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December 4, 1852.] THE LEADER. 1151
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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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The Paeliament Of The Week. The Bribery ...
the inquiry ought to have oeen a matter of course , inter alia , before the Election Committee . Mr . WalrofcE and Lord John Russeli , showed that the House had an inherent right to inquire , quite independently of the ordinary statute law . After sqme discussion it was ordered , on the motion of Sir Charges Wood , that the Committee should consist of five members , nominated by the General Committee of Elections , and that tlie parties might appear by themselves , their counsel , or their agents . On Wednesday the Clerk announced that the committee would consist of the following members : —Mr . Go ulburn , Lord Harry Vane ,, Viscount Barrington , Sir W . Molesworth , and Mr- Dedees .
PAELIAMENTAKY EEFOEM . Mr- HtTME asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer , on Thursday , whether it was the intention of Her Majesty ' s Government to introduce any measure for the extension of the franchise , the protection of the voters , and the equalization of the number of electors to the number of representatives ? and he elicited the following characteristic reply : — Tl ^ e Chancellor of the Exchequer said , that whenever it was the intention of the Government " to
introduce any measure for the extension of the franchise , the protection of voters , and the equalization of the number of electors to the number of representatives , " they would think it more consistent with their duty to the country to give a formal notice to the House of that intention : they would not think it would be respectful to the country that the intimation of any such intention on their part should he first acquired by the country in answer to an inquiry from a private member of the House , without any more formal notice . ( Laughter . )
Mr . M . Gibson" wished to ask the right hon . gentleman whether it was the intention of the Government to submit to Parliament this session the same measure they submitted to the House at the close of the last Parliament for allotting the four seats now vacant to new constituencies ? Mr . Gibson received the same treatment . The Chancelloe of the Exchequer considered that that question was part of the great subject of progressive reform , and he would prefer giving a more formal notice " of any intention respecting it on the part of the Government than that elicited under the circumstances they had just experienced . ( Laughter . )
Sir D . L . Evans gave notice that if any measures were introduced for supplying the vacant seats , he should brin g forward the claims of Chelsea and Kensington to two of those seats . He also obtained leave to bring in a hill to amend the rate-paying clauses in the Reform Act .
THE CASE OF MR . STEAD . Viscount Godeeich wished to know whether the Government had received from the Government of Prussia any apology or explanation relative to the recent expulsion of Mr . Francis Stead from Prussia by the police authorities of Berlin . Lord Stanley stated that Mr . Stead had , upon being- arrested , taken the regular course of proceeding , and had very properly laid Ins case before Lord Bloomfield , who communicated with the Prus . sian authorities
oh the subject , and received iVom them a formal reply to the effect that inquiry should be mndc . After some delay , explanation was given by the Prus . sian Government . It was stated that the police of Prussia had received information from England that u person of the name of Stead was about to visit ; Prussia , and that ho was implicated in a conspiracy to assassinate the King ol Prussia . When Mr . Stead arrived in Merlin , the police were under the impression that he was the person ho described , and that was tho cause of his arrest and impulsion . The Prussian Government at the name time
expressed its regret for what had occurred . He was hound , however , to say that thin explanation was not < ' 0 J ) Hidered satisfactory by her Majesty ' s Government ; a as another easei hud occurred about tho same time , 111 which a British subject was treated with almost ( "l » l harshness , the Government of this country had 1 ( *' t it their duty to remonstrate strongly with the Govwninen t of PriiHsiii on the subject . In conclusion , he H'iited that nothing whatever had passed which could '" i considered an in the slightest degree affecting the "liurnctor of Mr . Stc-nel . ' ( Hear , hear . )
' » the IIoirHio of LoitnH , on Monday night , Lord I ' ANMnitfo , uHcr detailing the circumstances connected A yitli I he formation and services of the enrolled pen-Hl ( "'« 'rs , U ,,. ; ,. i ()( . af , on j n NeW Zealand , Australia , Van "'•• men ' s Lund , and Canada , successively called tho " •' Usntion of their lordships to the conditions which had ' ' < 'i » held out to those who went out to Canada , and hn 1 umI the Government if those conditions had been yiiiricul out in tin ; case of 220 pensioners who had set-II ( ' < 1 at Toronto .
