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Northern Star (1837-1852), 16th April 1842, Edition 2 of 5, Page 7, Untitled Article

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      HOUSE OF LORDS . —Mosdat , Apbil II . Lord CaHPBELL moved the second reading of the £ uee B 3 ia by "wMch he proposed to transfer to tne HoHse of Lords the power at present possessed by tbe Privy Council , of bearing appeals , to reform the appel-] jie jurisdiction of the House of Lords , and to render p ermanent the office of Chief Judge in the Court of Chan cery . Tbe motion wa « opposed by the Lord Chancellor , 1 , 0 x 3 Brougham , and the Bake of Wellington ; and tfrg amendment being carried -Hdthsnt a division , the Bills were lost

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      HOUSE OF COMMONS , Fjudat , Atril 8 . JvIt . X . Pcscohbb reTired , in another form , the question of the preceeding aftemosn , as to the admiBsibility of petitions against pending taxes ; but as no notice Jiad been given of his intention , it -was agreed , after aoiue conversation , that tliia debate Buoald be adjourned to ilondsy . Ob tbe question that the report of the Committee of 77 ays and Means should be brought up , Xord Jobs BtssELL rose to more , by way of amendment , a resolution , the purport of -which was , Qi&t , the estimated deficiency of income to meet expenditure might be supplied by a judicions arrangement of ttie duties on corn , sugar , timber , an& coffee , and a reduction of the various prohibitory and differential

      dntie *; and that , considering the taxes ( nearly 24 millions ) in amount , -which , exclusively of the income-tax bad been taken off between the termination of the war and the year 1836 , and the various other means of supplying deficiency , the House would deem it not necessary , and therefore not advisable , to renew a tax , ( viz ., od income ) inquisitorial , unequal , . and hitherto considered as a "war reserve . He -was of opinion that the Government had takes too gloomy a view of the country ' s financial difficulties ; the difficulties which required Sie chief consideration "were the commercial ones ; aad accordingly the new "burdens were proposed rather for commercial than for financial purposes . It was under psessure of war , and under great and increasing deficiencies , that an income tax had on former occasions been

      imposed ,- at the return of peace it had always been removed ; and there had keen an understanding that it ¦ was to be reserred for seasons of war . Tha present deficiency was to the extent only of about l-26 £ h of the yearly reTenne ; public credit continued high ; and money could be borrowed at an easy rate . The great objections to an income tax were these : —First , it taxed the funds , which led to the danger that some other metropolis of Europe would become the great . moneymarket of th 9 world . Another objection yraa the inequality of the tax , for it assessed precarious incomes u heavily aa the incomes of permanent property . Again , it was a tax of which an inquisitorial examination must be part and parcel . There was a peculiar mfitness , too , in the time of proposing it When it

      ¦ was first brought forward , the vahis of money was JKUldj by tbe operation of the paper currency ; but no Such operation was in progress new , and the commerce of the country was at present in a state of great depressiOD . He admitted : the necessity of providing for the deficiency , and proceeded to specify several articles of consumption from which he thought a suScient revenue might be obtained for that purpose- These Were sugar , timber , and whe&i ; on the first £ 587 , 000 , on the second £ 600 , 000 , and on the third £ 530 , 000 , ynirht have beea obtained without pressure on ths people . Od coffee , as on timber , a needless racriflce of revenue had been made . There were various other suggestions from various quarters , most of which he thought preferable to the Government plan ; for instance ,

      a duty on the succession to lauded property , and an increase of the assessed taxes on fear-wheeled carriages , male servants , and other itesas in the expenditure of the rich . He should uot despair of succeeding in objects so reasonable , were it not that he toned tbe question now was , sot what would be most useful , but what would best uphold the present Administration . Be and his friends were maligned as the bitter enemies of tke farmer . He denied the charge ; he believed the principle of the fixed duty to be a beneficial one for agriculture as well as for other interests . Men of the greatest ability , and the most warmly attached to agriculture , had declared that even a fixed duty of 8 s .

      would not be permanently wanted for its protection ; and yet persons , whose heads seemed to be made of the same day as their acres , called Am the bitter enemy of tha farmers . Had Tie been the means of deceiving the farmers ? He had not given and broken pledges on the subject of their interest ; and if they were angrjj 1 st them turn 1 heir anger , not on him , bnt on their deceivers . l « ow , he asked , wasan income tax of £ 4 , 000 , 900 —was that a partial and unequal tax , to be imposed , not for the necessities of the country , but for the avowed purpose of supporting an Administration ? If so , be thought the nation would ere l « ng regret that they had elected a House of Commons which had SO betrayed the tmit reposed in it .

      Mr . GorLBtJfiS disclaimed any gloomy view of-the country ' s condition , energies , or capabilities . He hailed the admission that the deficiency must be provided for ; and contended that it was not enough for the House to meet the nacre present necessity ; they were bound to regard the state of affairs in tbe East , and the prQb&ble txpencftS which the contests there would involve , and to place their finances upon a basis -which would enable them to -do justice to the country in future years . Mr . Pitt's ground for originating the Income Tax was not merely the existence of a war , but still more ths existence of a great deficiency ; and

      so far fr&m proposing to confine that tax to the season of war , Mr . Pits proposed to pledge the proceeds to be raised from that tax afwr the return of peace for the payment cf the loans contracted during war . Lord Althorp , in later times , had declared the necessity of meeting a deficiency of £ 2 . 500 , 000 , should it occur , even in profound peace , by the imposition of an Income Tax . In troth the msintesance of public credit waa jur t as important in peace as in war , and a system of loans in peace was to be carefuliy guarded againstthat system which had been so long the resource of tbe late Government The If oblfl Lord had talked of the

      evil influences of a tax on funded property ; yet . the funds , "which were but lately at 88 and a fraction , had now , even since ihe announcement aad diseussioa of Oils rery tax , risen to above 90 . No doubt an Income Tax was uneq-sil ; but s » was every tax ; am at least the inequality would here operate favourably for the Email incemes . He admitted , too , the inquisitorial character of the tax ; bat he hoj , ed he sheuld be able to remove , by various regulations , the most considerable of the practical objections on this head . Hs then adverted to the budget of tie late ^ Ministry , particularly to ths proposal for the admission cf fareixn eugsr . To that course the prrssnt Miniate a had oY > j ? cted , not on financial grounds , but by reason of the encouragement which it -would have given to

      foreign slavery End tbe foreujn slave trade . And at last th- Xoble Lord ' s budget would have left the couBtry wiui a revenue deficient to the extent of about a cour " - <; of millions . Tfo-w aa to tbe new suggestion of the y ¦ ¦ -h . c Lord . It seemed to be thought that legacies cnizv - paid no legacy duty ; but tbe fact was that they paid exactly the same legacy duty aa if they were charged on land . It seemed also to be thought , on the o-tbf-r hand , that all personal property paid probate and legacy duty upon jnccassipn ; but th- fact was , that that -wherever personal property -ass in setilement , as the large properties in land most usually were , it paid no i u : y -whatever- Tbere ^ were indeed some landed properties uns-ttied . bat they -were ctrie-fly the smaller

      ones ; and it was not upon the ho-dera < f a little that h = thought it desirable to impose fresh duties . By tie best approximation he had been able to make , it appeared ttut of a total of abont £ 8 , 000 , 000 produced in six years by the legacy < iuty , np-srards of £ 3 000 , 000 had been yielded by the irgadta cbareed on { and ; and he qu'Aed a speech cf Mr . Barii > g . tbe late Chancellor of the Exchequer , corroborating these results . The Ifoble Lord had also recommended an increase of tbe assessed taxes ; bnt such taxes did not fail , as he seemed to think , on tbe rich alone . l"he window tax , indeed , had once been a very productive one , bnt ta « -was when tbe smaller class of h > U * t was intta * ed , which la later times the Government had been enabled to

      exempt ; and it could not be desirable to bring back fee poorer tenants itto euch an assessmenr . He quoted the speech vl a personage whom the Noble Lord , as member for ihe City , was bound to acknowledge aa a high authority —a speech of Sir John Key , / Lord Mayor of Lou-ion , condemning toe window tax asking " the ineoaife tax in iu worst shape , unjust , oppressive , and irquisitoriaL" Full time had now elapsed for the people to fi-rm their opinions of the proposed measure , and fce trusted that the House would enable tbr &- > - vtrnment to mainta n by it the credit if the country .

