The Press.
London, England, 1858-05-08 00:00:00

COUNTY FRANCHISE OF

Mr. CAM) moved for leave to bring in a bill to
assimilate the county franchise of Scotland with
that of England. He showed the disparity of
the two franchises, and that the county constituency
in Scotland was narrowed to the landlords and
tenant farmers (the artizan population being mum-
franchised) ; and the tenants, he said, being always

expected to vote with their landlords, the Scotch
county members were practically returned by the
landed aristocracy. He was aware that the proposed
assimilation would grewly enlarge the county con-
stituency of Scotland ; but this, in his opinion, was a
recommendation of the measure.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Cowsm.
Mr. MONCRIEFF opposed the motion. He was at
a loss, he said, to understand how the assimilation
was to be accomplished; if the object was to intro-
duce into Scotland the 404. freehold franchise, with
all its incidents, characteristics, and effects, this, he
contended, was impossible. bir. Caird had not said
what classes be proposed to enfranchise, and there
was no large amount of small tenements capable of
receiving the 40s. franchise separately. He pointed
out various objections to the messure, which, in his
opinion, would not improve the county constituency
of Scotland, but would check the progress of liberal
and enlightened opicions;and give greater scope to the
influence of power and money.
Mr. BAXTER recommended Mr. Caird to withdraw
the bill, and move for a select committee to consider
the whole subject.

Mr. C. BaucE opposed the motion, which was sup-
ported by Mr. BOWYER.
Mr. E. ELLICE, though he recommended Mr.
Card not to proceed with his bill, did not resist its
introduction.
The LORD ADVOCATE said he believed that the
bill was the result of an entire misconception on
the part of the promoters of the movement in which
it originated, who supposed that it was possible to
effect an assimilation between the county franchise
of England and Scotland, which had been demon-
strated by Mr. Moncrieff to be an impossibility.
• ,--"oration he enforced and amplified,

showing at the same time the ill effects of an
attempt at assimilation, in extending the means of
creating votes.
Sir T. K COLEBROOKE supported the motion, with
certain reservations.

Colonel SYKES and Mr. PEASE spoke in favour of
the bill.

Mr. WHITESIDE observed that if the 40s. freehold
franchise was to be extended to Scotland because it
existed in England, it ought by a parity of reason-
ing to be restored in Ireland, where it had been
extinguished by the Legislature for very sufficient
reasons.

The discussion was continued by Mr. Calcutt,
Mr. Craufard, Mr. Steuart, and other members.
Lord ELM) thought the house would stultify
itself by assenting to the introduction of a bill for
an object which bad been demonstrated to be im-
possible. . . .

Mr. CAIRD having replied, the motion was nega-
tived by 103 to 84.

CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT.
Mr. Pass?, in moving a message to the Lords for
a copy of the opinions of the judges in the case of
" Cooper v. Slade," putting an interpretation upon
the Corrupt Practices Act, drew attention to the
state of the law relative to travelling expenses at
elections.

Mr. Sergeant DEASY dwelt upon the serious effects
of the decision as to the past as well as the future,
and urged that, for the sake of candidates and con-
stituents, there should be a spzedy alteration of the
law.

Mr. WALPOLE stated that the subject had been
under consideration, and it was his intention to

submit to the house certain amendments of the act,
adding that, in his opinion, such expenses, when bunk
fide, ought to be legalized.
After some remarks by Mr. Frrzoznum and Mr.
V. Smrrn, the motion was agreed to.
DURHAM COUNTY PALATINE JURISDICTION BILL.

On the order for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. A. SMITH suggested that the jura regalia to be
transferred to the Crown should pass to the Crown as
guardian of the public, and be transferred to the
Commissioners of the Admiralty, and not to the
Board of Land Revenue.

Mr. G. HAMILTON intimated that the question
would be better discussed in the committee on the
bill.

Some remarks were made by Mr. ATHERTON and
Mr. INGHAM, and the bill was read a second time.

PROPERTY QDALITICATION BILL.
Mr. L. KING moved the second reading of this
bill, briefly referring to the anomalies of the law of
qualification, and the frequency of its evasions.
Mr. BENTINCK observed that the object of the law
was sound and right thst persona should not be
members of that house shuse financial position
rendered it inconvenient to them to devote the;r
time to its business, and that they should be placed
above temptation.
Mr. MILEs had no difficulty in assenting to the
second reading of the bill.
Mr. GRIFFITH anti Major EDWARDS made a few
remarks. _

Mr. WALPOLE thought the inc
present law was a strong objection
notorious evasion of it rendered

A ;onsisteney of tte
to it, and that the
it a great sham.