dims anti tiroutaings in Varliainent.

TUE ADJOURNMENT.

111 the House of Commons, on Monday, Lord JOHN RUSSELL moved that the House at its rising do adjourn till Thursday the 3d of February next,— about the time at which the House for many years has been accustomed to meet.

Mr. SPOONER regretted that Lord John had moved for so long an ad- journment; a motion that displayed a total ignorance of the state of the Manufacturing districts.

Vast masses of the labouring population in Staffordshire and Wales are now unemployed, and more are daily discharged; while wages are continually reduced. Without entering into all the causes of distress, Mr. Spooner briefly pointed to the improvident speculation in railways; then to the sudden stoppage of railways, which would affect all classes. Retail dealers, whose income-tax was calculated on the profit of last year, would have to pay it out of the losses of this year. Many orders had been sent from America; but a merchant had told him that he had not given out any orders which he had received, because, by drawing so much gold from foreign countries, we had deranged the money-market in America. Mr. Spooner objected to the adjournment for so long a time without having done

anything to free the Bank of England from the shackles imposed on it by the bill It 18-14.

He moved as m amendment, that the House should adjourn till the 13th day of January.

' Mr. NEWDEGATE supported this amendment. Mr. MONSaLL urged Government during the recess to consider the state of the able-bodied population in Ireland, so as to have in readiness measures for putting capital and labour in jester proportions than they are at present.

If that were not done at once, and such measures were not prepared before February, it would be utterly impossible that they could pass through that House in sufficient time to relieve the distress that would take place during the ensuing spring and summer. The large sums of money which were granted by this country last year for the relief of Ireland, with noble generosity which he as ao Irishman most willingly acknowledged, were spent, not in developing the resources of the country, not in removing the causes of the distress, but in 'alleviating its effects. It was said that in Ireland they had nothing to do but to improve agriculture, and that that would afford employment to the people: but it would take a very long time before they could support their enormous popula- tion. He was perfectly convinced, that unless measures were taken to assist the change that was going on in the social condition of that country, the whole people would sink Intomisery and ruin. As, however, he intended to call the attention of the House after the recess to the condition of the able-bodied popula- tion of Ireland, and to the best means of removing the disproportion of capital and labour in that country, he would not trouble the House further on the sub- ject at present. Mr. Pouterr SCROPE had long been endeavouring to beat into the heads of the people of England, that there is an enormous amount of waste labour as well. as of waste land in Ireland, and that it would be for the advantage of England as well as of Ireland if that labour were employed in cultivating that land.

The Earl of LINCOLN asked Lord John Russell, if the Colonial Office was now in pessession of sufficient infermatioa. from the Colonial Govern- ments on the subject of emigration, to lay the reports on the table ?

Mr. HENLEY thought the retrospect of this early session would prove anything but satisfactory to constituents. The principal object had been to check railway expenditure; but no steps had been taken to meet that paramount evil.

Mr. GLADSTONE, seeing that hi-misters intended to bring forward a measure on the subject of the Navigation-laws, hoped that it would be introduced in time to give both Houses the opportunity of full discussion.

Colonel Summar wanted to know, first, why they had been called to- gether so early; secondly, what they had done; and lastly, why an adjourn- ment must now take place?—

They had appointed a Committee to inquire into the commercial distress, and had passed a bill to prevent further outrage in Ireland; and he thought the House was bound not to adjourn until they had seen what light the Committee could throw on the subject, and what effect the measure of coercion would have.

Sir Lucius O'Bittuo approved of the bill to repress outrage, but ex- pressed his belief that the distress now existing could not be relieved with- out further assistance from Government.

]in HERMES was willing to give his confidence to Government on the subject of adjournment; but he hoped that Mr. Spooner's statement re- specting the condition of the manufacturing districts would not be lost on the House. He should bring forward the motion of which he had given notice soon after the reassembling of Parliament, and he hoped the assist- ance of Government would enable him to bring it forward.

