The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-06-14 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS.

Mr. RttsliTOX said, he did not mean to Charge the General with
a knowledge of all these facti,, because, if it were so, it would be
a most guns cane Of corruption, and he would he ineligible to sit in
Parliament. The individuaPs brother, un finding the receipt, ap-
plied to gm the money back, and he had since received a portion of
it. Mr. Rushton then allotted to the system of bribing, and said,
that the Elective Franchise of this Borough was so confined, that
no person could hope to he elected without he had money to expend
in somemy or other. They had now gnt a third Candidate who
was w , and he knew an well the effect of an appeal when
made by a man of wealth, that lie would not expatiate on a subject
which might excite more tumult, but he would labour for fifteen
days in order to prevent General Gascoyne from being returned.
Two or three individuals, whose names we could not collect,
spoke a few words, but of no moment.

. .......
General flaseor e stepped forward, anti was received with loud
cheers. He alluded to the charge of selling 'dilations in the Cus-
tom House, which was first made in 1818, afterwards in 1820, and
now again in 1826. He believed, however, that it eever would be
revived twain ; if the system of selling situations ever did exist. lie
declared, upon his honour, it was unknown to him. The applica-
tions for situations had been net to him, and he had looked only at
the respectable names attached to the recommendations, without
any knowledge that the situations were made the sttbiect
of profit. It was an acknowledged tight for the Representative
to recommend persons who were fit and proper persons to take
the minor situations in the Custom House, as far as laud-
ing waiter. He expressed his thanks to the shipwrights,
who had, in his opinion so greatly overrated hiaservices ; but he felt
gneeful for their partiality. In again alluding to the charge made
against hint, he declared, So help me Hod, I never got a person
into ant situation, with a knowledge of any circumstances, except
through the respectability of the names attached to the recommen-
datioo." With respect to the Combination LIMN he was assisted
by Mr. Sheridan, about the year 17911, IQ bringing in a bill for the
preventing of combinations among workmen ; and on showing it to
Mr. Pitt, he said if there was to be a bill to prevent combinations
among workmen, there should be one to prevent them among teas-
ten In this blithe was supported by Mr. Sheridan and3lr. Fox. He
was by no means a friend to combination, for he was of opinion they
should be repressed by every means the laws will admit of. With
respect to the Catholics, he had no opposition to that body; for if
his son were to marry a Remain Catholic he would not attempt to
prevent it. (Applause.) Ile believed that none of Mr. Huskies/Ws
friends were friendly to him ; but as for his Right Hon. Colleague,
he knew of no man who was more devoted to their interests or to
the is ternes of the country generally. (Loud applause.) The Oe.
nasal concluded by Paying he should address them no further,unless
called upon to do so by necessity.
if use tsson then addressed the Meeting in a speech of con-
siderable length, in which, after alluding to the more immediate
objects of the Meeting, he proceeded to re-state the various argu-
ments given in our report of his speech at the Canning Club.
Want of space prevents our giving his address at length to-day.]
The polling continued until half-past three o'clock. Long be.
fere that hour several gentlemen expressed a wish, that, as it was
impossible Major Gaecoyne would be elected, and. If elected, that
he could sit in Parliament; and, as it was well known that Mr.
Bolton did not wish to nand, it was ridiculous to k ep the public
mind agitated by an unavailing contest. Mr. 'Wright did all he
could to persuade Mr. Benson to shut up his bar for Mr, Bolton.
Mr. Benson declared his willingness to do so it the Major's friends
euld shut up theirs ; but, as long as they determined to vote for
the Major, so long he would keep on polling for Mr. Bolton. The
ajor's friends were then appealed to. and they refused, for a con-
siderable time, to accede. At length, however, it was announced
by Mr. Bolton's and Major Ganoyne's adherent., that they had
no more vote, to offer.

The poll-books were then shut, and Mr. Statham declared the
Right Honourable William Huskisson and General Gascoyne duly
elected. The following were the numbers at the close of the poll :
Right Hon. Wm. Huskisson 113 Major Gascoyne . - 13
General Gascoyne - 103 I John Wright, Esq. - 3
John Bolton, Esq. . 21
'the Mayor, Recorder, &c. then left the hustings.
There was a considerable delay at this stage of the proceedings,
every person evidently labouring under some surprtte that the
3layor and Recorder went away so soon. Mr. Huskisson remained,
and he was loudly cheered. lie mid he wished the Mayor to have
been present until he had returned thanks, but in the Mayor's
absence that would be irregular.
Several persona wished the voting to go on, but that was ob-
jected to by others. who slimed that the election was legally
closed.

