(by direct Spanish Telegraph—January 16, 1878)

The debates on the Royal Marriage Bill have been prolonged for two days. The hostile speeches of General Pavia and Señor Moyano against the Duke of Montpensier caused much sensation in a very crowded House, and are severely criticised by most of the Conservative papers.

Señor Cánovas del Castillo spoke twice to defend the Marraige Bill.

The debate closed at seven o’clock to-night. After several speeches had been made a division was taken, and showed a majority of 309 in favour of the King’s marriage, the ayes including the members of the Constitutional and Centralist parties, and many Moderados. The Noes only numbered four. Señor Castelar and the Radicals abstained from taking part in the debate. In the Senate the debate will begin to-morrow.

The Duke of Montpensier and the Infants arrived at Aranjuez on Friday.

The official organs say the Minister of Finance will in the next budget repeal the extraordinary surcharges created in the tariff last year, and also some excise duties which had paralysed commercial prosperity and the revenue of the customs.

(Reuter’s Telegram. Madrid, Jan. 15)

The Congress has approved the marriage of King Alfonso with the Princess Mercedes by 309 votes against 4. The annual allowance to the Queen in case of her becoming a widow was also agreed to. Señor Castelar abstained from voting.