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Northern Star (1837-1852), 3rd March 1849, Edition 1 of 3, Page 7, BH^wua lUvliamtnt.

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      MOXDAT , Februart 2 G . HOUSE OF LORDS . — Habeas Corpus Act SrsPExsiox Biia . —The Marquis of Lassdoivxe moved the third reading of this bill . Lord Brocgham ( who must have some one to abuse for the time being ) would take that opportunity of saying that he had the other night understated the misconduct of a juryman on the trial of Tfrafi f in BuWin—a person called Burke . He hed anee learnt that upon going into the jury-box this man stated that no consideration upon earth should induce him to convict the prisoner ; and when the jury were discharged , because they could not agree on their verdict , this man mounted a car , narrjngued the mob , huzzaed , and went to his inn in triumph . Xbthing could be more disgusting in a juror , or , in fact , in any Christian man , than to have lieen gu'lty of such corrupt and flagitious conduct . He wished it to be understood that a juror was not to be protected , from the fact of his being a iuror

      , from any outrages which he might commit . In the ¦ whole of his experience he had never seen a court worse treated throughout the whole proceedings than were the learned and reverend judges by whom llr . Dufiy was tried , by the eounsel ' engaged ' for the defence . Their object seemed to be to quarrel with the court , in order that they might throw up their Drief , and say to the people out of doors , " We can get no justice . " ( Hear , hear . ) The conduct of the court , however , had been most forbearing—the reverend judges had behaved with great dignity , tempered with perfect suavity towards the persons from whom thoy had rocoived such insults . Lord Campbeu . concurred in these sentiments . The bill was then read a third time and passed . The Marriages axd Registration of Births ( Scotlaxd ) Bills passed through committee . HOUSE OF COMMONS . —Exgush Workmen is Fraxce . —In reply to a question from Mr . B . Cochraxe .

      Lord J . RUSSELL stated that his noble friend Lord Palmerstou had received a satisfactory assurance from the French government that they were ready to pay the sums deposited in the French savings banks , by the British workmen who were compelled to leave ' France on the breaking out of the revolution last year , as soon as it was ascertained who were the parties who had the claims . CncRcn Jobbery . —Mr . Housmax , after referring at considerable length to the circumstances attend ing the rectory of fiishopwearmouth , and with the view of giving Lord J . Russell a further opportunity of explanation , inasmuch as it w ; is now understood his former one was neither satisfactory nor correct , hegged to ask whether in any of the points referred to in the noble lord ' s former answers as to the

      gross incomes of the rectory , the fature income of the incumbent , the application of the surplus revenue , or the feeling of th « parishioners as represented by the ancient vestry , there was anything requiring correction . Lord J . Russell replied , that on the third point there had certainly been an error , not as the hon . gentleman supposed in the statement sent by the Bishop of Durham , but in his ( Lord J . Russell ' s ) reading of it . The Bishop of Durham stated that the wayleaves and coal rents would be placed in the hands of trustees forthe benefit of the chapelrics amounting to £ 1 , 600 a year , and on the hon . member's asking whether that sum would be paid to the incumbents of the other chapclries , his reply was , concluding that that was the contemplated arrangement , in the affirmative . In that inference , howeverit appeared he had been mistaken .

      , Mr . IIorsmax asked whether , in the noble lord ' s opinion , the bishop had any authority to divert any portion of the temporalities provided by law to the incumbent to any other purpose ? Lord J . Russell did not consider the bishop would have any authority to divert the revenues settled by law as the income of the living , whether arising from rents or other sources , and if that had been done in any case he imagined there would be a legal remedy . FiXAXcm , ILeeoku . — 'Mr . Counts on the question of going into committee of supply , rose to interpose the following resolution , by way of amendment : — " That the net expenditure of the government for the year , 1835 , ( parliamentary paper Xo . 260 , 18 i 7 ) , amounted to £ 44 .-12-2 , 000 ; that the net expenditure

      of the year ended January 5 , 1819 ( parliamentary paper , * lfo . 1 , 1849 ) , amounted to £ 54 , 185 , 000 ; the increase of nearly ten millions having been caused principally bv successive augmentations of our warlike establishments , and outlays for defensive armaments : that no foreign danger , or necessary cost of the civil government , nor indispensable dis-Dursement for the services in our dependencies abroad , warrant the continuance of this increase of expenditure : that the taxes required to meet the present expenditure impede the operations of agriculture and manufactures , and diminish the funds for the employment of labour in all branches of productive industry , thereby increasing pauperism and crime , and adding grievously to the local and general burdens of tlic people : that to diminish these

      evils , it is expedient that this House take steps to reduce the annual expenditure , with all practicable speed , to an amount which , within the last fourteen years , has proved to be suflScicnt for the maintenance of the security , honour , and dignity of the nation . " The hon . gentleman commenced the speech with which he prefaced these resolutions , by briefly explaining the objects which he had in view in thus submitting them to the House . 'He was of opinion that the general question of our financial position should precede the discussion of the estimates hi detail . He did not wish the House to think that he entertained the idea that what he proposed to do could be done instanter ; all that he then sought being that the Jlouse should n . t once express its opinion as to the desirableness of taking

      some steps in the direction of reduction to as great an extent as possible . He contrasted the expenditure of Prance and England : —" Soyr , sir , on this subject we can take a very much more severe view of our neighbours' affairs than we can of our own . We have lTad the finances of the French government verv much criticised and remarked upon in this country of late . Xow , the Trench accounts are kept in a very different , and I think superior way from ours . In the French accounts you have the gross sums put down on the debit and credit sides . For instance , the cost of collection , all the drawbacks , and everything which in this country is pnt down as charges of collection of revenue , you have put down in the gross revenue of accounts in France . Besides , hi France you have a great number of items

      charged that we put down here as local expenditure . For instance , they have a large item for the religious instruction of the people ; they have items for roads and bridges , the whole of . tlieir education , and atdiers nationaux TVe have heard a great deal of their cost of workshops , forgetting that we have our ateliers nationaux in every workhouse in England . ( Hear , hear . ) I will just read to the House what is the amount of expenditure in England for public objects of the same kind as arc inserted in the French budget . Our imperial expenditure is £ 54 , 000 , 000 ; and here I bes to say that I will only give the figures in round numbers , omitting the hundreds and thousands , and that in every ease I will engage to be under the real amounts . ( Hear . ) Our imperial

