The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-25 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. —(TH DAY.)
The DeritY-lipeaker took the chair at nIS
oon.
CHIGWELL COMMON.
;Kr. J. S. MILL asked the Secretary of State for the
Bow Department whether the Inclocum Commissioners
bad signed and sealed their award for the
indoors of the newly created common set out
far the ratepayers of the pariah of Chigwell ;
it bewas aware that the timber on the fifty acres of recces-
tics ground, granted by parliament in NC for the use of
the metropolitan public, was being cut down, thereby de-
sbo the forestal appearance of the spot, which the in-
of the legislature was to keep unenclosed and pre-
',wed in its natural wildness ; and if the destruction of
the thither had been sanctioned by the Incicoure Commis-
'losers.
gar G. GREY said the Commissioners had not corn-
mei their report, and trees were being cut down by the
y of the manor without their consent or approval.
SLOWS OF COLLEGE DECLARATION BILL
Os the order of the day for going into committee on this

bill.
Mr. BOUVERIE, in explaining the objects of the
medlar., said that it did not raise what might be strictly
celled • University question, but in modern times the
colleges had so engrossed the government of the University
that the bill related in some degree to the University.
In Cambridge the testa for obtaining decrees, except those
of divinity, were abolished, while in Oxford they
still applied to all degrees. Under these circumstances, al-
though the bill would remove the diaabilities of noncon-
formists to become fellows in Oxford, it would not
affect degrees there ; while at Cambridge it would
completely abolish testa. There were now six
colleges at Cambridge which offered no obstruction to
general admission to fellowships, but in the others candi-
dates were required to make • declaration of adherence to
the Aot of Uniformity. Until last year this test was im-
posed on all beneficed clergy, but it was then done away
with by statute, and a much less stringent declaration
substituted for it. A doubt bad arisen whether the teat
was not entirely got rid of by the Act of last
June ; but he thought it was better that all doubt should
be removed by • distinct enactment like that which he
nowpropossed. His bill did not deal with the Roman
eatnelio question, it being desirable that that should be
tressed separately; and from what had just oc-
curred in another place, he hoped that clisabili-
ties, in the shape of oaths and tests, would be
removed in regard to every denomination. (Hear, hear.)
lie denied that the present test afforded any security for
religious belief, or that the governing bodies should con-
sist only of members of the church of England. The pre-
test system did not exclude sceptical and immoral persons ;
it only excluded a few conscientious persons who enter-
tained a particular belief. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. W.OLE moved that the bill go into committee
that day six months. He based his argument on the neces.
thief guarding religion, and contended that sufficient free-
dom already existed to afford the full advantages of uni-
versity education.
GORST having taken the oaths and his seat for the
town of Cambridge,
Mr. FAWCEI7 supported the bill, and in doing so re-
ferred to a petition from Cambridge, as showing that many
of the most influential members of Cambridge Univer-
sity were in favour of the proposed change. What he
wanted was to leave it to each college to elect those whom
it deemed most suitable to be fellows. (Cheers.) The
usefulness of the universities would be greatly extended
by the bill, and the ohurch would not, he believed, be at
all injured.

[Left sitting.]

ELECTION COMMITTEES.-(THIS DAY.)

BRIDGWATER.

On the meeting of the committee this morning
Mr. Powell announced that Mr. Benjamin !Avila:aid had
insisted on coming down to the house to be examined, and
he naked the committee to adjourn to a lower room, where
Mr. Lovibond was sitting with his doctor. The committee
thereupon adjourned, and after some disputing between
learned counsel, as to whether it would be proper to exa-
mine Mr. Lovibond, it was decided that he should be
seen. In answer to the questions put to him, he denied
that he had been to Haywood's, the barber, more
than once at the time of the election, and denying
also that he had offered 501. to Haywood, explained that
Haywood told him, at the time he was cutting his hair,
upon the only occasion he would adutit that he had gone
there, that he had been put to too much recent expense in
fitting up his shop, and though be had voted for the Tynte
party for many years for nothing, he would have 501. this
time out of the liberal party.
When the committee had returned,
Mr. Powell proceeded to awn up the evidence given in
defence, and was so engaged when this report left.

HUDDERSFIELD.
The committee met again this morning at 11
o'clock, Lord Naas in the chair.
Counsel for the petition : Mr. Temple, Q.C., Mr. Ser-
jesnt Tindal Atkinson, and Mr. Macnamara ; for the
sitting member, Mr. Rodwell, Q.C., Mr. Maarten, and
Mr. Waddy.
Thos. W. Broadbent said—l was engaged to send out
circulars, and was paid two guineas for two half days.
Joseph Cliff said he would give me V. if I would stand to
my colours, and I received 51. I was present
at the declaration of the poll, and heard Mr.
Crosland say from the hustings that he hoped all
bis friends would go to the George and partake of • glass
of champagne. 1 went along with several others. There
were about 200 persons there altogether. Mr. Crosland
was present at the early part of the proceedings whilst the
drinking was going on. I saw at various times Josiah
Thomas and several other persona going in and out of the
committee-room.

