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Leader (1850-1860), 27th March 1858, Edition 1 of 2, Page 291

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      tative solution of the questions raised as to this part of ( he oath . —Mr . Roebuck suggested , instead of " rightfully , " the words "by law . "—Sir Richard Bethbll contended that either insertion was superfluous , the legal meaning of tbe terms " ecclesiastical" and " spiritual " being known as referring to authority legally exercised by the tribunals of the Crown . —After some further discussion , the amendment was withdrawn . Lord John Russell then moved to omit the words " directly or indirectly . "—Mr . Walpole did not object to this amendment , which was agreed to . Mr . Newdegate moved the omission of the 5 th clause , providing that , whenever a person professing the Jewish religion should be required to take the oath , the words " and I make this declaration upon the true faith of a Christian" shall be omitted . —A long discussion here ensued on the main principle of the measure—viz ., the admission of Jews to Parliament ; but the arguments pro and con . were only such as have been advanced in both Houses over and over again for several years past . —Mr . Walpole was one of the chief speakers in favour of the amendment , which was opposed by Lord John Kussell and others . On a division , the amendment was negatived by 297 to 144 .

      Monday ., March 22 nd . ROYAL ASSENT . T the House of Lords , the Royal assent was given w commission to the Havelock Annuity Bill and tlis East India Loaw Bill . the slave trade . Xora Brougham drew the attention of the Government to a recent act of the Jamaica Legislature , the rffect of which , he was informed , would be to reduce the e mancipated slaves to something nearly approaching the condition of slavery . He hoped that act had not received the sanction of the Imperial Government . —The Earl of CarNakvon said the act had not received the sanction of the Crown , and was still under consideration . Though it was an unusual course , he should not in thiB case have any objection to lay the bill on the table . ADJOURNMENT OF TO £ HOUSE . The Earl of Derby briefly stated that , as there would be no business before thejHouse to prevent its following the usual course , he proposed it should adjourn on Friday till Monday , the 12 th of April . The House , however , would Bit to hear appeals on Monday , the 29 th , and Itaesday , the 30 th of March . The Law of Property Amendment Bill was read a second time , and , in consequence of objections to some of the clauses , was referred ro a select committee . The Church of England Special Services Isill and Trustees Relief Bill were read a third time , and passed . THE MAGISTRACY OF YARMOUTH . Lord Sonjqus presented petitions from the Town Council and magistrates of Yarmouth , complaining that the magistrates appointed by the late Lord Chancellor ware all Liberals . —Lord Ckakwokth said that it had bean represented to him that , of the eighteen magistrates at Yarmouth , fourteen were violent Tories , one was neutral , and the other three were Liberals . He therefore thought it but right to give a fairer proportion to the Liberal side . Any inquiry would have his entire concurrence . A BLACK REGIMENT FOR INDIA . In reply to a question from Lord Brougham , Lord Habdinge stated that there was no foundation for the report that two military officers were about to embark for the coast of Africa to enlist negroes for service in the East Indies . Their Lordships then adjourned . THE MILITIA . In the House of Commons , in reply to Mr . Mackinih > n , General Feel stated that it was not intended to embody any more militia regiments , nor at present to call out any regiments for drill . THE ITALIAN CONl-EHESCE . Mr . Bowyjeu asked some questions of the Home Secretary with respect to the late alleged ' Italian Conference ; ' but Mr . Walpole could only inform him that he had ascertained that no such gathering had taken place . THE ENGLISH ENGINEERS AT NAPLES . In answer to an inquiry by Mr . Kinglaice , the Chancellor of the Exchequkr said that , in consequence of a representation of Mr . Lyons to the Neapolitan Government , Watt had been ordered to bo released , and that he was on his way to this country ; and that morning a despatch hail been received from Mr . Lyona , who had repaired to Salerno and had spoken to Park in the court , and ho found that the trial was going on with decorum and propriety . Afterwards , Mr . Lyons had had an interview with Park , who was well lodged , clothed , and attended to , and was 'in good heart , ' beiug animated with the feeling that he was not forgotten by his country . Mr . Lyons is sanguine that the result of the trial will be favourable to Park . The Consoudatko Fund ( 10 , 000 , 000 ^ . ) Bill , the ditto ( 500 , 000 / . ) B ill , the Mutunv Bill , the Genickal Board of Health ( SicErTQN , &c . ) B ill , and the Cambridge Univkrsity Matriculation ani > Degrbbs Bill , wore respectively read a third , time , and passed . THE OATHS 1 HLL . On the order for the consideration of this bill as amended , Mr . Cooan moved to amend the preamble by adding to thu words " whereas it is oxpediont that one oath should bo substituted for the Oaths of Allegiance , Supremacy , and Abjuration now required by law , " the Worda " and instead of tho oath now taken by Roman Catholics under tho 10 th Goorgo IV . cap . 7 . " Hifl objcotwasso to frame tho bill that thoro should bo only one oath to bo takon by all members . —Mr . Wai . pouk and Lord John Russisll objected to this amendment , and u good deal of discussion ensued , ending in tho amendmont ^ bclng'nogatiWtiron a ** u 1 vislonr » y"y 46- 'tO' ^ 6 i— " ¦— ¦ — Tho debate thon turned upon tho latter worda of tho oath , " and 1 do declare that no foreign prince , person , prolate , State , or potontato hath or ought to havo any jurisdiction , power * superiority , pru-ontlnonoe , or authority , ecclesiastical or spiritual , directly or indirectly , within this realm . "—Mr . Sticuakt inovud to insert tho word "rightfully " after " potentate-. "—Lord John Kuhsbll objected that thia term whb diflicult to define , — Mr . Qladstomk urged tho necessity of some