      expenditure , then , is , £ 54 , 000 , 000 , Our cost of collection and other amounts not paid into the exchequer is £ 7 , 000 , 000 . Our expenditure for the relief of the poor in the United Kingdom is £ 8 , 000 , 000 . Our county rates I put down at £ 1 , 000 , 000 ; our lishvay rates are £ 1 , 000 , 000 ; religion , £ 0 , 000 , 000 —making a gross total altogether of £ 77 , 000 , 000 . 2 \ ow , we nave lieard it stated in this country that the French government , in the year of the revolution and when they were in an exceptional state , had expended £ 72 , 000 , 000 . In this country we expended £ 77 , 000 , 000 for simUar objects . Hay more , I have left out our expense for hospitals and education , thoueh I believe that if every item was included , and a fair comparison made , we should have an expenditure of £ 80 , 000 , 000 in England

      against £ 72 , 000 , 000 in France , for a population of 2 ^ , 000 , 000 against a population of 30 , 000 , 000 . ( Hoar , hear . ) Xow , sir , that I think is calculated to make us enter on the consideration of this question hi a mode calculated , if possible , to dimmish this enormous amount of expenditure ; and in bringing forward these local charges , I must say that wo have lost sight , a great deal too much , of the increase of late years which lias taken place in the local taxation of this country —( hear , hear)—for this country differs from every other in this respect , that we have four or five different local and legislative bodies taxing the people hi different ways for a variety of objects . If we look at the increase in our local expenditure , we shall see something descrving of our serious and solemn attention . I will

      take the amount for the relief and maintenance of the poor in the United Kingdom . In the year 1837 that amount was £ 4 , 300 , 00 u ; by the latest * acconnts it was £ 8 , 341 , 000 ; and I take 1857 as the first starting point , because , in that year , the new Poor Law was brought into full operation in this countrv , and wo had enected a considerable reduction in the expenditure for the relief of the poor , and thought that the new law would hare prevented any increase , "ffhy , in England alone , since that time the increase has ' been fifty per cent , for the relief of the poor . ( Hear , hear . ) In county rates it has been the same . For the vear 1835 the county rates amounted to £ &T 1 , VW . For the Tear endinsr Michaelmas 1847

      they were £ 1 , 266 , 000—nearly double again for county rates since 1835 . ( Hear . ) And I must saj that I tliiuk local charges of this kind form a much truer index of the state of the country than the imperial taxation , for bear in mind that these items of poor fates and county rates are forthe support of pauperism , the construction and maintenance of gaols , and other objects of that kind . In feet , your local taxation is a kind of barometer , showing the social ttate of the country ; and I must say that the pros ' ^ of these rates / or the last fourteen or fifteen vS ? lla 8 ^ ° fa m 0 & discouraging and alarming Tj - ( Hear , hear . ) And there is another view of me 0 . 1 ^ - ^ You cannot flimia jgh these local

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      rates , you cannot keep them down , or prevent their increase , by any means you may resort to in the localities themselves . It is my firm belief that the progress of extravagance in your imperial legislature is the cause of the growth of pauperism and crhne in your several localities , and that to amend and check this you must apply the remedy in this House by general legislation . ( Hear , hear . ) The hon . gentleman then justified himself by precedent for reverting to the standard of expenditure afforded by the year 1835 . He then compnyeu the expenditure of 1835 with that of last year . The increase during the interval had been about ten millions Looking at the items of our expcnditure ,-he confessed that there was but one in connexion with which any very great reductions could be

      effectedthe item connected with our military establishment . He then pointed out the successive additions which had been made to it since 1835 . No less than 5 , 000 seamen were added to the navy in 1836 to protect us against the Russians . Where was the danger from the Russians now ?—and yet the 5 , 000 ^ s o t" 1 lemained in the navv - In 1838 . " 0 less than 8 , 000 men were added to the army , to meet the exigency of the Canadian rebellion . That rebellion had been suppressed . in a few months , but the 8 , 000 men we had to the present day . In 1839 , the right hon . member for the city of London ( Lord J . Russell ) , who was then Home Secretary , moved for an increase of 5 , 000 men rank and file for the army , and he told us what they were wanted for . There had been an apprehended

      insurrection at Monmouth : I allude to the affair of Frost , Williams , and Jones . . There was some turbulence in that part of the country by the Chartist party , and the noble lord told us that 5 , 000 men were required to meet those domestic troubles . Well , but we have had an interval of several years of uninterrupted p eace at home , during which the Chartists have been scarcely heard of , and yet there remain these 5 , 000 men . ( Loud cheers . ) We never heard of their reduction . ( Hear , hear . ) Our difficulties in China , our interference with Syria , and the M'Leod dispute in America , led , in 1841 , to the addition of 5 , 000 . sailors to the navy : these difficulties , interference ' s , and disputes'had passed away , but the 5 , 000 sailors still remained on our hands . In the following year we had an addition to the

      nayyof 4 , 000 men more , to enable us to meet the exigencies of the Maine boundary question : the treaty of Washington put an end to " tliat question , hut the increase was perpetuated . In 1845 a dispute arose between this country and America , respecting the Oregon boundary . An addition was that year made to our military estimates of no less than £ 1 , 700 , 000 . That dispute was liappily terminated , but no reduction had since been made in the estimates . "But in 1840 , no sooner was the Oregon question settled , than we entered into diplomatic quarrel with France respecting the Spanish marriages . Icallitadiplomatie quarrel , though Imight call it a court quarrel —( hear , hear )^ -for the people of this country had no interest in it . But it gave rise to bad blood in France , and ; a * state ' of irritation in this country , and the press of the two countries fanned the flame , and no one could deny that there

      was a great alienation , if not hostility , between the two countries . That was increased by the previous publication of Prince Joinville ' s pamphlet , and also by the old grudge in the case of Mr . Priehard . This produced a bad spirit between us and France , and , accordingly , we increased our " miscellaneous " that year by £ 1 , 200 , 000 . In 1847 the same spirit continued between the two countries , until we had discussions about fortifying our coasts against an attack from France ; and at thc . end of' 47 we had a panic amongst us , and we were then persuaded by-Mr . Pigou , the gunpowder maker —( loud laughter ) —that the French were actually coming to attack us ; ( Renewed laughter . ) We had another increase of army and ordnance in ' 47 to the amount of £ 1 , 000 , 000 . The actual increase for army , riavy , and ordnance in ' 47 was , I believe , £ 1 , 600 , 000 , but whether exceptions be taken to some of the items I know not . I ask the House whether there is one of

      the causes which led to these successive augmentations of our marine , army , and ordnance-which now remains 1 ( Hear , hear . ) The last of which I have spoken , I think , might have been the most serious of all , though , as I stated , it was only a diplomatic quarrel : but as it became dynastic , and as the second generation , in the person of Prince Joinville , had entered into it , it mi ght have grown into something serious between the hvo countries , if the question had not been solved by a very rude handthe late revolution in France— -which has put an end to all possibility of quarrelling between us and France on the subject of the marriages in Spain . ( Hear . ) For , whatever other grounds of danger and apprehension may remain , no one need apprehend that France and England will quarrel about the

