16 JULY 1853, Page 10

The Merchant Shipping Bill passed through Committee, (at the morn-

ing sitting,) after a contest respecting clause 88, regulating salvage. Mr. The Merchant Shipping Bill passed through Committee, (at the morn- ing sitting,) after a contest respecting clause 88, regulating salvage. Mr.

INGHAM moved an amendment to repeal the right of salvage charges made

by Queen's ships upon the owners of merchant-vessels for services per- formed ; he did so as a boon to the shipping interest. His ar- gument, quoted from Sir John Nicho], was, that ships in the pub-

lic service lose no time and risk no property on these occasions. Sir JAMES GRAHAM resisted the amendment ; quoting a passage from Sir John Nichol contradictory to that quoted by Mr. Ing- ham. Salvage is a common-law right. We must take care, in re- laxing the restrictions in the race of competition, that we do not flagrant injustice to the seamen employed in either service. Sir James stated, that by a clause he has to propose, any claim on the part of the Crown for loss or damage in respect of the rescuing ship is barred ; and he enu- merated the rigid rules of the Admiralty framed to restrict and control the claims in respect of the officers and crew. He told a story respecting the " go-along " and the "come-along" officers : the former, a cool cal- culating fellow, said to the men—" Now, you go, and endeavour to res- cue that ship from her perilous position " •' the other said—" Now, then, volunteers, let us rescue that ship." Sir James was afraid that if there were no reward the "go-along" officers would become more cool, and would hesitate more than ever, and that the merchant service would suffer in the end. Mr. HENLEY made a speech against the clause, contending that the public should pay the salvage, and that the bill altogether aggravated the existing state of things ; and he said the view of the Government appeared to be that it was money made the mare to go." Mr. CARDWELL met him by showing that the bill remedies the process for the recovery of salvage • and retorted that Mr. Henley pro- posed not only to rob the sailor in his pocket, but to insult him in his feelings. The amendment was negatived by 131 to 20. The remaining clauses were agreed to, and the House resumed.

The Earl of SHAFTESBURY moved the second reading of his Polling at Elections Amendment Bill; the principle of which is to take the poll from house to house ; and so abridge expense, prevent riots, and in many respects intimidation. The Earl of ABERDEEN had no indifference or hostility to the measure itself ; but he opposed the second reading, because Ministers are pledged to bring in a bill for Parliamentary Re- form next session, and then the subject will naturally come under consi- deration. The Earl of HARDWICK; Lord Wimmenrers, and the Earl of FORTESCUE, supported the bill. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE supported Lord Aberdeen ; admitting the absolute necessity of suppressing intimi- dation and corruption as soon as possible. Earl GREY thought the plan proposed by the bill offered more advantages than disadvantages ; but care would be required to carry it out. After some further conver- sation, Lord SHAFTESBURY said that after what had fallen from Ministers he could not push forward the bill.

In reply to Sir GEORGE GREY, Lord Jorize Russarm. explained his in- tentions respecting the law of oaths. lie had thought, considering what had already taken place on the subject, and also the state of public business that it would not be advisable to bring the subject before the House again this session, but he should feel it his duty, during the next session of Parliament, to bring in a proposal, either in a bill relating to the state of the representation generally or as a separate measure, which would not only have for its object the relief of the Jews, but would be framed in a manner to alter the general form of oath, which, as it exists at present, appeared to him to be only consistent with ridiculous, intoler- ance or practical absurdity. (Cheers.) Lord BROUGHAM inquired for the Law of Evidence Bill. He had divided into two the measure which he had introduced on the subject, in order to expedite that part on which everybody is agreed, relating to the evidence of husband and wife. That bill, however, has now been sleeping for seven weeks in the House of Commons. A similar bill has already passed for Scotland, and is now the law of the land. The LORD CHAN- milks explained, that the Common Law Commissioners have incor- porated the enactments of Lord Brougham's bill in a very bulky bill, which the Chancellor has not had time to consider. Lord Cran- worth admitted that the bill would effect "a most useful and valu- able alteration ef the law" ; that there was "an almost universal con- currence of sentiment on the subject." Lord CAMPBELL regretted the delay, as there is an universal demand for the improvement, from the profession and the public ; and in cases which have come before him the want tif the bill Inks been felt, in the exclusion and evasion of the truth.

Mr. Mums asked whether the priests Burke and dune; who were en- gaged in the riot at Six-mile Bridge, would be prosecuted ? In putting this question, he made a long speech on the merits of the case. Mr. MosieKrow MILNES, as a member of the Committee on the Clare Elec- tion, which acquitted the priests of special interference, objected to the course adopted by Mr. Miles. Lord Par.srvercre and Lord Joirie Ros- eau, explained, what had been stated before in the House of Peers, that Government had intended to prosecute Father Burke and Father °lune, but had yielded to the advice of the Irish Government in refraining. Lord :Palmerston recommended oblivion of these irritating topics. After a great deal of talk on the subject, it was allowed to drop.