§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."
§ MR. REYNOLDSobjected to proceed- 584 ing at such an hour with so important a measure. If the Motion was persisted in, he would move the adjournment of the House.
§ SIR W. SOMERVILLEsaid, it would he impossible to get through the public business if such objections were taken to the progress of Bills late at night in that period of the Session.
§ MR. REYNOLDSwould move the adjournment of the House, The Bill had been brought in without any communication with the ratepayers of Dublin, whom it would very seriously affect; or with him, who was the representative and the Lord Mayor of that city.
§ Whereupon Motion made, and Question put, "That this House do now adjourn."
§ The House divided:—Ayes 4; Noes 69: Majority 65.
§ MR. REYNOLDSsaid, that on the second reading of a Bill a statement of its provisions ought to be made.
§ SIR G. GREYsaid, his hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor General for Ireland was ready to go on with the discussion, but the right hon. Gentleman the Lord Mayor of Dublin was not, and had moved the adjournment of the House.
§ MR. REYNOLDSwas not ready to proceed with such a discussion at such an hour.
§ MR. HATCHELLsaid, the enacting part of the Bill consisted of only ten lines. It was introduced to explain a doubt respecting the Bill of last year.
§ MR. AGLIONBYsaid, that the Bill had been brought in in accordance with the intentions of the Committee to which the former Bill had been referred.
§ SIR W. SOMERVILLEsaid, that a doubt existed upon the point, which this Bill was intended to set right, and there was no question that it would prevent a great deal of litigation and expense. To permit large numbers of persons to vote in Dublin without paying taxes, would be an abolition of the compromise come to last year. He therefore hoped that the House would permit the Bill to be read a second time.
§ Main Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read 2°, and committed for Thursday, at Twelve o'clock.
§ The House adjourned at a Quarter after One o'clock.