The Earl of Derby expressed his doubts as to the expediency of the system under which these men had been sent out to Toronto . A free passage had been given to the pensioners , and # grant of from two to three acres each promised . It turned out that , of about four hundred acres which were supposed to be available for the purpose , 280 acres were under lease to the corporation of Toronto , and the remaining 120 was all that could be made available for the pensioners . The corporation were anxious to get the 120 acres for a public park , and they offered for that quantity of land ] , 000 £ . with which to aid in settling the pensioners . He could say no more than that the subject would receive the earnest attention of the Colonial Office , and every care should be taken that the pensioners received due compensation for whatever privileges they had been disappointed in obtaining .
FEEE-THADE . From present appearances , the struggle all thought terminated last week , will , next week , be renewed in the Lords . On Monday , Lord Clanricarde intended to move resolutions similar to those passed in the Commons . Lord Derby would not object to resolutions " adopting the recently-established policy " for the future , but not calling for a condemnation of the past . He would agree to a resolution like this— " That this House , thankfully acknowledging the general prosperity , and recognising Free-trade as the basis of the financial system of the country , are prepared to accept and adhere to the commercial system recently established , with a view to its being fully maintained and carried into effect . " Finally , it was agreed that notice of the moving of the resolutions by Lord Clanriearde should be given on Thursday .
The proceedings on Thursday were soon at an end , Lord Ci-anricaede had conferred with Lord Derby , and finding that they could not agree as to the terms of the resolution to be proposed , Lord Clanricarde had agreed to drop his own form of words and take up tho . se suggested by Lord Derby . His own form was as follows : — " That this House acknowledges with satisfaction tbat the cheapness of provisions occasioned by recent legislation has mainly contributed to improve the condition of the country and increase the comforts of the industrious classes ; and that unrestricted competition having been adopted , after due deliberation , as the principle of our commercial system , this House is of opinion that it is wise and expedient unreservedly to adhere to that policy . "
Lord Derby was of course grateful for the moderation of his opponent . Discussion was not advisable , especially as to how far cheapness was the result of recent legislation . He proposed the following resolution : — " That this House thankfully acknowledging the general prosperity , and deeply sensible of the evil attendant on frequent changes in the financial policy of the country , adheres to the commercial system recently established , and would view with regret any renewed attempt to disturb its operation or impede its progress . " Lord Clanricarde might take this , and move it as his own , or he might leave it for Lord Derby to move —just as he pleased . Then followed this interesting colloquy : —
Tho Marquis of Cr . ANRiOAltnK . —I accept tho nobles Earl ' s words instead of my own resolution . J would prefer moving tho noblo Karl's rcHolution immediately ; hut , looking to tho importance ) of the subject , I do not think il , would bo right to deviate from the usual course . I ( herofore give notices that I will move ) 11 in resolution on Monday , hut I shall not think it necessary to address your lordships , nor do I anticipate that any elisctission will ari . se > . Tho Karl of l ^ LiiKNiiOKOUOii : I wish tins noble inaniui . H would reconsider his dotesrminafion , nnel nujvei the resolution at once . ( Ile'iir , hear . ) If lie postpones it to Monday there may he ) a debate ); but if he ) moves it now the-re will he nemo ai all . ( Laughter . ) 1 think both resolutions equally unnese'esssary , anel would rather avoid a useless debate ) . ( IIcar , and cries of "Move ' . " )
The * Karl of Dicuiiy roso after a pauses of Home ) minutes , nnel said ,- " -- ! am not mires whether tho noble ) imirejiiis bus eleeisivesly maelei up his mind mm to whether he will niovn tlie resolution now or g ive ) notices for Monelay . A star an I . inn concerned , I think ( he-res is a gmit eleid of ge » e > d sense in the observations of tins nobles eurl who spoke ) last . ( Hear , anel laughter . ) The ) Marquis of Ci , Anfucakdk . — -i am far from elis-Konting from tho nobles earl ' s last sentences ; but , 1 think it
is desirable ) not to depart from tho rules observesd under ordinary e-irouniKl aliens . I think that on ho neiriems a nubje'ct , anel emo which oerupie'el tho iillontiou e > f the ) e > ther House ) for Hovoml nights ( laughter ) , it weullel hardly bo in keeping with the elignity of the ! llourto to moves the resolution without notice . ( Hear . ) 'Hosielos , tho pronx-eling might bo 'drawn into a preereselcnt , anel nobles lorels , founding l . liomselvoH em it , might , move ) re'sedutioiiN of groat ininortane'o witheiut previous notice .