      Mr . Wilxiass . Coventry ; disliked the met-me tax . but thon 2 ht i *> ro j . » hn Russell had made ( m no very good case in his ttber ovations to the Hinisteria : finance . He had hiraself given notice of two proposes , both cf which he thought fcttttr than tfeose of the . Koble Lcrd . First , he would propose on all inheritances or deviFcS of Hnd a duty tqual to the pr bite snd legacy duty on personalty ; atd secondly , a gracust-ed per cerjtatie on salaries and other incomes payable out of the pnbHc revenue- He calculated tiu = t these two measures would proauce from £ 4 , 6 i ; O , O 0 O to £ 5 000 , 000 , which would be sufficient to meet the deficiency .

      Sir R . Isglis suggested that , as incomes of £ 150 were to be wholly exempt , ths possessors ef large incomes shculd hsTe so fax a propoiti » nate benefit aa to be taxable only oh the surplus beyond the £ 159 . Thus a man With £ 2 B 0 Would pay only on £ 100 , the BisH with £ 300 would pay only on £ 150 , and so on . He would , however , have preferred evea a higher per centage on property , with a t « tai exemption of mere income . Mr . P , Stbtvabt said , that the suggestion of staking £ 150 the unit in tbe scale , and taxing enly

      tha excess , was one -which be should approve if he Were not wholly , opposed to the taxes in any shape . E « thought it premature to include in the present irrangement a provision for the dtficieacies of Indian revenue ,-and for the probable txpences of the Chinese ar . The Government were unnecessarily alarmed at &e present circumst&Bcea of the nation . He approved file reduction cf the duty on eo 8 ~ e , bet not on timber , la tbe zoom of this odious tax he would saegest some &her suljects of assessment . He would tax landed toeeoBions , and that suggestion had this recommend-

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      ation—that no present owner would suffer from it He would hate a fixed duty on corn ; which duty would not -only produce present revenue , but serve as a stepping stone to a wholly free trade . Sugar wonld be another resource . The West Indiana would object in vain to a re-adjustmeut of the sugar duties , for they were at all events doomed to destruction from Cuba and Brazil ; -and might as well makeup their minds to their fate at once . He made some criticisms on certain points of the tariff , and concluded b y deprecating a pusillanimous view of Ihe present difficulties .

      Mr . Palmer ( Easex ) vindicated his own consistency un the subject of the Corn Laws . It was impossible , in the case of any very large measure , that every one of "its points should he approvod b y every ona of its supports . The credit of the country must be obtained , « nd though same objections might be made to an income-tax , there was no alternative but to accept it with a good will . Having expatiated upon the Chinese question , he referred to the tariff , which he condemned on the broad ground that it was a measure of free trade , thoueh It gave a veiy large protection to the cotton manufacturers . He did not grudge th « m a protection , but he wiBhed to see all interests protected equally . Mr . W . SOMEBTiLiE thanked Sir B . Peel for having exempted Ireland , and for having taxed ttie absentees , but could not support this impost witho » t a stern necessity .

      Captain Hamilton supported the tax ; f ot while he felt tbe hardship of the impost upon the widow and the professional man , be considered also the great re-Kef which , the tariff would give to them , and to all other classes of consumers . He regarded this arrange ment in the same light as the organization of a military force in time of peace for security against the breaking oat of war . 3 lr . Shiel was persuaded of the people ' s generous willingness to come forward for the public safety ; but it was a feeling ot which the Minister should be slow to avail himself . The Minister had said , that unless he carried his tax and / US tariff , he wsnld retire ,- but MsTirfcue was not likely to be put to the test . His first difficulty would be his success—would be the

      people ' s feeling of his income tax , with its pressure , Iks inquisitions , its conjectural surcharges , its whole train of vexation and injustice . They would then ask whether he had not availed himself of power to abuse it ? Surely it was rash to increase a deficiency for the purpose of supplying it with an income tax The late Chancellor of the Exchequer , had he done so , would hare been called an empiric . The tariff should at least have been perfect to warrant such an impost for its sake . He thencriticised the redaction of duty on timber , and the non-redaction of duty on sugar . Ministers talked of tbo foreign Blave trade , and yet lowered ths duties upon the coffee of the foreign slave colonies . The pre-Bent deficiency bad been charged upon the Whigs ; but it was not by the Whigs that the debt had been raised

      to hundreds of millions . By them , on the contrary , taxes to the amount of £ 5 . 001 , 000 had been remitted . ( HBar , hear . ) The Tories , too , had remitted many taxes ; the first they had remitted was this very income tax , which they had taken oS in ISIS , and which was now tbe first to be reimposed by the Tories of 1842 . The i » come Tax Act , passed by the Whigs of 1806 , was framed to continue till the April following the treaty of peace , and no longer . He feared this blister ; tae more it should draw the more it . would adhere . It had been condemned by all the greatest interests and authorities , ameng whom was the late Sir Robert PeeL It had bee * supported by Lord Casilftre&gh ; but he had a much stronger caae than the present Qoverniient , yet he did not succeed ; was success , then , to attend the Minister in a reformed Parliament ? Could he reconcile his measure with his profession of care for the poor ? How unjust was it to

      tax the intellect of one man eqmally with the acres of another ! Ought the landed gentleman , -who lives at home at ease , " to pay no more than the officer of the army or navy , or the widow struggling to maintain four or five daughters on a slender jointure ? Nor tu it fitting that a Governmenfshould create inducements to falsification . The House had been strongly exhorted to shut out perjury in the Irish registrations ; would they not be equally watchful against perjury in the collection of English Taxes ? If they were not hypocritical Pharisees , he hoped they would not show themselves remorseless publicans . And where was the necessity for the measure ? The Queen " a speech , the speeches of Ministers to their own constituents , bespoke safety and fair prospects ; the country had bad no disasters ; but when money was wanted , then the master of all the Ministers came down to the House with vague alarms and dark intimations ef" danger .

