Current:

Leader (1850-1860), 27th March 1858, Edition 1 of 2, Page 292

Page 292
Page 4
4 of 24

On this page

  • Text (1)

      Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    • Untitled Article

      Untitled Article

  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      poor parishes high . — Mr . Bouvebie remarked that the metropolis is not heavily rated as compared with the rest of the country . —Mr . Cobbett considered that the evils of an equalization of poor-rates -would be extremely great ; but at the same time he thought it expedient that the principle of poor relief should be discussed , and it was a matter for consideration whether it would not be expedient to authorize rates in aid between parishes in times of distress . —Mr . Townsbnd gave his cordial support to the motion ; and leave was given to bring in the bill . Some routine business having been got through , the House adjourned at a quarter to one . Wednesday , March 2 Uh . VALUATION OF LANDS ( SCOTLAND ) ACT AMENDMENT BILL . Mr . Duhlop moved the second reading of this bill , the object of which is to establish one uniform system of valuation of lands in Scotland , under which all the local rates as well as public taxes would be assessed , and to correct certain defects in the act now in force . By the present law , deer forests and sheep walks , woodlands , copses , and shootings , are exempt from valuation unless actually let , and by this exemption such lands are freed from liability to assessment to public and local taxes . This should discontinue , because it gives rise to ill-feeling between the rich and poor . —Lord Duncan , believing that the effect of the bill would be to prevent the investment in land of the savings of the Scotch middle classes , moved , as an amendment , that the bill be read a second time that day six months . —A discussion ensued , during which the Lord Advocate opposed the measure ; and , finally , Mr . Donlop announced that he would not press the question to a division The amendment was consequently adopted .

      THE DUBLIN RIOTS . Mr . Hatchell called attention to the occurrences in Dublin on the 12 th of March , on the occasion of the entry of Lord Eglintoun , preparatory to moving for copies of the report of the Dublin Police Commissioners to the Chief or Under Secretary for Ireland ; of the warrant authorizing an inquiry by the Solicitor-General for Ireland and Mr . Stronge ; and of instructions , if any , to govern the inquiry . ^— Lord Naas complained that Mr . Hatchell should have persevered in his motion in the unavoidable absence of the Attorney-General for Ireland . He entered , however , into some explanations ; but these were fully set forth by Mr . Whitesioe , who came into the House during the discussion , and who said the Lord-Lieutenant had thought it expedient that an inquiry should be iustituted , and had entrusted the investigation to the Solicitor-General . About this inquiry a great deal of misunderstanding bad arisen . The investigation being entirely extra-judicial , it was considered that it would not be expedient to make public those matters which might exercise a prejudicial influence in subsequent proceedings . The Government now intends that an inquiry shall take place in a court of law . —Mr . J . D . Fitzgerald said he principally blamed in this affair the college authorities for not interfering to prevent the mischief , as he believed would have been the case if such disturbances had taken , place at Oxford or Cambridge . He regretted the misrepresentations which had appeared in regard to his gallant friend , Colonel Browne , as he feared tliey would have a ' prejudicial effect upon the trial of the police . With regard to the manner in which the preliminary investigation had been conducted , precedents might have been found for making the inquiry public ; but what he chiefly complained of was , that the commissioner was the public prosecutor , who examined the parties concerned in the affray , with a view to prosecute them at a subsequent time—a proceeding which would disgrace a French court of justice . He understood that the police , and his gallant friend Colonel Browne , had protested against the inquiry being secret , on the groun d that the charges against them could only bo met by investigation in a public court . —Mr . Spoonkr having moved the adjournment of the debate , Mr . Whitesii > e was enabled to reply to this attack by the late Attorney-General for Ireland . He said the Government would not have been justified in allowing a preliminary inquiry not upon oath . —Mr . ' Macartney thought the Government right in the course they bad pursued . —Mr . Cooan regretted that an attack had been made on the police on account of their religion—an attack indirectly encouraged by the Irish Government . — Mr . Vancm denied that the proceedings in Dublin could bo justly called a party riot .- ^ - Sir D . Nobkkys said that the students , ought not to bo allowed to annoy the public and attack the police . —Mr . Stanhoi-jb was aorry the debate had taken plaqo , as it would encourage sectarian strife in Dublin . —Mr . Fitzgerald submitted that Mr . Whitcside had not anav % ored hia facts ( and he addressed ^ a-queation-to-Lord-Nftns .-whicUJhat-nP ^ I ^ iUinjv ^ rol by saying that ho waa not aware that Colonel Browne had aont in any protest against the inquiry being private , or against the inquiry itself . —Mr . Spoonhr withdrew his motion for the adjournment of the debate ; and Lord Naab Intimated that he had no objeotion to give the copy of the warrant to hold , the inquiry , but declined to give the other papers naked for , beouuso they were of a confidential character . —Mr . Hatohmia consented to take the paper offered to him . — -1 ho original motion waa withdrawn , and it was ordered that a

