§ The order of the day being read, for the third reading of the bill to empower the justices of the peace within the division or hundred of Salford, in the county palatine of Lancaster, to raise a salary to be paid to the chairman of the quarter sessions for the said hundred,
§ Mr. Shaw Lefevre rose to oppose the motion. He said it was a bill of the most mischievous kind that had been before the house for some time. Nothing was so material as that the business of the chairman of the sessions should be carried on without fee or reward. Nothing but the strongest necessity could sanction such a proceeding, and he was at a loss to know where the present necessity rested. The public business had been carried on very well hitherto, without any reward or salary. Admitting die necessity of the measure, the mode adopted for raising the salary was extremely exceptionable and unjust. It was desirable that the third reading of the bill should be postponed at least this session; he should therefore move, that it be read a third time this day three months."
§ Mr. Hurst said, he had, on a former occasion, given his entire approbation to the bill. He had. no apprehensions like those of the hon. gent. who spoke last. As the whole town and district had petitioned parliament, it was their duty to comply with the petition. In Ireland every chairman of a court of justice received a salary; no inconvenience had arisen from it, but it met with the hearty approbation of the people in the several districts.
§ Sir Robert Peele considered the bill absolutely necessary for such a manufacturing district as that of Manchester, where a very attentive police was necessary.
§ Sir Robert Buxton acquiesced, on the ground of its local necessity, although he could not agree to its principle.
123§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer concluded the conversation by observing, that the necessity of the bill was not only evident from the testimony of the gentlemen best acquainted with that part of the country, but from the circumstance of the petition being signed by all the magistrates, and by the petitioners being willing to take upon themselves the expence of paying these magistrates.—The house then divided; for the third reading 115; against it 23; majority for the bill 92.— The bill was then read a third time, and passed.