The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-29 00:00:00

~~

bribery and corruption, and in the name of that very
'iµncep
tlt' appealesl to him not topress this
in tictints.,hp When the geveinment proposed. p
to separate;
the franchise bill from the measure which should deal
with the redistribution of seats, it was urged that on all
provinne ocoesions en wbkilt a government had dealt with
MA subject it had been usual to combine the two objects
in Cone bill ; but certainly it had never been customary to
include in such a measure provisions for the prevention of
bribery and corruption. The objection to the adoption of
that course might be redact upon many grounds, but he
• would put it upon only one. The questions of the elective
franchise and disteibution of seats naturally gave rise to
party differences ; but questions relating to bribery and
corruption were of an entirely different nature. The
house had always endeavoured to approach them upon the
assumption which must be regarded ass just one, that they
all had an equal interest in the repression of those
offences. It was said the other night that health was not
infectious as disease was, and he was afraid that if a non-
party question was thrown into the arena along with seve-
ral party questions, the effect would be that while the die-
cusaion of the party questions would not be assisted, a good
many obstacles would be placed in the way of the discus-
sion of that which involved no party considerations.
(Hear.) So far as the views of the government had been
matured upon this subject, they were of opinion that the
law was grievously defective, but it was easier to make that
admission than to suggest an effectual remedy. It would
not be passible to pass over the present occasion of the re-
form of our parliamentary constitution without a delibe-
rate inquiry as to what oould be done, but, in his opinion,
it would be well that before making up their
minds upon that point they should see what were
the results of the inquiries which were now going
on into bribery and corruption alleged to have been com-
mitted at the last election. The observations in which
the hon. baronet described the horrors of sitting in
September and October appeared to cut directly
against his present purpoee, because undoubtedly
those horrors would not be mitigated if the
house had to sit through November in order
to dispose of bribery and corruption. (" Hear,
hear,* and a laugh). He trusted that the hon. baronet
would not press this instruction, but would rest satisfied,
not so much with any assurance of the government as with
the general conviction that no member of the house had
I any desire except to adopt the most effectual measures for
the prevention of bribery and corruption.
Mr. B. OSBORNE, who was received with cheers,
thanked the hon. member for Northamptonshire for draw-
ing attention to a matter which required more reform
, than either the franchise or the distribution of seats.
' (Cheers.) It was all very well for the right hon. gentleman
to say that more experience was required on the subject
of bribery. In God's name, what more experience was
needed. (Cheers and laughter.) Was it not evident and
patent to the house and to the country that the real
plague-spot upon our constitution was the bribery and cor-
ruption which was rife at every election. (Hear, hear.)
Looking at the election expenses which had been pub-
lished said at the experience of hon. gentlemen themselves,
both aides of the house would be acting a most hypocriti-
cal part if they did not declare that this was the one mate-
rial point upon which a minister of the crown ought to put
his finger and legislate at once. For his own part,hedeeply
regretted that, instead of following the mischievous advice
of the right hon. gentleman the member for Kil-
marnock, and mingling the paltry redistribution of
seats—for it was a paltry redistribution—with the exten-
sion of the franchise, the government had not taken the
counsel of his hon. friend the member for Northampton-
shire, and dealt boldly with this question of bribery and
corruption. \Vhat more experience did they want, Were
they to go on for parliament after parliament and be satis-
fied with being told that when the commissions had re-
ported the government would legislate? He would ask
the Chancellor of the Exchequer plainly, when aid he in-
tend to legislate upon this question! If legislation was
put off until after the commissions had reported, nothing
more would be heard of it. He felt so strongly upon the
subject that if his hon. friend went to a division he should
certainly vote with him.
Mr. NEWDEGATE said he could not separate the ques-
tions of bribery and intimidation at elections from the
question of redistribution of seats.
Mr. CLAY said that when it was admittedly right to
du a thing, it was not easy to show that it was a wrong time
to do it. (Hear.) He would be a very wise man who could
really predict the life of the present parliament,
but he would be a very sanguine one who would predict
that it would be very lon;-hved. If, therefore, they were
to put off legislation on the subject of bribery until the
commission reported, nothing was mbre likely than that
another general election would take place under the pre-
sent inefficient law. Nothing could be more unfair to con-
stitueats than to expose them to all the evils which the
present law was confessedly powerless to remedy. If,
therefore, the hon. member for Northamptonshire pressed
his motion to a division he should vote with him, believ-
ing the subject to be far the most pressing that could come
before the house.
Sir L PALK confessed that the reply of the Chancellor
of the Exchequer to has hon. friend the member for
Northamptonshire had taken him by surprise. He could
assure the right hon. gentleman that if he thought the
question could be passed by in this way, he was very
much mistaken. He appealed to hon. members at the
other side of the house to support the hon. member for
Northamptonshire, who he hoped would not flinch from
pressing his motion to a division.
Sir 0. GREY was not prepared to say some provision
might not be made of a more penal character to
deter persons from the commission of the crime. The
hon. member for Glamorganshire had given notice of a
motion, the object of which was to disfranchise every per-
son offering or receiving a bribe ' • and that might be ex-
tended to cases of intimidation also, although it could only
be effected by a bill, and not by a resolution. lie thought
it would be unwise to retard the passing of the present
hill, and therefore hoped the house would not agree to the
motion.
Sir H. CAIRNS urged that nothing could he discovered
by any inquiries which were about to take place, that
could operate one way or the other on the necessity of
legislating in regard to bribery and corruption.
Sir VIVIAN said that he had a motion for the foi-
1, wing evening, which if curried would act as an instruc-
tion to the house, and the object of which ws.o that any-
one bribing or receiving a bribe should be for ever dis-
qualified from voting at any election. He thought that
the present bills ought not to be overlaid with the subject
of bribery.
Mr. MOWBRAY complained that the government had
been dilatory in putting into action the commission of in-
quiry on bribery and corruption in certain boroughs which
had been ordered by the house.
Mr. STANILAND, who had a motion on the paper in
regard to bribery, expressed his regret at any reluctance
being shown by the government to legislate on the subject,
and stated a case of a borough having 1,000 electors, 700
of whom had been bribed at the last election ; and no
petition hail been presented against the return.
Mr. BARROW expressed his desire to see bribery ex-

