The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-01-29 00:00:00

PURITY OF ELECTION.

From the York Costranti
Without entering into the disputes existing between
Whig, Tory, and 11..,former, there is one object which
must be desirable in the eyes of all conscientious advocates
of either party ; we mean that of unbiassed purity of elec-
tion. It is this which would at once determine the setae
of the country on these important points, and give to each
pagy that respectability winch it mutat save whilst undue
influence is used to hire partisans or undermine the
independence of the people. We shall therefore offer
no apo!agy from making the following extract from a
cont. mporary :
" We have been much gratified in perusing the ac-
count current between the Treasurer, Mr. Johnson, M.l'.
and the Cotnmittee for conducting the election of Sir
John 'l'horold. It is in every respect a valuable document.
The total receipts are 821. Ins. The expenditure leaves
tl. with the Honourable Treasurer, to be carried to the
next election account: and this is stated by a gentleman,
in every way worthy of credit, to be the total expense in
polling t „ILI hone st freeholders, except the band, which was
mostly paid by a daily half-crown subscription of the gentle-
men present ; and to counteract this formidable combination
of economy and patriotism, it is said nearly 20,0001. were ex-
pended; and tins too by persons calling themselves advo-
cates of Parliamentary Refortn. The example thus set by
the Lincolnshire freeholders, under circumstances of pecu-
liar difficulty, occasioned by the entanglement of their Can-
didate in previous engagements, from which, in honour, he
could not recede, is of infinite value, especially at the pre-
s: lit moment. A general election cannot be very distant :
there are some who consider it near at hand. A thousand
pounds, judiciously spent by District Committees, com-
posed of tradesmen and yeomen, would put to rout the
strongest union of purse-proud title-seeking Oligarehists.
Let us hear no longer of the peace of counties, by which
is meant an unnatural union of political opponents, to neu-
tralise the political rights of the people. Whenever the
conduct cf Canty Representatives is obnoxious to the free-
, holders, the remedy is in their own hands ; if they will
not adopt it, they become fit objects of oppressicn and
contempt."

Mr. Patrick Connolly, and Aloran his servant, who are
confined in Hertford Gaol, on the charge of shooting the
unfortunate Grainge, at Rabley-house, at Ridge, in Ilert-
fordshire, have (of course by official authority) been di-
vested of their irons, and arc receiving every indulgence
and kindness from Mr. Wilson, the governor. Mr. Con-
nelly frequently in conversation adverts to the unfortunate
transaction, and appears satisfied that the result a the trial
will be favor-able to him. Ills brother has been fre-
quently to see him, and on every occasion affords him pe-
cuniary assistance. It has been reported, that Mr. Min-
chin, the Solicitor, was to prepare his defence, but we are
enabled to state, that Mr. Noel has been appointed his
Attorney, and in consequence of the very handsome man-
ner in which Mr. Harmer, in the early stage of the busi-
ness, proffbred his professional services to Mr. Connolly,
that gentleman and Mr. Noel will jointly prepare his de-
fence. Mrs Brown, and her servant, Catherine Morgan,
enjoy good health. Mrs. Brown has been frequently vi-
sited by Captain Nestor, her guardian, who, to administer
to her comfort whilst she remains in St. Alban's Gaol, has
employed upliolstt.rers to fir up an apartment in the prison
for her accommodation, replete with every necessary for
her use. The subscription that was set on foot by the