The Sun.
London, England, 1852-02-14 00:00:00

FEBRUARY 14, 1852.

SATURDAY EVENING,

that they could not have a Reform Bill every session. ; measure; and it was under a direct promise that the sub-
Why did the Noble Lord then not carry out this reform I ject of the small boroughs should be taken into consideration
movement to the fullest possible extent, and then there at an early period that the Bill had been suffered to pass
would have been an end to the agitation on the subject. without an amendment.—(Hear, hear.) The oratory of the
He rejoiced to hoar the Learned Lord say that the people Hon. and Learned Gentleman was generally of a very de-
of Scotland had made such good use of the franchise. It clamatory character, without any particular attention to the
was not a privilege but their right, and what he wanted details of facts. He had stated that a murderous outrage
ewfasseeeie committed on a magistrate on returning from a court.
was that they should go a stop further, and let every one
enjoy the right. He only wished he could live twenty master,
years longer to agitate and be a thorn in the side of the the attack, whgen
leaving
he had committed a national school
Noble Lord until he conceded to the 40s. freeholder the notices he had received showed, that twhaast, theat attack was of
i t
the, bfeaei
fact really
that that
threateninguseof
right of voting. Still there was some good in this Bill, and one of those agrarian outrages arising out of disputes con-
cerning land.
he should support it. What he wanted, however, was that
agiLOodeoGneibtl
jAd
eBmNee:
a.
aLart
dow:grehi was
dsvesol
ea
J.
ndre. . surprised
hpuyh
erssei
Russell)
sreoheeledlfwa)
occasion,ratw so Government
then
heetenrhat
but
uoi
fntrwi
ol tyntm hsi
taetnanat
nitopnreyrefidotduphpueetroenhos
escimactettiai
proposition
onaeee
every municipal voter should have the right of voting
tthoehl franchiseNt
for Members of Parliament, and that there should be
only one registration, and ho would not rest
until he obtains(' both these concessions--(Elear.)
any
ye
clause greatest
w defecthinh
e ei
tna
ballils
h e thesed triennial Biilswars
atrhleiaambesennteceanodf
abgeranignshteld—out to that effect, the facts of the case warranted
vote by ballot.—( Hear, hear.) an intention quite the converse.
Mr. F. MACKENZIE wished for some technical Lord J. RUSSELL observed that the Attorney-General
Ad- for Ireland ( Mr. Hatchet!) was perfectly justified in what he
explanation of the Bill, which was given by the Lord
had said. He had not alluded to any statement that the
franchise would be reduced from 81. to 51., but to the general
vocate, and the discussion was proceeded with,
Mr. STUART was surprised that such a Bill as this
should have been introduced, if, as the Hon. Member for wish expressed on the part of the Irish Members, that a plan
Montrose said, it was likely to give rise to an annual should be introduced into the Bill in question for adding
other loans and boroughs in Ireland, which were declared to
agitation on the subject of reform. Ho would,
;0f
ttheeiadomisee thati it
have a small, but which would have a smaller, body of
however, suggest that the representation of the electors under that Bill. In answer to that proposition he
counties of Scotland should be more adequate!
anjusted to the extent and interests of the populatioyn f Lsohrodufd.
oRussell)otbead hatdpdsahiadatihi there
ii)vuer,tei
i objections to it - that
than it was. Why could not the counties of Scotland sthould receive the' ocpons'ideration
made the
EthWe AraßeaTentrheoungt:
be divided into divisions like those of England? Such to that his Hon. and Learned Friend had allueed Government.
antdwlles
a measure would improve the representation of was perfectly right in his recollection of the circumstance,
Scotland, and ho hoped his suggestion would not be lost and of the views of the Government. Now, when they bad,
sight of. in accordance with their determination to deal with the whole
qbuoatlhificaintionennoungtihnet toanbde subject, to take cognisance of the various measures introduced
from the year 1837 to the present time relating to the repre-
boroughs. hCvoatinsgl
sentation of the country, they bad to consider whether there
was anything in the Act of 1850 requiring amendment.
Mr. MACGREGOR should support the Bill; but,o It would be remembered that at the time many of the
nevertheless, he thought it fell far short of
what Scot Irish Members said that instead of the franchise being
land had a right to expect. He concurred with the HOD. extended it would be restricted by this Bill, for that the 81.
