HC Deb 01 August 1850 vol 113 cc675-7

Order read for resuming Adjourned Debate on Amendment proposed to be made to Question [31st July], "That the Bill be now read a Second Time," and which Amendment was to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day three months."

Question again proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."

MR. G. A. HAMILTON moved the second reading of this Bill, and gave notice that he should strike out all the clauses but those which related to the fraudulent cutting and removal of crops in order to evade the payment of rent, and that he should alter the title of the Bill in accordance with this object.

MR. MOORE moved as an Amendment, that the debate be adjourned.

MR. REYNOLDS

asked why the House should be called upon, at half-past one o'clock in the morning, to discuss such a one-sided measure as this? Let hon. Members read the admirable charge of Baron Pennefather in the Times of that morning, when pronouncing sentence upon a landlord for murder. He thought the sentence in that case a lenient one, and that the person convicted ought to have been sent to a penal colony. But ought they to be passing a Bill to arm the landlords with fresh power?

MR. B. OSBORNE

denounced the speech of the right hon. Member for Dublin, as a class speech of the most ferocious character. He had held up the Irish landlords as extortionate and as murderers. [Mr. REYNOLDS denied this.] That was the inference to be drawn. He had seen the system of cutting the crops and defrauding the landlords pursued to such an extent that he was convinced the House ought to come to some legislation on the subject.

MR. NAPIER

thought that if this Bill, or something tantamount to it, had been law last year, some unfortunate circumstances attended with bloodshed and the loss of life would have been prevented.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the debate be now adjourned,"

The House divided:—Ayes 6; Noes 75: Majority 69.

MR. TORRENS M'CULLAGH

characterised the Bill as one of a very injurious character, and stated that, at a future stage, he would express his opinions more fully regarding it. To discuss the Bill at that late hour would be a perfect farce; but he would take the opportunity of saying that no Minister, nor, indeed, any Member of that House, would dare to introduce such a measure for England; though, by the mere force of numbers, they were prepared to impose it upon Ireland.

Question put, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."

The House divided:—Ayes 70; Noes 6: Majority 64.

Bill read 2°, and committed for Tomorrow.