The strong antipathy this matter, and that all Government in- | this case. terference was unnecessary, as in the mat- the Board had not arisen from ter of education. He thought, on the other We were a long-suffering and a fo hand, that the prudent exercise of a cen- people; and it was only when we tral authority was essential for keeping in be kicked very hard, and espec check unwholesome trades, pestilential ma- points very sensitive, that we could nufactories, and other matters. This might a feeling against the constituted create a little momentary unpopularity, but rities; and his hon. Friend might that would be far outweighed by the bene- upon it that in this country it was fits to be secured. sible for any public department to general disfavour so long as it dis its duties properly. In this case lieved the Board of Health had d more to delay than to facilitate the ing process. All the change, as fa (Mr. Henley) understood it, which proposed by this Bill was, that the p WI MR. HENLEY said, there was a very strong feeling in the country in favour of cleanliness, but it seemed as if the hon. Gentleman who had last spoken was resolved not to be satisfied unless everybody would consent to be cleaned by Mr. Chadwick; or, if they were unwilling to consent, that they should remain dirty. It was be-ings of this Board were to be remov cause the process of cleansing had been under the First Commissioner of conducted in a manner very unsatisfactory and placed wholly under the contro to the great mass of the people that many Home Secretary, who was to be r of them were now doubting whether it ble to Parliament for their acts. I would not be better to remain uncleansed what would be the result? than to be cleansed in the manner pro- same thing that occurred when th posed by the Board. He (Mr. Henley) had a Member of the Government ans taken some part in framing the Health for the Poor Law Commissioners of Towns Act. The subject was one of House. The noble Lord (Viscou much difficulty and complication, and great merston), crammed by the Board of discretion and skill were required on the would come down to that House fu part of those to whom were intrusted the brief, and from that brief, with large powers conferred by the Act. The strength of the Government at hi question the House now had to consider would endeavour to carry this was, whether a fortunate selection had through all their difficulties. But been made of the persons to whom these noble Lord beware, for he might powers had been committed? The Go bring on his head a degree of respon vernment showed, by the manner in which much greater than he appeared to they introduced this Bill, that they-in upon. It was desirable above all common, he believed, with the whole coun- that this Board should be constitute try-had come to the conclusion that those to obtain public confidence. Their powers had not been well and judiciously must necessarily be large, and i exercised. This was shown by the propo- degree unconstitutional, to carry sal to change the tribunal. The Board, objects they had in view; and it sh therefore, must stand condemned, not only the business of the House to see t by the voice of the country, but of the persons constituting the Board were Executive Government also, or a simple to exercise those powers with dis Continuance Bill would have been proposed and judgment. But in the meanw without any change in the Board. The thought it desirable that the Gove hon. Member who last spoke complained should introduce a continuing Bi that it was unjust to condemn the Board should reform the Board on som when no instance of misconduct had been model as the Poor Law Board established against them. Why, if the thought, under the circumstance hon. Gentleman was not satisfied with the noble Lord (Lord Seymour) had "show up" the Board had received at the the only wise course which he coul hands of the noble Member for Totness taken; and he (Mr. Henley), therefor (Lord Seymour), he (Mr. Henley) did not dially supported his Amendment, th know what would satisfy him. He (Mr. Bill be read a second time that day Henley) thought few Members in that months. House could have pressed into so small a compass such a tale of wrong-doing and mis-doing as the noble Lord had done in LORD JOHN RUSSELL hope before the House decided upon rej this Bill, they would well consider ence between the Mem- | Chadwick, he had stated to that gentleman twenty years ago his opinion that he did not take sufficiently into account the habits of self-government of this country, and the desire there was in all local bodies to continue that government in their own hands. On the other hand, it would not be denied that, while local government was an excellent thing, still, as to many things, there was frequently such irregularity, such neglect, on the part of those local bodies-for example, as to the Poor Laws, as to the health of towns, as to education -that it was useful to have some general supervision, some general board, which should, at least, furnish information and advice enabling local bodies the more effectually to manage their concerns. Such, at least, had been the course of legislation adopted with the general consent for the last twenty years. The noble Member for n on opposite sides of o the first point, that e body, some authority, ions for the health of peared to be generally 1th of the community, ses and epidemics, and interacting them, were import, that all must ecessity of some Board for the purpose of n, and with adequate therefore, they were precise extent of those se appeared to be no opinion. The noble -) objected to the power of the ratepayers of the Health of Towns ir town. He did not e Lord, but this was a le Lord and other hon. disposed generally to ttee to be appointed and his noble Friend on) had stated that the uite willing that the esent measure should year, with a view of the whole subject thought that a prothe House generally to agree. As to the right hon. Gentleman ld be impracticable; use thought fit to sit e next six months, the ould hardly be termioard, according to his end. Then came the with great ability and e noble Member for ymour), whether the to the Board had been etion; or, on the other ndiscretion that they the limited time prosted to the persons who ? With reference to ad been laid on some