§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ SIR JOHN HAY, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said he had no desire to detain the House at that hour (1.50) of the morning by making any statement in regard to the merits of the Bill. In the printing of the Bill a certain number of errors had been made, especially in regard to figures, and it was well the necessary Amendments should be printed on the Paper. This could not be done until the second reading had been agreed to. He hoped hon. Gentlemen would allow the second reading to be taken now.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Sir John Hay.)
§ MR. BUCHANANsaid, he did not think the House ought to allow a Bill of this kind to pass the second reading; and, therefore, he begged to move that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. The objections to the Bill were manifest. It would accentuate the difference between boroughs and counties to a degree that had never previously been suggested by any responsible politician, and to an extent that was absurd; and the House, he was sure, would not read a second time a Bill carrying out that principle in such a way.
§ MR. A. R. D. ELLIOTseconded the Amendment.
§ Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."—(Mr. Buchanan.)
§ Question proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."
§ Notice taken, that 40 Members were not present; House counted, and 40 Members not being present,
§ House adjourned at Two o'clock.