      Sir R . Peel re * e , and Mr . Brotherfcon movedan adjournment Some question was made whether Sir R . Peel was entitled , in speaking on tie motion of adjournment , to enter upon the main subject . The Speaker haviag decided that he was at liberty to do so , Sir R Peel proceeded . After expressing his anxiety to vindicate himself from the charge of exaggsnting difficulties , hs reviewed the financial state of the last few years , and showed that the late Ministers , who had come into of&sewith * turphw of three millions , bad quitted it with a deficit of five , making a difference of eight millions against the country . If thoee facts were substantiated , was there any exaggeration on kis part ? He quoted a speech , in which . Lord John Russell , having then a surplus , had said that no Minister w&uld so far

      embarrass and degrade his country , as to eomraence the financial year with a deficit even of ona million ; yet here was a deficit of five . The last speaker bad said , there had bt en no disasters . When had England ever sustained such a disaster as that which , had ja » fc ann 3-fcilated , with tke exception of a single individual , the whole of the British force in one quarter of India ? Was not some decisive exertion necessary for enabling the Government to repair so great a calamity ? What , then , did he propose ? A tax usually , indeed , reserved for war , but equally applicable to any other great emergency . Lord John Russell himself had supported a resolntioD involving that admission , and proposed in 1833 by Lord Althorp ; for the purpose of dissuading the House from the removal of the -window tax . The

      Noble Lord now recommended a duty upon landed successions . His own Chancellor of the Exchequer , only two years ago , had recorded his opposition to the principle of such a tax . Sir Robert Peel then reprobated Lord Jokn ' s contumelious attack upon the intellects of the agriculturists . They , however , needed ao vindication of their consistency , for the very objection of the Opposition themselves to his Corn Bill was that it removed no substantial protection from the land . Now , what were the substitutes proposed this evening by Lord John for tbe income tix . Net an 8 s . duty : that resource was new disposed of by tlit passing of tbe Com BilL Assessed taxes ? How -would thay relieve professional men , and tradesm&n , and widows ? Tha rich-might escape them by going abroad , but the less affluent classes , who coold not travel , must stay and bear them . It was said , retain the timber duty . In answer to that suggestion he explained the various ways in-which tnia remission "would brDtfii ths country at

      large ; anti especiaily the maritime interests . Sugar was another of the iu ^ jects pointed out ; but , after the sacrifices made by this country for the ext-nction of the slave tra < ie , and in the present state of our negotiations on that question , he had not dec-nrd it justifiable to let in foreign sugar for mere pecuniary considerations , without any security against tke eTils of slave cultivation . It was said that ue -were admitting offee and wtton , but these had been aiw ^ js admitted ; aad the cultivation of them -was not attended with the same severity to ibe labourer aa the cultivation cf fcUgar . He was , indeed , proposing a nfw tax ? but be was remitting others to 3 great extent . He -was reducing duties on articles of subsistence ; and he entreated his agricu ; - tural fri « -nds to suspend their judgments upon this part of the su'f ject , permxded that he should b « abi « , at the proper time , to ihow the expediency of that reciuetion for arl interests , including agriculture itself . Ha Trould say , Liirly , before th « y voted on this question , that he . could not consent to increase his low

      duties on the import of live cattle . No wondtr , however , that the public niiBd was agitated when sneh efforts had been made to disturb it . Papers bad even been ciren ' ^ ated proposing to supply fresh meat by contract fn > m Hamburgh at 3 d . per pound , when at Hamburgh Kseif the price was od . But be -would reserve himself for future and fuller explanation on this subject He admitted that an income-tax must be inquisitorial ; but it was necessary that honest men should be protected against the evasions of tfeeir

      neighbours . The last speaker had pleaded eloquently against the income-tax ; might not an equally touching piCtUie have bttn wr&wn on the other hand , of the father of a sick famiiy compelled by a new wimlow-tax to shut eut the light and the access of air from his anguishing chiidrtn ? To be sure you might now get a loan easily , for the . fucds were high . Bat what had raised them ? The pro ' ipect of this very tax , and the confidence that Parliament » onld maintain public credit He was net fairly liable himself to b « taunted for having said that on the success of these meatures the fate of the

      Government roust depend ; nor yet his friends , -who , approving ihe genera , principles cf bis administration , consented to yield their own opinions upon particular points . Some men might prefer one form of government and some another ; but he agreed "with Lord M e-: t > ourne that of all governments that fros the worst Vhich . lacking power to carry its measures , was content to linger out its existence upon the forbearance of itB oppsnerts . Lord Joh > " RtsSELl desired to explain that his allusiun to heads of clay had no reference to any particular class cf members . Mr . Bbotsekto . ^ ' again mooted tha question , ¦ whether sir K . Feel had been entitled to speak on the main subject ? The Speaker again decided in the affirmative . The debate was then adjourned .

      Monday , April 11 . Sir R . P £ E 1 began the arijonrced debate respecting the petit on from Finsbury , which Mr . Duscoxabe bad presented on Friday , against tbe income tax . Sir R . Peel oppos&d the reception cf this petition , on th « grcund of the ancient usage excluding petitions against pending taxts . If that usage should be rescinded , great obstruction topuWic business migit be the consequence . It " was ttue that a resolution now existed against the debating of petitions , but that resolution had raised a usage of onty five years , whereas the other was of 150 . He was a » are that much difference of opinion existed ontiu ^ iubjett ; Lut he thought himself bound not to

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      abandon a practice of so long standing without taking the sense of the House upon it . Lord Howick thought the old objection to these petitions was removed by the modern prohibition of discussion upon them . Sir R . Peel seemed to have no reason to urge against tbe change , except tbatfit was a Change . Mr . Milnes supported tbe old practice , because he thought that if the House , by a large majority , should sanction a tax , while the country in general was petitioning against it , an opinion might grow up that the House did not duly represent the people . Mr . 'P . Beekelbt shortly supported Mr ^ Duncombe . Lord F . Egerton also expressed his feelings that the d * ors of the House should be opened as wide as possible to the people ' s petitions .

      Lord John Russell , though reluctant to contravene a practice which had prevailed for 150 years , felt himself obliged , since the departure from the old usage of debating njon petitions , to support the motion of Mr . Duncombe . He could not consent to maintain the customs of antiquity only on the sije of restriction . Even if you should now shut out these petitions against the enactment of the pending tax , you could not shut oat petitions next year for its repeal . The rational course would be to allow the presentation of these like other petitions ; but , as in tbe case of other petitions , to exclude discussion . Mr . J . 8 . WORTLET 'was disposed to support the motion . He thought tbe practice of the House on such a subject should sot be construed with the strictness of a penal statute .

      Sir Jakes Graham observed , that this usage had originated soon after the Revolution , at a period highly favourable to the rights of the people , and had « ontUued uninterrupted for a century and a half . The recent exclusion of discussion might perhaps be rescinded ; and if that should happen , the supply might be er&ctually obstructed , and the Crown left without a remedy . Lord John MANNERS , aa on anti-revoltilionlBt , would vote against a practice which the period of the Revolution waa cit <* l to sanction . Captain Hamilton opposed tbe reception of the petition . Lord Sandon desired t » uphold the existing practice until tbere should be a standing erder against the dilcussion of petitions . : Mr . Gotjlburn deemed it highly important that the practice of the House should not be rendered uncertain , and above all that resolutions should net be left

      on toe books and daily violated . If the practice ought to be changed , it should be done by a motion to rescind the afident resolution establishing it . Mr . DUNCOMBE said , his object was to break down a practice which he regarded , as an unconstitutional , however it might be an ancient , one . No antiquity could sanction such an injustice . If this petition should be rejected , another would be presented next day ; so that Ministers -would mot be much advanced by their resistance . If they wished ts exclude petitions , tke Manly way would be to move a standing order to that effect The people disliked the pending tax , and the object now was to gag them . Tbe House divided , and the numbers were—For the exclusion of the petition ... 222 For its reception 22 J Majority for the exclusion 1

      The adjourned debate on the report of the committee of ways aad means was begun by 3 > r . BOWBINO . He rejoiced that he had not been a party to tbe policy which had produced the deficit now to be supplied . He had seen no occasion for the Syrian nor the Indian wax ; but neither did he perceive any intention in the present Ministry to terminate the hostilities in India . Still , if they had been content to aaess income with some regard to its sources , be would have supported their meMOre ; for he waa persuaded that t £ e principle of direct taxation was the true one ; but he could not accede to the levy of an equal per centage from permane » t and from transitory income . He expatiated on the general benefits of direct taxation .

