The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-08 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING MARCH 8, 1853

nlit amide, the general evil. whisk it web th biselness of
itarliament to deal with. (Hear, bear.) That last asset-
'dente was prepared to support. There were eases which
eould not be referred to committees. but with which perils-
Ment might fitly deal. He was disposed to say that in
every case where a report of an election committee stated
that meimbem had bees returned by amass of bribery and
correptpractiees, it would be desirable that a select cons-
, mitts. be appointed to inquire whether there was reason to
believe that corrupt practices had extensively prevailed. He
'mild not bat believe that with regard to boroughs which
had been the subject of inquiry in the last few days,
it would appear that suet was the ease. He had
beard that, as regarded Bridgeaorth, • petition for
such an inquiry would be presented, ant he had also
beard that at Blackburn attempts had been made to at-
tack and insult thesis who pave evidence before the elec-
tion committee. If • petition was presented, asking the
bowie to inquire into the existence of corrupt practises
at an election, it would not be right to stud the writ
down to that b trough—and that in the face of such a
petition, stating that the election bad been corrupt. He
did not mean to say that the same practices would be
resorted to on a new election, or that such election would
be as corrupt as the last, but there could ;be no doubt the
same corrupt influence would prevail. With respect to the
tenting of the writ, ho did think it should be suspended,
as was done by the Grenville Act, by way of penalty
or punishment on the borough. It was not right that the
house should punish the borough in that manaer, as was
formerly done ; but if any inquiry was pending. either be-
fore an election committee or • commission appointed under
the provisions of 15 & 16 Vic.' the writ ought not to is-
sue. At present he was satisfied to accept the proposal of
the hon. member for Wilshire, with souse alteration, with
regard to the time of the notice. As it stood, a notice might
be given at a late hour on Monday fright, and the writ
might be moved at four o'clock on Tuesday.
If the honourable gentleman would give seven
days' notice, that would be sufficient for all parties concerned.
He had ventured to state his opinion on those cases. He
confessed that it was a matter of great difficulty. It was
not a party matter, for no one could desire to see such prac-
tices continue. He was only anxious to see the house come
to such • decision as not, on the one hand, to seem caprici-
ously to take the whole power into their own hands, but, on
the other, to stand before the country as determined to
check the torrent of corruption. (Cheers.)
Mr. SOTHEItON (who was very indistinetly heard) was
understood to say that his motion was copied from a resolu-
tion of the house in 1849. There would, be some inconve-
nience in adopting the amendment proposod by the noble
lord. Take the case before them. The house had ap-
pointed election committees, which had received evidence
on oath, and reported that members were not duly elected
and bribery committed. If the motion of the hon. hart. the
member for Westminster was agreed to, and the evidence
printed, and he then proposed that a select committee
be appointed with a view to inquiry and the issue of a com-
mission, that select committee would have power to send
for persons and papers, but they could not take evidence on
oeth ; and suppose they reported that there was no bribery,
that would be a most inconvenient position, each being op-
posed to the other, and the house would have to decide
between them. But even if that house assented to the
issuing of a commission, would the other house, which must
join in the address to the crown, agree else ? The decisions
of election committees were intended to be final. If the
house assented to the proposal of the noble lord, a select
committee would be appointed on every one of the cases
where a member was unseated, and they would virtually
and effectually take from election committees the power
of dealing with such eases, and bring them to the house to
decide. He trusted the house would agree to the propeei-
tion which he now moved: " That in all cases when the
seat of any member has been declared void by an election
conmittee an the grounds of bribery or treating, no motion
for the inning of a new writ shall be made without previous
notice being given in the votes."
Mr. BOUVEItIE seconded the amendment.

Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT urged that in the present
state of public opinion it was most desirable that the house
should show itself is earnest in the matter ; and be believed
that the proposition of Lord John Russell was calculated
to effect the object.
Sir F. KELLY, upon legal grounds, disagreed with the
proposition of Lord John Russell, urging his arguments at
some length upon a house that took no pains to conceal its
Impatience.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL, amidst very unceremo-
nious signs of opposition, pressed upon the house his own
view of the case, and disputed that of Sir F. Kelly.
Mr. I)EEDES, as chairrase of the committee, ob-
tained a batter audience. Re objected to both reso-
lution and amendment, and condemned the proposition of
"Lind John Russell as being opposed to the rules of the house.
Sir B. HALL supported the motion, and supported it
with the greater satisfaction, after having heard the argu-
ments against it.
Mr. Ker Seymer and Mr. Wortley said a few words, and
Mr. Bright declared himself in favour of the printing of the
evidence in the Blackburn case.

