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

• 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

    vr J . Fox complained that nothing was done for the enfranchisement of the working classes . —Lord J Russell objected to the proposal for depriving the 40 s . freeholders , when resident in boroughs , of thfib votes for the county ' This ,- he observed , would strike off 90 , 000 or 100 , 00 . 0 " from the present number of the county constituencies . -Little or nothing also was done for the working , classes , who had lately improved so much in education , intelligence , and general . fitness for the franchise . —Mr . Roebuck censured the bill , as effecting a change in the wrong direction . ; It was a measure of disfranchisement rather than enfranchisetnent , and would entail upon its authors the certain withdrawal of that support which they had hitherto received from the indepensaid this bill

    dent Liberal party . —Mr . Bright was proposed in obedience to the call of the great body of the unenfranchised , yet all the working , classes , toiling and paying taxes , if they were outcasts in 1832 , must be outcasts stilL The new franchises were , he said , absurd ; they seemed intended merely to make it appear that something was given . He insisted upon the dissatisfaction that would be created by the withdrawal of their county vote from occupiers in towns . It would have been better , he thought , if Mr . Disraeli had adhered to the ancient maxims of his party , or to have adopted a measure of his -opponents ,, than to have introduced a bill which must create anger and disgust throughout the country , winch would disturb everything and settle nothing . —Mr . Dbummond professed not to understand the bill .- —Lord Palmers * -on suggested that a sufficieat interval should be allowed for full consideration before the second reading . — -Mr . E . James was

    assured that the measure would not fulfil the j ust requirements of the . country ., — Mr . Bentinck thought the Reform Act of 18 JJ 2 a most one-sided and iniquitous measure , which it had become necessary to remodel . He would not touch upon the _ bill just presented , but remark that Mr . Bright ' s project , which had been so exteilsiv ' eiy promulgated throughout the country , was framed in the spirit of a leveller and communist . —Mr . P . O . Brien inquired whether Ireland was to be totally ignored in the projection of reform . — -Mr . Roupell was altogether disappointed in this measure , and at a future stage would give it his energetic opposition . —After , some further debate , the Chancellor pf the Exchequer made a general reply to questions , and repelled successfully some of the objections of Lord J . Russell and Mr . . Bright . Leave was then given to introduce the bill , the second reading of which was fixed for Wednesday the 21 st .

    On the motion of the Solicitor-General , the Title to Landed Estates Bill and the Registry of Landed Estates Bill were read a second time . The Report of the Committee of Supply was brought up and agreed , to . The Medical Act ( 1858 ) Amendment Bill passed through committee . Other bills were advanced a stage ; and after some further business the House adjourned at half-past eleven o ' clock .

    Tuesday , March 1 . VEXATIOUS INDICTMENTS . la the House of Lorps , Lord Campbell , in moving that this bill be read a second time , observed that the object of the measure was that persons should not be indicted for conspiracy , or obtaining money under false pretences , and similar offences ; until an investigation had been instituted before a magistrate . — Lord Wensleydale thought the bill , highly objectionable and unconstitutional . —The Lord Chancelhoix approved the bill in every respect , but thought

    it did not go far enough . —Lord Cran \ vortii spoke in'favour of the second reading .- —Lord Brougham supported the bill and cited some strange instances of tpe mistakes which had . been perpetrated under the present system . Their Lordships adjourned at half-past six o ' clock . In the House of Commons Mr . S . Fitzgerald stated that it was intended for the future that there should be a special training for persons appointed to consular offices in Japan , who would be instructed in Japanese .

    MINISTERIAL CHANGES . Mr .. Walpolh took tho opportxmity of making personal explanations as to his reasons for leaving tho administration . Whon ho was asked by Lord Dorby to form a part of his Government , ho wished to docline tho offer ; but Lord Dorby allowed him to . join on condition that if ho differed with tho Cabinet in respect to tho Reform Bill ho should bo permitted to retiro , and it was in consequonco of such difl'oronco that ho was no longer a member of tho Cabinet . Ho admitted that it was obligatory upon tho Government to bring forward a measure of reform j but as eoon as ho learned tho nature of tho measure they S reposed he . had no other alternative than to resign . 'n the 27 th of January ho addressed a lottor to his Jprdshlp ( which ho road to tho House ) , assigning tUc reason why ho loft oaico—that ho found it impossible to sanction tho polioy of tho Government on the subject of Mofonn . In'tho groat difficulties with-which tho adminstratlon was then surrounilod

    in respect to our foreign relations , Lord Derby requested him to withhold the avowal of his intention for the present , and he consented , provided he should be allowed to retire before the Reform Bill was actually announced . —Mr . Henley followed with some explanations of nearly Similar tone , on his own account . He was prepared for a considerable reduction in the borough franchise , but considered the identity of the franchise in counties and towns a proceeding fraught with serious peril * and tending towards revolution . With these serious differences of opinion between himself and the majority of the cabinet he felt that his retirement from office was indispensable . ¦ ¦

