The Express.
London, England, 1866-09-17 00:00:00

ELECTION COMMISSION&

At the meeting of the Lancaster commissioners
on &dimlay, a witness described how, amongst other
bits of electioneering work, he spent 2/. in bringing home
two " bottled " voters, who were on their way to Barrow,
under the care of two town oouncinors and two pro-
fessional pugilists. Mr. Hadwin, the sub-manager,
and Mr. Sanderson, the cashier of the Lancaster
Bank, were called to explain how it was that whilst
10,0001. in gold had been sent over to the bank from
Liverpool, Mr. Stirzaker, an active conservative, was
refused 4001. in gold on the morning of the polling day,
and paid in notes instead. About the same time 1,001!.
in gold had been paid on Mr. Schneider's account. Mr.
Commissioner Newton told the cashier that he bad no
doubt he was told not to pay Mr. Stirzaker the 4001. cheque
in gold. He (the comtuisaioner) pitied the cashier's em-
ployers. At the time of the election there were 1,419
names on the register, and 1,339 electors voted. Up to
Saturday, evidence had been given to show that
780, or considerably more than one-half the entire
oowitituency, had been bribed. Many of the voters
were bribed by both liberals and conservatives.
At Totnes the commissioners had a rather bard day on
, Saturday, several witnesses being called about whose evi-
-1 dance there was considerable difficulty. Some were re-
called, and after pressure seemed to remember things they
had previously forgotten. One witness stated that Mr.
I Dunn had undertaken to get a better situation for a
son of his than one he had at the time. The voter
was glad to have his son's interests advanced, and so sent
for him from London ; but 31r. Dunn did not keep the
promise. Afterwards the Duke of Somerset gave the son
an appointment in the Admiralty-office, and witness
voted one and one for Mr. Seymour and Colonel Daw-
kins. The same witness said " that the Rev. Mr. James
wanted to sell his house for 7001. He would either have
gone away or refrained from voting if he could have sold
the house. I don't think he would have been particular
which aide he voted for if he had got a purchaser. There
, is a good deal of intimidation exercised among the Duke of
I Somerset'. tenants. The duke's influenc is very great in the
town council. Great as the duke's influence is, there are
certain parties who are always bribed on that aide. Mr.
James did not wish to vote for Mr. Seymour. I heard
him express some objection as to Mr. Seymour's private
career ; but I think he would have voted for Mr. Seymour
if his house had been bought by the liberals." This last
statement was received with lautffiter. George Cole stated
that he had been tempted by barramore with an offer of
400/., which ho refused. Narramore afterwards came and
saw four pigs belonging to witness, and said, " I'll give
you 4001. for those pigs." Witness remarked that the pigs
were worth 35/. only, and asked why Mr. Narramore
offered 4001. for them. The commissioners adjourned
until Tuesday.
At Reigate a voter named William Clark stated that he
was aggrieved because 10/. due to him by Mr. Gower at
the Election of 1863 had not been paid ; and that at the
last election Mr. Gower's opponent gained has vote by
paying that claim off. On receiving that 10/. he " went to
'ark and no mistake" for Mr. Monson, who rewarded his
, exertions with 25/. more before the polling day. For the
benefit of future candidates an explicit declaration was
' obtained from this witness that he had now no outstanding
claims.

