§ Mr. Humemoved the resumption of the adjourned debate on the County Councils Bill.
§ On the question being again put, that the bill be read a second time,
Mr. Sandfordregretted that his hon. Friend persisted in introducing the bill. The only object he could have in view was, that it should be circulated during the prorogation; but this was done after the last Session, and the public opinion was strongly against the bill. The principle of the bill was nearly the same, and the machinery was of so cumbrous a nature, that it would be attended with the greatest inconvenience. He imagined that it was the wish of the hon. Member to give superintendence to the rate-payers, and in this desire he concurred; but the plan proposed was so burdensome, that it must necessarily fail in attaining its object. If the hon. Member had introduced the measure earlier in the Session, it might have been fully discussed. He could assure the hon. Member, that the feeling of the country was against the measure. It would be necessary to travel great distances, and to go to considerable expense, to exercise the franchise under this measure, and people were getting tired of going these distances to vote.
§ Mr. Ewartthought, as the hon. Member for Somersetshire approved of the principle of the bill, he ought to vote with the hon. Member for Kilkenny. If the machinery was complex, it could be amended in committee; and the hon. Member, as a country gentleman, was one of the best fitted for the purpose of suggesting these amendments. Seeing that the principle of the measure was admitted, it was unfair to reject the bill on details, particularly as the duties required were such as any country gentleman ought to be ready to execute.
§ Mr. P. Howardthought the proposition a very reasonable one, At present mea- 472 sures affecting counties seemed much longer being understood than in towns.
§ Sir C. Burrellconsidered it extraordinary that this measure should be introduced by Gentlemen who had objected to the Chancellor of the Exchequer bringing forward the Irish Bank Bill on account of the lateness of the Session. Taking the whole circumstances into consideration, he felt it to be his duty, if his hon. Friend, the Member for Somersetshire, divided on the subject, to vote with him.
§ Captain Pechellhoped the bill would be printed for the information of the public, as the time had now arrived when they were anxious to have some sort of control over the money that was raised from them. The principle had been recognised in the bill which had been introduced on a former occasion, and there could be no reasonable objection to its introduction. He knew not what machinery the hon. Member contemplated in his plan to give the rate-payers some control over the funds, but the system was one which the House must approve of, more especially at a time when the rates were increasing, and further demands were being constantly made upon the ratepayers. He hoped the House would allow the bill to be brought in.
§ Mr. Humereplied. The principle of representation and taxation which he contended for, was recognised in every municipal corporation in the kingdom, and the object of the bill was to extend that principle to counties. There were some objections urged on former occasions with regard to the frequent elections of the councils, and the appointment of auditors, which he had remedied in the present bill, and all he wanted was, that time should be given for properly discussing its merits. He hoped the bill would not be opposed; several had been introduced within the last month for the mere purpose of being printed, and why his bill should not be so, he did not know. If it were objected to, of course, he must submit, as in the then state of the House, it would be worse than useless to take a division, but he hoped the bill would be allowed to circulate throughout every country.
§ Mr. T. Parkerwas in duty bound to oppose the bill. In the county with which he was connected, the accounts were made up yearly, and the county was in general satisfied with them. He must oppose the introduction of the bill.
§ Mr. Grimsditchsaid, the title of the bill ought to be, a bill to establish county con- 473 fusion. He would give every opposition to the bill in his power.
§ Motion negatived.