      successor to the Spanish crown . ( Hear , / hear . ) Not one of the causes which had led to these successive augmentations to our army , navy , and ordnance now remained . Indeed , so far as our foreign relations were concerned , we were on a far better footing now than in 1835 , when our military expenditure was comparatively low . They were told that our establishments were too low that year , but this he denied . Having shown that there was nothingin the present state of our foreign relations to justify our present expenditure , the honourable gentleman then proceeded to examine how far our military outlays upon-our colonies were justifiable by the real exigencies of the case . After referring to some other colonies , he said : —In Sew Zealand you have 2 , 000 rank and file , and not 20 , 000 European

      inhabitants ; that is about one soldier for every ten colonists ; that one soldier having been carried from England , at the expense of the people of the country , a distance of 12 , 000 or 15 , 000 miles , to be fed and clothed in the midst of a people , every one of whom carries his own rifle , and knows how to use it . In Australia you are hound to send an armed force of 2 , 000 or 3 , 000 as a police force to look after the convicts ; but where there is no such danger—where there are no aboriginal inhabitants , and not even a beast of prey to injure the colonists , I do say it is bad policy and gross injustice to compel us to pay for a military establishment , which the colonists themselves would prefer being without , provided vou give them the control of their own aifairs . I do believe that much of this force is kept up to enable our Colonial Office to administer its affairs in

      the way it does . ( Hear , hear . ) That it is kept up more to enable the government to keep down the population than to protect that population against an enemy . ( Ilear , hear . ) I consider that free trade has enabled you to reduce your expenditure to a less point than 1835 , and yet leave you all the necessary force you may require for protection at home . It has been shown that only one-third of our troops are permanently employed in this country , while two-thirds are maintained for the colonies . That is a system which requires a change , and if you do change " it you can no longer have any difficulty in making , the reduction I call for . I am aware that repecting armaments at home , you have now a much larger force in England and Ireland than in 1835 . I am very sorry it is so ; and I think there

      has prevailed a most exaggerated idea as to the necessity of that force . Last year all were in a panic , and could not reason on the subject . But we have no longer that excuse , while the trials in the courts of law in reference to the disturbances that did take place have thrown much light upon what has been unworthily dignified by the name of insurrection . It has been clearly shown that neither in England nor Ireland have there . been 100 men confederated together with arms to war against the crown and government of this country . I believe that that comedy of a revolution was never sustained by meetings , of more than thirty men , and of these six or eight were spies . ( A laugh . ) I believe , moreover , if what I have heard from magistrates and others be true , that whatever of revolutionary

      feeling there was in the disturbance here came from Hibernian inspiration , that if it had not been for the Irish elements there -would nave been no turbulence' amongst'the'English population . Besides , it should be recollected , that in justice to that country and to the mass of the working people , that for eighteen months previous to the outbreak of the French Revolution , they had passed through a crisis of great difficulty , privation , and suffering . ( Hear , hear . ) This pressure of 1847 was felt particularly in the counties of York and Lancaster , and yet not the slightest tendency to turbulence or political excitement of any kind was evinced . The people believed in their conscience that every ounce of food that could find its way to this country was admitted into it—they knew that the Navigation Laws were

      suspended , and they felt that the government had not placed themselves in antagonism to them , and with his conviction on their mind they abstained from all acts of hostility towards the government , and evinced those of perfect loyalty and order . Notwithstanding this , attempts , which I own have filled me with feelings of surprise , not unmixed with indignation , have been made to prove that it has been our troops , and our artillery , and the hundreds of thousands of special constables alone who prevented a large portion of the people of this country from rising into rebellion . I don't believe it- { hear , hear)—and I am happy to think I have no reason to believe it ; for if it were true it would be very unfortunate for the country . There is another point I feel bound to notice in justice to the people of this country , and in mercy to those deluded men

      who are now expiating their crimes or follies , or both . I hope that at some future time it will be considered , particularly in reference to the case of the young men , that when they erred this country was exposed to the influence of an electric shock which had been felt all through Europ e , and that itwasnotan unnatural thing that men with vivid fancies or sanguine temperaments , or who felt ceenly for the sufferings of the people , should have been seized with the idea of revolutionising the country . You had every reason to expect some attempt of tile kind , and you hare now reason to congratulate yourselves that after a short interval you should find so little trace of it . But the conclusion I draw from all this is , that you cannot at the present moment take the condition of the people as a justification for keeping up a larger military force a JSngland than usual , Qa the ground , therefore ,

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      of our foreign relations , on the ground of our colonial connexions , and . with reference to our domestic positiop , I see no reason whatever to prevent the executive government from being authorised by this house , as an act of justice and mercy to the taxpayers of the nation , largely to reduce our naval and military -forces . ( Hear , hear . ) It is not my intention to tell you on this occasion what I would do with the money saved , or how vou might relieve the commercial and agricultural industry of the country by a large remission of taxation . I will not anticipate the opportunities which hon . gentlemen opposite will give me of proving to tJiem that if they wish to abolish the malt tax and the hop duties , it must and can only be effected by their voting for some such measure as I propose . I am

      prepared to remove every obstacle I can to the full use and development of labour and capital , whether in agriculture or manufactures . ( Hear , hear . ) It was impossible , however , there could be any effective reduction of taxation , unless it was preceded bj a large reduction of expenditure , and whether ho looked at the 6 tate of affairs abroad or at home he thought this was a proper time to make that reduction . Mr . Cobden thus concluded : — At all events , I think it will not he difficult to reduce the expenditure to what it was in 1835 . ( Hoar , hear . ) I can only say , if it were left to me to do it , I would do it in this way : I would spend not more than ten millions for our armaments ; I would have them as efficient as they could be , but they should not cost more than ten millions . I would have the

      remainder for the civil expenditure ; I would have £ 1 , 600 , 000 more for that as there would be 1 , 600 , 000 less for the military and naval expenditure . ( Hear , hear . ) Thus preserving the total amount as it was in 1835 ; but giving one and a half million more to tho civil expenditure , and taking it from the military and naval expenditure , you may , I am confident , return to the expenditure of 1835 . ( Hear , hear . ) And I venture to predict , having , had some previous experiencein watching the development of public opinion , that nothing loss will satisfy the people of this country . The feeling in favour of economy , has grown much within the last year . ( Hear , hear . ) This House' itself bears , witness of it . ( Hear , hear . ) I have seen such evidence . iff the progress of opiuioh on this subject that I have not

