The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-31 00:00:00

given money to many of them at previous elections.
(Applause.)
Mr. Slade—Do you know anything of money being given
to Car.len's voters at this elective ?
Mr. Edwards—lf you take the same mune with the
other party that you have taken with me you will not need
me. (Applause.)
After some conversation,
Mr. Edwards said he did not blame the commissioners for
theposition in which he was placed. lie blamed himself, and
the legislature which had passed such a stringent enact-
ment. Ile had suffered; and he no doubt should suffer.
lint he should be disappointed if the course pursued by the
commissioners with him and with Mr. Dell was not also
pursued with Sir It. Carden and Sir It. Carden's agents.
Edwards was then about to retire from the witness box,
when
Mr. Wells, the barrister, rose to claim the right, as
counsel fur several of the electors, to put questions to
Edwards. The time had tutee when the gentlemen he (Mr
Wells) represented had a right to appear by counsel.
The learned gentleman was asked by the commissioners
whether he desir,d to put questions direct or through the
wart.
Mr. Wells replied that he claimed a right to appear, and
therefore to put questions direct; but, putting aside his
right, be appealed to the commissioners whether, in the
exercise of their discretionary powers, they would not think
it desirable to allow electors to ba heard by counsel. The
last witness had referred to his (Mr. Wells's) clients—Mr.
Kinder awl others. He (Mr. Med.) did nut believe that
Edwards had told anything but the truth ; but the cha-
meter of Mr. Kinder had been brought in question, dhe
(Mr. Wells) deeired to examine the witness. On the
double ground, that lie had a general right, as counsel;
and on the ground that he could assist in eliciting truth, he
asked permission to put question..
While the commissioners were consulting in respect to
this application,
Mr. Low (solicitor, and the agent of Sir IL Carden) ap-
plied to the commiseime re fur permission to exercise the
same privilege as that claimed by Mr. Weds.
Mr. Forsyth replied, that Mr. Low, a. an elector, could
put whatever questions he wished through the court
Mr. Low claimea the Clint right for himself as Mr.
We Its claimed for Isis client*.
Mr. Gresham (solicitor) also claimed the same right as
Mr. Wells.
Mr. Forsyth could not understand what these questions
meant. Mr. Wells applied as a member of the bar.
Mr. Gresham meant that if Mr. Wells was snowed to put
que,tioas direct, as the reproentative of other parties, he
(Mr. Gresham) insisted on being allowed the same privi-
lege as as elector, and not actin,: for others. (Great
laughter, Mr. Gresham appearing to be • "character" in
St. Albans.)
The

retired to consider the applications of

Mr. Wells and Mr. Low.
On their return, Mr. Slade stated that the commissioners
had conic to the conclusion that they could not concede the ,
abstract right of counsel appearing in this inquiry.
There were several analogous inquiries, such as the
grand juries' and coroners' inquiries, at which counsel ,
did not and could uot appear. In this inquiry the inter-
ests of individuals were not affected and not endangi red.
The commission was issued to inquire into a system, and
into a system only. They had to get at facts irrespective
of results. So clear was it that the legislature hail not
contemplated investigating or dealing atilt the criminal
acts of individuals, that all parties giving truthful evi-
dence were absolved by the powers given to the commis-
sioners from all consequences. In point of tact, therefore,
no party was before the commissioners, and no party could
lie heard. There was a compulsory power given to compel
witn.sses to answer questions ; but this compulsion was to
answer qucatioas put by the court. There was
no compu.sion to answer questions put by any one else,
and the indemnity was only to be given to witnesses for
answeriog questions put by the court. This showed that
the intention of the legislature clearly was, that questions
should be put by the court only, or when suggested by
others, should be adopted by the court. So much as to
the abstract right of counsel to appear. With regard to
the discretionary power of the commissioners, the commis-
sioners acre decideilly of °pillion that were they to grant
Mr. Well., or Mr. Low, or Mr. Gresham the privilege they
claimed, the inquiry would be interminable. If a counsel
could put questions direct to a dames, electors could, a
fortiori, also put questions direct. To concede what was
asked, therefore, would be to occasion great inconvenience
and endless delay.
Mr. Fors)th and Mr. Phina followed, detailing pre-
cisely the same reasons fur refusing the applications.
Mr. Wells would INIW respectfully to the opinion of
the court. It should be understood that he had nu desire to
establish a grievance, or to protest against the decision of
the court. lie had wished, as the repreacntative of many
electors, to appear as counsel on their behalf. But he left
the court, alter having watched the inquiry for three days,
deeply impressed with the conviction that the learned com-
missioners were taking a course eminently calculated to
elicit the truth in regard to those truism:turas auto which
they were inquiring.
Mr. Slade—You, Mr. Wells, and the public, may be
perfectly certain that every person affected by Edwards's
evidence shall have an opportunity of correcting and ex-
plaining.
Mr. Low hail only wished by putting in his application
to show that it would be a practical inconvenience to con-
cede the privilege of parties "appearing," either person-
ally, or by counsel.
Mr. Edwards (who hail not left the witness-box) was
asked a few further questions by the court. at the suggestion
of Mr. Debenham. one of Mr. committee.
Mr. Edwards explained that in saying that his party
would be satisfied when they knew he (Edwards) was in
communication with Mr. Coppock, he meant that they were
satisfied the candidate would he a good government candi-
date. Witness further said that Mr. Debenham had only
been resident in the borough since 1S)0. Mr. Debenhant
had dealt with Edwards as a confidential agent of the
liberal party. Mr. Debenham did not know of Edwards's
practice with respect to money.
lu answer to Mr. Low (through the court) Mr. Edwards
said that " Iliad-money" was hit own phrase, not a St.
Albans phrase. But people always understood what he
meant. _ _ _

1 he court was adjourned to Tuesday next.