Cross.examined by Mr. Rodwell—There were several
other persons employed like me in preparing circulars. I
was ready to do anything that WILS required.
When I was told that I had got rior . I said
I had only got W. The landlord of the
White Swan changed the note for me, I have had scores of
If. notes changed at that place. I upbraided Cliff with
having told about the U. note. Cliff is dead now. I gave
the information to Joseph Woodhouse about the 51. before
Cliff's death. I have told many people that I had got
nothing for my vote. That was after I had upbraided
Cliff in the presence of other people. I told Mr. flarr a
few days ago that my evidence would not affect Mr. Cros-
land. I have been in trouble more than once. I was

charged before the magistrates with making certain era-
sures in a cash-book. That was about 15 years ago.
Re-examined—The erasures related to three entries of
10a. The magistrates dismissed the charge, and I received
50/. compensation.
Thomas Robinson, the returning officer, produced the ac-
counts of the election expenses and the vouchers.
Henry Brown, examined by Mr. Temple—About a fort-
night before the election I was lodging at a beerhouse kept
by George Richardson. William Richardson lodged there
also. He also had a vote for the borough. I re-
member Mr. Mitchell coming to the house and
ordering a pint of beer for every man present.
There were about twenty. lie asked them to drink
success to the candidature of Mr. Crosland. I would
not, and drank success to Leathern, that was in the Cros-
land party's beer. I afterwards saw Mitchell take Richard-
son on one Mile. I heard Mitchell tell him he must vote for
Mr. Crosland, and if he did he would find him funds to
start in the coal business again. On the morning of the
nomination day I saw them talking together again. I con-
cealed myself in a turn-up bedstead. (Laughter.) I heard
Mitchell say if Richardson would vote for Mr. Crosland
he should have 31. He said he would. Mitchell then gave
bun the 3/. He voted fur Mr. Crosland. Previously
Richardson had told me he intended to vote for Mr.
Leathern. . _

Cross-examined—l have received 3/. for railway fare and
other expenses in coming here. I have spoken to Richard-
son on the subject of 31. He did not deny it, but said he
would not tell anything.
Mary Richardson, examined by Mr. Macnanuuw, gave
evidence corroborative of that of the last witness.

[Left aittiug.]

NORTHALLERTON.

The committee resuinariiieiriiiquiry to-day at
11 o'clock ; Mr. Sciater-Booth in the chair.
The following additional evidence was given on behalf of
the petitioner.
. . . . - .

John Heuurtock, examined by Mr. Day—l was head
waiter at the Golden Lion during the last election, and am
so still. The day of the election I was superintending the
waiting in the whole house. Mr. Fowle had no particular
room in the inn. Ido not know whether he occupied
a room for some time before the election. There
was a sitting room up stairs which he went to sometimes.
He used to go into any room he thought proper. I took
him a glass of something occasionally at No. I and got
paid for it. There was no paper on the room. It was not
a committee room. I saw John Thornton standing outside
the door a clay or two. He was there not to let anybody
80 in. I don't know who he let in. I went in myself. I
. .

muinot tell you who I saw there. These things get out of
my head. I saw William Fowle and Thomas Fowle there.
I saw Mr. T. Cooper, and Mr. Smith Laing there. I fancy
I law Mr. Holt, the attorney, there. The two Olivers
might havebeen there. I took refreshments there,whatever
I was ordered in the liquor way. I cannot say how much
I took there. There was not to say much drunk. I
Wu paid for what I took up by them that got what I
brought. The money was laid down on the table for me.
Mr. Clay, the landlord told me to mind what I was about
and get paid by the parties themselves. " Mind what
you're about," says he, " it's bribery." There were
all sorts upstairs, strangers and other people, and I
got paid as I went on. I could not tell who the
steers were. Ido not remember whether there was a
breakfast given on the nomination day. We had a lunch.
M e put it out on speculation—(laughter—in the long
r`x"n• I cannot recollect whether Mr. Fowle had luncheon.
Ido not remember who he had to luncheon. Benjamin
Carr lunched there. He has to pay for it yet. (Laughter.)
He slipped out without paying. We charged Is. a head.
,eramined by Mr. Price, Q.C.—I collected the
'Ruling* as the people who had luncheon passed the bar.
Some of the waiters brought back liquor because the
Partite who ordered it would not pay for it themselves.

To Mr. Day—The room in which Mr. Fowle used to be
was used for electioneering purposes.
Mr. Price said he never denied that.
Win. Long, bricionaker, maids, an Stockton, and an
elector of Northallerton, deposed that he went to the
Red lion a week or two before the election. The room he
went to was full of people chiefly voters. There wasnoihing
going on but drinking. He bad two glasses of ram. He
did not pay for what he had, and he saw no person pay.
Themes Simpson, Henry Smith, and Smith Icing were
urging him to drink, and some of them were getting far-
ish on. Mr. Fowle asked witness to be present at the
nomination, and inquired whether he had bad anything to
drink. It was a little boy brought in the liquor.
Cross-examined--I voted for Mr. Johns. I signed the
document now produced. It is a statement I made to Mr.
Fowl,.
[Left sitting.]