      copy of the warrant authorizing the inquiry should be laid before the House . The House adjourned at a quarter to six o clock . Thursday , March 25 th . TH . E GOVERNMENT OF INDIA . In the House of Lords , Lord Monteagle hoped the fullest information respecting the condition of India would be laid before the House previous to the discussion of the India Bill . He wished to know if the commission appointed by the Indian Government to inquire into the causes of the mutiny had made any report . — The Earl of Ellenbokough was ready to furnish any information in his power ; he believed the Indian Mutiny Commission had not reported the results of the inquiry . Subsequently , Earl Granville asked if the Government would lay on the table the communications between it and' the Court of' Directors in reference to the new India Bill , if those communications had been in writing . The Earl of Ellenborough said he had not thought it necessary to place himself in communication with the Directors , as he conceived that , since it had been determined to dispose of that court , its members became , with reference to the Government , little more than private gentlemen . He had , however , that daybut only confidential ^ ' —p laced in their hands a copy of the new Government Bill . —Earl Granville expressed his surprise at this course . The late Government communicated its intention to the Directors some months before their bill was introduced ; yet the Earl of Ellenborough had charged the Ministers of the day with not giving sufficient information to the Board . —The Earl of Derby said great changes had been made in the first bill ; the present bill was intended to remove some of the objections to the other . —Earl Grey dissented from the views expressed by the Earl of Ellenborough , and protested against the practice of making mere questions for information the pretexts for a kind of sparring between the late and present Governments as to their respective policy and conduct . He hoped it would not become a habit . —Earl Granville said he -was justified in the course he had taken . THE ENGLISH ENGINEERS OF THJE CAGLIARI . The Earl of Malmesbury said he was happy to in - form the House that "Watt , the English engineer , had arrived that morning in England . Park , the other engineer , has also been liberated on bail , and is living in the house of the consul at Naples . The second reading of the Libel Bill was postponed till after Easter by Lord Campbell . The Consolidated Fund ( 10 , 000 , 000 / . ) B ill , the Consolidated Fund ( 500 , 000 / . ) Bill , the Mutin y B ill , the Marine Mutiny Bill , and the Commons Inclosuke Bill , were read a third time , and passed . The House adjourned at twenty minutes to six o'clock . THE CAGLIARI . Mr . Griffith asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether if , in the opinion of the law officers of the Crown , the capture of the Cagliari proves to have been illegal ab initio , it was the intention of her Majesty ' s Government to demand and require from the Neapolitan Government full and ample compensation to the engineers Watt and Park , for the treatment , causing permanent injury to their mental and bodily health , which they , the subjects of her Majesty , had received ? As the question was merely hypothetical , he did not wish to press it , if the Chancellor of the Exchequer had any objection to give a reply . —Tho Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the Government had formed a rule not to answer hypothetical questions . Besides , he was really unable to reply to the present question .- — In answer to Lord John Russell , the Chancellor of the Exohequkk said the Government had not yet roceived the opinion of the law officers of the Crown on the case in connexion with the Cagliari which had been submitted to them . THE MEMORIAL FROM GREENWICH HO 8 MTAL . Sir G . B . Peohkll asked tho First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention had been drawn to tho memorial of the captains , lieutenants , and masters of Greenwich Hospital , praying that in consideration of their wounds and services they may not be deprived of their half-pay ; and whether it was intended to concede tho claim they had set forth , and thereby place them ( as regards halfpay ) in tho same position as the other nuvul officers of the establishment . —Sir John Pakinoton said ho could And no ground of justification for the difference which existed between the position of captains , lieutenants , and masters of Greenwich Hospital , and other nuvul officers of the establishment ; and it wus , therefore , his intontion to allow commanders , lieutenants , and musters of Greenwich Hospital tho half-pay of their respective ranks , in addition to tho allowances of tho hospital . LAW" CONSOLIDATION . In ' answer "to 3 ir ~ "IL " TKEATiN o 7 ~ tuT ~^ lraoRNteY = Oicnuhal said it was hi » intention on an early day after Eaetor to move tho flrat reading of tho Commercial Luw Consolidation Bills , nnd , in the event of tho House agreeing to read them a first time , it waa hia intontion , uftor they had boon read a Booond time , pro Jbitnd , to move the appointment of a soluot committee , tho functions of which would ombruGo not only tho expediency and practicability of tho uiitire achomo for tho consolidation of tho statute law , but aluo certain other aubjocts '

