . SxANiiorii also opposed the measure , on the ground that next year , probably , a new franchise might be part of the promised measure of general Reform . — Mr . Lockk KiNa briefly replied , and the previous question was negatived without a division , followed by loud cheers . — Leave was then given to bring in the bill .
PILOTS IN T 111 C ISLK OF WIGHT , & C . Mr . ClH ' -fohi : > called attention to the state of the lav affecting pilots in tho Isle of Wight aiul Portsmouth districts , and moved for returns from the Trinity-lioiir-cs showing the rate of profits accruing to such { nlou . —¦ Mr . Henley made no objection , and the returns were ordered . WEIGHTS AND MEASURES . Mr . John Lockk moved for leave to bring "i a bill to amend an Act of the 5 th and Gth of "William IV ., cap . G 3 , relating to weights and measures , one of the clauses of which contains a proviso , whereby , under decisions of the Covirts , the main object of the act , that there should be one uniform measure , wns defeated , lie proposed by his bill to amend this defect , and to make it compulsory to sell by measure tested by weight . — After a siliort discussion , Icavo was given . CHUKCUICS AN 1 > ClIUUCIIYAItDS . Mr . PuLLiat moved a resolution , " That this IIousu will to-morrow resolve itself into a committee toennsider the expediency of providing for the repair of churches and the maintenance of churchyards , by subHtittitingfor church-rates such an annual rcntcliargu ujimi all hereditaments in respect of which church-rates nmy now be lawfully assessed upon the occupiers nn Avill fairly represent tho total annual amount now raised Inchurch-rates ; such rentchargo to be a fixed and uniform poundage on the ratable , value of sueh licrcdilunic-iits , and to be nuulo a charge on the owners . "— Mr . JJiixton moved , us nn amendment , tlie following resolutions : — " That it is desirable- that in Home pariahe . n power should bo given to make an addition , to a limited amount , to the tUh « . ' . in order to maintain the fabric of the churches ; " and " that in nouio parishes in towns power . should b « niven to the churchwnnltns or tho vestry (<> place a rental on a certain proportion of the sitting , " This amendment w « a seconded by ( jciior / il Tho mpson . —Sir John Tuislawny opposed Mr . Puller ' s motion , which , so far from remedying tho grievance , would per-
_ 412__ Th E- .Le _Ad^J. ^ . _ __ [No, 4...
_ 412 __ tH E- . LE _ AD ^ j . ^ . _ __ [ No , 423 , May 1 , 1858 .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), May 1, 1858, page 412, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/ldr_01051858/page/4/
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