Member for Newark, that h large counties •
t o and cities franchise would diminish the number of electors. The Se-
of Scotland might be parcelled out into divisions. cretary for Ireland had a contrary impression ; but when
Leave was then given to bring in the Bill. they came to the effects of the measure it appeared that
'NEW REFORM BILL FOR IRELAND. whilst by former returns there were 11,993 electors in the
h Sir W. SOMERVILLE, in rising to move for leave to boroughs, by the last return there were only 8,040—a reduc-
PnanrP in
a Bill to extend the right of voting for Members of tion of nearly 4,000, and coming to each particular borough
Parliament, and to amend the laws relating to the repre- they found that the number of electors in each were only as
sentation of the people of Ireland, said that the question of follows : —Athlone, 181; Bandon, 209 ; Cashel, 211; Col-
the Irish franchise having been so recently under the con- raine, 222; Dungarvon, 314; Ennis, 143; mallow, 143;
sideragion of the House—(lronical Protectionist cheers),— New Ross. 171 ; and Portarlington only 71. So that
the Bill he now proposed to introduce would not deal so ex- whether they looked to the general numbers or to the
tensively with that subject as it would have done were it not particular number of electors in each berough, it seemed
for that fact. The House would remember that in the reasonable, when they had the subject under consideration,
year 1850 (Another ironical cheer),—it was his duty, in to make some arrangement by which there should be a
larger body of electors in the boroughs, and thus there was
consequence of the almost extinction of the county franchise
a prima fade ground for introducing the measure. He
in Ireland, to submit for their acceptance a Bill for the
must say that he thought the discussion on which the
amendment of the representation. The House would also
Hon. and Learned Member for Enniskillen had chose to
remember that at that period the measure to which he alluded
introduce a sneer at the Attorney General for Ireland, with
underwent yez,great discussion, and he believed there was
scarcely a entleman in the House who was not a view to producing some laughter in the House, was hardly
fully convinced that the time had arrived when an occasion on which it was decent or proper.—(Hear,
a reform was absolutely necessary of the existing hear.) It was certainly the case that the first law officer of
franchise. At that time the county representation the Crown had gone down to prosecute parsons who, from the
for Ireland gave about 27,000 electors; that was evidence laid before him, he was led to believe was guilty of
to say, there was that number of electors on the register, a most atrocious murder, and it certainly had happened that
though the actual number was considerably below it. He no person hart been convicted. If there had been a failure of
had introduced a Bill in the year 1848 to place the county justice in that respect, it was a very lamentable subject.
franchise on a new basis of rating, but that Bill was subse. (Hear, hear.) It was one which ought to be a matter of con-
quently withdrawn. In 1850 he introduced it again, and cern to all Members of that House. If life and property were
had the satisfaction, with the concurrence of the House, of rendered less secure in that part of Ireland, it was a subject
finally passing it into a law. The effect of that enactment that should affect every person who heard it, and he did not
upon the representation of Ireland might now be judged of think it an occasion for an idle sneer at a political opponent.
from the returns which had been laid upon the table of the —(Hear, bear.)
House. Previous to the passing of that measure the number Mr. REYNOLDS regretted that the Hon. and Learned
of county electors upon the register in Ireland was 27,000, Member for Enniskillen had introduced gals and bitterness
being, as he bad already observed, a far greater number than into the discussion. He might have taken another oppor-
the bona floe county electors really amounted to. The state trinity of bearing angry testimony against his own country-
of the county franchise there at the present moment was as men; he ought not to have described them as purjurers
follows: - Instead of the 27,150 electors who were on the re- murderers, and unworthy of the enjoyment of civil rights.
gister before the Act of 1850, the effect of that measure had Mr. WHITESIDE—I deny it.