      " which had engaged the attention of Parliament * h fl alluded especially to that which had been the subject of a resolution of the House—that provision should be made for the more skilful preparation and conduct of all Parliamentary business . REINFORCEMENT OF THE INDIAN ARMY . In reply to some questions from Sir De Lacy Evans , General Peel said that the 13 th Foot left for India iu August , the 95 th in September , the 6 th in November the 80 th in December , and 230 of the Artillery fo August . The regiments now at the Cape , were the 45 th the 85 th ( stated to have gone to India , but of which the Government had no information ) , the 12 th , two battalions of the 60 th ( also reported to have been sent to India ) , the 73 rd , the Cape Mounted Rifles , and some artillery and engineers . MEDALS FOR THE INDIAN TROOPS . In answer to Mr . Kinnaird , General Peel stated that a medal would be given to all the troops engaged in the suppression of the mutiny in India . A clasp would be given for the siege of Delhi , and another for the defence of Lucknow . THE IRISH VICEROYAL . TY . Mr . Roebuck moved " That , in the opinion of the House , the office of Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland ought to be abolished , and the office of Secretary of State for Ireland be at once created . " He denied that he was actuated by an enmity to Ireland in making this motion ; on the contrary , he desired to benefit Ireland , and to raise her from the position of a province to that of an independent part of the empire . The office of Lord-Lieutenant does mischief to Ireland—first , by the exgense of the establishment , which costs 50 , 000 / . a year , without benefiting any one ; and , secondl y * by compromising Irish independence , and making the sister country a satrapy of England . —Mr . S . B . Miller objected to the motion that it had originated with a private member , who had no connexion with Ireland , and no congeniality of sentiment or sympathy of feeling with that country . Mr . Roebuck had not suggested any well-considered machinery for supplying the place of the existing form .. of government . He therefore moved the previous questiou . —Colonel French thought that the amendment was as much to'be condemned as the original motion , since what was wanted was an expression of opinion . By the abolition of the Lord-Lieutenancy , Ireland would be still more Anglicized than it is at present , aud even now almost every office of power and trust is filled by an Englishman . If the question were to be considered at all , it ought to be at the instance of the existing Government . —Lord Naas thought it would be both difficult and dangerous to alter the present system . If the House thought this form of Government desirable , they would not hesitate to support it , whether the cost was 20 , 000 / ., 25 , 000 / ., or 40 , 000 / . a year . The Governments of England and Ireland differ very materially . In Ireland , centralization and the influence of Government had prevailed , in all the ramifications of its machinery , from a very early period " . Of this system the Lord-Lieutenant was the mainspring and the head . He was consulted by tho heads of departments on all important occasions . The question of such a change should be brought forward by the Irish themselves , and then it would receive attention . He should vote for the previous question . —Sir G . C . Lewis , while admitting that the office of Lord-Lieutenant was at one time necessary , conceived that it is now almost nn anomaly . He did not think , however , that there would be any saving by changing the Lord-Lieutenant into a Secretary of State . It would be inexpedient to create a fifth Secretary of Stnte ; and , until the time arrived ( which it has not yet done ) when the Government of Ireland enn be conducted without any separato department , he thought it expedient that they should retain the existing ofliee . — Mr , Blackburn , who had given notice of an amendment , to omit all tho words in the resolution after the word " abolished , " was of opinion that this was a fit time for making tho change , and ho urged tbo present Government at once to abolish the office of Lorcl-Lieutonant . — Tho original motion was further supported by Mr . Ponson , Mr . Baxter , and Mr . Evans , and opposed by Mr . Esmonde , Mr . Conolly , Mr . Guooan , Mr . Dobhs , Mr . FoiiTESouH , Mr . Vance , Mr . O'Brikn , Mr . Bkntinck , and Mr . Baqwkli ,. Lord John Russku thought the timo had como for abolishing n soparnto Executive for Ireland ; but , as tho Government was not disposed to take up tho reform , ho should vote for tho previous question . —Mr . Walx'Olk , for ronaons similar to those given by Lord Nuas , could not ngroo to making the proposed experiment . —Lord Palmeshston iijtlmnteu hia intention of voting against Mr . Roebuck , nnd ngrcou tliut auch a proposal ought to como originally from tlio Irish people thomsolvoa . —Mr . Rokuuck having roplM with groat sharpness nnd spirit , tho motion wild noga"t'lvoa by" 2 U ' 8 " ? otoFicTlTCr ^ " *~ " - — " ^ " ~ 8 COTO 1 I AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS . Mr . Caird called attention to tho subject of agricultural Btatiatics in Scotland , with a view to thoir futuro collection , and moved for further pupars relative tlieruto . After Homo discussion , tho motion was withdrawn . THE CIALWAY F 1 LI 315 MEN mSKRANOIIISEMICNT HILL . On the ordor for tho uocond reading of this bill , Mr . Kokbuok moved that it bo doforrod for six months-

      Untitled Article

      oqo THE LEAD E It . [ No . 418 , March 27 , 1858 .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), March 27, 1858, page 292, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2236/page/4/