      Mr . . Gaily Knight sketched a draught of tho will ot the late Ministry , b » que * Ahigg to John Bull a deficit of £ 50 , 000 , 000 ; item , a war in China , item , a war in India , item , an unsettled boundary in America . He reprobated their reduction of taxes for the sake of popularity , and their resort to the expedient of loans . Referring to Lord John Russell's description of the landed gentleman as having heatta of clay , he avowed bb opinion that they would deserve that sarcasm if they did not abow that they had the sense to support their friends against their enemies . Mr . ELBHINSTONE would have preferred a revenue raised from the sources pointed out in Lord John Russell ' s resolution . A tax levied upon all incomes , without reference to their duration , was peculiarly objectionable . It pressed the trading and manufacturing interests with disproportionate severity . Tne tariff waa an improvement on tbe old system ; but it was imperfect in many particulars .

      Sir Walter James protested against the protraction of these debates , which were suspending tho whole commerce and manufactures of the country , embarrassing the capitalist , and starving the operative . In such a state of things it was tbe duty bt the House r&tb « r to act than to talk . Gentlemen opposite had not been able to deny that the plan of Ministers was bold , comprehensive , and calculated to raise the revenue sought from it . He defended its general principle , but thought that no man ought to be taxed for that portion ot any life income which he laid out in the insurance of the life . Mt . "Wallace quoted a speech made in 1833 by Sir R . Peel , disapproving the exemption of Ireland from any income-tax that might be necessary for Great Britain . If Ireland wai to be exempt , so ought Scotland to be ; and he would take tbe sense of tbe House on a motion for exempting Scotland .

      Mr . LlDDELL eommNited upon the manner in which the Whig * had redeemed their pledges of reform , retrenchment , and peace . Reform they had carried ; but what had been their retrenchment ? They hsd retrenched income , and increased wependiture . And as to the peace they bad procured for their country , he bad only to refer to that expedition into Afghanistan against which the Duke of Wellington had so wisely and so early warned us . With respect to the measure bow proposed for the repair of thoBa evils , he gave it his cordial approbation . The proposal in the tariff for the redaction of the import duty upon live cattle bad indeed given rku to much uneasiness among tbo graziers , but it was an uneasiness without foundation .

      The markets of this country were more than equal to absorb any import likely to be let in through this reduction . Indeed , the countries of Northern Europe , from which 80 overwhelming a buptly had been Bpprt .-hentled , -were all , except Holstnn , importing countries themselves . He thought it but right that these things should be stated , in order to disabuse the agriculturists ; and , connected as La was with agriculture in all his feelings and fortunes , his statements came at least frura an " unsuspected source . Ho dafended also the recluc * tion of the dnty on timber . But while he approved these reductions on the tariff , there was one item of a contrary character which be could not approve—namely , tbe imposition of a duty on coal .

      Mr . WaSON' quoted a speech of Mt . Huskisson ( Mateh , 1830 ) , as marking the distinction between a property tax and an income tax . Against the totter ilr . Wasen protested . It was property alone which he would subject to taxation . For that purpose no inquisitorial nischinsry was wanted . He intended , if L'jru Jtbn Russell's amendment should be rejecte' 5 , to wove another , for tbe exemption of income " ilerived from industrial sources . " He abo » ld willingly tako off those other taxes also which bear upoii the pour , and he wenid make up the deficiency by a further tax upon property .

      Mr . C . W . W ' yss begged the House to consider , that after yearB of tamporizing , th « day -was iww come - vcen an exertion must be made to put public credit upon some substantial ground . He gave a Libtory of the incouis taxes of 1893 and 1 S 06 , and explained tbe reasons fur imposing them . He observed toot the incomes of UlbSt of the great landed proprietors were only incomes for life ; and said it was of no conitqu ^ nca whether the possessor , being ouly tenant for life , were to be succeeded by a son or r > y a stranger . Ha did not beiieve the country would allow tho tax to last one year beyond the necessity .

      . Mr . Macaitlat began by stating the substance of a petition from Edinburgh , which tLu practice of tke House had precluded him from laying on the table , lie believed it to be true , as was said by Ministers , that a property tax was impracticable without an income tax ; but the inequality and injustice of an income tax were such , tbat its imposition could be warranted only by extreme necessity . Mr . Roebuck fc ? . d intimated that no man should object to disciose his ineorae . That gentleman , in tho position he held , might affurd to indulee euch a fieliDg ; but tbat was not the sentiment cf the great body for whom the House was legislating , and witb whom the half of life was a constant struggle against tbe appearance of poverty . This wa 3 a tax to be adopted only in the last txtremity , and such was not our present situation . Was thtre ever , Sir R bert Peel had a ^ ked , such a disaster aa tbe recent destruction of our Indian army ?

      In one senae , certainly , that catastrophe waa deeply disastrous—deeply so , with reference to British honour and to domestic feeling ; bat in a financial view , the only view material to the present question , the disaster was not of the same importance . The fact was not even known when tbe Right Hon . Baronet brought forward tbe present m easure of taxation ; and it certainly was not likely to require any greatly Htpenaive armament Ten or twelve thousand troops would be an ample force ; of which the whole charge would probably fall short of £ 400 . 000 a-year . This was not an exigency like that in which you imposed an ineome tax to protect you against the nations of the continent leagued exceeded

      with France , when your navy estimates alone tha aggregate charge cf all your present establishments . Ho believed tha ; , at tbia moment , England was better able to maintain a great war , than at any former period of her history ; and yet , from the late course of the Minister , the people of the continent might be led to suppose that England was in a state of the greatest difficulty and danger . TherLjhthon . Baronet had introduced also the topic of Indian finance—ah important topic , feut not yet so far explained as to form a just ground for an income tax . Mr . Macaulay tbeH touched upon the other resources which he considered as available for the present occasion . Sir R , Peel had objected to a sugar duty on the score of slavery ; bnt , consideriDg-

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      what was done about coffee aridLeottbn , and tobacco , he thought it a strong effort of cliarity to believa the right hon . Baronet aincare . Thea as to timber , Sir R Ptiel bad pitched over £ 600 , 000 at once , a greater blow to our financea than tha disaster in India . Instead of founding an income tax to meet a deficit , the Minister bad made di deficit to found an income tax . ¦ ioKt-S TANtBY . / siiid , that whatever might be the dilfcrence between the two sides of the House in their conclusions , there was no disagreement in their premises ; the greatness of the deficit was no matter of doubt ; and the Opposition , now tbat they Were no longer under the responsibility » f baving taxes to flnd > admitted likewise ^ hat the time for mafee-shlfts was ore * , that the finance of the country must be repaired

