NEWS OF THE WvEK•
Tun Conservatives have not been tartly in adopting the plan of active opposition for which Lord STANLEY warned Ministers to prepare.
The first hostile movement was made on Thursday, and with eminent success. Mr. Ilmirtuus put the Government into a position of extreme "embarrassment," to use the Chancellor of the Exchequer's term, by calling for an estimate of the probable income of the Consolidated Fund for 1810. The arguments in favour of the motion were irre- sistible. There were Ministerial admissions of the unsatisfactory state of the finances—deficiency arising for three successive years, and met by loans. For the current year the prospect was still more gloomy. A very moderate calculation made the total deficiency six millions. "Under these circumstances, Mr. Chancellor, tell us what you nwan to do. We are called upon to vote money—where is it to come from ? Last year your predecessor's Budget was not opened WI the fag-end of the session ; we are not disposed to wait so long again. Say, what have we got to spend?" To this the best reply was—" The demand for in- formation is unprecedented, and extremely inconvenient: I must know in the first place, how much the service of the year requires, and I will take care to provide the money." Now it happened that the precedents were plentiful—both Whig and Tory : the inconvenience was Ministerial, not Parliamentary; for it would be very convenient to have a statement of the estimated revenue and expenditure at the c.einnencement of every session; while the postponement prayen fur woubt,he the surest means of seducing the "reconstructed " Chancellor of the Exchequer into a
repetition of the bad practices of Mr. SPRING Ric& The " guardians
of the publie purse" had a right to the information, and it was their duty to compel its production. By a majority of 182 to 172, the mo-
tion was carried: but in the majority how many " Ileformers" voted? Just three 1—Messrs. GnoTte HUM;, and SWYNFEx JtenvIs. The rest were either absent, or backed Ministers is their culpable endeavour to conceal the real condition of the finances.
In former times—we may say with any set of men except those now in power—this defeat would have occasioned a resignation of the
Ministry or a dissolution of the Parliament-. But, accustomed to repeated
discomfiture on almost all questions save those of finanes., we expect the MEmuounstss Ministers will offer to the country proofs of Fatieuce under a species of infliction frout which they have hitherto escaped. My motion, said Mr. lIsamitss, involves " a censure" on the Govern- ment. No doubt of it, and more particularly on the Chancellor of the Exchequer. But what signifies the censure of either Lords or Com- mons?—the Whig tower of strength and rock of refuge is the Queen. A discussion on Sir JonstZlnwitoier's pension and Lord losmaosn's appointment to the Coraptrolfership.of the Exchequer was also damaging to character of Ministers ; as will be found in other pages of this journal. The more thoroughly the transaction is examined, the more disreputable it appears, even though we should admit the truth of in- credible assertions.
Mr. Wsbissev has at length obtained his Select Committee of inquiry into the administration of Justice in Scotland, with a view to ascertain whether the number of Judges in the Supreme Court ought not to be diminished. Ministers supported Mr. Wsm.arn, and his Tory oppo- nents were in a minority of 111 to 128. Even on this question Ministers made an awkward figure. They have always hitherto opposed the inquiry ; and it was only last session that they increased the salaries of the Scotch Judges, on the plea that their remuneration was inadequate to the labour required of them. Having therethre prac- tically decided the question, they have now no objection to inquiry. IIhen taunted with this inconsistency, they allege their own entire cou- vicnon that the full number of Judges in the Supreme Court is not too 'naty, but, fiwsooth, it is necessary to satisfy the public mind upon the
paint. Wes not the satisfaction as much due to the piddle last session ? e the result of the inquiry what it may—though Mr. NN aLLACE's Committee should he in savour of reduction of numbers and salaries— the job is safe; the money- is voted, and immiry is harmless. Besides, have they nut established a claim on Mr, WALLACE'S gratitude— tickled him in a tender part ? flow do the I /issenters relish Lord Jlts; Ilissnisn's speech and Lord Tom Iii-stemi2s vote on Mr. T. Di.Neenlin'S 11lOti011 to release Joux 1110ROtio01) from prison and Nonconformists front Church-rates? Lord Jotlx was lively on the occasion ; and that his performance ex- ceedingly gratified High Churchmen and Tories; appeared from their abundant cheers. 'To say the truth, Lord Jonli haul lint a very had ease to maintain. Mr. Duseeetinm's measure, taken from the Eulleuliergh Rreteue, had this essential fault, that it put different classes ou a different
footing, giving to some advantages denied to others,—an unsound prin- ciple in legislation ; besides loading the exemption with the trouble and in some eases the odium of a declaration of Dissent. 'Ellen Mr. Dues- cotinn was not very fortunate in his client : 'Fromosmoo has been used for a purpose, and the trick has been exposed..
Many petitions have been presented respecting the " intrusion" of clergymen into S, melt liriui s. On this difficult question, Lord Arms- BOURNE 2111101111CLA last week that Ministers had not determined what course to tape; and no elm:Pio:on of their intentions has since oc- curred. It is, however, pretty generally surmised that they mean to do nothing. They are endeavouring to play off' parties against each other. The advent ego, of enarSa, Will remain with the supporters of the existing law of patronage, and tile flaming Veto-men will lie disappointed. Let it not be supposed that the pe■pte irtee :Audi concern in the matter, one way or the other. it is really a up tesul.m between the patrons of livings and the clergy.