      the least doubt , in a comparatively short time , the expenditure of this country may be brought back to the expenditure of 1835 . ( near , hear . ) I will conclude by merely saying , that I consider , in advocating the reduction of expenditure , I am advocating the removal of those impediments'to industry which cause disease , pauperism , and crime in the country ; a measure which will tend to make the people contented and happy citizens , instead of being miserable , dejected , and disaffected ; in giving men something to fight for in this country , something to preserve , and to love , instead of making them the enemies of our institutions . ( Hear , hear . ) Every step that you take in that way , in mitigating the pressure of taxation on the people and showing that a government of this kind may be carried

      on as cheaply as the governments in other countries , will do more to preserve your institutions ; ay , and will do more to preserve yourselves from foreign attacks than any amount which you can expend in military and naval preparations . ( Cheers . ) The Ckaxcellor of the Exchequer complimented Mr . Cobden upon the temperate manner in which he had brought this subject forward , and glancing slightly at the subject or local taxation , which had little connexion with the question , observed , that Mr . Cobden's argument for assuming 1835 as a standard to which we should go back dependedSipon two conditions ; first , that in that year adequate provision was made for the public service ; and secondly , that no subsequent changes had taken place calling for increase . Tho exesss of £ tt , 763 , 000

      of expenditure in 184 S over that of 1835 , was not , he remarked , attributable to the augmentation of the naval and military establishments alone ; and he undertook to show that it was not consistent with the true interests of the country—the protection of life and property at home , and of trade and commerce abroad—to effect a reduction in these establishments to the extent proposed by Mr . Cobden . The right hon . gentleman then proceeded to , show the grounds upon which the successive additions which had been made to the . number of men both in the navy and army were perfectly justifiable .. A large increased expenditure had latel y ' been incurred in the necessary creation of a steam navy , an expenditure which might now be greatly reduced , and in which some considerable reductions had nlvondv

      been made . Great improvements had also recently been made in the manufacture of arms , and much expense had been incurred in providing our force with improved weapons , without which it would be both cruel and impolitic to send it into the field . But expenses of this nature were only temporary in their character , and much of the augmentations complained of consisted of such expenses . It had , therefore , not been without reason that the greater part , at least , of these augmentations had been made . He was as favourable as . any one could be to practical retrenchment , hut he was far from seeing his way to such sweeping reductions as were proposed by Mr . Cobden . He then proceeded to show that the government had not been unmindful of its duty

      as regarded its care of the pockets of the people . We were now in a very different position from that which we occupied about this time last year . . Our foreign relations were in a much more satisfactory condition than then , nor was there now any prospect of a disturbance of the peace at home . It was these considerations that had induced tbe Government to come to tho conclusion of proposing some reductions to the House which it would not otherwise have felt it its duty to do . . The government had now the power of proposing a considerable reduction both in the army and navy . The army , last year , stood at 113 , 000 . It was now proposed to reduce it to 103 , 000 menacing a reduction of 10 , 000 men . A reduction of expenditure was effected last year , without a reduction of our force , to the

      extent of £ 828 , 500 . The reductions in the estimates of this year , as compared , not with the original , but with the reduced , estimates of last year , would amount , in connexion -with the navy , to upwards of £ 730 , 000 ; in connexion with the army , to about £ 378 , 62 i ; in connexion with the ordnance , to £ 337 , 873 ; these reductions amounting in all to £ 1 , 447 , 353 . As compared with the original estimates ot last year , they would amount to £ 2 , 275 , 873 . The income of the year up to the 5 th of January was £ 52 , 933 , 693 . The expenditure , exclusive of the Kaffir war , and some other items , had been £ 52 , 563 , 340 , the difference being about £ 370 , 000 , which remained as a balance of income over expenditure . He calculated that next year he would lose on coru about £ 780 , 000 . There was

      then the sum of £ 580 , 000 which he could not calculate upon again as appropriations in aid , whilst he had last year received £ 80 , 000 of China moneya sum which he could not reckon upon receiving for the coming year . He would then lose upon the whole about £ 1 , 360 , 000 . But , as ho had already shown , the reductions which would be proposed would amount , as compared with Jheir revised estimates of last year , to £ 1 , 447 , 353 . The reductions cotnemplated , therefore , " would exceed the loss < tf the revenue on which they might calculate for the coming year , so that there was every reason to believe that the expenditure would be within the income of next year , although the loss

      of income would approximate to a million and a half . Having shown that it would not be wise to make at once the large reductions proposed by Mr . Cobden , and that the government had not been unmindful of its duty in connexion with the question of retrenchment , he expressed a . hope that the House would give a decided expression of opinion against such sweeping reductions as were contemplated by the amendment . Mr , J . O Cornell pointed out the bearing which the condition of Ireland had upon this question , declaring that if that country was ruled justly and wisely with a proper attention to her wants , £ 800 , 000 a-year might ue saved . Sir De Lacy Evass cleared the officers of the

      army from the imputations thrown upon them by the Financial Reform Association . Mr . Hume repeated that the fault of these aggravated establishments rested with that House , and that they had been kept up by aristocratical influence , lie was sorry to hear from the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the greatest efforts of the government could only bring the expenditure within the revenue . The people of this country would not be satisfied with this—they would require a reduction of their burdens . Mr . Cobden , he contended , liad made out a clear case , and had had no answer to his question , why the successive additions made to the different branches of the expenditure should be still maintained . Mr . Hebbies said , tho question really was whether

      the House was prepared now to reduce the expenditure by £ 10 , OUO , 000 . The Chancellor of the Exchequer had commended the temperate speech of Mr . Cohden , who . had . said the same things there as he had done elsewhere , but not in the same language . He ( Mr . Herries ) admitted that the tone of the hon . gentleman was extremely quiet—that it was a tone such . as suited the atmosphere ot that House ; but he could not forget that his statements were but repetitions of what had been ringing in their ears for six months past from Liverpooland Manchester , and every other scene of agitation . Protectionist cheers . ) . In thoso places the same Junes had been said , hut not in the same language . wnicn tue

      Different , indeed , was tlie language non . jrentleman used in that House and which he was routed to have used elsewhere . In that House they iveard no diatribes . against tho aristocracy—no insinuations that the army was intended to amuse voungmenoffamilvand fashion with fine clothes , —no low insinuations of tliat nature ; but , if the hon gentleman were to speak two languages—if he were to be violent in one place and decorous in another , better be violent in that House and docorous whero inflammatory Language might produce ill effects . ( Loud Protectionist cheers , echoed from the Ministerial benches . ) He could not but think hatthe conduct of the government last session had