      , that the burdeu could not be thrown upon the comoier euu and manufacturing interesta , and that the budget of hist year would not yield » revenue ^ adequate to the ocsasion . On his own Bide it was equally admitted toat a great emergency alone could justify &wb a tax . These were tbe points of generil agreement ; On the other hand , there were disagreements to be noticed evea among the opposition thenwelves . Some said , V rax property , but not income ; » while other * , and Lord John himself said if you tax property , you muat needs , tax income too / ' Lord John and Mr . Macaumy objected to the course take . r upon the sugar and timber duties . Mr . Williams , of Coventry , took a

      wholly opposite view to both of then * Lord Jokn bad said , an iucome tax has hitherto been a war resetve- ^ no great compHuient . to" hia own Government , which ; after twenty years of peace , had placsd our finances under difficulties equal to those of war . When bad it been necessary before to bold 20 , 000 bayonets in Canada ? Who could tell what coat would be entailed on England by tho war which the late Ministry bad stirred up in < 3 hina ? Talk of peace I Look at India . The Buke of Wellingtan bad prophetically told them what would be the cbnsequeaces even of success in that quarter . A disaster , certainly , " said Mr . Macaulay , "but , " added he . " not a financial one . " Wirefi be had thus estimated th « lives of those brave

      men m pounds , Bhulings , and piince , who could calculate the further cost in which we might be involved by the spread of that insurgency against the prestige ot England , which was but too likely to follow such an overthrow ? ' True , ; the ^• overninent knew nothing of that calamity when they brought forward this measure : ill as tuey thought of the expedition , they had not anr ticipated anything quite so fatal . But they bad looked a little befoie them ; they had foreseen the general probability of great expenditure ; and , surveying the whole state of the country , they bad come unanimously to the conclusion that direct taxation was the only available resource . ; Tbe Neble Lord now wanted to . drive us back upon that budget which had been already rejected by two Parliaments . But the earn , which had been ose of its main items , was now dealt with in another way ; and tbe Noble Lord adrnUted , that hia 1 budget , even if the corn weru still available to it , would not yield enough

      to nu . ke up the present deficiency .. 1 The Noble Lord talked of charging land with a probate and legacy duty . His own Chancellor of the Exchequer , Mr . Baring , / had condemned tbat very scheme , and had shown long since , as Mr . Goulburn , had done in the present debate , that land already bore an equivalent 8 tamp d uty , though in another form . He acknowledged the inquisitorial nature of a tax upon ' incoiiie ; but the bill imposing it would contain alleviations of tbis objection . And what would the Noble i ^ ord ,: who proposed an increase of th « assessed taxes , aay to the inquisitorial nature of those assessments ? The present call was made upon the country , not to pay off past debt , but to meet present annual expenditure ; and so far from an unjust tax , he believed it to be both an equitable and a wise one . In ruferenca to Mr . Shiers quotation . from Waller's panegyric as applicable to Sir Robert Peel , Lord Stanley regretted that Mr . Sbcil had not added tbe remainder of the paasage * -.

      - —— " when , without noise , The rising sun night $ vulgar lights destroys . " He was glad to claim the praise awarded to ministers by their opponents—that tbe measure now before the House was a bold and honourable one .. Mr . LaboucHERE , after defending Mr . Macaulay from what he complained of as a misrepresentatioh by LorU Stanley of that part of his speech which related to the disaster in India , referred to Sir R . Peel ' s cfcarges against the late Government of living on tie forbearance » f Us enemies , an « l retorted , that Sir R . Peel himself had heldofficein ! 835 without anymajority in that House . He contended that the necessity now

      alleged by Ministers was of their own creating , and tbat the income tax was a price which the country was called on by Ministers to pay , for the continuance of tho present system of duties on sugar and timber * Sir R . P »<; 1 was bringing but hJs tariff , as if be were tbe author of its policy , whereas it waa the policy of bis predecessors , and be was but taking advantage of tho tid « as it turned . He defended and applauded that feeliirg of liberty and pride which induces Englishmen to resist any measure of an inquisitorial nature . Of the tariff in general he approved , and would take bis share of tue responsibility attaching to the changes it would introduce .

      I ^ ord F . Egerton condemned , as being no longer a mere excusable p » rty marauvre , but a positive crime , the delays by which Members of Opposition were paralysing the trade of t ) ia country ; and he read some passages of a petition from Lancashire , Very numerously signed , and praying for the despatch of this measure . The Opposition bad spent their time during the holydays-in getting up petitions ; and they had spent their money , too , if he might judge from the placards and Btandard bearers that paraded the vicinity of the House . So far frem thinking fiat the course of Ministers had

      lowered on the continent the estimate of England ' s resources and spirit , he inferred from the foreign journals that the tone and measures of Sir R . Peel had impressed our neighbours with . the highest respect for the country so governed . He would support this measure on general grounds of confidence in the Gouient ; and specifically , because tbat Government possessed in its councils that great man whose sword bad achieved such successes in India aa well a-i in Europe , and whose spirit , in his advancing age , still burnt with the brightaess and clearness of his youth . Mr . Brotherton moved an adjournment .

      Lord John Russell imputed the delays complained of to the parties opposite , who had thought it more niat"rial to displace the late Government than to disciiss the important duties . . As for the expedition to Affghanistan , he did 1 not shrink from his share of responsibility ; but the papers relating to it had been laid on the table last year , and no motion had been grounded on them by the opposite party . He was ready to identify himself with Lord Auckland in this master . Sir John Hobhouse expressed himsalf to tbe same effect . When the e 3-i ' na ^ es f' > r the supplemental force sbr-uld be moved , he would take an opportunity to state the caae of the late Government .

      Mr . Mark Philips bore testimony to the respectability of tuesiguaturcs attached to the petition which had been mentioned by Lord F . Egerton . He could uot conscitintiously support an income-tax , nnltss upon some f ; ic-ater necessity , or with a view to some mor « extensive arrangement , than was now stated to the Housa . : Some desultory conversation took place , which occupied tbii minutes more , and tho debute was then adjourned . I Tuesday , A pril 12 . A discussion on the same question which hud occupied it at tho commencement of three former evenings —the question whether the House should allow petitions to be presented against pending measures of taxation , was first called on . It was rnisutl by Blr . Cuvrper , who tendered a petition from Hertford against the income tax .

      Lord Francis Egerton desired a postponement of the debate until Thursday , on which day he would submit a resolution having for its okjtsot to admit petitions ajrainst taxes , -with a due precaution against their being debated . Colonel Sibthorp said a few words , and so did Lord J . RUSSELL ; but the subject seemed to have ho interest , the House being very inattentive , ; and keeping up a general munnnr , which evinced that tbay regarded tha division of the preceding afternoon upon tbe Finsbury petition as having substantially disposed of tbe qutbtion . Mr . T . DUNCOMBB had Bo notion of letting Lord F . Egerton make a featber-bed for Ministers to fall easily down upon . 1 .

