believed, directly the opposite to those embraced by the right hon. Gentleman whose opinions had been openly avowed-and to whom he gave the credit of an honest couviction, that those opinions, and the actions they dictated, were calculated to promote the happiness of the country-it was impossible for him, in giving credit to the right hon. Gentleman and his party, for the sincerity of their convictious, not to express a hope that they would give him credit for the same sincerity in the proposition he meant to make, and that it was made from no other motives than those of the public good. He was one of those who had always advocated parliamentary reform, not only as a great and inportant measure of itself, but as a means to effect those important changes which it was necessary to give that relief to the people which they expected, and for which they had sought reform. Unless further alterations were made, they would not receive those advantages to which they were so well entitled from the exertions which they had made to obtain their rights. To obtain all these ad

who should represent the opinions of the majority of the House. If such were the caseif a Speaker should be chosen who was not an advocate for reform, how could he, au advocate for reform, believing, too, that the majority of that House were reformers, and prepared to fulfil the wishes of their constituents

wishes. On that principle it was usual for the majority of the House to nominate some person whose political opinions and feelings were known to accord with those of the majority of the House, and whose opinions were likely to meet with the approbation of the people at large. On no occasion, he would venture to say, did the people take a greater interest in their proceedings; on no occasion was it more necessary that the gentleman nominated for Speaker should enjoy the confidence of the majority of that House and the country; and on no occasion was the House ever placed in a more difficult situation than at present with regard to the person to be elected to the high office in question. He candidly admitted that there were good grounds for the course pursued, and that at first he was not inclined to offer any opposition to the individual to be proposed by his Majesty's Government, or by those who had taken part in the previous arrangement. It was in favour of the views of those members who made the previous arrangement, and it was a motive which made him incline to assent to it, that it would not be attended with any expense.vantages, it was necessary to have a Speaker But when he considered the matter, he found that he could not acquiesce in it. Certainly there was no man in that House more bound to feel grateful towards another than he was to the late Speaker. When he considered the great urbanity of the Speaker's manners (cheers), the attention he had received from him-from one so highly situated as was the-how could he believe that the majority of Speaker of that House-he should always feel that House would have their feelings and grateful for his behaviour. In undertaking sentiments properly represented by one who the task which had fallen on him, he hoped was not a reformer; and how could they that the House believed that he was actuated feel themselves contented with any course by nothing but a sense of public duty. But adopted in regard to measures hereafter there were occasions when public duty made contemplated? It was possible among the men violate private feelings, and certainly, on varied duties which a Speaker might public questions all private feelings must have to perform, which made it proper that he yield to that paramount sense of the duty should be a reformer; it was possible that cirwhich every member of that House owed to cumstances might arise, when the Gentleman his country and his constituency. He had no who filled that situation might have to sup hesitation in saying, that all private consider- port the principles of reform. Certainly the ations were in favour of the right hon. Gen-right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Manners Sutton) tleman, whose courtesy in giving him his support in public business, both in that House and out of that House, merited his regard; and he hoped that no Gen leman would suppose that what he was about to do was actuated by any feeling of hostility. It was quite the contrary; and he hoped and trusted that, whatever might be the result, no difference would take place in the conduct of the right hon. Gent. towards him. Under the circumstances of the present moment he must call on the House, not only to consider what had been the practice on former occasions, but what ought to be their conduct on the present occasion. Their acts were all open to animadversion, and every member ought to be prepared to state the reasons which guided his vote, and be prepared, without hesitation, to justify all his proceedings. It was impossible for him, from the interest he took in those deep-rooted opinions, which were, he

might express sentiments in accordance with the usages of the House, but not in accordance with the sentiments and views of those who were of opinion that other measures were necessary to secure the benefits of the important change which had been made. He could not bring himself to think that it was not of great importance that the individual who filled the chair of that House, should not be of the political opinions of the majority of the House, and should not have their full confidence. He considered it most important, when the public were anxiously looking at their proceedings, that the public should be satisfied by their choice, and that there should be no compromise of principle in placing an individual to preside over their deliberations, who did not agree in opinion with the majority of the House. It was proper to elect an individual who entertained opinions coinciding with those of the majority, which would give