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      SiS ? i / - W 8 ted m P «««> tinff that spirit of nph itT ^ r of wllU & they now felt . If Iv « hW ! llad ^ deb ; itcd as W ° "s ht t 0 v hJrou" V that IIous ° * nd had not been men of i < 10 U' «< fc ™ tion by the appoint-Sit erhfn V Offinuttee . f Uch comm ttco r £ > f « se ( 110 bSKnh qUeS , tiOn Of theip P olie 3 ' . in all probaby the Srta ^ " ? , W 0 » W 1 ' « ve bcenanWd H Ci'SOttllf C ™™ as would have boon couSv 1 Sa ^ wtov >' ^ h to tho House ana to the the cL . n > £ C : ii ; - thbu S ) lfc > therefore , tjo Chancellor of tho Exchequer ' had some SS { bl + a , me llll » s 5 for that agitation hft ; , ! " ^ s ? wch - llad just made , I , Z d f ° Hreat s - ' vice in cresting . Ho must say that the motion of the hon Gentleman the member for the West Riding had been exS sStdT / ' ^ - *! " * hadaU ^ Hf Sg battle ™ t T > Tr bcen the night when tho oauie wa 3 to be fought , Ilovr had it > TRnn fnnnht ?

      uncers and counter cheers . ) Whv , the ho W hSST F ^ aba , - d 0 ned ' "PP ^ ntl ? , bv 3 hui friends . ( Cheers and ironical laughter . ) Svhv , nobody rose to second him . ( Kcncwed laughter , ine right hon . gentleman the Chancellor of the txcueauer had certainly manfully resisted tlicmotpm ™ i P \ He ™ es ) wished t « e right hon . cenl& \ hiltJ V 5 lstod * more Srady-JSll he had * rcffS ™ *^ r'f ? , n } ethinS- The hon . member wi J , tr ° se dld ^ * a « kle to-tfio motion at all ; he had not stood by the motion . He ( Mr . Hcrries ) was for reduction if you could make it ; he was \ vw 1 r vj - ? , £° with the hon - member for the west Kidingifhewouldgostep by step , and take precautions , but he could not bolieve that the hon . w . ? i T was , earnest i » making this motion . ( Hear , + h il He dld not t ! . tlk tliat the hon - member for mot S anticil ) ated anv success from this

      Mr . Cobdes . —Wait ; wait a little . ' # v ? " Ui ; aRIE 8 addressed himself to the arguments HnurL ?^? - He showed tow really advantageous to this country was a comparison fairlv majle between its expenditure and that of France and tlie effect which agitation in the latter country had exerted upon its finances . He then adverted to an clement in tho question which had been only superficially noticed — namely , the enormous sum of taxation repealed or reduced , whilst the amount of revenue remained nearly the same as before . He was as earnest an advocate as any for reduction of expenditure where practicable , but he deprecated any attack upon a particular item , and any concession to agitation from withoutForeiaffairs

      . gn required the greatest caution ; rebellion vras not extinct in Ireland , and tho House should hesitate before it recorded a vote that might hamper the defence of the country . Mr . M . Gibson thought that it could not be very consolatory to the agriculturists to find their financial leader hold out to them such slender hopea of a reduction of expenditure , for it was solely upon a reduction of expenditure that must be grounded whatever was proposed in the nature of relief to the tenant farmers . The right hon . gentleman then proceeded to enforce at considerable length the views expressed b y Mr . Cobden , fortifying them by numerous illustrations of his own . Mr . Cobden had precedent and experience in favour of his proposition , and , as the government had conceded a reduction in the whole of £ 2 , 500 , 000 . he had little doubt

      that £ 10 , 000 , 000 might be saved in our expenditure The professional evidence to the amount of naval and military forces requisite for the wants of the country -was conflicting ; but when public opinion bore upon the question , the government , whether Whig or Tory , reduced the expenditure , and as soon as that opinion ceased to act , it increased it . Our naval armament was kept up in some parts , not for use , but for parade ; it was time enough to send out squadrons when we were threatened with an attack . Mueh was said of foreign establishments , but we did not regulate ours thereby ; in the French navy there were 931 officers , in ours , 3 , 93 ] ; we had 150 admirals , the united States not one . Mr . Cobden did not ask an immediate reduction , but that the House would declare that the present expendiditure was excessive , and should be reduced with all practicable speed .

      Mr . Ubquiiart opposed Mr . Cohdcn ' s motion , and Mr . M'Greqor supported it , advocating not only retrenchment , but a modification of the system of taxation . . Mr . Anstey concurred with Mr . Herries that the effect of tlie resolution \? as to call upon the House to make an immediate reduction of £ 10 , 000 , 000 in the expenditure , and he charged Mr . Cobden with swelling the majority of Lord Palmcrsion , whose foreign policy lia . d created much of the increase of expenditure of which he now complained . He denied that the reduction demanded was safe or probable , and- called upon every well-wisher of his country to . oppose the resolution . Colonel Sibtuorp had no reliance in the assertion or the conduct of either the hon . member for the

      West Riding , who brought forward the motion , or of his right hon . relative ( tho Chancellor of the Exchequer ) , who opposed it . He looked upon the motion as a snase in tho grass ; but he was determined it should not bite him . ( Alaugh , ) Having no confidence either in the motion or the opposition to it , hc should abstain altogether from voting , and leave the House . The hon . and gallant member , suiting the action to the word , immediately withdrew , amid mingled laughing and cheering . Loud calls for the division from both sides of the house followed the hon . and gallant member's exit , and , as no one offered to rise , strangers were ordered to withdraw , but before the galleries were cleared ¦ .

      Mr . ' Bright rose and addressed himself to the refutation of the fallacies witli which hc thought the speech of Mr . Herries replete . The right hon . gentleman had quite misapprehended Mr . Cobden ' s object in instituting a comparison between the taxation of England and France . Mr . Herries had attempted to show that democratic governments were prone to ' cxtravagancc , and cited the case of France in support of his proposition . lie had also alluded to America , as affording similar proof . A more unfortunate allusion could not have been made , as it appeared from Mr . Mackay ' s Western World , a work recently published , that expenditure in America was kept at a low ebb . And so with taxation , it

      appearing from , the same work that the whole taxation of the people of Ifew York ( one of the most hig hl ytaxed States ) was less per head for all purposes than our . taxation per head for the support of our military establishments alone . Tho hon . gentleman then addressed himself to the general question , urging upon the House the absolute necessity which existed for a speedy and a material reduction of our expenditure , and a substantial diminution of our taxation . He particularly pressed this upon the agricultural members , reminding them that it was indispensable to a reduction of the burdens which weighed upon the farmers , that large reductions should be made in our expenditure .