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM MEETING.-011 Satur
day evening there was an open -sir gathering on King Stanley
green, near Stroud, for the purpose of advocating paths-
ment&ry reform. The chair was taken by Mr. A. Nicholls,
and there was • large attendance of working men of
the district. Resolutions were adopted, expressive of
disapproval of the combination of tones and Adullamites
for the overthrow of the late ministry, and in favour of
manhood suffrage and vote by ballot. The conduct of Mr.
Horeman, in reference to the reform question, was severely
criticised and coodemned.
THE REPRESENTATION OF PENRYN AND FAL-
NM:TH.—Mr. Jervoise Smith has for the pest two days
been engaged in diligently visiting the electors and endea-
vouring to secure promises of their support. His com-
mittee state that he has received a most encouraging
amount of support. The contetvatives of the united
borough, although they had been negotiating with gentle-
men of various degri es of acceptability, were up to Friday
af' ernoon without any candidate. An invitation had, how-
eve been forwarded to Mr. R. N. Fowler, banker, of
London, a gentleman in the prime of life, ho some time
since married a daughter of Mr. Alfred Fox, of Falmouth,
chairman of the Falmouth Docks Company, and has
thereto a influential local connections. A telegram was
received from Mr. Fowler early on Friday evening ac-
cepting the invitation to stand as a candidate, and stating
that he would arrive at Falmouth by the mail train on
Saturday morning. There is no longer reason to doubt,
therefore, that a vigorous and close contest will be
fought. It is somewhat unfortunate, however, for the
interests of the conservatives, that Mr. Alfred Fox pro-
fesses liberal principles, and voted as a member of the
liberal committee for an invitation being sent to Mr. Jer-
voise Smith. Mr. Fowler is not a novice in political war-
fare. At the general election last year be stood as a can-
didate fur the City of London in conjunction with Mr.
Lyall in the conservative interest. Mr. Fowler was to ad-
dress the constituency on Saturday evening.
MEETING OF THE LINCOLN LIBERALS.—since the
defeat of the Russell-Glade:tine administration, the
liberals of the city of Lincoln have been most anxious to
form themselves into • society for the purpose of securing
unity amongst themselves, selecting suitable candidates to
represent the constituency in parliament and at the
council table, and generally to watch over the interests
of the town. Some few weeks ego a preliminary meeting
was held at the Monson's Arms inn, and it
soloed to form • Liberal Association. Subsequent meetings
have been held, and a code of rules for the governance of
the society was prepared. On Friday night last, inn-
9uence of the issuing a placard calling a public g
in the Corn Exchange, Lincoln, to consider the desi-
rability of forming an association" (such as the one above
alluded to), a large meeting of the citizens took place, the
room being quite full. Mr. William Rudgard, J.P., occu-
pied the chair, and there were upon the platform Coun-
cillors Brogden, Ruston, Maltby, Gluier, Beard, aid
Cottingham, Mr. Coroner Hitchens, Rev. W. Hubbard,
Capt. Parry. he. The chairman briefly stated the object
of the meeting, and assured the friends of progress that
with unity the parliamentary and municipal seats were
their own, an announcement which was received with
loud cheers. Resolutions for the formation of a Liberal
Association for the city of Lincoln w ere adopted, and the
thanks of the meeting were given to Earl Russell, the
Right Honourable W. E. Gladstone, and other friends of
. financial and electoral reforms, both in and out of the
Hottest of Commons who have so manfully and ably
defended the Interest's and vindicated the character of the
people.
COST OF A DOUBLE RE-ELECTION.—In the C 01111143
of July, Viscount Oranborns, M.P.' and Sir J. C. D. Hay,
M.P., offered themselves for re-election fur Stamford, on
the occasion of their accepting office in the present admi-
nistration. It appears from an official return just slued.
that viscount Cranhorne expended 871. 6a. Id., sad
C. D. Hay 871.45. 7d. ; agency cost each candidate 331. Bs.,
and 15/. 15a. was expended by each for professional ser-
vices. The Mayor (Mr. 0. N. Simpson) also delivered to
each candidate an account for expenses to the amount of
WM. 9s. Id.
Du BARRY'S DELICIOUS RZYAIENTA ARABICA
loon SFlPlesdl bbillifestion, canes. Mama,
constiPstiout disabigat lielwtrrout
liver, and Moms& complaint'. Care No. en,411.—" Zane, spy
Ined.--The health al the Holy Father is aloalisnt. *rant
since. abaadmkg all
,otker rimed*, be bas confined Woolf
entirely to Do Barry's 7014 and his Holiness cannot praise
eds excallast toed We highly.--Ossattedu Mai. Da Barry sad
Co., No. 77, lemaatreet, Louden, W. la tine, at Is. led. ;
19.,2e. 9d.; 121 k... ; eta—lhavarlimulent.

Bonaken% with hie usual skill, has fashioned • deeply
interesting drama. The Long Strike has not the finish and
isompleienese of streak-ma-Pogue, though it is cent in the
same mould, and it is open to the charge that it contains
much which the author may have selected and dovetailed
from his former dramas. There is • trial scene built up
and well arranged, as there was in Janet Pride, Jeannie
Deans, and the Irish drama we have just named ; the
telegraph Mime is the twin brother of the banking-home
in the Strap of London, the relations between an Irish
sailor, admirably played by Mr. Boucicault, and • factory
girl, equally well represented by Mrs. Boucicault, are not
very different from those between the Colleen Bawn and
Miles na Coppideen ; and, lastly, the new play contains a
modified " header." These are coincidences that could
hardly have been accidental, and they seem to allow that
the author believes that a Lyceum audience, in spite of its
reputed aristocratic character, is made of the same stuff as
the frequenters of Astley's, the Adelphi, or the Princess's,
and is quite as ready to welcome the same realistic men..
and incident..
Mr. Boncicault's Johnny Reilly and Mrs. Boucicault's
Jane Learoyd are triumphs of genial and simple acting ;
the latter character is the most important in the pieee,
and the force and grace thrown into it were worthy of
Mrs. Yates or any of the celebrated actresses of domestio
drama. The scenery by Mr. T. Grieve is effective, and
we are not surprised to find that Mr. Yachter boa returned
to the old system of scene shifting. Instead of being
kept waiting now for twenty or thirty minutes between
each act, the audience have warmly the regulation ten
' minutes allowed for refreshment. The dressing and
grouping of the minor characters show excellent stage
management, and the success of the piece wee moon-
' testable.