      Sir R . Peel was in no fear of a fall , and therefore wanted nothing to break his descpnt . He had opposed the abrogation of an ancient rule , and tke . Hoiwe having sanctioned his course by a majority of 31 , he bad al 8 O opposed the presentation of the Finsbury petition . The majority , however , having then surunfe to one vote , be uow felt thac it would be difficult to maintain the practice . But it was furely desirable , if a change was to be made , tbat it should be mads without irregularity ; and he did therefore wish for a short interval to frame such a resolutlen as would effect the object in a safe auci decorous niannsr . . Wben that should have been done , he trusted the meetings to be convened for the purpose of petitioning would be really public ones . Lord Howick would tecommend it to Mr . Cowpfr to withdraw bis motion , if Sir R . Peel would himself brins forward the regulatioa necessary to settle the question . . " . ¦ ' ' ' : ¦ ¦' . . ' . ¦ , ¦ -:. ¦'¦ ¦ '¦ . ' ¦ " ; . ¦

      Sir B . Peel answered that withbnt actually oHglnating the regulation himself , he would willingly co-operate with Lord P . Eserton in framing it Mr . Cummihg Bbuce was understood to recommend a Committee . ¦ . ¦ ' . . •/• ' ;"" . '' . ' . ¦'¦¦ ' . ' -. ¦ ¦ .- . ' ¦ ' .. . ¦' ¦ . The Speaker , on a request from Lord John Ruseell , explained tbat a resolution of the House , while it remained OnreHcinded ^ was Diodsng oiily on the Parliament which passed it ; but that a standing order , while nnrescindeci , was binding on succeeding Parliaments . : " .. ¦'¦ ¦ _ ; :, ^ ¦ . ' ¦ ; : > ¦' . - ¦¦ ¦ ; - . ' ; . ; •¦ . " - '¦ . - " / Lord Mahon moved , that this debate should be adjourned to tho day succeeding that on which Lord F . Egerton should make bis motion . Lord F . Egebton read the notice of motion , which ho proposed to put in . \ : ; Lord PalMKESTON would xecoamend it to Mr . Cowper to postpone his motion , if Sir R . Peel would engage to support that of Lord F . Egeiton . Sir R . Peel said he was willing to eupport Lord F . Egerton in his general object , bnt could not undertake ,

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      without time fox consideration , to support the specific motion .. - ' - ; : . : . ; : ; :. ¦/¦ ¦ .... ¦¦ ¦ ¦ \ - ' . , . - - .. Mr . Waklet would not consent to any motion for the admission of petitions , if coupled With a condition excluding debate upon them . Sir € r . Grey jexplained to M » . Wakley that there was no new cdmpremise . The proposed motion would merely annex , to the provision : for letting in petitions a repetition of the alread y established reaolution against debating them . ¦ : ¦ Mr . WAtiACB was for debating all petitions . Mr . CURTBiS thought Lord F . Bjerton ought to let Mr . Duncombe , to whom this success was awing , have the honour of making the motion which was to ratify it \' ' : ' ' ¦¦ . : . ¦ ¦ -,- . ¦ . ¦ - . / ' y' ¦ ' ' - ' -. Mr , O'CONJ » ELL explained that there waa nothing of compromise in what had been proposed . Mr , Cowp&R then consented tba-t the debate should be adjourned to Friday .

      Mr . W A SON made a motion for restricting election council to one committee at a time . Sir . J . Grahah and Mr . W ^ 'NN showed the impracticabiiity of any snbh regulation . ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦ air . Wallacb supported Mr . Wa 3 on , and lamented the present txpence of election petitions . Mr . WORTLEX said , that such expense could be prevented only by the appointmeut of a proper jaiiicial tribunal for fcbe trial of those matters . Mr . O'COifNSLl concurred in deeming the present tribunal unfit for its purposes . Many petitions , he said , would be pravented by an enactment that every regiftered voter should retain his vote for the jteaf , notwithatandirig a change of residence . The tribunal for ultimate trial might be also a court of appeal from the registering barristers ; and should be cumpdsetl of lawyers belonging to tbe class from which the judges of the superior courts are selected .

      Mr . AQLioNBi exposed the impracticability of Mr . Wason ' s suggestion , and advised , that a committse should b « appointed foe coasideHngib © whole aubjBct Mr . H . Flizitov believed that the only remedy would be to place in the chair of each committee , some distinguished lawyer of tha House . Lord CtRANiTiLLE Somerset observed , that the lawyers of experience in the House were too few for this duty . . ; ' . ' ¦ ; ... /; / ' , i ; ' .:- : : < -. ., .. .. ¦¦ . ; . Mr . WaSON . after repeating an observation made by several of the preceeding speakers , that tbe whole question on an election committee was , what were the politics of the Chairman , withdrew his motion . Mr . Childers , haying just had twenty-one day a' experience on a Committee , whose chairman , a Conservative , he acquitted « f partiality , felt , however , a conviction that the tribunal was not calculattd to do justice .. ; . . ¦ ¦ - . ¦¦ ¦ ¦¦ , ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ' - . . ¦ ; ¦¦ ' .. - . ¦ '¦ ¦ ¦ ' - . - ' „ ¦ ' :

      Sir R . Peel said , that the arrangement about the chairman , was a suggestion , not of his , but of Lord John Russell' s . Air . Ewart wished for a teguiar legal tribunal ; and here this discussion ended . the adjourned debate on the financial measure of tho Governiiieut was resumed by Mr . Brotherxqn . He admitted that at Manchester there ^ was no very strong feeling against the income tax . Perhaps , because a new generation had arisen which remembered not tho pressure of a like tax in former

      days—perhaps because they did not understand the distinction between a tax on income and a tax on property —perhaps because , as one of his fnenda ha * lately told hint , the manufsctawrs , having got no profit last year , thought it no great hardship to cowponnd at tbe same rate for the three years next to come . He thought the tax unnecessary . He wished for no wars : he tnoujht the trophies of peace more glorious . At all events he would not tax income equally with property . lie weuld assess the funds , and all landed property , as it was now rated to the poor , only raising the rate from the landlord instead of the occupier .

      Colonel Wop 0 ( Brecon ) caJculated that , out of the whole pppnlauon of this island , being about 18 , 600 , 000 persons , not more than 200 , 000 would be called on to contribute to this tax . How very much smaller a nnmber was this than the number who most have contributed more or less to any indirect taxation . ' He defended the conduct of himself and other couaty members in supportiug the principle of the New Corn Law against that of the fixed duty . Mr . Mangles , admitting the magnitude of the disaster in Affghaniston , yet regarded it as no sufficient ground for an income tax . It was a lighter disaster than that of the American war ; but there seemed to be a tendency in pur nature evtr to magnify present evils in comparison with past . The Indian

      Government . in Lord Weuealiy ' a time had been pieased with great pecuniary aifficnltics ; its debt was then upwards of £ 31 . 000 , 000 , being more than twice ita annual revenue . Bat in 1839 , that debt had increased by only about a million , while the yearly revenue had increased by ^ 5 , boo . oo « -. and whereas , in Lord Wellesley ' o time , tbe Government was commonly bertowing at twelve per ' cent ., the present rate of its loans was only five per cent . ; a rate so much lower than that of private discounts , as to prove the high credit in which tha Government now stood . And yet we were told that this slate of things

      required us to cbanje enrselves with an income tax ! He adverted to the heavy losses sustained by our Indian army during the Burmese war ; losses occasioned j indeed , by siokness rather than the sword , but equally important in a financial view , though not so painful in point of feelinj } . Ho believed that India , if well governed , would maintain herself . He did not participate in tbe apprehensions entertained for the security of oar empire there . The Hindoo part of the people would always side with na against the Mabomedan . Our dominion rested not on a . mere prestige , but on public opinion , —tbe impression of the natives , that the English dynasty is a truthful and upright on « .