      Mr . Drummoxd was somewhat suspicious of the new friends to the farmer , who had suddenly started up behind tho Treasury bench . He would advise the farmers , however , not to trust their enemies even when they came with gifts . Our armaments should only be reduced with reference to the situation of this country and that of foreign stateB ; but that consideration was entirely lost sight of by those who supported the amendment . The House then diveded , and the numbers were—For tho 'amendment ( Mr . Cobden ' s resolution ) ... ... ... ... 78 Against it ... ... ... ... 275

      Majority against ... ... 197 The amendment being rejected , tho House went into committee of supply pro forma , the committee to sit again on Friday . Thelteliefof Distress ( Ireland ) Bill then went through committee . Tho other business was then disposed of , and the House adjourned at one o'clock .

      : TUESDAY , February 27 . HOUSE OF LORDS . —The Lush Poor Law . — Lord Stanley , with the view of being hi order , in attacking tho course which tho government had pursued with respect to the committees of either House on the subject of the Irish Poor Laws , moved that a message be sent to the Commons requesting ii copy of the first report of the committee of that House on that subject . The noble lord proceeded to indicate the course which had been taken in the House of Lords : —The committee having been appointed , on the motion of the noble Marquis the Lord President , that noble lord laid certain resolutions before the committee , hut declined to pledge himself as to tho measures on which the

      government had come to a positive conclusion , and which related to various subjects in connexion with the Irish . Poor Law on which it was fitting that information should be received . This was a proper course , no doubt , but he was surprised to learn that in the other House of Parliament a very different course had been pursued . There it appeared the First Lord of the Treasury had declared that the resolutions were submitted to the government , that they adopted them , and if tho committee , did , not affirm them the noble lord said they would be submitted to parliament on tho responsibility of the government alone . The next step was a motion made in the committee by members not connected with government , that upon the resolutions so submitted evidence should oe taken ; this proposition was

      however negatived by the members of the government , the First Lord of the Treasury declaring that her Majesty ' s government would permit no investigation to take place . There was an inconsistency in the course pursuod by different members of the government , which it was impossible to reconcile with the respect due to either House of Parliament , to the noble Marquis , or to the general course of the administration of the country , After referring to ' the state of Ireland , and of Irish landlords , as affected by the operation of tho present poor laws , the noble lord concluded by expressing his hope that the government would reconsider their determination of separating the question of a rate in aid , from the remainder of the question , or that tho proposition would not be pressed op in the House

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      of Commons , until their lordships , from the evidence to be given before their committee , had satisfied themselves whether it ought to bo considered alone or not . The Marquis of Lisdsdowxe , after describing at some length the course he had taken in reference to this subject , and referring to the proceedings before the committee of tlie Commons , said : —It appeared to him that the course taken by the latter committee , however anxious they mig ht be to obtain complete information , arose from tho conviction of immediate assistance being necessary to be afforded to the Irish people to continue for the next few months , lie certainly had no hesitation in saying that lie wished no separation hnd taken place between tlie first resolution and those which immediately

      followed , hecauso if the question of a temporary rate in . aid was to be entertained by parliament , ho thought it ought to be in connexion with the other question of establishing a maximum of poor-rate in all the counties of Ireland , and no consideration ou earth should induce him to assent to a measure the effect of which should be to render tho rate in aid permanent . Upon the whole , ho thought it would be found that there existed au appavont rather than a real discrepancy between the courso pursued by the two committees . Lord Brougham expressed his pleasure at hearing ; the reluctance with which the noble marquis had given his assent to a rate , and he hoped the recent £ 50 , 000 grant would ho the last made to Ireland . The royal assent was given by commission to tlie Inland Revenue and the Habeas " Corpus Suspension ( Ireland ) 'bills , and their lordships adjourned .

      TUESDAY , February 28 . HOUSE OF COMMONS . —Tho business was of a very miscellaneous character , consisting chiefly of what the French call " interpellations . " A number of questions were put and answered on almost every variety of subject . Among other topics were : — Tue Mutilation op Despatches . —Mr . Baillie begged to express a hope that the despatches about to he sent to tho committee upstairs , relative to the affiiirs of Ceylon and British Guiana , would not be mutilated in the way in which former documents of a similar kind had been . ( Cries of " Oh , oh ! " and "Question ! " ) The question was—were the despatches likelv to be mutilated ? ( Renewed cries

      Ot " Oh , oh ! " ) Ho held a despatch in his hand which contained about eleven lines , and from it there appeared to have been something extracted . Mr . Hawes . —What is your question ? Mr . Uailije . —Whether they will be presented to tho committee without mutilation . Mr . Hawes ( warmly ) . —I think tho question is a most unusual one to ask . ( Hear . ) It is calculated to excite a prejudice , which I am happy to have this opportunity of entirely repudiating . I have seen it stated more than once , by parties whom the hon . member may know , that there have been instances in which despatches were mutilated by my noble friend the Secretary forthe Colonies , for some purposes of concealment . Sir , it is utterly

      unfounded— altogether unfounded — that that has ever been done . ( Cheers . ) It will be in the recollection of the House that certain despatches were moved for by tho late Lord George Bontinck , and that an explanation was given by ma at the . time The despatches in question related to some apprehended disturbances in the island of Jamaica , in consequence of the monopolists there having been disappointed at the passing of the Sugar Bill in England . Tho ¦ language used was , that several of the plantation proprietors were going to transfer their allegiance to the United States . The despatches contained a statement relative to the threatened disturbances ; they referred to particular individuals by name . They embodied depositions which had not boon taken before the magistrates , and also some unproved charges ; and those parts

      which had referneco to charges of that nature against individuals were struck out , a course which I am perfectly prepared to take again if necessary . ( Hear , hear . ) I think I have met the charge of the hon . gentleman , and now I hc « to tell him that when the committee meets there will not be the slightest objection to lay before them the whole of the despatches received , not for tho use of the House or the public , but in order to show thorn that there is nothing to justify the term " mutilation , " which has been used . Whatever was withheld on a former occasion was extracted simply with a view to the just protection of private character ; and my noble friend , the Secretary for the Colonies , would have been unworthy the position ho holds had ho scrupled to act as he did . ( Hear , hoar . ) My . Bauue . —Yfill you lay the despatches before the Houso ?

      Mr . Hawes . —Certainly not . I will lay them before tho committee , but not before tho House and the public . Mr . Baillik . —You must recollect that tho committee does not sit on tho affairs of Jamaica , but on thoso of Ceylon . Mr . Hawks . —I will not consent to lay thorn before the House and the public . Mr . Osborne . —Is tho committee to be a secret one ? . Mr . Hawes . —Certainly not , so far as I know . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Hume . —I thought they were to sit on . the affairs of tho colonios generally . ( Loud cries of "Xo . no . " ) Mr . IUiiiLiE . —They are limited to those of Ceylon .

