§ MR. G. CLIVEsaid, he would move that the second reading of this Bill be postponed until Monday next.
§ SIR JOHN SHELLEYsaid, for the convenience of all parties interested, he must call upon the Government to state whether it was their intention to proceed with this measure or not. Considering the late period of the Session it would be quite impossible to pass the Bill.
§ MR. EDWIN JAMESsaid, he was of the same opinion. The excitement in the City was very great against the Bill, and the Government ought at once to give an answer whether they would go on with it or not.
§ SIR JAMES DUKEobserved that nothing could be more lamentable than to see a feeble Government abandoning a good measure in order to please a section of its supporters. If the present Bill had been in the hands of hon. Gentlemen opposite, it would have been passed long ago. He hoped, notwithstanding the late period of the Session at which we had arrived, that the Bill would be proceeded with, though he was determined to oppose the clause which disfranchised the liverymen in regard to the election of Lord Mayor.
§ MR. W. WILLIAMSsaid, the reason why the hon. Baronet felt satisfied with the measure was clear—it was not one of reform at all. The Government ought not to proceed with it at this late period.
§ MR. G. CLIVEsaid, his right hon. Friend at the head of the Home Office had been obliged to leave the House, in order to attend a Cabinet Council, but he would doubtless return before the hour of adjournment, and state whether he intended to go on with the Bill or not.