had stated, that it was inconsistent with the duty he owed to a reformed Parliament to support such a proposition, he had turned round to see in whom he could place confidence, aud in whom the House and the country could Speaker. At one time he considered that it would be sufficient if he expressed his dissent from the nomination proposed, leaving the House to decide whether it would or not support his views, and in case it had, then only proposing the individual whom he thought was likely to maintain the confidence of the House and the country. Looking, however, to the usual' practice in such cases, and more narrowly to the qualification of individuals, and judging that it would be preferable to name the iudividual he thought qualified, to merely uegativing the proposition-be meant, before sitting down, to put into nomination one of the hon. members for the county of Stafford. In his opinion that individual was quite fit for the station, though he did not come, in every

him a better chance of executing well the difficult duty of expressing what was really the opinion of the House. Otherwise it was possible, on all difficult questions, it might be doubted whether he justly expressed the opinions of the House, and did justice to its pro-place confidence, if raised to the dignity of ceedings. He challenged any gentleman present to produce an instance of a large body of men, who assembled to deliberate, placing at their head, and giving power to regulate their proceedings, and to preserve order in their business, a man who was opposed in his opinions to the majority. No iustance could be found of men electing a president or chairman—an individual who professed opinions directly contrary to the opinions professed by the majority. He meant to make no reflections on the opinions of the right hon. Gentle man who had manfully maintained his principles; but he could not think it his duty to place in a situation of confidence a gentlemau who professed opinious directly opposite, he believed, to the majority. The times were full of difficulty. He believed that circum-respect, quite up to the mark. (Laughter). stances might arise which would require a He hoped, as he had been heard so far, that man of no ordinary firmuess, and a man en- he might be further heard. He would cantertaining opinions like the majority, as the didly express his opinion, and explain the agent and organ of the House. He contem- reasons for it. The experience of the hon. plated as possible, a difference of opinion be- Member, his qualifications, and his high tween that House and the House of Peers, standing, fitted him, both publicly and pri and when it would be most important that the vately, for the important situation. Besides rights of that branch of the legislature, which the hon. Member's high standing, he had had were the rights of the people, should be sup- great experience in all the business of that ported; and would not the House-would not House; be bad been concerned in much of its the people think that danger might arise, important business, and he knew no man who, that their rights might be impeded, and that session after session, and day after day, had confusion might ensue from having as an so closely attended to those important duties organ a man whose sentiments did not accord which were acknowledged necessary to enawith theirs? He did not say that this would ble him to fill the important situation of be the case; he hoped it would not; but when Speaker in that House. If he might judge he considered that it was possible, that there from the experience previously obtained by was a great probability even of disputes, he other Gentlemen before they became Speakers, must say that it was necessary to have an in- he must say that he could not find one who dividual to fill the chair whose opinions ac- had equal experience in, and who had paid corded with those of the people, and possessed equal attention to, the business of Parliament, the other qualifications. The right hon. Gen- both public and private, to the hon. Member tleman who had so long filled the chair was for Staffordshire. The hon. Member's services eminently qualified by his talents for that situ- were sufficient to recommend him. As reation. (Hear, hear). He did not object to garded the standing of the hon. Member, he him on the score of his abilities, but he was had been sent into Parliament by the almost anxious to see if he could not find another in-unauimous voice of a county, and a man redividual as well qualified as the right hon. Gentleman, and who, during the long struggle for reform, had maintained those principles which the Ministers had propagated and the people had supported. He wished that House, which represented the people, to elect a man who had acted as if he thought the reform proper, and who had been elected by a majority, he might almost say, unanimously returned to Parliament by a constituency who desired reform. There were such men, men who had not indeed been tried in that situation, but had shown themselves in other situations capable of performing all the duties of the Speaker of that House. On understanding that there was a proposition to re-elect the late Speaker, and thinking, for the reasons he

presenting such a constituency was, in his opinion, peculiarly proper to express the opinions of the people, and be the organ for expressing the opinions of the House. Io firmness of mind and experience, he was satisfied the hon. Member for Staffordshire would not be deficient. Finding that many others entertained the same decided notions of his fitness to discharge the important duties of a Speaker, he (Mr. Hume) thought he might be excused if he dwelt no longer on that part of the subject. There was, however, another consideration deserving of notice the station of the hon. Member in life. As he (Mr. Hume) hoped that no future Speaker would be found to apply for a retiring pension, the fortune and station of a candidate for that office were not