Lord Joan Russnia. replied to several of these remarks.

He could not contradict Sir Lucius O'Brien's statement as to distress in Ire- land; but be was happy to say that all the accounts which he had received showed that great exertions were made by gentlemen possessing property to alle- viate that distress and to find employment for the people. ' The applications under the Land Improvement Act show that there is a disposition on the part of those who possess property in Ireland to give employment, and thereby to prevent a recurrence of the distress of last year. But when the honourable Baronet goes on to express his hope and expectation that relief will be given by Parliament, I must say, in the first place, that I think it will be necessary we should have proofs that every possible exertion has been made, in various unions of Ireland, to carry into effect the law passed in the last session of Parliament for the better re- lief of the poor." He did not regret the measures of last year, but they had formed a serious burthen on the people of this country; and, without saying that in ex- treme cases assistance should not be given to distress in Ireland, he must call the attention of Irish Members to the statements made by Mr. Spooner and Mr. Newdegate. "As no one asks, and no one probably will ask, that persons in constant employ should be sustained by grants front the Consolidated Fund in England, so it cannot be supposed that any relief from the Imperial Treasury should be granted for Ireland, until all the means under the law for the relief of the poor have been duly used." With reference to Mr. Herries's motion, when it should be brought forward the Government would be prepared to state their views to the House; and until that time, he rested in confidence, that although they might differ from Mr. Herries respecting the operation of the act of 1844, he would be as desirous as they were of maintaining the convertibility of paper into gold. The .question of the Navigation.laws should be brought forward at such a time as to give ample opportunity for considering all matters connected with it.

The papers on the subject of Emigration would be laid on the table of the House; and if Lord Lincoln had spoken a day or two sooner, they could have been laid on the table, he believed, that evening.

Sir BENJAMIN HALL observed, that before any grant of money were de- manded for Ireland, it would be proper to ascertain exactly how the Poor- law works. There is distress in England as well as in Ireland : in his own parish of Maryleboue, out of a population of 140,000 one in seventeen is receiving relief. Mr. etearraii remarked, that if it were not for the drain of absentee landlords Ireland would be as able to pay poor-rates as England— While that continues, however, it is rather unfair to taunt Ireland with paying only 8d. in the pound while England pays Is. 7d. If they did not take care of the operation of the out-door relief clause in. the Poor-law Bill, the Irish resident proprietors would be brought to poverty and distress; and the result would be, that they would come over here as the French refugees did after the Revolution, and we should have to give them a shilling a day to maintain them. ("Hear, hear! " and a laugh.) The passing of the Encumbered Estates Bill and Land- lord and Tenant Bill would go far of themselves to pacify Ireland.

Mr. Marna observed, that in the seven parishes constituting the borough of Aylesbury, the poor-rate is 68. 6d. in the pound. When Irish gentlemen rated themselves to that extent, it would be time for them to come over and ask his constituents to contribute to their relief.

In deference to the feeling of the House, Mr. SPOONER withdrew his amendment; and the motion for the adjournment till the 3d of February was carried.

In the House of Peers, the adjournment to Thursday the 3d of February 1848 was moved by the Marquis of LANSDOWNE. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH dissented from the expediency of Parlia- ment separating at this moment. It would be much better to continue sitting now, when Members would attend, than in July, when measures would be shuffled through in a discreditable manner. In July they would deeply regret that they had not put January to a better use. Lord Ellen- borough took a general survey of the proceedings of Parliament since its meeting.

