POSTSCRIPT.
SATURDAY.
The Bribery Bill, after much opposition, passed the House of Com- mons last night. At the outset of the proceedings, Lord HOTHAM made a speech against the bill—describing it as onesided legislation, directed against the poor, while Members of Parliament are allowed to be re- munerated by thousands a year, and to enjoy the privilege of freedom from arrest for debt. The people would not believe their representatives are sincere. Sir JOSHUA Weasissnic also protested against a bill so mutilated as to be utterly worthless. Lord Jots/ Russtra. showed that the bill is chiefly a consolidation of existing laws ; and that it is not di- rected against the poor, but imposes penalties on the rich. As to free- dom from arrest, that is an ancient privilege, by which Ministers of the Crown are prevented from threatening a Member with arrest when they want his vote in a close division.
The bill having been read a third time, several amendments were pro- posed. Mr. J. Firzemaarn moved the omission of the clausee relating to the appointment of the election-officer and the substitution of others. Negatived by 89 to 51. Lord Anorrnus VANE-TEMPEST moved a clause enacting that a candidate should after his election declare that a true re- turn had been made of agents authorized to make payments in respect of his election ; and exempting candidates who do this from liability for the acts of persons not authorized. Negatived by 114 to 79. A clause was added, on the motion of Sir FITZROY KELLY, providing that can- didates at any election that may take place during the progress of the present bill should make a true return of their payments ; and another, on the motion of Mr. PHINN, to the effect that a candidate de- clared guilty of bribery, treating, or undue influence, should be incapable of being reelected for the same place during the existence of the then Parliament. Mr. MILLINGS moved a clause enacting that the wives of parties to actions for penalties should be competent and compellable to give evidence. Carried by 118 to 107. On the motion of Mr. HILD- YARD, clauses 6, 7, and 8, were struck out. Lord ROBERT GROSVENOR moved an amendment on clause 26, with the view of rendering travelling expenses illegal. Negatived by 147 to 68. On clause 37, containing the declaration to be taken by Members of the House, Mr. HENLEY moved its omission. There was but little de- bate : the House divided, and the motion was carried, against the Go- vernment, by 126 to 68. This clause and clause 38 were struck out. At the final stage, Mr. Ileaersy again divided the House against the bill. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that he should be surry to lose the bill, although the declaration had been struck out, as he was anxious that the experiment of an election-officer should be tiled. The House divided on the question that the bill do now pass—Ayes, 107; Noes, 100; major- ity for the bill, 7. The bill therefore passed.
The Committee on the Militia (No. 2) Bill was resumed at the morn- ing sitting. On clause 4, providing that the expense of the new build- ings should be borne by the county-rates, Mr. ROBERT PALMER proposed an amendment, the object of which was to place " one-half " of the ex- pense on the Consolidated Fund. In spite of the earnest opposition of Lord PALMERSTON and Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT, Mr. Palmer canned his amendment, by 85 to 60. Mr. GLADSTONE remarked, in reply to a ques- tion from Mr. HENLEY, that the principle affirmed by the Committee would make it necessary for the Government to consider what course they would take. The remaining clauses of the bill were then agreed to, with some amendments.
During the debate on the vote for the purchase of Burlington House, on Thursday, Mr. Disraeli censured the present Government for having permitted the Duke of Buocleuch to renew the lease of Montague House.
Mr: Gladstone at'oncii'aitini eal that it Was Wittig; end, prointeed to look into the case to find out- &had' feac*ed the leaie: List night, Mr.' Distant./ came down to the ouse -"to correct a mistake" halted made' on the subject- " The fact was, that I had, while in office, declared my decided opinion that the leases of houses contiguous to the. public offici should ,not be re-
newed, so far as depended on Government ; and I had, ie the pressure 011m: siness towards the close of my tenure of office, taken it for granted thet this view had been acted upon in the perlicular instance. It was under this im-
pression that I spoke on the, preceding evening, and I have, only to apologize, to her Majesty's present Government for having passed a censure uponehem which I ought properly to have, taken to myself." C t Biares(rear i" ;and laughter.) In reply to a question put by Colonel Beare, respecting an ar- ticle in the Times blaming 'Captain Parker for having, rashly thrown away his life, Sir JAMES Guineas said that it was altogether the reverse of the fact that Captain Patker had fallen " in the performance of any rash or unauthorized excursion" ; and, after detailing the facts, as stated in the despatch, Sir James added—
"It must be admitted that our officers are placed, by the sort of .criticism in question, in a very hard and embarrassing position. If gallant enter-
prises be not attempted by them, then the suggestion is thrown out that they are under the influence of orders given them not to act with energy ; and thus they labour under suspicions most painful to a man of honour. If,
on the other hand, they essay deeds of high courage befitting our country- men, then they are stigmatized as men of mere foolhardiness; and, if they die in the execution of their noble daring, they are denied the just weed of their valour and devotion."
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