quite agreed with the Totness the Board of histaken in the advice He conceived that the oard had exaggerated ect of central powers, n which those powers is country. He knew these gentlemen, Mr. Totness had instanced several cases in No public Board ever rendered a all the facts tog cial business und the port of the Con all the facts together, and then showing what had been the experience of the different towns and the results deducible from that experience. So with respect to many other matters, which he did not wish to go into then, he considered that the Board of Health had been of great public service. With reference to that which was the special business under the Board of Health, it had been shown that in 180 towns the Board had been invited to interpose for the improvement of the health of those towns; and it was important to observe, as touching the question of local self-government, that what was done in these towns was not the putting them under the Board of Health, "bound hand and foot," as the noble Lord had said, but that the Board of Health gave its advice and assistance in the formation of local boards of health, which then provided for the health of the place. The other ground on which the Board was attacked was in reference to the persons who formed the Board. He felt himself in a great degree responsible for the nomination of these persons, because, in one office or another, he had been very much concerned in the appointment of those persons. Of Lord Shaftesbury he would say nothing, for that noble Earl required no defence and no eulogy from him. There was no man living who had done so much as the noble Earl to promote the welfare of the working classes, or done it so disinterestedly or so unostentatiously. However men might dissent from many of his views and many of his measures, still this testimony would be readily accorded to him, even in his own generation, and most assuredly in the generations which should come after him. But as to Mr. Chadwick, who was the object of much obloquy, he would say a few words; and, while he stated what he thought favourable to him, he would not disguise in what he conceived that Mr. Chadwick's administration of public affairs was faulty. Mr. Chadwick was a man of the greatest energy, and with a spirit of inquiry which induced him to labour, by zeal, by unremitting attention to the subject in hand, to go to the bottom of it, and to attempt some remedy for the evils which he conceived himself to find there. He was appointed an assistant commissioner to inquire into the Poor Laws, and if in that large book, the Report of the Commissioners, they turned to the Report of Mr. Chadwick, they would find there the germ of that amendment which, in his (Lord J. Russell's) convic tion, had saved the country from social evils, if not absolutely from revolution. He thought that this testimony which might be fairly p in favour of Mr. Chadwick. With to other subjects-with respect to Mr. Chadwick's inquiries had the greatest use to the country. T stabulary, which had been partly p for the counties by Parliament, w much the result of the inquiries Mr. Chadwick made into the subjec he (Lord J. Russell) trusted tha future Session that valuable measur be carried out to the extent whi requisite for the efficient police country. With reference to this of health, Mr. Chadwick's inquiri the health of the metropolis and of had been carried on through variou missions and investigations which ha undertaken on this subject; so th these various topics-the Poor La improvement of the police of the c and the improvement of the health country-there was no man to who and assiduity this country was m debted than to Mr. Chadwick. thus stated what he regarded as Mr wick's merits, he would not disguis like many other men, ardent reform very often, in his zeal for amendm he conceived it, overlooked or disre the objection and repugnance with his views and propositions were by others. Thus, when he was upon the administration of the Poo as secretary, many of his proposa altogether against the feeling of th try, were repugnant to the gener timent of the country, and were th injudicious and not to be perseve With respect to this Health of Tow no doubt, in many instances, Mr wick's acts had, in like manner offence. It was quite obvious t many of our towns many of the rat had rather be let alone than be upon to take the measures necess their own health and that of their men. There were likewise many who were pecuniarily interested t plans of the Board should not be a and it was very probable that Mr wick had not observed towards these of persons the most conciliatory to sible. However, as to the persons the Board, his noble Friend (Viscou merston) had already informed the that every member of the Board had port the second reading of the Bill. He had received several letters from persons engaged throughout the country in carrying into operation the Health of Towns Act, acknowledging the obligations they owed to Mr. Chadwick, and, among others, the following from Dr. Peacock, addressed to Mr. Chadwick himself— s noble Friend's hands, whenever the Governt advisable to dispense His own opinion was, sbury would probably less a task to continue reference to Mr. Chadventy years of labour ed to the public service, "Deanery, Ely, July 15, 1854. health, now much im"My dear Sir-I have read with equal pain be deemed unfair that, and indignation the attacks which have been his services should be made upon your official character in the House of Commons and in the Times, and I think it is retiring allowance comincumbent upon every one who appreciates the e nature of the duties value of the important labours to which your life scharging. Mr. Chad- has been devoted to protest against such gross d, had placed his resig- injustice. We are chiefly indebted to your invesIs of the Government. tigations and reports for the first sound views r. Southwood Smith, it tion of the poor, and of the correct principles of sawhich have been taken of the proper administrat, for the effective work-nitary reform; and it is to your courageous expoent, a medical Commis- sure of the jobs of parish vestries, water compa , and it did not appear nies, and of engineers who have either an interest vas made to this gen- ignorant to learn or to practise what a more in the perpetuation