      Mr . GRAI « TILLE YERNON wasnot sattsfled with the argument that the Induin finance was not very materially disordered in 1839 ; neither at that time wer « the finances of England very heavily depressbd ; but the question was . hew far the deficiency bad been aggravated since ? He tlspipred the policy which had prompted the expedition to Affghanistan . A large force was now required , not only , for India but for Canada ; and even in Europe the tone of some foreign Goyernmants was such as to forbid the neglect of defensive preparations . These were pur necessities ; and he did not think them adequately met by the spggestions of senticmen pppoBite . He felt t >» e inequality of taxing temporary like a permanent income ; but this hardship was not peculiar to this tax ; it attached

      just aa severely to church-rate and to countyrrate . Mr . C . BULLER thought it not a iittle ominous that the tax , originally proposed for three years , was now spoken of by Sir R . Peel aa very likely to last for five , and by no means sHre to be removed even at the end of the latter period . Whatever objection was made to the tax , the answer of the Ministerialists was always that the Whigs had committed this or tbat mistake . Such recriminations , even had thsy beea fair , would not be logical j but they were not f > ur , for tne pressnt Minist « rs were the patties propsrly responsible for rnany * jf the v « ry evils now charged on trielr predecessors ; For instance , the Canadian expencea , and the unea « y state of the negotiation about the Anicrican bouudary ; and even to the , Indian war

      they had given a tacit sanction by dropping their notice of motion against the policy of the late Government respecting India . When the eatiiuatea were to be votud , the Couaoryatives had always recommended an increase oi our armaments , and whan the postage was to bj rsduce : ! , they had given way , as the Wbigs had do « 3 , to public opinioa . Why waa the Indian debt introduced into these debates ? Was England to be charged with it ? If not , it had no business in the caicuiatian of tbe general deficit There had been a « wat Indian deficit in 1830 , when Mr . Goulburn was Chancellor of the Exchequer before . 3 > irt Mr . Gonlburn come then to the house for an income tax ? No : he then diminished the revenue by taking off the tax on

      beer . Lord John Russell had now proposed a res-olution , in which be did not barely condemn the Ministerial measure , but suggested one of hia own . Sir R . Peel ' s plan , was to piotect the gteat TnonopoHes , and break down only the minor onea . lierA John ' s , on the contrary , sought to abolish the greatest . The articles on which Sir R Peel was remitting duties , were not such as the poor consumed ; but all classes wonl (\ have been relieved by Lord John RuaseU'a reduction of duty on corn and sugar . Sir R . Peel had done just what was best for the landed interest , removing exactly bo much , of the dnty on corn as prortneed them obloquy without protection . Mr . C Bailer then commented on the addresses of the

      county members to their constituents , ridiculing Lord Stanley's assertions on the sutjact of the vast quantity of corn grown at Tamboff , and the popular agitation of the Lincolnshire members agalngt any alteration in the old corn law . Mr . Gaily Knight had last night repeated to the House what he called the will of the late Gi > vernmfcnt . The real legacies of that Government had been religious liberty to Catholics and Dissenters , emancipation to the negroes , raunicipal franchise to the towns , and freedem of commerce to the whole people ; fcut the executors of that will were those who had been their constant opponents , and for ten years had used all possible means to defame them . Mr . BORTHWICK insisted on the appalling magnitude of the late calamity in India . A parallel had been drawn between our losses in this and in the Arflericau war ; bnt what had been the result iof our losses in America I That America had been wrested from us . For his own part , be came to that House ;

      unpledged , and . w-onld givie hia best consideration to any tuggestibn , from whatever quarter , for the benefit of the country ; and , however , unwiilingly , at s Jate hbiir , and in an impatient House , be must discbarge the duty of delivering his sentiments . The impa ^ tience of the House , however , . rose to such a height when the Hon . Member had spoken about half an hour , that he found it necessary to move an adjournment ; upon which , at a little after midnight , tne galleries were cleared for a division . The House , however , did / . not divide , bnt permitted the Hon . Member t » resume hia speech . H& attribnted the commercial distress of this country , not to the Corn Law , but t » toe revolntions of the Continent , and warmly espoused the interests ; of agriculture . He thought there might have bein a better plan than that of Sir Robert Peel , but it was the best . that had been propounded , and he should feel himself bound in duty to giVe his independent vote in its favour . " :.. : . ' " .. ' '¦¦ - ¦ •' . ' . ¦ . /¦' ¦ .. ' . - ¦; The debate waa then adjonrned , Sir RoBEttt PEEL expressing his hope that it would conclude the next night

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      v BRIGHTON . ¦ _;_ ; GREAT PUBLIC aiEETlNG . —TRIUMPH OF THE CHARTISm On the evening of Thursday , April 7 tli , a public meeting was convened by a requisition of electors of the borough at the Town Hall , for the purpose of hearing the different candidates for the representation of the borough attbe anticipated eleotioa declare their political principles . : ' At atven o'clock , "ihe hour appointed for the comrcencement of the business , the fdom was crowded to suffocation . . [ . ¦ On the proposition of Mr . Allen ,

      Mr . Johk Good was unaQioipudy called to the chair .: ' .: " " ¦ - , ¦ , " . - ' . [ . ' : ' . . - ¦ ¦ ::, ¦ , . ' - , " - Mr . Brooker , the Chartist candidate , on entering the room , was received with loud cheera . Mr . Harford , the rejected of Lewes , alep ttqunted the plaiform , amidst the cheers of his paity , and cries of '' ¦ Gol ) a . ck- ' t&I * w ' e 8 i" -- ' 'VNp ' brib . ery . / 'i&d ; .. : . The Vestry Clubk bavin % read the requisition calling the meeting ,. : / .. V " - THeGHAiRMas briefly addressed the meeting , claiming an impardal hearing for each gentlcnxaai who would address them . The Vesxky Clerk read a letter from Captain Pechell , stating that in consequence of the important btisittess in the House of Coasmon ? he was unable to attend .

      The Chaibman then called upon Mr . Charles Brooker , as the senior caiididate , to declare hia opinions to them . . , V Mr . Bbooksb , on rising , was received vfithloud cheers . He addressed them as electors and nouelcctpra of Brightpu . Tbe couatry was in a . sinking arid ruin ; oiu 3 coudifiou ; they ' were now making ihe last trial , : it Was ihei- ' lait straw that broke the camel ' s baok . and Sir Robert Peel was mating the last trial upon poor Johu Bull ' a back . Sir Robert Peel had admitted that John BuJ ] could hare no more taxation in an indi ^ irect mariner , but he v ? a 3 making a trial of direct taxation ; but it was a reduotion , and not ait inr crease that thev wanted iti the taxation . As his

      seniimeits were well known io thtip , it would be uhneces&ary for him to detain them with a long speech . He vsaa the urifliaching advocate of the People ' s-Charter . ( Loud cheeris . ) Mr . Brooker explained in very clear language tha six points of the People ' s Charter , oommencirig with Universal Suffrage ;^ He contended that ^ the poor maa had as great a stake in the cpuntryv and as grfcat _ a right to be represented , through bis iepresenrative in Parliament j as the greatest nobleman in the land . As to Property Quahficatiori v it seemed that unless a man poss-Bsed property , he certainly could not possess much wisdom . He contended to the contrary , and would , therefore , abolish Property Qualification . And again , aB to the Payment of Mtmbers . ; Ifa