      authori-SELECT COMMITTEES . Mr . S . Fitzgerald moved for the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the consular service and consular appointments , suggesting various subjects which it was intended to bring under the consideration of the committee , the object of the Government being , he said , to obtain the earliest information . —Lord Palmkkstos said it was quite fitting that a sifting inquiry should take place into these subjects . —The motion was agreed to . On the motion of General Peel , a committee was appointed to inquire into the operation of the present system for the billeting of troops . The House adjourned at ten minutes to one o ' clock . Tuesday , March 2 . 3 rd . ENLISTMENT OF AFRICANS TOE SERVICE IN INDIA . Iii the House of Lords ,

      The Earl of Ellenborouch , alluding to the question put by Lord Brougham on the previous evening , respecting the enlistment of negroes on ^ the coast of Africa , for military service in India , stated it was quite true that a plan had been entertained for enlisting Kroomen of the western coast Tor such service . These Kroomen were regularly employed as part of the crews of her Majesty's ships on the station , and were found very efficient . He had Wished to try the experiment of enlisting them for India , as they would be able to do certain kinds of duty at the mouths of the Ganges , the Irrawaddy , and other rivevs , which are unhealthy to European soldiers . The employment of such a force would also enable them to seiul the naval brigade to China , where it was greatly required . But the Kroomen could not be enlisted without such an alteration of the Mutiny Act as could not be made on the third reading . —Lord Brougham was glad to hear that the plan had been abandoned for tbe present , as the House was bound to discourage all emigration from the coast of Africa that would tend , directly or indirectly , to promote the slave trade . —The Earl of Deebv protested against the doctrine that , because they were resolved to put an end to everything tliat had the appearance of obtaining negroes improperly on the coast of Africa , they were precluded from availing themselves of the military and naval services of a class of men who had been for several years employed on board their ships . Tho TllANSFEK OF LAND BlLL , and TENANTS FOR Life Trustee Bill , wore read a second time , and referred to u select committee . —The Militia Act Continuance : Bill wa 9 read a third time , and passed . — Other bills passed astugo , and tho House adjourned . police ( ouulin ) . In tho House of Commons , in reply to Mr . Grogak , Lord Na . \ s » aid it was the intention of tho Government to introduce a police bill for tho city of Dublin this ye « r , and ho hoped to bo able to lay ona upon the table soon after Easter .

      ANNEXATION OF TIIE PRINCIPALITY OF DHAR . In answer to Mr . J . B . Smith , Mr . Baillhs stated that , by tho mail which arrived on tho previous day , a despatch was received which contained tho proclamation issued by tho political ngent of tho Govern or- General with respect to the annexation of l ) hnr . It appeared that tho Hiijah of Dhnr , who hurt latoly succeeded to tho throne by adoption , at tho n # o of thirteen , was deposed , on tho ground of treason in the Durbar , which was composod of his friends . No orders whatever had been given from this country on tho miliject . Tho confiscation was ordered by Sir Kobert Hamilton , undur tho nuthority of tho CJovornor-Gcncral .

      TIIIO PASSPORT 8 XRT 15 M IN FIIANCM . - ^ Mi \ -MoNOicaH 3 NjSlw ^ Nicw ^ oalliiiLuttontlou _ t , o _ tIi . 9 _ SlftSfttions to which English subjects nro oxpotjud by tho late alteration of the patmport ByBtoin in Franco . Additional labour nnd responsibility h « vo becu cast on our police magistrates , and individuals nro obliged to undergo considerable vexation and distress . Tho passport ay atom , ho conceived , ought to bo t rauttlorrail from the Foroiguollico to tho Ilomo-ofuco , nnd tho omi » of rofufling a purport should bo placed on tho Government of this country . He concluded by moving for copios of corres-

