The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-02-21 00:00:00

WEDNESDA Y.

Mr. MELLOR, in moving that the Corrupt Practices'
Prevention Act (I6:4) Aeueicheent Nil be read • second
time, said he had received runny cooninininicetions ap-
proving not only the object, but the provisions rif the
Bull, proving that a stronger feeling upon the subject
prevailed throughout the country turn was generally
supposed, and, unless Parliament did something to show
it was in earnest in the matter, lie feared that represen.
tative institutions would become the scorn of Europe.
He proceeded to explain the various provisi 111 l sof the
neasure (which lac had ilescrilied on moving for leave to
inirmince it), mammies up its main objects. namely, first,
tu make the punishment for bribery a degrading one by
4iving a discretionary power tin the Judge upon toll-
victioli to add to the other rualties • sentence of hard
riannrr ; 11": Ily, to increase and facilitate the means of
letectiun ; and, thirdly, to provide against the payment
•rf any expenses save through the election agent and
election auditor, and against the employment of voters.
lie offered this, lie said, not as • final and complete.
Mit as • pmvisional meausre, which lie thought, would
strike at the root of the evil.
Mr. lit:NT supported the second reading of the Bill,
but objected to 11011IC of its provisions.
Sir F. Gobunuin strongly objected to those provisions
of the Bill which proposed to enact a severe penalty for
bribery, as founded upon an antiquated principle of
legislation, arguing, from the example of the operation
of our criminal law prior to its mitigation. that heavy
punishments, being relaxed in practice, became ineffec-
trial. In suggeating other remedies. Ire entered at touch
length into the details of election tactics.
Mr. STEUART appoired the spirit of many of the pro-
Vitliollll of the Bill. but advocated certainty rather than
severity of punishment. To some of the pruvisiona he
offered objections.
Mr. Cobbled( dissented from certain pmvisions in the
Bill, suggesting improvements of the measure, one of
which was the appointment of • public prosecutor for
the offence of bribery, the present procedure being ex-
tremely defective and often ineffectual.
Sir U. GREY said all he had heard in the debate con-
vinced him that the House, iii tinier to legislate satire
factorily on this subject, must have a searching inquiry
into the oneratiinn of the Corrupt Practices' Prevention
Act, and the measures necessary to he taken for putting
a stop to bribery. After viewing the three main enact-
amide of the Bill, and expresoing a doubt whether
superadiling bard labour to the penalties of fine and inn-
irrisounient would affix a more degrading character to
the inffenee, he suggested that, instead of affirming the
principle of the Bill by reading it a second time, it
it should be referred, with the whole subject, to • com-
mittee, annul he was ready, he said, on the part of the
Government, to propose the appointment of • Com-
mittee.
Mr. Maexubde remarked that, as the existing law
for the auppresaion of bribery and corruption was rarely
prosecuted, bow the annexing the penalty of hard
labour to fine and impriso 1111 l ent would increase its
activity, suroassed his comprehension. He protested
agninst an observation made by Sir G. Grey on the sub-
ject of the election auditor.
After some remarks by Mr M. Mli.elta, Mr. MicuLott
adopted the suggestion of Sir G. Grey, and withdrew
hie motion for the second reading of the Bill.
Mr. JANUS inured for a Select Con 111 l ittee to inquire
into tine operation and effect of the Corrupt Practices'
Prevention Act. annul else whether any further 111,1411reS
are neeessary fur the prevention of corrupt practices at
elections.

Mr. Sergeant KINGLAICE seconded the motion,
which gave rise to a renewal of the &hate upon the
whole subjrut of the preeedirrg motion, Mr Put LIPP%
Mr. P 171.1.1111, Mr. W. MARTIN, Mr. GKIVEITH, Mr.
ANGKIItiTEIN, and other members taking part in it.

- .
The motion was agreed to.
Mr. ticirourl Imo snored the second restiing
.of the

Adulteration of Foal or Drink Bill, observin; that it
object was the smile as the Bill of last year, but it was
much noire simple in its provisions.
The Bill was rend a second time, after a few remarks
by Mr. 3.0 t vs and Sir G. (;Rey.
The Trninwayi(lreland) Bill was referred to a Select
Committee.
On the motion of Mr. IiADFIELD, the Charitable Use'

Bill was resd a seimiol time.
Colonel DUNN'S Moved for the copy of the commis-
sion for an inquiry into the oonduct of lir. Balk, a
insgiatrate of the county of Roscommon. accused of
having cominitted a criminal offence, together with the
report of the Commiasioner and correspondence non-
[teeter! therewith, prefacing the motion with • state-
ment of the details of the case, and complaining
generally of the illegality of this and similar cum-
inisaions.
Mr. CARnwri.L, not opposing the motion, justified
the commissiou by •ppesling to precedents, and the
course pirsued towards Mr. Halle.
Mr. WHITEISID6 thought that Mr. Cardwell had not
given a satisfactory answer to the litatement of Colonel
Dunne, and contended that the inquiry bad been illegal
iii it. inception and its conduct.
Mr. OSBORN IS denounced the proceedin; against Mr.
Rae, whose ell:inn:ter. he aid, had been mulled
sponyinoualy, and who had ',ern sulijected to NI inquiry
wore than that of the Inquisition.
Mr. LONGFIEI.D. though he deprecated these commis-
sions, defended the conduct of the Commissioner in
the present case.
Mr. GLOMS vindicated the character of Mr.
Rolfe.
Sir G. GacT remonstrated against the discussion of
the cam until the papers had been produced. He
thought there was some force in the objection made to
these cominimions, and that the sooner the practice was
discontinued the better.
The motion was agreed to, and the House adjourned
shortly after 5 o'clock.