The Sun.
London, England, 1855-06-29 00:00:00

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM.

No. IV. •
ELECTION EXPENSES'.
11/4) 'Mg EDITOR OF THE BIM

SlR,—There was some show of reason in one defence
made for rotten bordughs, that they favoured the entrance
into Parliament of young men of talent without
influence, or the means of contesting (as things went) the
larger eonstituetacies. But the basis of this and similar
arguments is the fallacy that large pecuniary outlay is
indispensable to a candidate for the senate. It may be an
usage, but it is not a necessity, and the sooner it is de-
monstrated and put an end to the better.
In contemplating a task the first thing to be ascer-
tained is, whether the apparent obstacles are insuper-
able, or capable of removal. To be the former they must
possess some natural attribute or law, and it this does
not appear, with proper exertion there is good hope of
success.

Joint-stock companies and associations are models of
society in miniature. Their object is to bring combined
action to do what single efforts would never accomplish.
This will be the task of the Administrative Reform
Association if it intends to succeed. It has certain pro-
fessed objects in view. By what means are they to be
carried into effect ? Are the impediments occasioned by
any natural or physical law, or are they the spawn of
routine, selfishness, and mistaken policy
If the Associ 'don only succeed by its inquiries and
inductions in producing a temporal, amendment to
silence popular clamour, and not establishing a
machinery by which the reform might go steadily on, it
would not be worth the value of its first year's subscrip-
tion ; for, unlike the Anti-Corn-Law League, it is not
directed to the repeal of one or more obnoxious statutes,
which, when attained, success is accomplished ; but it
has to build up as well as cut down, and the result of
its labours should be to leave in action a power by which
its designs may be perpetuated.
They cannot create an Ephori, nor establish a censor-
ship ; they cannot set up tribunes, imperium in imperio,
for that would be an u,urpation ; but they can bend
their efforts to make an existing recognised power in the
state a real represenOticn of a great and united nation—
the key, the mainspring, and fulcrum of combined har-
monious action.

Li 4 them do this and their labours will be glorious,
and to pave the way they cannot co a more acceptable
service than promote the means of inexpensive elections.

I am told that the late contest for Marylebone (with-
out bribery) cost Lord Ebrington 5,0001., and Jacob
Bell quite as much !
Is not this monstrous ? Can such be called a delega-
tion of an important trust, requiring devotion, labour,
and efficiency, or is it the purchase of an oppirtunity for
personal advancement ? If it be made the latter, no
constituency can have a right to complain who make
their representation such a costly luxury.
If, instead of 5,000/., I could be elected for Maryle-
bone, or any other constituency in the kingdom, for as
many shillings, I would not have it at the price.
No doubt with large bodies like the metropolitan con-
stituencies, under the present system of canvassing and
electioneering, there is necessarily a considerable expen-
diture, without the least impure practice on the part of
the electors, simply to bring them acquainted with the
aspiring candidate.
For instance, at Marylebone the hire of public rooms
alone, for the purpose of addressing the electors of the
several districts, amounted to a large sum, independent
of paid agents and canvassers. The latter might be well
dispensed with (if the people would take it in hand), but
there must be some means of seeing and hearing in order
to judge ; for it may so happen that the least-known
candidate may be infinitely the most deserving.
How is this difficulty to be met ? I am afraid of re-
lying upon mutual forbearaece, yet this the Association
proposes, when it asks constituents not to solicit mem-
bers, and the latter not to " darken Mr. Hayter's
doors."

If it can be done in that case it can in others, and I
know not how talent and integrity is t 3 have fair play
if a large outlay cannot be avnjded.
It may be said this is one of OP natural advantages
wealth cannot be deprived of, just a., to ride in a coach
while merit walks in the mud ; to liver, in a fine house
while talent inhabits a garret; and to enjoy all the com-
forts of a plentiful estate—which I would Not deprive
them of.

But the point is, while giving wealth all its private
rights and advantag,s, in the public service to counte:*act
if possiiile any undue advantage, so as not to exclucLl
poor merit from all competition.
Let constituencies invite the comparison of candidates,
as congregations in want of a pastor. Give them a meet-
ing and an opportunity to address them, and afford
themselves means of judging who is worthy of their
support. _ _ _

The effect, at present, is, that where a man is not
known or introduced, he thinks it vain to appear ; while
some wealthy noodle, equally unknown, swoops upon
a vacant borough—sends for a leading attorney, whom
be retains with others, and is at once provided with in-
troduction, committee, proposers, and—a seat ; with all
its baleful consequences to the nation.
Of late we have had a few vacancies, and I select them
as illustrations merely because they have occurred.
The la3t was Bath, a large, important place, vacated
by Mr. Phinn. He being a native, and otherwise known,
at the general election was returned ; but retiring kft
no one in similar circumstances to succeed him. The
interval is often designedly short, as at Liskeard and
Devonport ; aGovernment candidate travelling with the
writ, or carrying the news of the vacancy which he offers
to fill, and we all know the advantage of a good start.
Bath had therefore to seek—or be sought—by a
stranger ; and then the pruce-ts is—a Coa.ervativa
Churchman being already in the field, some Dissentinir
adinirers think of a Culling F4a,dley, or some other
favourite saint to oppose him, and a negotiation is opened
for the purpose. It fails, and now the vice-chairman of
a new and popular association comes down as a volun-
teer, clothed with all the influence of his official
capacity.
What an outcry would have been heard had I, or any
other person of reform principles, started as an indepen-
dent candidate—what a roar of dividing the liberal in-
terest,.fighting the battle of the enemy, &c., &c., would
have been raised ; and yet, what allegiance is due or
broken ? As the Irish member' saiu of posterity, the
intruder might exclaim, " What has the liberal interest
done for me that I should retire," as if, otherwise, the
sun of England would set for ever, or the British lion
expire in convulsions ?—the eyes of the world being
always fixed, of course, on that most important struggle.
It was a tight contest without this ; it would have been
a Tite defeat with it.