Tho Karl of Dimity . —As the ) noblo marquiH Iiiim referred to proroelent , I beg to nxpre'ss a hopo that tho lemgth of this elise'ussiem in I lies other Ilemso may not be takein an a precedent by your lorelships . ( " Hear , " nnd laughter . ) And so tho House urijourncri .
CotfNTY Polls Bixi . —On the order of the day for the committal of the Polling at , County Elections Bill , on Wednesday , lord R . Geosvkxoe , in answer to Mr . Buck and Mr . Miles , said that he did not see the necessity of referring the bill to a select committee ; and that he intended confining the provisions of the bill to the simple tontter of limiting the polling for counties to one day , and providing that the declaration of the poll should take place on the day afterwards . Two amendments were proposed—one by Mr . Packe , that the bill be read this day six months ; the other by Mr . Butt , that it bo an instruction to the committee on the bill to shorten the time between the proclamation and the day of election in counties , anel the time of the receipt and the election in be > rouglis . Both amend - ments were withdrawn after a short conversation , when the bill passed through committee , with some verbal alterations .
Bubdak ' s Tooth : Grievances of Ceylon . Sir Robert H . Ing-lis asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the connexion between the Queen ' s Government in Ceylon , and tho idolatry of any part of her Majesty ' s subjects therein , was or was not severed ; whether the custody of the Buddhist relic was or was not transferred to those who regard it as sacred ; whether any act of the Queen ' s Government was or was not requireel to entitle the priest of a Buddhist temple to exorcise any function in respect to the property of such Buddhist temple ; and lastly , whether it was or was not the intention of her Majesty ' s Government to transfer to the Buddhist priests all the concerns of their own religion in Ceylon ? Sir J . Pakingtok stated that the treaty made between
this country and the King of Candi contained one clause , to the effect that the religion of Buddah professed by the chiefs and inhabitants of the province was declared inviolable , and its rites , ministers , and places of worship should be maintained and protected . Subsequently a proclamation was issued by the Queen ' s Government , which , did not , in his opinion , in the least degree alter the obligations of the treaty to maintain and protect the Buddhists in the exercise of their own religion . It had been contended by persons in the island , and he had heard it elsewhere stated , that the treaty was made with idolaters , and was not , therefore , binding on this country . ITe could not be a party to any such principle as ( hat . ( Cheers . ) To acquire territory under a certain treaty , anel then to turn
round and contend that the treaty having been , made with idolaters was not binding , would bo unworthy of the Christianity of this country . ( Cheers . ) In answer to tho first question put by tho honourable baronet , he felt justified in saying that all connexion really between tho Queen ' s Government anel the Buddhist religion had long since been discontinueel . TJneler the conditions of the treaty tho governor was bound to maintain tho religion of Buddah , to take part in its ceremonies , and to give them the materials with which their rites wore performed . This connexion was , however , finally put , an end to when Sir Robert Orton was governor of Ceylon . "With respect to the custody of Buddah ' s tooth : in a despatch sent out in 1845 instructions were given that tho custody of the relic
