The Express.
London, England, 1868-07-07 00:00:00

TEE OCrBBl7Pr PLOSIONS AT ELECTIONS BILL

It rests with the government, says the Mild,
whether the above bill shall become law, and also how far
it may be amended in passing through committee. The
proposal of Mr. Ayrton, which has been adopted, viz.,
that an additional judge be appointed to each of the throe
courts of Westminster, and the trial of election petitions
be then conducted by each of the eighteen judges
constituting the superior courts in rotation, does
not touch the principle of the bill, while it secures a
greater variety of judges. The Times feels persuaded
that the supposed opposition of the judges to the scheme
will disappear if the slightest resolution be shown to
uphold it. If Mr. Ayrton'e amendment continue to be re-
garded by Mr. Disraeli as a serious obstacle, the nags
will suspect some secret and unacknowledged dislike of
the bill. Of the supplemental clauses to be proposed our
contemporary thinks Mr. Ayrion's recommendation
that an Attorney of the House of Commons should
be able to intervene in the trial of election
petitions deserves careful attention. Mr. Mill's
clause prohibiting the employment of paid can-
vassers would put an end to much petty bribery, and the
Times knows not what argument can be advanced to Mr.
Fawcett's proposal that the expenses of hustings, poll-
clerks, polling-booths, and such requisites for an election
shall be borne by the constituency, with a proviso that
every candidate shall deposit 1001. with the returning
officer, to be forfeited and applied towards such expenses
if he does not poll • decent number of votes.
The Daily News credits the House of Commons with a
disposition to pass the bill, and approves the clause which
removes the trial of election bribery to a court presided
over by a judge. Bribery then becomes not • mere
escapade on which the House of Commons may frown, but
a crime against the law. The whole aspect of the case
changes at once. Lord Brougham said, "Make bribery
felony, and you will 11115 e a public sentiment against it."
This proposal is a long step in that direction. Law will
now perform its function of educating public opinion and
feeling into the perception of the criminality of corruption.
The other principle of the bill to which great importance
is attached is that of local inquiry—a principle at which
Mr. Lopes and some other members seem to be particu-
larly alarmed. But the alarm is a proof of the effective-
ness of such an inquiry. What borough could stand
such an investigation? said one honourable member; but
Sir R. Collier's reply very naturally was that a borough
which could not stand such an inquiry ought to be dis-
franchised.

.
The Post flunks it not improbable that the House of
Commons will not again sesame the consideration of the
bill, and suggests that perhaps the best plan will be to
postpone till next year the creation of the new juris-
diction.

The rejection, says the Herald, of Mr. Bouverie's amend-
ment by an overwhelming majority sets the seal to the
abandonment by the House of Commons of that original
and =chute. jurisdiction over the election of its members
which it has asserted for so many generations, and which
every other representative assembly in the world still
clings to u the surest stay of its dignity and the chiefest
safeguard of its independence. Humiliating as the con-
fession made in this abandonment really is, these can be
no doubt that the decision was a wise one.
Mr. Disraeli has now to endeavour once again, observes
the Star, and this time he may say it with truth, "to
revert to the original policy of the government," The
judges will probably no longer protest, but there are fears
that the House of Lords will take up the cudgels for them,
and destroy the bill.

A large number of parliamentary veterans have
decided not to seek re-election to the new House of Com-
mons. In the list are many who have been members of
parliament ever since the ten pounders in boroughs and
the fifty pounders in counties have exercised the franchise
under the provisions of the act of 1832. Amongst the
hon. members who will retire is Lord Hotham, who is 74
years of age. His lordship and Colonel Peers Williams,
the senior representative of Great Marlow, may be termed
the joint fathers of the House of Commons, for both have
been in parliament 48 years. Lord Hollis= has during
that long period successively represented Leominster and
the East Riding of Yorkshire, while Colonel Williams has
sat uninterruptedly for the constituency which he now
resrupsolw