    .. New writs were moved for North Wilts , in the room of Mr . S . Estcourt ; for West Sussex , in the room of the Earl of March ; for North Northumberland , in the room of Lord Lovain ; and for Tewkesbury , in the room of Mr . F . Lygon , the vacating members having respectively accepted office as Secretary of State for the Home Department , President of the Poor Law Board , President of the Board of Trade , and Lord of the Admiralty .

    STATE OF THE SHIPPING INTEREST . Mr . Lindsay called attention to the present condition of the shipping interest , and moved for a select committee to inquire into the operation of certain burthens and restrictions affecting merchant shipping . Citing many returns to show the distressed condition of the mercantile marine , and the smaller comparative share which it has for many years enjoyed in the expansion of commercial intecourse , the great portion falling into the hands of foreigners i the hon . member declared that he had no intention to impugn the policy of free trade . Nor did he insist on reciprocity , which , though very useful if it could be obtained , was a question that must

    be left to foreign governments . There were , however , many grievances and burthens of home origin which seriously injured the shipping interest . Among these he enumerated the light dues ,. harbour dues , passing tolls , pilotage charges , and the timber duties ; some regulations under the Merchant Shipping . Act , ; and some otherimposts arid . restrictions , respecting which he asked the House to authorise a fall inquiry by the medium of a select committee . — - The motion was seconded by Mr . Liddell , who . urged the depressed condition of the shipping trade , and that , although nominally free , it was restricted at home and adroad . —Mr . Crawford moved to extend the inquiry to the operation of the Merchant

    Shipping Acts and the Passengers' Acts . — -This amendment was seconded by Mr . Collier . — Mr . PIorsf all complained that other countries had not treated us , in respect to our shipping trade , with the' reciprocity to > vhich our liberal measures had entitled Usj—Mr . Labouohere insisted upon the success which had followed the repeal of the Navigation Laws as justifying the free trade policy . He acknowleged that there was distress in our shippin g trade , but the distress was not peculiar to this country . —Sir S . Nortiicotb observed that a case had been shown for the grant of a committee , especially since , on both

    sides of the House , a reversal . of but present policy was not called for . The Government were prepared to do all in ^ their power to lighten the burdens of shipowners , - — After some remarks from Mr . iFenwick , Mr . Clay , Mr . Ingham , and Mr . Ridley , Mr . Cardwell expressed his approval of the motion . Inquiry , if it did hot remove distress , would clear away misapprehension . —Mr , Henley commented upon various points connected with tine shipping business , which might , ho thought , be usefully investigated by the select committee . After some further discussion the motion was agreed to .

    Mr . M'Maiion obtained leave to bring in a bill to secure a right of appeal in criminal cases , Mr . Dillwyn , to inti'oduco a bill for the better regulation of endowed schools j and , Mr . Bovjli * for two bills , one to amend the law relating to petitions of right , and the other to enable tho judge ? to appoint commissioners within ten miles of London , and in the Isle of Man and tho Channel Islands , to administer oaths in common law . Tho House adjourned at a quarter-past twelve o ' clock . Wednesday , March 2 . REAL ESTATE INTESTACY .

    In the House oxr Commons Mr . Lookki Kino moved tho second reading 1 of tho Real Estate Intestacy Bill . —Lord W . Graham mpvod as . an amendment that tho bill should be read a second time that day six months . Tho change in tho law of succession to landed property which it effected might appear insignificant , but ho contended that it would lead to other enactments , and ultimately abrogate tho whole law of primogeniture . —Mr . Mellou supported tlio bill . ~~ Mr . Henley , in opposing tho bill , inslstod that it would havo a cruel effect upon tho lowor classes of landowners . — -Sir G . Lewis observed that tho effect of tho proposed alteration of tho law would not bo limited to cottage property ; it would completely alter the whole custom of tho country with rospect to the devolution of landed proporty . It wus thorofljro

