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Leader (1850-1860), 11th February 1860, Edition 1 of 2, Page 146, Untitled Article

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    • PARLIAMENT.
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    • PARLIAMENT.

      PARLIAMENT.

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      Untitled Article

      TTJRIDAY night , by consent , is allowed to be trie Ministerial night . X . Important Government business is transacted ; important and sometimes inconvenient , questions are either answered frankly- or adroitly evaded . Friday last . was an example of the latter proceeding . Twenty-one questions were asked by twenty-one different members , each question embracing a new and a widely differing topic . The most important of the night was that put by Mi \ Kingiake , relative to the rumours , of continued naval and military preparations on the part of the French Emperor . Lord J . IJussell explained the present relations between England and France , which were in the highest degree satisfactory , and saw no reason for feeling alarm or jealousy at the naval or military activity of the French Emperor . Some explanations were elicited from Sir C . Wood relative to Indian affairs . The Newspaper Bill passed through Committee .

      On Monday the Lord Chancexlor laid on the table a Bill relating to joint stock companies , for the ostensible object of curing the glaring defects of the Winding-up Acts . From the few introductory words , it is doubtful whether the noble and learned lord ^ s Bill is likely to deal effectually with the winding-up scandal as it exists ; lawyers' Acts of Parliaments are proverbially inefficient ^ for dealing with purely commercial questions . Lord Brougham , in making a proformd- ' motion relative to County Courts , took occasion to point out the admirable working of these tribunals , and threw out a suggestion for extending their jurisdiction to sums above £ 50 . In reply to a question , the Earl of IJipon referred to the patriotic oiler of the services of the volunteers , and expressed ahope that in time the new force would become a permanent institution of the country .

      The principle of the Volunteer movement was , that it should be self-. supportiug , and independent of Government aid . Any departure irom this principle , by seeking Government assistance , would alter the character of the body , and impair its utility ; The numbers were now between seventy thousand and eighty thousand ,, and increasing daily . —Tuesday ' s discussions were of more than ordinary importance . Lord LYNDHtrRST drew attention to the mass of Bills just introduced by the Lord Cha \ n-celxor for the consolidation of the Criminal law , and pointed but one case in ' which / , great carelessness was apparent in drawing at least one of the Bills . The Lord Chancellor was obliged to confess that he-had not read the Bills fully , only partially , but would look further into the matter . The Earl of Derby then brought oil that endless scandal , the

      disturbances at S $ . George ' s-in-the-East .. After a . severe censure on the author of these disturbances , the noble lord contended that scenes so disgraceful to religion could not be permitted to continue , aud desired : to he informed whether Government was willing to apply to Parliament for further powers to suppress them . Earl Granvixle was in accord with Lord Derby in his censure on the clergyman on whom wag to be charged these scandalous occurrences . He thought , however , the law was sufficiently strong , admnistered by magistrates , assisted by the police , to deal with offenders . Lord Brougham , who appeared to sympathise more openly with tlie clerical than with the lay offender , hoped the Bishop would shut up the church if mo other means were found sufficient to quell the Sunday outrages . The Bishop of London tet

      intimated that this step had already been resord o and found absolutely inefficient , His own notion of settling the question was for both parties to leave the matter in his hands , and to agree to abide by his decision . With this curious proposition the discussion dropped . \ Savoy question , which is beginning to assume serious and important proportions , and to disclose hitherto unsuspected elements of European difficulty , was brought on by the Marquis of Normanby , who reviewed the unsatisfactory position of affairs , and the dubious conduct of France and Sardinia respecting Savoy and Nice . He called on the House to resist the new and dangerous doctrine that " a people , on the ground of nationality and speaking the same language , should be entitled to transfer their allegiance from one sovereign to another . "

      Earl Gbanville had no positive assurance to give that the French Emperor did not contemplate the absorption of Savoy and Nice . The presumption , however , was on the other side ; but assuming that France had a treaty with Sardinia for the surrender of a portion of h . er territories as a gtiicltpro quo for services rendered , then the French Emperor would stand disgraced before the world as a despiser of promises , and as one whose word was unworthy of credit Earl Grey urged Government to ask the French Emporor for a positive disavowal of tho designs imputed to him . The Earl of Sixajttebbury considered the imputed designs of the French Emperor so pregnant with future danger to the peace and welfare , hot pf this country only , but of Europe , that he hoped both . Houses of Parliament and the people of England would with one voice announce their disapproval ; also that Sardinia would resist

      dismemberment by force of arms . This - country had long protested against the traffic in human flesh ; it was proper , therefore , that it should also protest against this new traffic in human rights , The Duke of Newcastle throw oil on the troubled waters , by deprecating the warmth of Lord Siiaftes-BUity , which ho said was calculated to defeat tho peaceable solution of this difficult ' question . Gorennnent had aono aH it could do "by representations to avert tho threatened annexation , and would continue in that course , without , however ; contemplating a possible oasus belli . Lord Brovghaai was as much opposed to the annexation as any noble lorfl > but ho hoped Lord Normalmy ' s proposition for an address to tho Queen On tho question of the assumed absorption of Savoy nnd Nice by Franco would Jiot bo pressed to a division , as it might , fironx such a course , appear that thero was a difference of opinion >» tho house , wherons every noble