He quarrelled with the Crime and Outrage Bill, as inadequate. If the law it- self were sufficient, there was not sufficient force in Ireland to carry it into effect. This being so, Parliament should have been kept together, so that at any moment Ministers might come down to propose farther measures. He objected to the new modes which had grown up in the Reformed Parliament A year ago, we had a letter by Mr. Labouchere extending the provisions of an act passed six weeks before; and this year we had a letter of two members of the Government suspending the operation of an act passed most deliberately three years ago. We are beginning to be governed not by acts of Parliament, but by royal ordinance! But he was wrong in saying that all the measures of the session were in repa- ration of recent errors: there was one measure which some might say was a mea- sure of reparation, but, if so, it was in reparation of a very ancient error—the error of considering it necessary that the Parliament of this country should re- main exclusively Christian. A measure for the reparation of that error hadbeen introduced : measures of a remedial character, to remedy the total absence of all society in Ireland—measures to give security to this country in its defences against foreign states—these were postponed. It was not thought expedient to bring

each measures forward in a sudden session before Christmas. But one measure was brought forward. It was not for a national, not for a public object; it hardly rose to the elevation of a party measure; it was merely of a local and personal na- ture; it was a City measure, brought forward by a City Member, for the purpose of enabling a Jew millionnaire to sit in the House of Commons for the City. All other things could be postponed; but the Government could not postpone the making a sort of amende honorable to the Stock Exchange, by giving to a rich operator upon it the distinguished honour, if it were one, of being the first Jew Member of the House of Commons. Such measures were called " bold measures," and were said to characterize a bold Ministry. There was also another " bold measure," which had east the brand of discord into the Church; but this was not the sort of boldness which he wished to see in a Minister of this country.

The Marquis of' LANSDOWNE assured Lord Ellenborough, that if the Government had thought that the constant sitting of Parliament would tend to the repression of disorder and crime in Ireland, no consideration of habit or convenience would have been allowed to interfere: but he believed that enough had been done to try the experiment how far the measure which had been carried would succeed in restoring peace and tranquillity. He thought that the efficacy of the measure could not be tested in less than six weeks; and though he prayed to God that it might prove efficient, yet if it should fail and other measures become necessary, it would be still open to the Government to convene Parliament suddenly, without reference to the adjournment. He thought, too, that it was highly expedient that Irish Members should be released from their attendance, in order to lend their aid in giving effect to the law which had just been passed. He declined to fbllow Lord Ellenborough into the other topics of his speech.

The motion for the adjournment was then agreed to, and the House rose.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

In the House of Commons, Mr. LABOUCHERE submitted some resolu- tions having for their object to improve the mode of conducting private business, particularly as regards opposed bills. The resolutions have been framed by a Select Committee, which has had the benefit of advice from the Speaker, the late Chairman of Ways and Means, (Mr. Greene,) Mr. Palk, Counsel to the Earl of Shaftesbury, and from Mr. Booth, the Speaker's Counsel. It has been found that parties who wish to escape the vigi- lance exercised by the Chairman of Ways and Means over unoppw.tf bills, con- trive by means of sham clauses to give their bills the appearance of opposed bills; which, instead of going before the Committee of Ways and Means, go immediately before a Committee of the House, where parties believe that less effectual con- trol is exercised against the introduction of improper matter. It seems to be the general opinion that greater and at the same time more indefinite authority ought to be given to the Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, to examine private bills, opposed or unopposed. This more extended control has acted very beneficially in the House of Lords. If the plan were adopted, the agents world very seldom venture to go before a Committee of the House of Commons with a bill containing provisions which they knew to have been objected to by the Chair- man of Ways and Means. He did not feel quite sure whether it would be found possible for the Chairman of Ways and Means to discharge the increased amount of business which would result from the arrangement ; but until the thing were tried he did not feel warranted in proposing the appointment of an additional officer. He thought the experiment should at all events be made; and he hoped that it would be found practicable for the Chairman of Ways and Means to un- dertake the additional duty.

Sir Romtar Limas thought that there ought to be two Chairmen of Ways and Means, as well as an Assistant Speaker, who should preside in the event of the Speaker's illness.

Mr. Labouohere's motion was agreed to.

JEWISH Disanuarms.

Lord Jowl RUSSELL brought in his bill to relieve from their disabilities her Majesty's subjects professing the Jewish religion.