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indifferent things when his qualifications | to [have carried. (Hear, hear). Moreover, it came to be estimated. In confirmation of his must be borne in mind, that the speakership (Mr. Hume's) views, he might refer to the re- was the only office of dignity which the people corded opinions of the hon. Member for Tam- could confer; all others were bestowed by the worth, and those of Mr. Bragge Bathurst, Crown. And, at the same time, there was a who had considerable influence on the election principle of the greatest importance involved of Mr. Abbott; and after having stated their in its disposal. Would a reformed House of sentiments to the House, he would put it, Commons place in its chair, at the head of its whether their choice ought not to fall on one deliberations, a person whose opinions were of whose politicai principles they approved. directly opposed to those changes which must (Hear, hear). The hon. Gentleman here read be consequent on reform, and which were in an extract from Mr. Peel's speech, when pro- progress for the relief of the country? Instead posing Mr. Manners Sutton on a former occa- of an individual the sincere friend of reform, sion, to the effect, "That the ostensible would they choose to preside over their deliduties of the Speaker formed a small part of berations a gentleman decidedly, diametrically his real functions; that he was the guardian adverse to it? Little could be expected from of the rights and privileges of the House of the representatives of England, if they comCommons-privileges in which the people were mitted themselves by placing in their chair a no less interested than the House, and which gentleman, no matter of what impartiality, affected them to the remotest posterity. That and the possession of that virtue he freely his talents and attainments should be such as conceded to him, instead of putting there at to command the confidence of the House; once another, of whose devotion to the intethat he should possess weight and dignity to rests of the people there could be no suspitemper the warmth of party feeling, and give cion. It had been made matter of surprise impressiveness to the approbation or the cen- that he (Mr. H.) should support any proposure, which, as the organ of the House, he sition contrary to the principle of economy. was often called on to pronounce. That the Now if any one supposed that such a paltry high importance of his character was proved trifling sum (loud laughter) would weigh with by the fact, that when votes were equally di- him when the forwarding or retarding great and vided, his voice became the determination of important measures was at stake, he (Mr. H.) the House of Commons." Now, after this would tell that person that he had formed a extract, in which he fully concurred, he (Mr. very poor and shallow opinion of his views H.) would ask, if any of those Gentlemen who and principles. He had been accused of had resisted reform with such pertinacity, and pushing economy to mean lengths; of wishing up to the latest moment, were placed in a si- to starve the public service: it was totally tuation of so much importance as the speaker-false and unfounded. He never denied to ship of the reformed Parliament, would the real service ample remuneration, but he had English people believe that its duties would be proclaimed war against unnecessary expense, efficiently performed? For his part, he can-against profuse pensions to idle, worthless, didly confessed such a proceeding could not and improper persons (hear); and he believed inspire him with confidence; and judging it was those who had felt, or still feared that from his own feelings, and from what little he warfare that made such charges against him. knew of the people of England, he was per- The amount of the sum now in question was suaded that they would entertain none. They unworthy of notice at such a crisis. As to, would view such a choice with alarm and sus however, the real state of the matter, even in a picion, whether it proceeded from the fears of pecuniary point of view, he understood that in the opposition, or from the nuion of two parties. law, the late speaker would be entitled to both (Hear). It was from such considerations as the pension and salary, should he be rethese that he (Mr. H.) participated in the elected. (Hear, hear, from Mr. O'Connell). common alarm, and believed it impossible for The act, he was informed, merely made it the House to commit itself by an act adverse to cease upon the acceptance of office under the the general feeling of the country, and entirely Crown, but the speakership was not one of opposed to the sound principles stated by the that description, it belonged to the people. hon. Member for Tamworth which compro- Let, then, those who urged economy, undemised (a laugh)-he meant comprehended-ceive themselves. He would take the extenall the duties of the office, and of which he sive view of the question, and judge who was would not weaken the effect by any additional fittest for the chair by his sentiments on reobservations. Under the peculiar circum- form, and the manner in which he was stances, looking to the official opinions that pledged to its principles. Mr. Hume here had been recently stated-observing, also, briefly explained what he meant by saying that there seemed a disposition in the Ministry that the member for Staffordshire did not go to carry the further measures of reform by quite far enough for him, but a noise in the the aid of persons adverse to them-he must gallery prevented our catching it. He concondemn any compromise, and recommend cluded by proposing Mr. Littleton as the the Government to take a lesson from a neigh-Speaker of the present House of Commons. bouring country, where the influence of office was employed to defeat the measures which the Ministry and the people were anxious