      Consul at California . —Mr . Wylu inquired , amidst general laughter , whether it was tlvo intention of her Majesty's Ministers to appoint a consul at San Francisco or at any of the ports of California ? Lord Palmerbtox replied that this was a question which had not now been put to him for the first time . He had had it put to him privately before , by some who were interested on behalf of others , and some who were interested in their own prospects . ( Laughter . ) But he had no intention of appointing any consul at presont , because , as every hon . member must see , there was no form of government that he knew of established in California with whom a consul could communicate . He micrht ,

      to be sure , communicate with the gold-fiuders . ( Loud laughter . ) The Irish Debate . —Mr . J . O'CoxNEixsaid that two important objects could be attained—that of having only one debate on Irish aifairs , and enabling hon . members to express their views fully with refard to the sister country—if the noble lord at the ead of the government would fix Thursday , Friday , or Monday for the bringing forward of his motion relative to the first report on Lush Poor Laws . Lord J . JIussell replied that ho was anxious to introduce the motion on Thursday , but that three other motions , of which notice had been given by the hon . member for Bath ( Lord Ashlev ) , the hon . member for Cork ( Mr . Fagan ) , and the hon . member for Nottingham ( Mr . F . O'Connor ) , stood in the

      way . At the suggestion of Mr . Roche , Mr . Faoax and Mr . O'Connor consented to withdraw their notices of motion for Thursday in order that the noble lord might have precedence . Ceylox and British Guiana , —Mr . Baillie nominated the following as members of the select committee on grievances in the colonies of Ceylon and British Guiana : —Mr . Hume , Sir J . "Walmsley , Six It . Peel , Sir J . Hogg , Mr . Gladstone , Mr . Disraeli , Mr . C . Villiers , Air . Hawes , Mr . Adderloy , Mr . Wilson , Mr . S . Wprtley , Lord Hotham , Mr . Baillie , Mr . M'Cullagh , and Major Blaekall . —Agreed to . The House adjourned at half-past seven o clock .

      WEDNESDAY , Pebuuarv . 28 . HOUSE OF COMMONS . —The Insolvent Members Bill was referred to a select committee upstairg . Public Roads Bill . —Mr . 0 . Lewis then moved the second reading of tho Public Roads Bill . Objections hnd been taken to the provisions of tho bill in the form in which it had been introduced . It had been his endeavour , in the interval , to meet these objections , as far as possible , consistently with the objects of the measure . One of tho chief objections then urged againBt it was , that it made the county rate liable for the expense of keeping up the roads in each county . He endeavoured to meet this by alterations in the bill , which still left the county

      rate ultimately liable in case of a deficiency of the tolls , which would constitute the security of the bondholders—a deficiency which he did not anticipate . There were other alterations introduced into the bill , which , however , need not here be more p&vticul&i'ly referred to . Mr . W . Miles regarded tho bill , in its modified shape , as an improvement upon the measure which had been orig inally introduced . It was , however , so altered as to bo virtually a new bill , and . as the alterations had not been printed , and the matter was one which required great consideration , he suggested the propriety of postponing the second readfnff for a fortnig ht , -the bill , as modified , to be immediately printed , and put into the hands of members , so that they would have ample time to consider it before coming to its discussion . A lone and desultory discussion hereupon ensued , which Fasted for upwards of two hours , and in

      which some dozens of members tooK part , mtn one or two exceptions they all agreed as to the propriety of putting the public roads of the kingdom under an improved system of management , but differed widely from each other in tho interpretation which they put upon the provisions of the bill as Ed . fsome had a few of their objections reinoveu others nearly all which they had entertained to the original hill , but none were perfectly satisfied whilstallofferodsuggestionsforitsfurther improvement . The majority who spoko wero in favour of postponement , some suggesting the withdrawal of the bill , and its ro-introductiOP , in its modified shape , with some further improvements , as an entirely new bill . Sir George Grey objected to both propositions , his object in so doing being to facilitate the progress of the moasure . It would bo printed , after naving passed the sooond reading ana ample time would be g iven to con 6 idor its pro-? i 5 Joas before its committal , To this course .

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      however , the majority of the House secir . ed averse , and the Government * finding . that niajiy Jiiuinb ^ -rs , who were in favour , not only of the principle , but also of many of tho provisions of the , bill , would vote against the sccouu reading , if then pressed , ultimately withdrew it . Mr . C . Lkwis , in withdrawing the bill , observed that he did so on the understanding that it would be rc-introduccd immediately . The bill was then withdrawn , and the hon . gentleman thereupon moved for leave to . introduce a bill with a similar object to that of the measuro withdrawn .

      Lcavo given . Offences ( Iiielaxi >) Bill . —Sir II . W . Bakbox then moved the secomi reading of tho Otlbnces ( Ireland ) Bill . Its principal object was to prevent offenders arrested for ottences of a trivial character from being confined in the county gaols , and there detained for a long time before trial . Justice would thus bo done to tlie accused , and the counties would be saved uuich expense . The bill contained other . provisions , conferring ( in certain cases ) certain powers upon justices , constables , and other persons . lie could assure tho House that he had had abla iejjal assistance in drawing up the bill , and hoped that no objection would be ottered to the second reading . Iii framing the bill , the Dublin Police Act had been closely kept in view . attention of the to

      Mr . Dkummond drew the House the scope and provisions of the bill , ' which would meet , if persisted in , with his most strenuous opposition . It was seldom that acts of Parliament wore pleasant voiding , but tins was oug of the '' fumv wst productions that had overcome ) under his notice . He then proceeded to make a most amusing analysis of tlie bill , which , in his opinion , might be well entitled a hill to " onablo evory Irishman to arrest another Irishman . " ( Laughter on all sides . ) So arbitrary wero its provisions , and so trivial were tho offences which it made penal , that , under it , any constablo or any other person could , with or without warrant , arrest any ono who was found feloniously plucking a leaf of sweetbriar . There was one clause iu the uill to which he -was sure that Englishmen , if it wero likely to pass , would give tlieir cordial assent , and that was the clause which limited

      its operation to Ireland . ( Laughter . ) The interpretation , clause vras in keeping with the rest of the bill , enacting as it did that ' the male should include the female . " ( Great laughter . ) In his opinion the bill instructively illustrated the fitness of Irishmen for tho coveted work of domestic legislation . ( Hear , hear ; and laughter . ) Mr . E . 13 . ItociiE congratulated the hon . baronet on having at last introduced something oven worse than the Habeas Corpus Bill . A more ridiculous or preposterous measure had never been submitted to the House . It empowered anybody in Ireland to take up anybody elso , for doing anything or nothing . ( Laughter . ) Ho protested on nis own behalf , and on that of the Irish members with whom he generally acted , against its being supposed that they were in the slightest degree , or ^ in any way whatever , connected with so arbitrary : and absurd a . measuro . ( Laughter . )