should bo entirely given up by tho Queen ' s Government . When Lord Grey came into office Lord Torrington was directed to give up tho custody of Buddah ' s toe > th , anel to make no more appointments of Buddhist priests . Soon after the arrival of Lord Torrington I he rebellion broke out , and tho custody of the " tooth , " anel the appointment of priests , under the pressure of that rebesllion , were resumed . This act excite'el groat discontent among tho Christians em the island , and upon his Inking office he fell , it his duly to endeavour to put an end to the exist ing stato of discontent on the subject . Sir , Te > hn had accordingly prepared a elespatoh , which wemlel bo sent ; out by tho msxt mail , containing instructions em tho subject ., to tho governor of Ceylon , lie regretfeel that there elid not -. exist in tho Coleminl-nllicu that ; relation of the fuels of tho east ) which he would have wished te > haves founel , and without
which it was impossibles to issue ) instructions to the 1 loe-nl ge ) v < rmneMit upon a subject of this e'emiplioiitoel naf lire with that precision nnel clearness which ho would have wished . The nutuivof those inslriicliems was , that this custod y of tho " toolh" was to bo give-n up at ; one-e , anel entirely , to tho Buddhists , tho governor being din-cled ( e > provides a safe place of custody for it . lies also inl . eiieh'd to instruct tho ge > vi . rne ) r to give ) to tho Huihlhisl p rie > sts : i eniunlity of land equivalent in value to t ho . " !<)(>/ . per annum which hail been , in his opinion , unjustly withdrawn by the > previous governor . W ith respee ; i ; to the appointmetnl e > i' the- prie'sts , he ) ]> re > pose'd that the governor roeniest the ) HuelelluKts to act for themsolvess in that re'speu-t , anel if any dilliculty existeel in ( lies way of thtui * se > ne'liiij ' , that , tho governor shoulel take ) the nnil lor into his own hanels , nnel provide t ho mi'iins e > f milking tho appointment . Ik : wemld lay tho elospat . e-h em the tables when fully elrawn .
Common Law UiOKewui ( 1 uhi . a n n ) . -Mr . " Wliitesides ' s Hill to reform the ) (' oniinem Law Procoelure was read a see-emd time on Monelay , uflor some ) eliscussiem . The prine'ipal remarks e > n the me'iisim * wore that it eliel iie >( , go fur enough , and flint it vvoultl exte'iiel to Ireland iniprovemeiiifn not yet nci'oreh'd to Knghiml . Mr . l \ e > in ; i ( T Lowk maeJo un aelmirablo Kpe-ci'h , in whie-h ho exposeel ( ho defects of ( lies monsiiro nnel tome ) striking ineonsisl curios . such an I lies abolition of forms in <>¦ i < t k . ocI ion , and n permissible uses of them be-ing jirovideel for in another . Then Ihodistinotiem hi'tween law anel equity was not nholishoel . Sir A i . kx an i ) Kit (' ocii iiiMt . N , l \ lV . KirxdKiui . n . anel Mr . Citow OKI ! , whiles prnihiiitf Air . Whiteside for bringing tho bill in , nil pointeel out imieruriioie-M . Tho House' \ vnn also ndeirttssed by Mr . Collier , Mr . Napier , Mr . I'hillimores , Mr . Cie'ortri ' , miel Mr . Hull .
M inihtkkn' Miinkv ( litri . ANn ) . - In Iho IIoukV of Commons on Tuesday , Mr . I'AiMS meiveel that on Thursday tho House \\ ould rotiolve ilsi'lf into a e'liininil leso to takes inle ) ( 'oiiMieloraliein Ibis law relative ) to ministers ' money in Ireland , with a view Id provide a substitute ) out of the ") roveiuieH . of tho Ke-olosiuHtie-ul ( ! ominiHtiie > uoTH . Mr . Walpolo uuid he ) would ne > t , attempt to negative thes motion ;
December 4, 1852.] The Leader. 1151
December 4 , 1852 . ] THE LEADER . 1151
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 4, 1852, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_04121852/page/3/
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