Lord MORPETH said, that to hope to influence the House in choosing the person who should be placed over its high deliberations,

was an honour to which he could not aspire: | bably be useful. Without intending to produce the part he was about to take was but a com-any disunion by reference to that great recent pliment paid to the largest English consti- change which was a source of hope to some, tuency, of which he had the honour to be re- and speculation to others, he would merely presentative. At one time his own opinions observe, that it did not render less advisable, led him to coincide in the universal feeling as the presence of long practice and tried ability to the propriety of a different arrangement in the organ of the House of Commons. He upon the subject then before the House. The would recommend that the horded attainments circumstances, however, which might have of the late Speaker should be appropriated rendered it proper, had not arisen, and he to the use of Parliament, and that the accordingly turned to the right hon. Gentle-fact of the vessel's having been lately reman, who for sixteen years and six Parlia-paired, should not militate against the apments had filled that arduous post with credit pointment of a good pilot. Whatever defects to himself, satisfaction to Parliament, and might have been chargeable to former Paradvantage to the people. (Cheers). He would liaments, none could deny the high tone of call on the House to secure the continuance of feeling that prevailed in them, and it would those services that were so warmly aud gene-therefore be natural to engraft their old and rally recognised. (Cheers). The Member for obvious advantages on the new Parliament, Middlesex had himself admitted the hon. by selecting a gentleman so disposed to enGentleman's conscientious desire to discharge force and maintain it. He would therefore his duties with impartiality, and consequently conclude by proposing, as Speaker, the Right his solitary objection that he was not a parti- Hon. Charles Manners Sutton. (Loud cheersan of that particular line of opinion to whiching). he (Lord Morpeth), acknowledged himself at- Sir F. BURDETT rose at that early hour to tached, could not be a very appropriate one. express his full satisfaction in the views which It was difficult to pronounce a panegyric in bad been so eloquently stated by the last the presence of its object; but from that diffi-speaker-though, at the same time, he must culty he was relieved by being enabled to confess the embarrassment caused to him by refer to what occurred in the last session. the noble Lord's statement, which left no esWhen the Speaker announced his probable sential point of the question untouched. The retirement, how powerful and brilliant was hon. Member for Middlesex had also placed the testimony borne to his merits by those him in some difficulty by the qualifications who were best qualified to judge of them, aud (though the conclusion drawn by that hon. by the universal acclaim of his contemporaries! Member was so much at variance with his In the last harassing contention of reform, premises) he allowed to the late Speaker. He his services were conspicuous. His unfailing would ask what difficulty was there in depunctuality and diligence, affability, and sua-ciding who was fittest to preside over the vity of manners, were acknowledged by all. House, at a time which many regarded as one He had displayed diguity without pedantry; of embarrassment and danger, which he (Sir courtesy without servility; and these invalu- F. Burdett) regarded with feelings of hope able qualities marked every hour of his offi- and satisfaction, but which certainly required cial conduct. It was, perhaps, in private a Speaker of distinguished abilities. They business, which had increased of late years to should not depend on prophecies, or the possuch a degree, that his merits were most felt. session of mere talent, but be guided by solid Considering the accumulation of that busi-experience. The qualifications of Mr. Manness, into which (unless the observation pers Sutton had been proved by sixteen years ; should be thought to smack too much of the they had commanded the approval of every country member) it might be said that rail-member, and of none more than the Member roads introduced an element, it must be confessed that the late Speaker was singularly adapted to rule Parliament for public improvements and the maintenance of private rights. On these, as on graver matters, which affect-tain for that purpose, but when he came down, ed the feelings and destinies of nations, he was always ready to give information. Interest and party spirit might repine, but violence and intemperance were rebuked by the placid firmness of his demeanour. The House could not refuse to elevate him to the post he had filled with such diguity, and adorned for such a length of time. So far from thinking that the future duties of the office would be more laborious than the past, he (Lord Morpeth) thought it would be desirable to effect some improvement which would secure au alleviation of the constant attendance at present required, and in effecting that arrange ment, the aid of Mr. M. Sutton would pro

for Middlesex. Indeed, that Gentleman's conduct reminded him of an incident in Scripture. Balak sent for Balaam to curse his enemies. The prophet accordingly ascended the moun