of abuses or are too idle or these circumstances, enlarged and liberal experience should teach mit that the proposal them, that you are indebted for the obloquy with (Viscount Palmerston) which they are attempting to overwhelm you. I her of the others which have no doubt but the triumphant success of the sanitary measures which are in progress under e the House-the pro- your auspices will speedily silence all your ene-ntinue the Act for one mies. rstanding that, at the next Session, there ry into the whole subhich would show what Fter to be vested in the and in what authority to be vested, and that the Board should be general supervision of tate for the Home Deuld be responsible for s of the greatest ime next three or four or asure should have the o were thoroughly acdetails of the departaced all at once in the ns, so that the House, ke the inquiry intende full benefit of the he present gentlemen be in the hands of re experienced in the He ventured to submit there had been very opinion between the who had spoken on the rejection of this y unwise proceeding; House would adopt -y his noble Friend. Osaid, he should sup "I can speak from my own experience, as chairman of the board of health at Ely, that we are, in a great measure, indebted to the kind support which you have given us for the success of our undertaking; without your support, our effort to effect the drainage and water supply of this place would have been stifled at its birth. "Believe me, my dear Sir, very truly yours, "G. PEACOCK." (Signed) He thought they ought to pass the second reading of the Bill on account of the important services which the Board of Health had rendered and was still rendering to the country. He was authorised also to state on behalf of Mr. Chadwick, that his medical advisers had recommended him not to continue in the Board. MR. HUME, before giving his vote, wished to know whether, if this Bill were read a second time, the Government would undertake as soon as possible to remove Mr. Chadwick, and to reform the constitution of the Board? VISCOUNT PALMERSTON said, it had been already stated that all the three members had placed their resignations in the hands of the Government, to be accepted whenever the Government might think fit; and as his hon. Friend (Mr. Heywood) had stated that Mr. Chadwick felt he was no longer able to continue to act upon the Board, there need be no longer any ques tion about that gentleman. Question put, THE BOARD OF H occasion had been House, he (Sir B. certain words in a tions in relation metropolis. He that those regulat Board of Health that in another author. Lord Sh written to him to Health had nothi the regulations to that they were en of the Secretary Board they were party to them. VISCOUNT PAI perfectly true th not proceed from were they at all i lations, but as re ence to one partic NEWFOUND SIR JOHN P put a question tleman as to the Newfoundland, u an inquiry some t tleman the Unde nies, with regar Colony for respo answer then give the Duke of N despatch stating which he was demand. Since ton) had heard ture had rejecte believed a depu and had waited tleman to ask on the subject. to put to the was, whether it D8 10 Question put, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question." The House divided: -Ayes 65; Noes 74: Majority 9. Words added : Main Question, as THE BOARD OF HEALTH-EXPLANATION. from the conditions laid down by t of Newcastle, to alter those cond any degree, or to adhere to them SIR GEORGE GREY said, it v true that the Duke of Newca stated, in a despatch transmitte Colony, the conditions he thought able to lay down before respon vernment was conceded to that but he did not think the right hon man had quite correctly stated th tion those conditions had met with conditions had not been rejected the contrary, three of the most in seemed to have been objected t party in the Colony. The first related to the compensation to be to holders of offices, and the di which had arisen on this point wer to the amount of compensation, a he hoped, susceptible of very e satisfactory adjustment. With r the increase in the number of m no difference of opinion existed, lieved, on that point. As respe sub-division of electoral districtsthe most important of the condit ferred to-a Bill upon this subj passed the Assembly. It was t differences had arisen between the and the Assembly upon this po they had arisen upon matters o which had been magnified into m portance than could be justly attri them. It was correct that the A had deputed persons to see the S of State on these subjects; and G. Grey) was now in communicat them, and he hoped that the dif SIR JOHN PAKINGTON wished to which had arisen between the Cou put a question to the right hon. Gen- the Assembly were by no means tleman as to the affairs of the colony of able. With respect to the questio Newfoundland, upon which he had made had been put to him, he would, an inquiry some time ago of the hon. Gen-adhering strictly to every one of tleman the Under Secretary for the Colo-express his general concurrence nies, with regard to the demand of the conditions laid down by the Duke Colony for responsible government. answer then given to his inquiry was, that the Duke of Newcastle had sent out a despatch stating certain conditions upon which he was willing to accede to that demand. Since then he (Sir J. Pakington) had heard that the Colonial Legislature had rejected these conditions; and he believed a deputation was now in London, and had waited upon the right hon. Gentleman to ask what were his intentions on the subject. The question he wished to put to the right hon. Gentleman now was, whether it was his intention to recede VISCOUNT PALMERSTON said, it was perfectly true that these regulations did not proceed from the Board of Health, nor were they at all intended as general regulations, but as recommendations in reference to one particular burial-ground. NEWFOUNDLAND-QUESTION. The castle. INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION-(IRE) Order for Committee of Supply Motion made, and Question pr "That Mr. Speaker do now le Chair.' Mr. LUCAS said: Sir, I wish before the notice of the Governm of the House a subject of which given notice, and which has bee time on the paper. Notwithstand advanced period of the Session, I h House will be of opinion that I n |