Mr. SOTHERON would have no objection.
Lord J. RUSSELL made some explanations in reference
to his proposition.
After a few words from Col. Boldero, Mr. Deedes, and
Mr. Peacock, the motion was agreed to in the following
form :—" That in all cases when the seat of any member has
been declared void by an election committee on the ground
of bribery or treating, no motion for the issuing of a new
writ shall be made without seven days' previous notice being
given in the votes."
CHATHAM ELECTION. _ _ _ _

Mr. T. W. BRAMSTON, the chairman of the Chatham
committee, brought up the following report from that com-
mittee':—" That Sir F. Smith is not duly elected to men
as a burgess for the borough of Chatham. That the said
election is a void election. That Jogeph Oreatheed was
proved to have been bribed by being offered a situation of a
letter-carrier in the General Post-office, obtained for his son
by Sir F. Smith. It was proved that • large number of
electors for the borough of Chatham are employed in her
Majesty's docks, under the influence of the government of
the time being ; and there appears to be no instance of a
candidate being elected for the borough of Chatham who
bad not the support of the government. (Great laughter.)
Under these circumstances, it will be for the house to
consider whether the right of returning a member be not
withdrawn from the borough of Chatham. (Cheers.)
Thero is good reason to believe that Stephen Mount, in
giving his evidence before the committee, has been guilty
of wilful and corrupt wrjury." Mr. 13ramston gave notice
to move this day, "That the evidence laid before the
Chatham committee be printed, and that the writ be sus-
pended until the 11th of April."
BOROUGH OF BRIDGNORTH.

Sir J. SHELLEY said he understood that a petition,
numerously signed. was expected to arrive from this bo-
rough next day. His purpose would be answered by hom-
ily** seven days' Wise. The inhabitants of these too-
=ought at oar Ms to have an opportunity of repro-
their caetli •ue days would be sufficient for
tint pODIPOOD. He had sit loos influenced in any way by
="goltivos. In tbe Immlmmesghs whoa, cases they had
follflfithef MOO OW lido the house, the other
as dr olhor. noose, to these horrible and
meet eigmceflei loonotisso, Wit the duty of the house,
if they Al pea wish to loss caste in the country, to show
their laNDADlNSiltesift the mattes' to the bottom: (Hear.)
He begged OD lODO. Datie• that to-morrow (this day) be
should • item the of Bleckbura.

present a petttion from men
BRIDGNOUTH ELECTION PETITION.

On the motion that the evidence be printed,
Mr. PHINN said it would be no use to prosecute the
persons bribed unless they were determined also to prose-
cute the bribers. (Cheers.) He thought that the evidence
ought to be printed in all cues, in order that they might
judge whether the government should instruct the Attar-
ney-Genual to prosecute the parties. (Cheers.)
Sir H. WILLOUGHBY believed the house was on a
false smut; for U they thought the evidence would dis-
close mg reason why they should suspend the writ for
ilra they were grossly mistaken. (Cheers.> He thought
thatresilltite should be one even to the sitting members. It
was allow% is the Brldgnorth case that glees bribery had
pee -omelet a shadow of that was proved. It was said
that id Meese had been opened for treating ; 23 of them
had eadroly vanished. The only cue of bribery proved
wee this payout or se old bill ; and on that question the
asommitess was divided—the three government members
voted see way, and the two opposition members the other.
The an wee altogether different from that of Blackburn.
Why Use ummittes had even allowed the sitting member a
large poetise of his eats. (Cheers.)
After •hw words from Mr. MALIN., the resolution was
thee agreed to.
The motion, that the writ be suspended, was withdrawn.
Sir H. WILLOUGHBY gave notice that he should move
for the writ to-morrow.
CATHEDRAL APPOINTMENTS BILL.
Mr. S. HERBERT moved that the bill be read a second
time. Its object was similar to that of the bill which was
passed at the time the last cathedral oomminion was issued.
After a few words from Mr. 'UNLIT, the bill wu read
a secood time.
LAND IMPROVEMENT (IRELAND) BILL.

This bill was recommitted.
Mr. BROTEIERTON protested against entering upon an
Irish debate after 12 o'clock. (Laughter and cheers.)
Lord C. HAMILTON also expressed a hope the bill would
not be pressed forward that night,
After some amendments bad been agreed to,
Mr. MAGUIRE moved that the chairman report progress.
Sir 1. YOUNG said it wee hopeless to think of passing
bills for the benefit of Ireland if the government was to be
met with motions for a4lournment in this way.
After a brief discussion the amendment was agreed to,
and, the house having resumed, the Chairman reported pro-
gress accordingly.
SLAVE TRADE.
The Slave Trade (New Granada) Bill and the Slave Trade
(Sober in Arabia) were read a third time and passed.
The Mutiny Bill and the Marine Mutiny Bill were read
a third time and passed.
The LORD ADVOCATE of Scotland obtained leave
to bring iu a bill for empowering the sheriff and commis-
sary of Berwickshire to hold courts of dunes and for
other purposes.
Mr. FITZROY obtained leave to bring in a bill to in-
demnify such persons in the United Kingdom as have
' omitted to qualify themselves for offices and employments,
and to extend the time limited fur these purposes re-
spectively.
THE INDIA COMMITTEE.
Mr. FRENCH moved that Mr. Kennedy and Mr.Bowyer
be added to the committee on Indian &Giro.
The SPEAKER a tid the house having already flail the
number of the ccmmittee, no member could 1,0 added to it,
until the house had agreed that the committee should be
increased.

The motion was therefore withdrawn.
The other orders were then disposed of, and the LOU"
adjourned at one o'clock.