      poor man was sent as a representative , why ehauld he not be remunerated by the state lpr Bervices done to the state 1 With Annual Pariiameuts , her believed that where they ended siavery be ^ an . Although he preferr- d open votitg , yet , as a protection , he would advocate the Ballet : He also advocated thedivisioa of the country iuto equal electoral dutricta , showing the absurdity of sendinj » two Members for one place , it often oocurrinK that the voter supported two men of opposite pvincipli'S . He was fottho total separation of Church and State , for the immediate Repeal of the New Poor Law , which he declared to be an invasion of the rights of Englishmen , and that the Poor Law Commission was a complete inqaigitioa . Mr . Brooker related a case of a poor iaan , who hung himself at Jevingtpu , rather than go in to-the Eastbourne Workhousoi , on Monday last , to au elm tree , near the churchyard ; and that taa jury

      brought in a verdict of /

      Tho Chairmaw then called upon Lord Hervey , the Tory , but he had sent a polite note stating that he should not appear before the electors until the day of nomination . Mr . H AKFORD was then , called upon , who appeared amidst the cheering of hi 3 friend ? , and the groans and hisses- of the Chartists , with criea 0 / "No bribery "— " Go back to Lewes" — " Oh you advocate of the truck system "—^ We ywon ' t hare ye" -rand many expressions of disfatisfaoiicn ; however , Mr . H . tried to make a speech by . partly readiog One to an afisembly composed of nearly three hundred persons ; his topics of address was tho inconie-tiS aud the new tariff , which he opposed ; he was in favour of Vote by Ballot , Triennial Parliaments , and Household [ Suffrage . V

      - Mr . Haeford ; concluded a speech foil of Whig or Liberal promises , aud was very glad to rasuma his seat , loudly cheered by his party , and the hisses of the opposition . Mr . John Sandy , in a very excellent speech , proposed Charles Brooker , Esq ., as a fit and proper person to represent this borougli in Parliament . Mr . Flower in a rather warm address seconded the resolution , telling Mr . Harlord ihat he was a Whig and nothing else , and he must not expect their support . Mr . G ' eobqe Faitufull , a lawyer , moved , " That Mi \ Summers Harford is a fit aud proper person to represent the boiouKh . " ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦• r- __ Mr . Hii-toj * seconded the nomination of Mr . Harford . > ¦ ¦¦ . ; ¦ : ' ¦ ' - . ¦ ¦ ::: " . ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ : ¦ , ¦ - - ...

      la consequence of no person proposing Mr . Nicholson his name was not pui ; , however Mr . N . declares he will be on tha hu ^ tinfis at the day of election , that he will s £ O to the poll , and fight it out to the la&t . The Whigs of Brigbtpn Wi re never in sach a quandary before . Mr . Nicholson will knock them , on one side w tb . his debt and taxation-riddance scheme ^ arid Mr . Brodker will goad them on the other side most strenuously with the Charter , backed by the working men of Brighton , assisted by , that ; indomi ; able champion of tho people , Feargas O'Coanor . Hul'uah for the Charter !

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      AXiX > oA . 4-Mr . Abram Duncan left this town on tho morning of Friday lasc , for London , befn /? delegated from this district to the London Convention , fie took along with him a box cpntainiug the signatures , froaiihis district , to the : National Petition ; and ii is very cheering to announce that the number of signatures from , this district , amounted to no less than 1 ^ , 090 . \ :: l- '¦ . DURHAM . — -T '; e National Petition from thiB place has been sent pff . It contains the signatures of 1 , 785 males , and 800 femalea—total 2 , 585 . . SOX 7 XH SElEXrBS . —The Petition from this place has been forwarded , with 3 , 4 * 0 signatures attached , and suipported also by £ 1 to the Cenvention Fonda ...

      BIRnHNCrHAia—The Chartist and ¦/ Nev .: Move Conventions both dissolved on Saturday night , many delegates having left on Friday . On Suaday , the Councils of the various localities met to draw up resolutions , and appoint movers and seconders to them , and for otber urgent business , respecting the forthcoming great demonstration . In th-j evaning , a . faneral oration was delivered by Mr . E . P . Mead , for Mr . Henry Frost , "the room was cro-wded to suffocation . EWRY . —Mr . Rankin , of Manchester , lectured here on Monday last , to a crowded meeting . At the close %£ his lecture , the sum of 6 s . 3 ^ d . was coSkcied f « the Manchester victims . . - NEW VUltlM . — ^ Mr , E . Clarke , of Macchester , de-Hvereu ; a powerfal and instructive lecture , in the Cfiartist meeting room , New Mills , on Monday even- . : ing last . - . v ¦ . '¦ ¦ . ¦¦ ' ¦ . ; ' ;;¦ ¦' ; •; ¦ ' ¦ . ' ¦ ' / \ r ' - -- . - . ' . ¦ .

      HUDDERsriEtp .- —Delegate Meeting . —On Sunday last , the adjourned meeting of the General Gouncilbrs of the Huddersfield district vras held in the Coarciat room , Honley , wben council tynt from the followlng places were present : —Hoim ' SrOi , Thomas Haddock , Wm . Cuttall ; Eirkheaton , John Marsland , John Dyson ; Honley , Edward Haigh , Charles Boothroyd ; DaJton , Msttho . vr Carter ; Berry Brow , Joshua Robinson ; Ye w Green , Divid Gledhill ; Lepton , Richard Inman ; Almondbnry ,: WiUiam Sykes ; Hudderafleld , Josiah Thomas , Edward Clayton . Mr . Josian Thomas was unauimoualy called to the chair . The reports ¦ handed in by tbe various CouaoiUora from each locality were gratifying as far as regards the spreading of the principles of democracy , the number of m-smbera , and the spirit manifested by the people . The forthcoming Convention having caused great excitement , all is quite alive , and a good spirit manifested . The propriety or impropriety cf engaging a lecturer for tbe present was discussed , when it was agreed , that fox the present no one should be engaged—several local lecturers having -volunteered to ^ give their ^ services gratis to any place needing a lecturer . After the business of tba district had been dispensed with , and a vote of thanks given to the Chairman , tbe meeting adjourned to that d ? vy flvo weeks , to be held in the earns place . . ' : ; : ¦

      35ommal 9&Atliemenu

      35 ommal 9 &atliemenU

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      Mr . MastermaN deplored the injury occasioned to the commercial world byvthe delay ; and that evil wa 3 further ^^ irteisted on by Sir W . James . Lord j . RUSSELL expressed his confidence that the debate wbnld close on Wedpesday night Mr . M . PHILLJPS desired to observe , as to delay , that the country bid waited five dreary months to know the intentions of Government Sir R . Peel said that though it was quite fair to debate the question fully , it was hardly allowable to put off the fcffectiye part of the bill till ten o ' clock of each evening . ¦ . ¦' >¦ ' ¦¦ ' - . . . ¦ ; ., ¦ ¦ - ¦ . ¦' . ¦' : ' ¦ ¦¦'¦ . * : ¦¦ '" .. - .. . ' Tbe . other orders of the day were then read , and the House adjourned ' . _ ' - ' ¦ - . V ¦ : — — ¦ - . - ' .. - . ' . — ' ¦—i—

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      the ^ . o -R ^ H ^^ . ir- ^ s ^ ia- ; : 7 L — — - - — — " _ —"' " "" _" ' " - ¦ ¦ , ¦ — ¦ — -- - — ¦ ¦ " ¦ — " *¦ - —^— . "_ ' ; - ¦ - . ¦ ¦ ¦' . ¦ ¦ - " ¦ - . . ' ¦ . '¦ ' . . " _ . _ . ¦ ¦ . . - ¦ ¦'

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), April 16, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct426/page/7/