The Lord Advocatemoved for leave to bring in a bill to regulate the mode of accounting in the royal burghs. His object was to render the mode of accounting more effectual than it was at present. He should be most happy to adopt any plan which might be thought better adapted to the purpose he had in view.
§ Mr. Humethought that the measure now proposed was futile and useless. In the present situation of the people of Scotland, they were not disposed to be put off with a bill which would neither relieve their difficulties nor correct the glaring abuses which at present existed. It was admittted on all hands, that some measure was necessary; and it was almost as universally acknowledged, that this bill, now about to be introduced, would have no beneficial effect in correcting the growing abuses—Leave was given.