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CONTENTS.

STATE OF THE COUNTRY AND OF PUBLIC OPINION AT THE COMMENCEMENT

OF THE YEAR-Parliament opened on the 3rd of February by Commis-

sion-The Royal Speech-The Address to the Throne moved in the House

of Lords by the Earl of Cork, seconded by the Earl of Airlie-Speeches

of the Earls of Derby, Clarendon and Grey, Lords Granville and

Brougham, and the Lord Chancellor-An Amendment moved by Earl

Grey is negatived by 45 to 12-In the House of Commons, the Address

proposed by Sir John Ramsden is seconded by Sir Andrew Agnew-Mr.

Disraeli, in a long speech, comments severely on the Foreign Policy of the

Government, and on the state of the Finances-He is answered by the

Chancellor of the Exchequer-Speech of Mr. Gladstone-Lord Palmerston

vindicates the Foreign Policy of the Cabinet-Speeches of Lord John

Russell, Mr. Gibson and other Members-The Address is agreed to without

division-Expulsion of Mr. James Sadleir from the House of Commons

for frauds in the management of the Tipperary Joint-Stock Bank-LAW

REFORM-Announcement made by the Lord Chancellor on the first night

of the Session-Sir George Grey moves for leave to introduce a Bill to

regulate Transportation and Secondary Punishments-His Speech-

Observations of Sir John Pakington, Mr. Adderley, Sir J. Ramsden and

other Members-Leave given to bring in the Bill; also a Bill for establish-

ing Reformatory Schools-MINISTRY OF JUSTICE-Mr. Napier moves an

Address, praying for the appointment of a Law-Officer to preside over the

Department of Public Justice-Lord Palmerston assents to the Motion

with some qualifications, and it is carried-EXTENSION OF THE COUNTY

FRANCHISE-Motion by Mr. Locke King for this purpose; opposed by the

Government, supported by Lord John Russell and Sir James Graham;

rejected by 13 votes-ENDOWMENT OF MAYNOOTH-Mr. Spooner's sessional

Motion for repealing the Endowment negatived after a short debate by

167 to 159

Remarks of Mr. Glyn, Mr. Laing, Mr. Disraeli, Sir C. Wood, Mr. Spooner

and other Members-Committee of Inquiry appointed--THE INCOME TAX

---Great interest felt by the public respecting the cessation of the War In-

come Tax-The Chancellor of the Exchequer makes his Financial State-

ment on the 13th February-He announces the intention of reducing the

Income Tax for the next three years to 7d. in the pound-Observations of

Mr. Gladstone-On the 20th of February Mr. Disraeli moves a resolution

pledging the House to the total remission of the Income Tax in 1860–

His Speech-He comments with much severity on the calculations of the

Chancellor of the Exchequer, who vindicates his own statement of the

Finances Mr. Gladstone supports the Motion, and strongly urges a re-

duction of the Estimates-Mr. Wilson replies to Mr. Gladstone-Lord

John Russell supports the financial views of the Government-Remarks

of Mr. Bentinck, Sir F. Baring, Mr. Walpole, Mr. Cardwell, Sir C. Wood

and other Members-The resolution is negatived on a division by 286 to

206-Mr. Gladstone opposes the propositions of the Chancellor of the

Exchequer on the Tea Duties, and advocates a further remission of the

duty-Speeches of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord John Russell,

Mr. Gibson and other Members-Mr. Gladstone's Amendment is rejected

by 187 to 125-The Bill is passed-Debates on the Income Tax-Sir

Fitzroy Kelly moves to reduce the tax to 5d. in the pound, but without

success- -Mr. Gladstone moves a resolution in favour of a reduction of

the Expenditure-He enters into a detailed statement, showing the rapid

increase of the National Expenditure within the last few years-The

Chancellor of the Exchequer justifies the conduct of the Government-

Debate in the House of Lords on the Second Reading of the Income Tax

Bill-The Earl of Derby enters upon many topics of public interest with

reference to the impending Dissolution of Parliament-His animadver-

sions upon the financial operations of the Government-He is answered

by Lord Granville-Strictures of Mr. Disraeli to the same effect in the

House of Commons-Lord Palmerston's reply-Remarks of Mr. Gladstone

on the connection between our Foreign Policy and the increase of the

Estimates
[25

Sir Bulwer Lytton, Lord John Russell, the Lord Advocate, Sir James

Graham, Sir George Grey, Sir John Pakington, Sir F. Thesiger, Mr. Sidney

Herbert, the Attorney-General, Mr. Roundell Palmer, Mr. Roebuck, Mr.

Gladstone, Lord Palmerston, Mr. Disraeli and several other Members-

The Motion is carried against the Government by 16 votes-Important

results of this division-The Ministers announce in both Houses the Disso-

lution of the Parliament-Discussion thereupon in the House of Commons

-Mr. Speaker Lefevre announces his intention to retire from the Chair-

Lord Palmerston expresses in warm terms the regret of the House at

losing his services-The next day Lord Palmerston moves the thanks of

the House to the Speaker in a laudatory speech-Mr. Disraeli and Lord

John Russell unite in expressing, in strong terms, the respect and grati-

tude of the House for his valuable services-The Motion carried nem.

con.-An Address voted to the Crown for some mark of Royal favour

to the retiring Speaker-An annuity of £4000 a year is voted nem. diss.

The title of Viscount subsequently conferred by the Crown-The re-

mainder of the Session occupied with financial arrangements, which are

proposed for one year only, and with incidental discussions on Foreign

Affairs-The Marquis of Clanricarde moves for papers to show the cost of

the Expedition to Persia-Discussion on this subject-Lord Ellenborough

introduces a debate on our relations with China, and offers suggestions as

to the conduct of operations in that country-The Prorogation of Parlia-

ment takes place on March 21st-Mr. Thomas Duncombe puts a question

touching our relations with Naples-Lord Palmerston's answer-The

Houses are prorogued to the 30th April by Commission-The Royal

Speech-Parliament dissolved the same day by Proclamation-Prepara-

tions for the Elections

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ADMISSION OF THE JEWS TO PARLIAMENT.-On the 15th May, Lord Pal-

merston moves for leave to bring in a Bill to alter the Oaths taken by

Members of the House of Commons-Iis Speech-Sir F. Thesiger

declares his opposition to the measure Remarks of Lord John Russell,

Mr. Newdegate, Mr. Henley and other Members-The Bill brought in

and read a second time without discussion-On committal, Sir F. Thesiger

moves as an Amendment to retain the words, "on the true faith of a Chris-

tian"-Some of the Roman Catholic Members oppose the Bill, as retain-

ing the distinction between the Oath taken by them and by Protestants—

Speech of Mr. Deasy-Answer of Lord Palmerston to this objection-Sir

J. Pakington declares his adhesion to the Bill-Speeches of Mr. White-

side and Lord John Russell-After debate, Sir F. Thesiger's amendment,

as well as one moved by Mr. Roebuck, are negatived by large Majorities-

On the passing of the Bill a question is raised as to the eligibility of Jews

to high offices of State-Mr. Seymour Fitzgerald proposes a clause, dis-

qualifying them for the office of Lord Chancellor, Lord Lieutenant

of Ireland, and other high offices-Lord Palmerston assents to this

clause, which is inserted in the Bill-Strong protests are made against

the measure by Mr. Wigram, Mr. Newdegate, Mr. Bentinck and other

Members-The Third Reading is carried by 291 against 168-The Second

Reading is moved in the House of Lords on the 10th of July-Speeches

of Earl Granville, Lord Lyndhurst, the Duke of Norfolk, the Bishop of

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