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      pondence between Her Majesty's Government and that of tlie Emperor of the French oa the late alterations in the passport system ; and of the regulations respecting passi > orts issued b 3 the Foreign-office since 1815 , with tlie fees charged on their delivery . —The motion was seconded by Mr . Walter , who considered the present period opportune for bringing the whole subject under the consideration of Parliament , the French Government having devolved the responsibility of issuing passports from England exclusively upon our Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs . The best form of passport would be a card , containing the date of the year , the signature of the traveller , and a declaration that he is an Englishman . This should bear the official stamp . — Mr . Seymour Fitzgerald said that the French Government had hitherto been in the habit of permitting their own consular authorities to issue passports , and this permission had been withdrawn ; but France is willing to admit any regulations which the English Government might lay down , and is prepared to meet her Majesty ' s Government half , way by establishing consular agents at each of the Four Channel ports , with power to viser passports , in order that no inconvenience may arise . The subject of reducing the expenses of Foreign-office passports is under consideration . —Sir . J . B . Smith suggested that it might be expedient to give to the magistrates in large towns the power to issue passports . —Mr . Keek deprecated any course being taken by the British Government which might render them responsible for the conduct of those to whom passports are granted . —Lord Palmerston said that , as far as the late Government was concerned , he had no objection to the production of papers , and suggested the addition of copies of any correspondence received at the Foreign-office relating to the-inconveniences and expenses attending the passing back of English workmen who had arrived in France with passports from the French consular agents in England . The passport system , as Mr . Fitzgerald had truly observed , is an internal arrangement of the French Government with which we have no right to interfere ; but -the system is a very inconvenient one , which embarrasses hon « st travellers , and lets the guilty escape . He had himself once ( in the reign of Charles X . ) incurred the risk of imprisonment , owing to some accidental irregularity in his passport ; but Orsini had travelled in France with a false passport . —Mr . Bright said that foreign Governments do not ask that Englishmen should be charged 7 s . for a passport , or that they should be compelled to go to a particular city for them , or that a man who did not happen to have powerful friends— -who did not happen to know a magistrate or a member of Parliament—must go to a particular office for a passport . All these things rest with our own Government , and arise , from neglect of common-sense principles in . the matter . He thought it undesirable that passport offices should be established in all the towns in the country , because they could not be established without a certain amount of patronage . —Mr . Grant Duff said Mr . Bright was mistaken in supposing that foreign Governments do not care from what particular office a passport is issued . —The Chancellor of the Exchequer offered no objection to Lord Palmerston ' s amendment , and the motion -was agreed to .

      MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE S SISTEU . Lord Bury moved for leave to bring in a bill to legalize marriage with a deceased wife ' s sister . —The motion was opposed by Mr . Divjstt , and a sharp , though not very novel , discussion ensued on the social , moral , and religious bearings of the question . The introduction of tho measure was supported by Air . ALilzns , Mr . W . J . Fox , Mr . Wjuetehead , Mr . Micllor , Mr , Gilpin , Mr . Biaos , and Lord Gobkiuoh ; and was opposed by Mr . Hox » k , Mr . Lygkw , and Mr . Puj , lb « . —On ft division , tho motion was carried by 105 to 62 . EQUALIZATION OF THE POOR-RATES .

      Mr . Atrton moved for leave to bring in a bill to provide a remedy for the inequality in tho poor-rates of "the metropolis . Having sketched tlie general evils of tho present system ( which have frequently been exhibited in this journal ) , ho said he did not propose to destroy local 'management , but , adopting tho very principle of tho original statute of Elizabeth , he desired to constitute a special sessions of u committee of justices , to bo elected by tho benches in quarter sessions of tho four metropolitan counties , whoso duty it should bo to determine a uniform rate of assessment for tho metropolis , tho local parochial management remaining intact . —The motion was seconded by Mr . Williams . —Mr . Estcourt admitted that Mr . Ayrton had brought forward tho motion with groat moderation and discretion . Ho should not object to tho motion , but ho guarded himself against boitig supposed to give any opinion as to tho expediency of tho measure . It -was to bo feared that tho proposed plan might pnvo tho way to a system of national rating , nnd to an abolition of " the ^ iToloaolnF ^ clieoir ^ John Lockts supported tho motion , which wiw opposed by Mr . Rokbikjk , who objoctcd that tho bill tunned against two of tho very first principles of the Poor-law : it -violated tho plain principle of justico In relation to property , and it sinned against tho rulo which aaye that the locality nhoulil overlook and guard tho expenditure of tho rate—Mr . Cox obsorvou that it rran not always tho caso that tlio rich pariahos nro rated low and tho

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      ' ~ IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT .

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      TSto 418 , MiLRCH 27 , 1858 . ] THE I , E A PER . 291 XI ^ J * ^ - * 3- - - ' ? ' ~ - — *¦ •• — ¦ ¦ — ' -

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), March 27, 1858, page 291, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2236/page/3/