Colonel SIBTHORP wanted to know, as the House sometimes met on Sa- turdays, as well as in the case of Election Committees sitting on Saturdays, what alteration of the law would be proposed to meet the difficulty in which persons of the Jewish religion would be platted?

Lord JOHN Rtisszu. replied- " I believe the usual course is, supposing there is a call of the House, and a Member does not attend, that he is taken into the custody of the Sergeant-at- Arms, and afterwards discharged on the payment of his fees. I think if It should so happen that there should be a call of the House on a Saturday—[Colonel Sib- thorp—" Friday night,"3—I say, I think I can answer for it that Members of the Jewish persuasion would be very well content to pay the penalty." (Much laughter.)

The bill was read a first time; and it was agreed that the second read- ing should be taken on Monday the 7th February.

The Royal, Assewr was given by Commission to the Crime and Outrage (Ireland) Bill, and the Public Works (Ireland) Bill.

RAILWAY ACCOUNTS. Lord Moscitecita laid on the table of the Peers a Bill for _providing a more effectual audit of Railway Companies' Accounts. It was read a first tune.

CRIMINAL Law. Lord Briononem has given notice of his intention to pro- pose immediately after the recess a bill for the digest of the criminal law, or what is commonly called "a criminal code." He wished it to be understood, that he did not at all mean to imply that he had abandoned his intention of proceeding with several other measures for the amendment of the law.

ECCLESIASTICAL Commissiox. In reply to Mr. HORSMAN, Sir GEORGE GREY stated, that Lord Ashley had given up his seat at the Ecclesiastical Board, in consequence of pressing engagements; and that Lord Sandal had been ap- pointed in his place.

COMMITTEE OF PRIVILEGES. The Committee of Privileges was appointed on Monday, in the following terms—Mr. Bernal, Mr. Williams Wyinn, Lord John Russell, far Robert Peel, Lord Viscount Palmerston, Mr. Goulburn' Lord George &Mina, Mr. Hume, and Mr. G. A. Hamilton, and all the Knights of the Shires, gentlemen of the long robe, and merchants in the House.

NEW WRITS were ordered for Caine, in the room of the Earl of Shelburne, appointed one of the Lords of the Treasury; and for Wells, in the room of Mr. Hayter, appointed Judge-Advocate-Ger.eral.

ORDERS OF THE DAY LN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Friday, 4th February.—New Zealand Government Bin—Committee. Supply— Com-

mittee.

Monday, 7th February.--Jewish DlsabNUes Bill—Second Reading.

Wednesday, 16th February.—Roman Catholic Relief Bill—Committee.

NOTICES OF MOTION LN THE HOCSE OF COMMONS.

Thursday, 3d February.

Mr. Attorney-General—" Bill to facilitate the performance of the duties of Justices of the Peace out of Sessions within England and Wales, with respect to persons charged with indictable offences."

Mr. Attorney-General—" Bill to facilitate the performance of the duties of Justicei

of the Peace out of Sesame within England and Wales, with respect to summary con- victions and orders."

Mr. Attorney-General—. Bill to regulate the holding of Courts of Special Sessions and Petty Sessions."

Mr. Attorney-General—" Bill to protect Justices of the Peace from vexations actions for acts done by them In execution of their office."

Lord George Bentinek—" Select Committee to Inquire Into the present condition and prospects of the interests connected with and dependent on sugar and coffee planting in her Majesty's East and West Indian Possessions and the Mauritius ; and to consider whether any and what measures can be adopted by Parliament for their relief."