      lord entertained the same view of . it . The Earl of Derby , with great force , remarked that if this alleged proceeding were carried out , the parties who would most suffer would be the French Emperor and the King of Sardinia ; the first , for having belied all his protestations of disintei'estecl views in his interference in the affairs-of Italy , and the other for having made a venal bargain for selfish purposes . Lord Stxtart de Redcxiffe agreed with ' . Lord Derby , and gave it as his opinion , if the absorption took place , that the basis of future war among European powers would have been laid . The Marquis of Normanby , satisfied with the expression of opinion that had been elicited , withdrew his motion . The disappointment on Monday was great and general , in consequence of the indisposition of the Chancellor of the Exchequer rendering it necessary to postpone his Financial Statement until Friday . In reply to Mr . Btng , who wished to know whether Government intended to take further steps to suppress the Sunday rioting at St . George ' s in the East—Sir Gr . C . Lewis did not consider the disturbances as outrages , and significantly added that he regretted the rector , Bryan King , should persist in questionable ceremonies and acts which were , in truth ,, the origin of the existing dissatisfaction and disturbances . The Police Commissioners , he considered , had made suitable arrangements calculated to prevent a positive bireach of the peace . Several bills were moved a stage , and the House broke up at an early hour . —On Tuesday , Lord J . Russell , in reply to a question , detailed the plan submitted by the English Government to France and Austria for the settlement of the Italian difficulty . As the answers of all the great . Powers had not yet been received , it would not- be expedient to lay the papers at that moment on the table . His Lordship , however , felt . great hopes that the settlement of the difficulty was not far distant . Lord J . Manners asked leave to bring in a Bill to close the Divorce Courts to the public * on the ground that the prurient disclosures affected public morality . Mr . E . James opposed the Bill , on the ground that the question had already been entertained and decided in the negative . Mr . Roebuck pungently remarked that he agreed with Swift in thinking that the " nicest persons had always the nastiest ideas . " He should oppose the motion mainly on the ground that . if the Court was closed the people would be shut out from a . great theatre , where morality was taught . Lord R . Cecil was on the side of Lord J . Manners , Mr . Malins and Mr . Macatjlay on the other . .. Sir G . C . Lewis would oppose the Bill because it selected a particular Court , and was not sufficiently general in its application . The Bill was lost , on a division , by 268 to 83 . Several Bills were introduced . —Wednesday was remarkable for being tlie first " field day , " on-which both parties mustered nearly their respective strengths . It was not , however , openly stated that the question was / to be a party affair , though it was covertly understood , as the "ins" took one side and the " outs " the other , that it was as closely to approximate to a " pitched " battle as could be effected without being really of that significant character . The question was the Abolition of Church Rates . A large number of petitions heralded the introduction of the Bill by Sir John Trelawny . The main argument of the hdn . baronet was , tliafc the rate had been generally condemned not only by dissenters , but by members of the Church of England , as was evidenced by the nuniber of petitions on the subjeet . The voluntary principle would be an efficient substitute for a compulsory rate , and by its adoption a great cause of strife would be abolished . Lord Robert Montague , by way of throwing out the Bill , moved that it be read that day six months . The question , he contended , was no longer one of conscience . The , dissenters had thrown off the mask , and now openly declared that this Bill was another step toward effecting the severance of Church and State . Sir G . C . Lewis would vote in favour of the Bill . Public opinion had changed , and this was the best excuse which could be alleged for change of opinion on the part of public men . Pew , rents were a kind of Church rates , and a proper substitute for them . Mr . Ker Seymour believed that the majority , of the Church of England supporters were opposed to tho abolition of Church rates , and especially to the substitution of pew rents for the impost , ^ Mr . Disraeli objected to the measure on the ground of its centralizing character , ft was another blow at localgovex-nmont , and another addition to that central power to , wh ^ ch legislation of late yoars ' appeared to tend . Ho did not think that the opposition to Church rates was based on conscientious scruples , Ho believed the Bill was calculated to strike a blow at a constitutional institution , and to substitute a mere speculative theory . The real question , though not then before the House , was whether there should bo an Established Church at all . Lord Fermoy , with somewhat o / Hibernian warmth of imagination , deolared that if Church rates were abolished , it would get rid of contests and heartburnings in England , just as it had done in Ireland . Mr . Paoke and Mr . Hubbard wore against , Mir . Thomson for the Bill , and on a division it was ordered to bo read a second thno , by 203 to 284 . On Thursday night L . ortf PALMERSTOjsr said that ho hoped if his right hon , friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer had not sufficiently recovered his strength to bo enabled to enter on his financial statement , which must necessarily bo of considerable length , tomorrow evening , that the llouse would indulge himjby allowing ifcsjwstponoment until Monday . However , if the Chancellor of tho Iyxohequor was not able to , bring- the budget forward to-morrow evening * , las noble friend the Secretary for Foreign Affairs would lay on tho table tho commeroinl treaty with France . Wo have'just room to notice also , that Sir F . Kelly moved for leave to bring in a bill for the prevention of bribery , and to nmend tho Corrupt Practices Prevention Aqts , 1854 .

      Untitled Article

      146 The Leader and Saturday Analyst . [ Feb . 11 , 1 S 60 .

      Parliament.

      PARLIAMENT .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 11, 1860, page 146, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2333/page/22/