Balak said to him, "What hast thou done? I desired thee to curse my enemies, and be hold thou hast blessed them." Nothing could be more unreasonable than the conduct of the Member for Middlesex, who endeavoured to object to the late Speaker his particular opinions on a certain subject-one, by the way, entirely out of view at that moment-while he acknowledged that in the late crisis, the great struggle of parties, his conduct had been marked by perfect fairness and impartiality to all. He had given his advice publicly and privately-he had not spared his time or ability he was always engaged in suggesting good counsel, particularly to young members,

that his past services would be the best guarantee for his future conduct. (Hear). Placed as they were on this occasion in a House of Commons containing so many new members, and in which they were likely to have the most constant attendance, it was especially advantageous that they should elect a gentleman whom sixteen years' constant practice in the discharge of its duties had rendered completely master, both of the principles and art of his office, and who was not only extensively acquainted with the recorded decisions of the House, but had a perfect knowledge of its forms and usages. (Hear, hear). His unexampled patience and urbanity were the constant theme of praise amongst all his contemporaries, and of gratitude amongst those numerous individuals who at different times were indebted to him for directions and in

who experienced his frequent kindness. It hon. Gentleman's services alone was his claim was a vulgar notion that the Speaker had no-to their support founded; and he considered thing to do but loll in his robes; little did such persons know the labour of the office and the judgment required to fill it, even in one department—that of private bills; still less were they aware how the right honourable Gentleman had discharged his duties to the satisfaction, not only of the House, but of every individual in the House. Indeed he (Sir Francis Burdett) was in the situation of an ancient speaker-in Rome it was he believed-who made a panegyric on Hercules. When he had done, the cry was, Quis vituperavit? Who blamed Hercules. (A laugh). The admissions of Mr. Hume as to the character of the late Speaker far outweighed his panegyrics of Mr. Littleton. Whatever might be the latter Gentleman's qualifications, in whatever way he might be put in competition with Mr. Manners Sutton, as to moral and intellectual qualities, the latter had still a de-struction. He took, therefore, the earliest cided superiority in his experience. Any real opportunity of entreating his hon. Friends, competition with him was therefore out of the now that they had availed themselves of what, question. The House could not entertain a probably, they considered the most convenient doubt that the setting up any individual what-mode of declaring the grounds of their politiever as superior to him was idle and im-cal opposition, to concur with the almost proper. He concluded by declaring the satis- unanimous feeling of the House-unanimous, faetion and pleasure with which he seconded indeed, from personal considerations alonethe motion. and place that right hon. Gentleman in the chair without a division. (Cheers).

Mr. LITTLETON hoped, that as he was placed in the awkward situation of an unwil- Mr. O'CONNELL objected to the proposition ling candidate, the House would indulge him of the last speaker, that the motion should be with a few moments' attention. (Hear, hear). withdrawn without a division. It was of great He could not express his sense of the haud importance that the people of England should some manner in which his name had been in- know who were the parties to this transaction, troduced by the member for Middlesex, but and who were opposed to it. He considered this he hoped that neither that Gentleman nor as another instance of that paltry truckling on any other would take offence, when he stated the part of the present Administration towards the pain this division caused him (Mr. L.). their ancient enemies, which had already Had his representations been attended to, he afforded such frequent subjects of complaint. would never have been placed in competition (Hear, hear). He concurred with his hon. with a Gentleman whose long experience of Friend the member for Middlesex, that this sixteen years in office, whose conduct, public was a contest of principle-a contest between and private, in that arduous situation, had the principle of reform on the one hand, and endeared him to every person with whom he the principle of Toryism on the other. If the had any communication. How far a Speaker elevation of Toryism were a subject of so ought to be the real representative of the opi- much levity as the hon. Baronet seemed to nions of the House, was a question on which he consider it, he knew not to what purpose the would not enter; but this much he would de-long and useful life of that member had been clare, that never since 1819, when he had devoted. The whole object of that life, he unsupported the election of Mr. Manners Sut-derstood, had been to put down Toryism; and ton, had that Gentleman ceased to be the continued assertor of the rights and privileges of the Commons. Indeed he firmly believed that he would rather err in defence than surrender of them. In reference to the question of economy, which had been raised, in support of the re-election of the late Speaker, on the supposition that such an event would be a saving to the country, if the pension which the munificence of the last Parliament had awarded to his services, he (Mr. Littleton) agreed with the hon. Member for Middlesex, that it was totally undeserving cousideration in a question of such great importance as that of determining who was to be Speaker of the reformed House of Commons. On the right

yet now they found him advocating, in his place in Parliament, the doctrine that it was immaterial whether the chief officer of that House was a Tory in principle or not. On that single ground he rested the question. He admitted the extreme fitness of the right hon. Gentleman proposed by the noble Lord to be Speaker of an unreformed House of Commons. Personally he felt himself much indebted to that right hon. Gentleman for the courteous assistance which he had received at his hands. When he first took his seat in Parliament, indeed-assailed on the one hand by the opeu opposition of those who then occupied the Treasury benches, and the perhaps equal but more concealed hostility of those