      Colonel Bunne observed , that he found himself peculiarly situated with regard to the bill , seeing that his namo was on tho back of it . ( Laughter . ) Some legislation : on the subject was absolutely necesssary . He had not read the bill , nor was ho aware of the peculiar character of its provisions until Mr . Drunnnondhad explained them . ( Laughter renewed ) . Now that it h : id been analysed , he saw * that it was perfectly impossible that , as it stood , it could receive the assent of the House . He , at least , could not give it his support . ( Laughter ) . Mr . Stafford must remark that Irish members on his side of the house had had nothing to do with this bill . ( Laughter , ) They understood it was part of the remedial and comprehensive policy of hon . centlemen opposite , but it appeared now that it

      was the work of the hon . baronet alone . ( Laughter . ) Sir G . Grky said that repudiation seemed to bo the order of the day . ( A laugh . ) He wished to state on the part of tho government that they could not support the bill in its present form . The hon . baronet said the object of it was to clear the gaols of Ireland , and ono modo which he had proposed for doing so was to take an indefinite number of petty offences and punish thorn by fines without any jower of enforcing the payment of those fines by means of imprisonment . ( A laugh . ) He found that a beggar was to bo liable to a fine of 40 s . ( Great laughter . ) How could that be enforced except by imprisonment ? Ho was unwilling to add to the unfavourable comments made on the bill by members from the hon . baronet ' s own country , and ho would advise him to communicate freely with lion , members from Ireland and certainly with the hon . gentleman whoso name was put on the back of the bill . ( A laugh . ) Mr . Napier also commented on the various clauses

      of tho bill . By clause three , a penalty of 4 ( ls . was onacted against every person who " set on or urged any dog or other animal to attack , worry , or put in fear , any person , horse , or other animal" ( great laughter , } - so that that " other animal" might ba a two-legged or a four-lecged donkey . ( Laughter . ) Mr . A . Herbert hoped tho people of Ireland would ponder well on this Draconic code for regulating their conduct , brought in by the champion of tho moral force Repealers of Watcrford . ( Hoar . ) Mr . J . O'Conneu , oil the part of the moral force Repealers of Ireland , repudiated the lion , baronet . ( Great laughter . ) The lion , baronet said this bill was founded on tho Dublin Police Act , which had never been complained of . But he ( Mr . O'Connell ) could state that that act was most arbitrary ; but , were it not so , it was only _ applicable to a largemetropolis , where public opinion prevented an improper use of it . Ho could notthink that tho provisions of this bill had emanated from Mr . Berwick , or that he had ever seen it .

      Sir W . Bauro . v pledged his reputation —( groat laughter)—in direct contradiction to the statement of tne hon . member for Limerick as to the party vrho drew up this bill . He ( Sir "W . Bavrqn ) did nob produce this bill or draw up ono line of it . He suggested —( great laughter)—not a single line of it . It was presented to him as suggestions from three assistant-barristcrs in Ireland—( laughter)—and Mr . Berwick was the person who drew up the details of the bill emphatically as printed . ( Laughter . ) Mr . Berwick was one" of tne most eminent —( Great laughter . ) Really ho ( Sir W . Barron ) had no personal interest in the matter . ( Laughter . ) He was merely requested to bring in the bill , and he believed that there was not one of its enactments which was not Dunishable in England or in Dublin under tho

      Police Act , or in Ireland ( a laug h ) , but by a more circuitous route . ( Laughter . ) Hie hon . baronet , after defending the provisions of th « bill , said that the hon . member for Kerry had referred to him personally . He would not retort , but he regretted that the hon . member should have thought Unnecessary to mako a personal attack on one hon . member for a bill of this kind , with which he had no personal interest . He had been , as hon . gentlemen ought to have known , most bitterly abused personally by tho moral force Repealers of Ireland ; they had given him a severely-contested election , and he believed there was no man , in or out of Ireland , more thoroughly hated by them . ( Great laughter . ) The hon . baronet concluded by saying he should not press the bill . \ . _ _ been under false

      Mr . A . Herbert said he had a impression , and was happy at once to retract what he had stated . ( Hear , hear . ) ¦ Sir W . Barrox said the hon . gentleman s statement was perfectly satisfactory . ^ Mr . Reynolds said that as this bill had been prepared by throe assistant-barristers , and revised by a baronet , ho thought the hon . baronet had been very ill treated . If he ( Mr . Reynolds ) could recommend its adoption at all , it would bo that with such a bill they might repeal all the coercion acts oflrolandtogother . ( A laugh . ) The hon . bavonefc said he was hated by the moral force Repealers . Ho ( Mr . Reynolds ) could assure the hon . baronet that he bore him no hatred —( a . laugh ) ;—but , if this bill were a sample of his legislative ability , hc made him a present of it . It was quite possible to laugh at , without hating a man . After some further conversation , the bill was withdrawn and tho curtain dropped on a ^ very laughable , scene .

      Out-Door Paupers Bill . —On the question that the order of the day bo read for the House resolving itself into a conitnittep ,. on this bill , SirH . WiLLOUGHursaid that , the bill which they wero then about to consider . in committee had only been delivered on the 27 th of , February , and read a . second time at half-past twelve o ' clock in the morning . It would of courso be in the recollection of the House that very recently the lives of nearly 200 children had been lost in an asylum kept by a person of tho name of Drouet ; everything relating to this subject had therefore become a matter .-of the highest importance ; upon that ground , then , he did not hesitate , to call tho attention of the House to the circumstance that great doubta were entertained as to whether the provisions of the bill would meet the evils and the difficulties of tho caBe . He hoped , therefore , that tho right hon . gentleman opposite ¦ would state liis views and intentions on the subject .

      In tho first placo , he . should himself , however , ob-Bervo , that no saw no reason why the poor should be farmed out of tho workhouses ; he saw no reason why , whether they were of age or under age , they should bo let out to any one to make a profit of , them . Every member of that House would , he felt assured , bear him out in the assertion when he stated , that one great object of the Poor Law Amendment Bill was that all paupers should be placed within the workhouse ; and It especially provided , that if , in any case paupers happened to . be sent out of the workhouse , tho Poor Law Commissioners should have power to make regulations for their protqction and government : hut the difficulty lay ia making such rules obligatory . It was much to oa regretted that there exited no effective system of Kaft ^ K ^ fS to £ ? , that ho should bo glad to hear what

      Bh^Wua Luvliamtnt.

      BH ^ wua lUvliamtnt .

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      March . 3 , 1849 . THE NQvRTHERN vSTAR , 7

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 3, 1849, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1512/page/7/