tirpated.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL repeated Mr. Gladstone's
argument that the subject had never been included in a
reform bill, and that it could only be adequately dealt
with separately, and described the motion as very effective
for upsetting the bill, but very ill-considered for the ex-
tinction of bribery.
Mr. WHIT&SIDE raised a laugh by congratulating the
Attorney-General on having at last broken silence on this
subject.
Mr. BRIGHT energetically denounced the motion, as
tending in its result, if not by its object, so to cumber the
bill that it could not pass this session. Bribery, he
asserted, could not be prevented by punishment, but
only by the ballot and large constituencies, and he
blamed the government for assenting to Mr. Bon-
verie's motion, maintaining still that the proper mode
of dealing with reform was that which they had first
adopted. He concluded by an emphatic warning (which
provoked loud cries of dissent) to those who voted for the
motion thus to enlarge the scope of the bill that they would
be judged out of doors to be desirous of throwing obstacles
in its way, and of embarrassing the government.
Mr. DISRAELI, with great warmth, and amid loud
cheering from the opposition, expressed his complete con-
viction that the house would not be deterred by any fear
of a "reign of terror "—the threat of which had at last
made its way from Birmingham and Primrose-hill into the
house itself—from discharging a plain duty in carrying
this instruction, and, in answer to a sneer of Mr. Bright
(directed against the new-born real of the opposition
against corruption), he asserted that the experience of
recent election committees showed that it was not the
conservatives who need be afraid of facing the question
of bribery, pointing the retort by reminding Mr. Bright
of the cases of 'Wakefield and Huddersfield.
Mr. WYLD supported the motion, and Mr. M. GIBSON
having repeated, on behalf of the government, that the
subject could best be discussed separately, adding that it
bad not been included in Lord Derby's Reform Bill, the
division was taken in a house unusually large and excited
for so early a period of the evening, and after so short a
debate. The result, which showed the instruction to be
carried by a majority of ten, 248 to Hill, was received with
prolonged cheering from the opposition.
The other instructions of which notice bad been given
were passed over, and the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER,
in moving that the Speaker leave the chair, stated! in a
slightly sarcastic tone, that the government would give a
dispassionate consideration to any clauses which Sir R.
Knightley might propose, and that this intrusion into the
bill of a subject not connected with its original scope
would not divert them from their endeavour to pass the
bill this session.
Captain HAI'TER moved a resolution, committing the
house to the opinion that the system of grouping proposed
in the present bill for the redistribution of seats is neither
convenient nor equitable, and that the scheme of her
Majesty's government is otherwise not sufficiently matured
to form the basis of a satisfactory measure. He objected
in the outset to the redistribution scheme, because it only
dealt with boroughs of 8,000 and under, because it left
untouched the unenfranchiaed towns, and bemuse it
would fail to settle the question on a satisfactory basis.
In support of these objections he entered into an elaborate
examination of the grouping scheme, showing, in numer-
ous instances, its geographical and other inconvenienced,
and read some extracts from a letter of Sir William
Hayter, who condemned the scheme unreservedly, pre-
dicting that it would not settle the question, that it would
increase corruption, and asserting that if he had been still