Apply this to Canterbury, Hull, Windsor, Devon-
port, Norwich, and other places, and you will find the
battle tune with variations, 8x uno disce omnes.

Fur Myself, I have often thought that, with courage
awl' self-reliance, much might be done by one's own
exertions, and at least an opportunity given to the great
bulk of a constituency, who are quite free from the job-
bery and the corruption, when there' is any, to exercise
a choice rather more extensive than Hobson's.

If an occasion Gr necessity shall arise I will some
.day set the example. The mass of the electoral corps
are as much the viotims of the system as any one. They
are not bribed, for you cannot purchase legion (it is
al ways a small clique who get the money and the places) ;
and they must either vote for the led candl ate or not
at all, being much in the condition of little children,
who are to "open their months and shut their eyes,
and see what God will send t:.`ent."

Let an indepenclent and corupetent man go down to
a constituency, proclaim himself thi'ough the press, issue
addresses, and if he cannot get rooms, !fleet in the open
air, as they almost always do at the non:ination, and if
deserving be is certain to attract supporter enough to
flat, if not to return him, and thus, fighting iris battle
cheaply, with none but the bare legal expenses
(which the 'public ought to pay), and a :ftw
handbills (particularly with short Parliament's, and an
extended suffrage), money competition would soon be
beaten down. Like Pyrrhus their victories would ruin
theta. Depend upon it there is notLtin4 like'healthtul
competition, and none are more inte►ested than electors
themselves. They should encourage deserving applicants
for their suffrages, and despite the patty cries of in-
terested rivals.

If they would be well served, elections must be free.
Better would it be for them to subscribe for the purpose
of meeting unavoidable expenses than make the blind
choices they are driven to. They ought to pay their re-
presentative, as the old constitution prescribed, and
until they do let them cease to tax him.
If Parliamentary labour is an honour worth paying
for, why then do Ministers of Stae receive salaries ?
Surely as the distinction is greater, arid the power
more considerable, their posts, on similar principles,
should be a source of revenue to the country they derve.
—I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

SA 1!.1 UEL CARTER.
3, Church court, Temple, Jime 24, 1855.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHP.—June 28.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON INTELLIGUNCE.—Arrivn.IS—
23. Aurora, cutter, Le Merchant Thomas, Esq.,
from St. Helen's. 24. Dream, yawl, Geo, Bentinck,
Esq., Guernsey. 25. Stormfinch, schooner, Colonel
Bowers, Weymouth and Southampton ; 'Memie, cutter,
Lord Vivian, FalmOuth. 25. Alarm, schooner, J.
Wild, Esq., Lymington. 26. Gipsy Queen, schooner,
Sir H. B. Hoghton, Bart., Torquay. 27. Julia, cutter,
Captain W. Peareth, Guernsey. 28. Cecilia, schooner.
Marquis of Conyngbatn, Cowes harbour. Sailings—
June 25, Stormfinch, schooner, 'Colonel Bowers, for
Ramsgate. 27. Sultana, yawl, Lord Colville, Guernsey.
Yachts at and about the Station—Resolution, Titania,
Leda, Gipsy Queen, Brilliant, Alarm, Caprice, Spider)
Dream, Memie. Yachts fitting out in Cowes Harbour—
Zara schooner, Lily of Test schooner, Minx yawl.n he pt
CORONATION DAL—This day has, as usual,
beeds
Mine
closed, a holiday. All the shops and building-Yr
closed, and royal salutes were fired at ,
Ercjanpdl e Pa Nsourirtnese:
steamers plyed between Southampton, Co
. v:.vei't'h
mouth. Two large steamers; crarnamned
d the Medina took
seekers, steamed round tho island ;
horse and carria,,,e
a large party to Weymouth. EvePre war, the times, and
,was also put in requisition ; and
ftn
oi
withoutlYacht(m it.
nBR3 treaty ya
the
Thetaxes
reportfor
that d a
the
eh acvoembrieleeondeofieygh,:seftathrteohnuei.
Squadron had taken Earl d
foundation. Lord Somerville is,
Five hundred men ace to be. embarkedtor next week from
Parkhurst Barracks for the sea r.

LIVERPOOL Doug RATES AND DUTIES.— At the usual
meeting of the Liverpool
comparing the receipts on account of
Dock Committee- yesterday it
Liverpool Docks for the financial
ant eddd
ut ht
iaets,
of
the
wasrate ssta
year ending
' the 24th inst., there was a decrease to the
extent of 39,2501. Us, 7d., as compared, with the pre-
vious year.