THE ALIEN ACT, ETC.
During this session it was resolved that the alien act should be continued for two years longer; it being necessary to keep out as well as send out of Great Britain persons who might take advantage of the vicinity of France, to excite a spirit hostile to the security of this and other European governments. Sir Samuel Romilly introduced a bill to do away with the capital part of the act respecting private stealing in shops, &c., setting forth in his preamble, that extreme severity of punishment tends to procure indemnity for crime; but the house was not yet prepared to legislate in a merciful spirit: the bill was rejected. Before the close of the session Mr. Brougham succeeded in his motion for a committee of inquiry respecting the education of the poorer classes; the first step towards that system of popular instruction in which he has effected so much. Fourteen commissioners were to be appointed by the crown, six of whom were to have no salaries. This bill, however, underwent many alterations in the upper-house, chiefly through the exertions of Lord Eldon, who used all his influence against it. The commissioners to be appointed were limited to the investigation of charities connected with education; they were precluded from investigating the state of education among the poor generally; and they were directed to traverse the country and to call witnesses before them, without possessing any authority for enforcing attendance, or for demanding the production of documents. As Mr. Brougham observed, the bill as it came from the lords left everything to the good will of those who had an interest at variance with the inquiry. Yet much good, he anticipated, might result from the exercise of the powers possessed by the house. The means to be used were, that the commissioners should proceed and call witnesses; that they should report to the house, and make returns of the names of all those who refused to give information or produce documents without alleging any just cause of refusal; and the committee, which would be reappointed next session, might be empowered to call those persons before them.