TREOI

111JJ

in parliament, and in his former office, he would have re-
signed rather than support it.
In the discussion which followed, and which turned
almost entirely on the details of the grouping scheme and
its local effects, the resolution ws• seconded by Major'
Anion, and supported by Mr. Begnall, Mr. Barnett, and ,
Mr. Scleter-Booth, who expreesed his disappointment that
Mr. Disraeli's oomprehenaive speech had elicited no re-
sponse from the government, pointed out various anoma-
lies in the bill, laying great stress on the injustice of pass-
ing over such constituencies as Chelsea, Croydon, West
Bromwich, and Stockton-on-Tees, and showed its short-
comings on such points as the multiplication of polling

plisses.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL, in opposing the reso-
lution, after remarking on an alteration of its lan-
guage, drew an elaborate parallel between the govhru-
meat scheme of grouping and that sketched out by
Mr. Disraeli, in reference to the two important considera-
tions—what would least disturb the present system, and
what was the beat bill which could be passed. Be ex-
amined Mr. Disraeli's defence of small boroughs, pointing
out that the bill did not strike at a single seat held by any
of those classes on whose representation Mr. Disraeli had
laid such stress, and arguing that none of the virtues
which might be pos.essed by small boroughs would be
sacrificed by grouping. On the contrary, he argued that
grouping would do away with many of the objections to
small boroughs, would diminish expense, and would make
corru)ition more difficult. After hinting that if the motion
were carried it might result in the transfer of office to the
opposition, he warned the anti-reformers that reform could
not be got rid of, and that in another year it might not be
so easy to carry so moderate a measure.
Mn•SANDFORD defended small boroughs and their
Inaction', quoting largely from Mr. Gladstone's speech In
18.59, and reading a long list of eminent members past
and present who had found in them either a nursery or a
harbour of refuge. He blamed the bill for not providing
for the representation of minorities either by distribution
of seats or variations of the franchise, and, after hinting
that the line was drawn at 8,000 because, if carried higher,
it would hit liberal boroughs like Tuvistock, Melton' and
Lewes, he characterised the offer of seven seats to Scot-
land as a bribe to the Scotch vote, just as the Tenant
Right Bill was a bid to Irish members.
Mr. LOCKE made an amusing speech in condemnation
of the system of small boroughs.
Colonel BARTTELOT, from examples in his own county
(Sussex), showed various anomalies iu the representation
which would be crested both by the Franchise and 'Wis.
:.ribution Bills ; and, ascribing a large share in their
parentage to Mr. Bright, he adverted to former passages of
his career to prove that he was not a true fnend of the

working clesies.
Major JERVIS moved the adjournment of the debate,
and the CHANCELLoR of the EXCHEQUER, in assenting to
the motion, appealed to those members who have notices
for to-night to give place to debate.
Mr. DISRAELI pointed out that, owing to the curious
manner in which these measures had been brought for-
ward, the house had never had an opportunity before of
illegalising the government scheme as a whole, and as no
answer bad yet been given by the government to the
speeches in which the amendment had been moved, he
advised the house in a bantering tone to adjourn the de-
bate until Thur. day, to give them the advantage of two
days' consideration and reflection.
Sir G. GREY', in advocating the propriety of bringing I
the debate to as speedy a conclusion as possible, taunted
the opposition with want of candour in assenting to the
second reading of the bill, and then attempting to stifle
discussion. The government were quite ready to take the
verdict of the house on the substantial issue now raised ;
which, he observed incidentally, had not emanated from
the opposition.
After a few words from Sir HUGH CAIRNS and Mr.
CARDWELL,
Mr. H. VIVIAN said he would withdraw his motion for
this evening on the cod-fields, provided Mr. Baillie Coch-
rane would withdraw his on the necessity of reforming the
Metropolitan Board of Works.
Mr. COCHRANE emphatically expressed his intention
not to give way.
The debate was eventually adjourned until Thursday
evening.
CUSTOMS AND INLAND REVENUE BILL.

This bill passed through committee.
The Indian Prize Money Bill was read a second time.
THE TENURE AND IMPROVEMENT OF LAND
(IRELAND) BILL
. .

The further debate on this bill was postponed to Mon-
day next, the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stating that
due notice should be given when the debate would be pro-
ceeded with.
The Belfast Constabulary Bill passed through committee.
REFORMATORY SCHOOLS BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
NUISANCES REMOVAL BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
The Labouring Classes' Dwellings (Ireland) Bill was:read
a third time and passed.
The Naval Savings Banks Bill was read a third time and
passed.
The Glebe Lands (Scotland) Bill passed through com-
mittee.
The Tramways (Ireland) Acts Amendment Bill was read
a second time.
The Rochdale Vicarage Bill was read a second time and
referred to a select committee.
STANDARDS OF WEIGHTS, MEASURES, AND
COINAGE.

