§ Mr. Whitbreadpresented to the house, according to order, a bill for the promoting and encouragement of Industry amongst the Labouring classes of the community, and for the more effectual relief and regulation of the criminal and necessitous Poor. In answer to a question from Mr. E. Morris, relative to the 2d reading of the bill, Mr. W. stated, that he proposed to move the 2d reading of the bill the next day, and hoped the house would have no objection to its going through a committee pro formâ, with a view to have the blanks filled up in order that it might go to the country in an intelligible shape. No gentleman, of counsel, would be pledged in any respect to the measure by acquiescing in this course, and as it was to be re-committed after the holidays, it would be competent to any hon. gent. to oppose the principle if he could not approve of it, or move an instruction to the committee for dividing the bill, on the motion for the speaker's leaving the chair
Mr. Morrisstated, that it had been his intention to oppose the whole bill; but if it were to be divided, he should not object to that part which provided for the education of the poor. As the other parts of the bill would go to an alteration of the whole system of poor-laws, of the law of settlement, and of the county rate, he could not give them his assent. He conceived that the 2d reading the next day would be the most convenient stage for him to state his objections to the measure, especially as 945 he was not aware that it would be necessary for him to occupy the time of the house at any great length, and he thought it desirable that the objections should go with the measure to the consideration of the public
§ Mr. Whitbreadthought it would be better that his hon. friend should wave his opposition for the present, and reserve what he had to urge against the bill till some further stage of its progress. A partial discussion could not lead to any good purpose, and particularly on a proceeding that was merely pro formâ. His hon. friend, no more than any other gentleman, would be pledged to the measure, by allowing it to pass unopposed through this formal stage. He hoped, therefore, that his hon. friend would not persist in his intention of stating his objections at present, but reserve them for some future stage
Mr. Morriswas proceeding to state his reasons for wishing to submit his objections to the measure the next day, when
§ The Speakerthought it right to apprise the hon. member, that, though it was undoubtedly his right to press his objections in this instance, it was neither usual nor customary, according to the practice of the house, for any hon. gent. to resist the framers of any measure, which was to introduce a new system, in bringing it forward in whatever manner they might deem most convenient
Mr. Morristhanked the Speaker for his intimation, and agreed to wave his right.—The bill was then ordered to be read a second time to-morrow