Mr. Rusurow said he had known a seven dave poll, after the
proclamation had been once read. He asked where the Recorder
was? (Cries of "lie's gone !") "Alt," said Mr. R. "that is
always the way with people who are well paid." (Laughter.)
Mr. TosseAM assured Me gentleutan that the Matt*, was
solved.
Mr. Ilvaxl93oN Said he would ask it as a favour if the Recorder
would return and smisfy the people whether the poll was legally
closed, but they ought to have that announcement from their legal
adviser.

file. RADCLIFFE, the Attorney. came on the hustings, and
informedithe Meeting that he had seen the Recorder, who had' told
him that the Court was regularly and legally dissolved.
Mr. Itusxmow—And, like other great men, he does his duty
by deputy. (Laughter.)
Mr. Ilesxissox then stepped forward. Ile begged leave to
return them his thanks for the honour they had done him in
placing him in that situation which he had for three years occupied,
and during. which time he could conscientiously declare, that in
whatever situation it had pleased Providence to place hint, and
with whatevever ability it was in his power to bestow, he had
always devoted his attention to the interests of this great
kingdom, and particularly to the town of Liverpool. (Great
applause.) If hie past conduct had given his friends satis-
faction, and abated somesthat of the hcltility which had been
manifested towards him, he thought it was as much as could
be expected front a faithful Member of Parliament. Since the
commencement of the poll, he had receised from the shipwrights
the most decided proofs, that the suspicions entertained of him by
that valuable class of men were placed beyond a doubt. (Ap-
plause). Ile had heard it said, with astonishment sad surprise,
that he should have fixed a maximum of wages to guide the men.
Ile disclaimed haring ever entertained a sentiment, that a working
man was not entitled to the greatest amount of wages that he could
procure ton his labour, either by himself or in a body of men, pro-
vided it was a fair sort of competition. (Applause). {Pages must
fluctuate according to the demand, the state of trade, the state of the
country, and the price of provisions ; but be it higher or be it
lower, it was a question entirely between the masters and men.
The law allows every fair combination, as to those who employ
labour and those who have labour to dispose of. (Loud Applause).
With respect to his situation as Member of Parliament, it was one
of the proudest he could boast of ; he would still continue in the
same course, guided by the same principles, and actuated by the
same motives which had hitherto influenced his conduct. (Ap-
plause ) Ile would do all in his power to Further the Interests of
this towr., but they would leave him unfettered and unrestrained in
all cases affecting the general interests of the cool try. (Applause.)
He did not feel the slightest hostility or resentment towards those
who had opposed him, for his thanks were due to thern in allow-
ing him an opportunity to explain what they had circulated
respecting him. The Right Honourable Gentleman pio-
ceeded at some length in his speech, but he was quite in-
audible, is consequence of a quarrel between a few shipwrights
on the hustings. Respecting what he had stated in Parliament,
all his proceedings there had been promulgated by means of
the public press, and he was anxious that his refutation of the
charges against him should go through the same channel. He
could not advert to the public press of this town, without acknow-
ledging that no part of it had either fomented or aided those ca-
lumnies—not one of them had done so, whether it was politically
adverse to the party in the State tc which he belonged or in his
favour. (Applause.) A tree press was either the greatest blessing
or the greatest curse to a free State ; and it can always feel its great
character, not by &tutting the feelings of parties, but by promul-
gating truth, and adhering to that which was the true interest of
the country. To the press of this town he was particularly thank-
ful ; it was not the pander to serve the base passions of individuals.
The Right lion. Gentleman then exhorted the multitude to peace,
and urged them to forget the party feelings which had been mani-
fested, and which generally were manifested at all electiocui. He
thea retired, amidst loud cheers.

PRESTON ELECTION.

THIRD DAY.

The Election here, tar sinsirsrlo,obbett would say when he
speaks French, goes on precisely as an unprejudiced observer must
have anticipated. from the circumidances in which the respective
Candidates were placed. The state of the poll at the close this
day wag—
Mr. Stanley . 118 1 Mr. Barrie . Gs
Mr. Wood - b 8 1 Mr. Cobbett - 52