On the motion of Mr. CHILDEits, leave was given to
bring in a bill to amend the acts relating to the standard
weights and measures, and to the standard trial pieces of
the coin of the realm.
The bill was brought in and read a first time.
The house adjourned at one o'clock.

MEETING OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY. —There
was a meeting of the conservative party yesterday after-
noon, at the Marquis of Salisbury's residence in Arlington-
street, Piccadilly. Nearly 200 members of the House of
Commons assembled. The Earl of Derby and Mr. Disraeli
arrived shortly after two o'clock. The meeting broke up
at three. _ _

BUST op Mit. CORDEN.—A bust of the late Mr.
Cobden, modelled by Wyon, and manufactured in Pullin,
on a larger scale than is usually attempted in this mate-
rial, has recently been issued. It is a pleasing and dig-
nified reflection of the once familiar face and air of the
economist and statesman who holds so unique a place in
popular affection and in the history of his country. The
I'arian is of a clear and tender hue, and suggests an in-
creasing application of art-manufacture in a cheap and
superior medium to this form of portraiture. A com-
panion bust of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, modelled
from the life and approved by the right hon. gentleman
and 'Mrs. Gladstone, is also announced. Mr. J. Stark, of
Hanley, is in each case the publisher.
THEATRICAL LICENSES AND REGULATIONS.—This
committee re-assembled yesterday at the House of Com-
mons ; the Right Hon. G. J. Goechen in the chair. The
first witness examined was Captain Shaw, of the Fire
Brigade, who said that in his opinion no system at all at
present exists iu the interior of the threatres generally in
case of fire. He suggested that there should be water
laid on on the roofs of all places of amusement ; water
under the roof was comparatively of little use. He
thought many arrangements for checking fire might be in-
troduced both in theatres and music-halls. He thought
that music-halls might be made comparatively sate. He
did not think that any arrangements existed at any of
those places against tire. With regard to the present
theatres there would be a great difficulty in altering
the means of ingress and egress. In all new theatres that
should be remedied undoubtedly. There should be modes
of ingress and egress both at the back, the front, and the
aides, and they should he always available during the per-
formance. Mr. Charles Kean was then examined. He
said he had recently returned from America, where there
are no restrictions as to building theatres. The chief ob-
stacle to the building more theatres there is the high price
of land. The general class of pieces performed in America
are melodramatic ; but there are same few Shakeaperian
American actors, who perform in Shakespeare's plays.
With regard to music-halls, he was certainly against the
drama being mixed up with the school of drinking ; and
he did not say that the drama itself wants special legis-
lative enactment, but it wants cultivation. Any increase
of the number of theatres he considered would be detri-
mental to the drama. He would not object to singing
at music-halls, but would to the representation of the
drama. He would object to even the slightest pieces being
performed, as they would be only a stepping-stone to
further invasion ; but he had never been inside a music
hall, and therefore could not tell what they are now com-
posed of. He did not consider country theatres good
training-schools for the stage. Mr. Charles Reads was
next examined, and the committee adjourned.
STRIKE OF SAILORS IN THE PORT OF LONDON.—

The whole of the sailors now in the port of London have
struck for an advance of wages, and unless the ship-
owners yield serious inconvenience must arise from the
detention of the outward bound ships. Several hundreds
of the sailors, each man wearing a blue riband, marched
through the streets of the City on Saturday afternoon.
The men urge the high price of provisions and clothing as
a reason for claiming an increased rate of pay. For ships
bound to Australia and round the Capes they demand
3/. 10s. per month, being an advance of 15s. or 20a. Num-
bers of men were about the shipping offices this morning,
but they declined to sign articles unless with increased
pay, and, the captains refusing, the outward bound ships
are kept in the docks.
[Advertisement.l—HotiowAT's Pitis AND Ontr-
XENT.—Witely Weather.—Throughout the spring, and some-
times far into the summer, the keen easterly winds sorely teat
the weak-chested, the rheumatic, and the neuralgic. To subdue
the first Indications of these maladies Holloway's well known
remedies should be applied at once ; each day's neglect makes
the treatment more difficult, and the Issue more dangerous.
Them pills throw off all Impurities, clear the lutp, regulate
the circulation, and overcome inflammatory tendencies ; and the
ointment, well rubbed in near the affected part, checks all
erroneous action, draws all surplus blood. which Is creating
mischief, to the surface, and then gets rid of It by increasing the
capillary circulation of the akin andaugmenting its easalementa.