Mr. Hope—" In the event of the success of Lord George Bentinek's motion for the appointment of a Select Committee ' to Inquire into the state of the West India Islands and the Mauritius,' to move, that this House will resolve itself into a Committee on the Sugar-duties Act of 1846." " Ant to propose in the Committee a resolution, to the effect that It is expedient that, pending such inquiry, the operation of such clauses of the act of 1846 as relate to a descending scale of duties on foreign sugar shall be sus- pended and held in abeyance, and that the amount of duties now levied on sugar shall be levied until Parliament shall have considered the report of the Select Committee pro- posed to be appointed." Mr. Ilastie—Return Illustrating in a tabular form the present position of all rail- ways fbr which acts have been obtained since 1844, both as respects the rate of calls and the extent to which the works have been completed.

Mr. Baines—. That the petition of the Honourable Edward Richard Littleton, In re- lation to the petition of Michael Coates, touching the return of the said Edward Richard Littleton as Member for the borough of Walsall, be printed with the Votes." Colonel Dunne —" That the petition of John Sadleir, Esquire, Member for the bo- rough of Carlow, (presented 20th December,) be printed with the Votes.'

Friday, 4th February.

Mr. Watley—. To nominate the Select Committee on Medical Registration and Medi- cal Taws."

Duesday,8th February.

Mr. Aglionby—" Return of any application made to the Government of Ireland he the Lough Corrib Improvement Company for the drainage of Lough Corrib, and of the letter of the Chief Secretary for Ireland of the 13th day of December 1847, with its en- closures on that subject, addressed to Cr. Staunton." Mr. Chisholm Anstey—" Address for papers, ' except such documents as have been already laid before this House.'" [This is the long list of papers Illustrating the foreign policy of the country for a series of years.] Mr. Berries—To move the following resolutions. " That, looking to the gate of dis- tress which has for some time prevailed among the commercial classes, and to the general feeling of distrust and alarm by which the embarrassments of trade have been aggravated, it is the opinion of this House that her Majesty's Ministers were justified during the recess of Parliament in recommending to the Bank of England, for the pur- pose of restoring confidence, a course of proceeding at variance with the restrictions im- posed by the act 7 and 8 Vic. c. 32." " That this House will resolve itself Into a Commit- tee of the whole House upon the said ace" Resolution to be moved In Committee--" That it is expedient that the limitations imposed by the act 7 and 8 Vic. m 39 upon the Bank of England, In relation to the issue of notes payable on demand, be suspended, subject to such conditions as may be provided by any act to he passed for that purpose." Mr. AglIonby—. Return showing the date of the appointment of each of the present Masters In Ordinary in Chancery, amount of salaries, retiring pensions, he."

Wednesday, 9th February.

Captain Pechell—Address " for return from the Court of Mixed Commission at the Cape ofGood Hope of particulars relating to the Portuguese slave-vessel Bella Angelis, condemned In that Court 14th August 1844."

Thursday,101h February. Lord Nugent—" Bill to repeal so much of the act of the 2d and 3d Vie. as gives the power of applying the system of separate Imprisonment to persons before trial." Viscount hforpeth—. Bill for promoting the public health." Mr. Hutt.—" Select Committee to consider the best means which Great Britain can adopt for mitigating the horrors of the slave-trade and providing for Its dual extinc- tion."

Tuesday,15th February. Mr. Morrell—" To call the attention of the House to the condition of the able-bodied population of Ireland, and to the best measures fur removing the disproportion between capital and labour in that country."

Mr. Ewart—" Bill for the total repeal of the punishment of death."

Mr. Home—" That the contents of the papers laid before Parliament in the last ses- sion respecting the Innocence of the late Purtanb Sheen, the deposed Rajah of Sattara, taken in connexion with the Information previously presented to the House of Com- mons, render it expedient and necessary to the furtherance of the ends of justice, and for the future good government of India and the protection of the people and princes of that country, that the inquiry prayed for by the late Rajah in his petition to Parlia- ment, presented on the 29th day of July 1842. should be granted, with a view of rescu- ing the character of the late Rajah, if innocent, from the opprobrium which certain Charges brought against him have cast upon it, and of vindicating the honour of the British Administration in India from the suspicion and obloquy which the proceedings against the late Rajah have excited."