    necessary to consider not only the economical , but the political consequences of the division of such property , and the abolition of the idea of an " heir at law . " . Much might be said as to the convenience of a system of a division of landed property ; . , looking to the connexion of our custom of . landed tenures with the constitution ^ he could riot consent to the bill . —Mr , M : Milnes supported the : measure . — The Solicitor-General enumerated various points which appeared to have been overlooked , showing" , he observed , the small degree of consideration given to the measure . Those who proposed so grave and important an . alteration of the law were bound to show that there was a strong desire for a change of

    the law , that the law occasioned hardship ^ and that the proposed change was consistent with expediency and sound policy . He stated reasons for . concluding that the " parties interested in this subject were satisfied with the law as it stood ; and he argued from its operation that , unless in exceptional cases , it inflicted rib practical hardship . In discussing the last point , he remarked that the existing law had produced a state of social circumstances justifying the law , which harmonised with an hereditary monarchy and an hereditary peerage ; tended to keep up a class distinct from the aristocracy of mere wealth and that produced by successful commercial enterprise ; favoured the families

    agriculture of the country ; and kept together by a headship , while it stimulated younger brothers to emulation arid parents to exertion , in order to make provision for the younger branches of the family . In pointing but the evils that would result from the proposed change , he urged that it would be impossible to stop there ; the Legislature must go further , and perhaps fulfil the predictions of Count de Montalembert . ^ Mr . L remarked that this was not a question of jgreat public policy ; the question was , when the law had to make a will for a man , what kind of will , standing in his place , it ought to make for him . The views of the landed interest , he maintained , ought not to decide the of the commercial

    question , any more than those or any other interest . It ought to make such a will as the man himself , supposing him tp be a good , prudent , and wise man , would have made ; and he contended that our present law did not make such a will for the distribution of landed . property . —Lord H . Vane contended that it would be unwise to introduce an alteration of the law . —Mr . Hope argued ' that the change of the law would , iri the ^ cpurse of years , convert the holders of small freehold estates into mere squatters . —General Thompson and Mr . Ewart spoke in favour of the bill , which was opposed by Mr . Wiiiteside . —Mr . Walter called attention to extracts from the Code Napoleon , and , believing that this measure would lay a foundation for the introduction of ' something like the Code Napoleon , he solemnly warned the House against its adoption .

    -r-The AttorneytGenerax , said the passing of tlu _ s measure would be a legislative declaration that it was the duty of every honest and wise man to divide his real estate by will among his children . —Lord Palmerston said he objected to this measure upon every possible ground . The proposition was at variance with the habits , customs , and feelings of the people of this country , and incompatible with the maintenance of a constitutional monarchy , which required a landed aristocracy , titled or untitled . It was nothing to say that an option was given ; if n , great constitutional principle was involved , it should not be left to such a contingency . —The House divided—For the second reading , 7 ( 5 ; for the amendment , 271 ; majority , 195 , The bill was consequently rejected . The Newspapers , &c . Bill was read a second time .

    CONVEYANCE OF VOTERS RILL . The second reading of this bill , by whic h candidates at elections are prohibited from paying the expenses of convoying voters to the poll , but with provision for increasing the number of polling places , was moved by Mr , Colliew . — "Mr , Hunt considered that it would bo merely waste of timo to discuss tho bill while a general measure for pnrlinmcntnry reform was before the House . Ho moved thnt the debate should bo adjoumqcl , —JVfr . 11 i :. un . vxi > urged its prosecution , because thnt . measure may never his

    come on for discussion . —Mi \ Coi . mkk expressed determination to press the bill , ftineo dissolution is probable .- —Lord Palmeust ^ n thought Iho bill . « Jioukl bo procooded with . —Mr . J . vmkh referred , in > up ]> urc Of the bill , to tho oxponsoof cabs iiml polling I'Iiu-ch . In tho late election ho pnhl -loo / . 1 m- rolling places no bettor than uppld-stnllfl . — Lord . John Hi'M ' . u supported tho bill Wausoit provides lor mi increaso of polling places . —Sir . John I ' akinhton objected to it as a partial nioasuro on n subject which should bu considered as a whole . —Tlio House divided 'in an amendment by Mr . Steavajit , and thy motion was carried by 17 a to 150 .

    The Kooreation Grounds Bill wan rend a second timo . The Medical Aot Aniondmcnt JJ 1 II wu « rend a third time and passed , —Tho IIouho adjourned fit a quarter to six o'clock .

    Untitled Article

    No . 467 , - March 5 , 1859 . 1 THE 1 E AP E By 293

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), March 5, 1859, page 293, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2284/page/5/