The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1810-06-21 00:00:00

teed should be extended unlimitedly to all deter; p.

!ions of persons.
Mr. Gen. Josorroste. aithis was more a notice
for next Setsion, than for present discussion, would
not trouble the House at any length upon the sub-
ject. He trusted, in what he did say, he would
not be misrepresented, as arguing, that bribery
was a public benefit; on the contrary, he conceiv-
ed it to be a great public injury. Experience had
'hewn, that bribery had of late very much decreas-
ed; but the little that remained, he did not think
the Honourable Gentlemau's measures would re-
move. At any rate, he never would consent to
adopt any remedy, even fur a desirable object,
which was directly contrary to the law of the land,
and more than was allowea'for the protection of the
sacred person of His Majesty. He never would
consent to the compulsion of persons to give testi-
ropey against themselves, and force men to make
disclosures, to prove their own eriwinality, ye
would not, however. oppose the Bill in its present
stage. ' Before lie sat down, he had one other ob-
servation to make. It had been said in the House,
and after re-echoed through the couutry. that they
had committed acts, at which their aiicestors would
have 4,4 started with indigestion." He was of opi-
nion, that they were more pure than ever their an-
cestors had been; among wheon, though tlnyrnight
start at their acts, practices had prevailed in the
House, and in elections, on which the Hrosse, as
Dow constituted, world reflect with horror. It was
not gruel...lly known, that, of old, Members were
admitted into the House, as into a club, by ballot.
Mr. Baotostisst observed. that the decrease of
bribery. noticed by the last speaker, was owing to
the wise and sadutary restraints imposed by the
legislature, to which the present measure would be a
valueble addition. An apparent decrease also ap-
peared, from the ddiliculty of proving the cases,
owing to the increased cunning and expertness of
the bribers. Though he did not go the length of
the floe. Gentleman. he was however of opinion,
that is general an improvement had taken place, to
which the Bill of his Learned Friend would much
contribute. With respect to the compulsatory
Clause, as to giving etitleuce' he would suggest to
his Learned Friend, to extend the indemnity even
to Members of Parliament. (the only persons ex-
cepted), as, without that extension, it would be
liable to the objection of being contrary to the law
of the land. Tne hot claim. also, he thought
might be amended. By giving au unlimited right
to petition. groat encouragement would be given to
qui taus informers to extort money, by holding out
weds of petitioning, and other means which it
would open to them. .lie would suggest to limit
the right to the neighbouring hundreds of the bo-
rough where the election took place. Upon *e
whole, he thanked his Ltarued Friend for this ra-
tional Bill, which would do good ; elide all the
wild impracticable theories of reform only excited
noire and tumult. These plans were bottomed on
the principles of impracticability, and only lived iu
cousequrnce of their being impracticable; as, if
they were otherwise, they would soon be brought
to test by the House, and the popular my could
sot so long be obtained. Before lie sat down, he
took this opportunity of giving notice. that he !
wool& early in next session, call the attention of '
the House to a measure of reform connected with
the Scots county rates and elections in Scotland.—
A considerable ferment had been raised in the
Northern boroughs, in cuirsequence of the sorrel,-
titidut publication of a letter of his to certain of
kis laieorls, to whom it was confided. Ilia measure
would not, however, trench on any corporate rights,
but tend simply in the moderate reform supported
by the lion. Member for Yorkshire.
Mr. Lueeatar was of opinion. that bribery was
still very prevalent ; and, as he considered it as vi-
tally destructive to the Constitution, would sup-
port this or any other measure for its subversion.—
The last clau e, iii his opinion, wanted reconsidera-
tor. The existing evil was not alto4ether with-
out remedy ; us any person, by becoming a candi-
date for a corrupt borough, rendered hiinselfeligible
to petition.

Lord POW:HESTER was also friendly to the rnea- I
sure, and a 000000 adverted on the absence of Nlanisters
from the House, and particularly oat that of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ile considered the
bill passed last •tssion as a blank paper, or worse,
unless it wos folhmell up by measures like that
now proposed. It had heen urged, that, as cor-
'option did exist, it was necessary that the monopoly
of it should be in the hands of Government, to
enable it to support itself against any other pvrtv.
Government ought. therefore, the more to wish its
utter extirpation, that they might not be compelled
to wield so dasgrarefill a weapon in their roan de-
fence. He strongly recommended a radical re-
form, without which all would end io confusion
end ruin.