been to increase the number to 135,645. —(Hear.) He be- Mr. REYNOLDS—He was glad the Hon. and Learned
lieved, moreover, that the machinery of the Bill had worked Gentleman denied it ; but what, then, was his meaning when
satisfactorily, therefore the Bill which, with the permission be said that if they reduced the qualification for the jury
of the House, he should now bring in, was not designed to panel to 51., Ribbonmen would be empanelled who would
interfere in any way whatever with the county franchise.-- try one another, and then they would see the result? With
(Hear.) But the state of things with regard to cities and respect to the ill, why was it not incorporated with the
boroughs in Ireland presented a widely-different aspect. English Bill? For Scotland there might be a necessity for
Under the registration system, before the existing law was a separate Bill, because the law of Scotland was so different
passed, the number of voters upon the register for counties from that of England, but there was no such necessity in
of cities, and counties of towns, and boroughs in Ireland, the case of Ireland. Why, also, he wished to know, was
was as ollows though, as was the case with the county, on- there not a provision relative to freemen voters in large
stituencies, the number of bona fide electors was, in reality, towns. In Dublin there were 4,000 of those freemen, who,
much less. The numbers which appeared at that time on notwithstanding the principle that representation should be
the register were—for counties of cities and counties of towns, based on taxation, could vote without paying any tax what-
-21,863, and for boroughs 11,995 ; whilst the number of re- ever. The Bill, however, as far as it went was a step in the
gistered electors at present upon the rolls for counties of right direction, and he should support it as such.
cities and counties of towns was 20,253, and for boroughs Mr. C. ANSTEY complained of the different systems of
only 8,046. Thus, so far as the effect of the Bill of 185 U registration in both countries—in Ireland it was self-acting,
was ,concerned, it would be seen that it had not in- while in England it was necessary to make application to
creased the number of voters ire these places; but that,, on be put on the list of voters. The two countries ought to be
the contrary, a considerable diminution had taken place put on the same footing in that respect.
as compared with the register of 1850. N ,w, it w„ Mr. E. B. ROCHE said he approved of the Bill. It
undoubtedly intended that the Act of 1850 should was not common sense to say that a comparative it-lig-
extend the number of voters, but, instead of doing nificant town like Enniskillen should have a voice in that
so a decrease had been the result. The proposal con- House, half as potent as a great agricultural county like
tamed in the Bill, which he hoped, with the permission of Cork. He (Mr. Roche) was glad that an analonoue Reform
the House, to introduce this evening, would therefore be to Bill to that of England has been introduced for Ireland;
reduce the borough franchise in Ireland from an Si. for it was a measure very much needed.' The limitation to
rating to a 5/. rating. It would be further observed, 400 in Ireland, and 500 in England, was practically the
upon reference to the returns on the table of the House, same. He hoped, however, that the Bill for Ireland would
that the number of voters in many of the boroughs is be carried through both Houses, part passe with the English
Ireland was exceedingly small; and that the number in Bill. He (Mr. Roche) had hoped from the speech of the
Hon. Member for Inverness on the introduction of the
the counties of cities and counties of towns was in every in-
stance above 500. Therefore it was not intended to take English Reform Bill, that a change had come over the
any measures whatever, further than the. reducti et of the party to which he belonged; but lie was afraid from what had
voting qualification from an 81. to a Si. rating so far as re- fallen from the Hon. and Learned Member who had spoken on
gards the counties of cities and the counties of towns; but as the other side, that a change had come over them in this
respect, and that not daring to refuse reform tor England,
regarded the towns where the number of voters was in many
they had resolved to make Ireland a battle field to decide
instances exceedingly small, it was proposed to apply the
same principle as the Bill brought in by his Noble Friend once more the battles of party in Parliament. He warned
(Lord J. Russell) applied to England—a principle which was them, however, against that course, which they and their
recommended when the Bill of 183.1 was before the House— children would regret, and hoped the Irish Members would
and associate with such boroughs certain towns in their never consent to make an onslaught on the liberties of the
neighbourhood situate in the same or an -adjoining county. people of Ireland for party purposes. While generally ex-
which would have the effect of greatly increasing the nuns- pressing his concurrence in the broad principle of the mea-
sure of the Government, he guarded himself against being
mea-
tier of voters. He proposed, therefore, in every instance
where the number of electors now upon the register did not field finally committed to it, especially as neither the English
amount to 40J to associate with the parent borough one or nor Irish 'Reform Bills was before the House. It would,
more towns in its vicinity in the same or the neighbouring however, receive his most careful consideration. He was not
satisfied that the present county franchise in Ireland, for in-
county, and so increase the number of voters. By reference
in-
to the returns before the House, it would be seen that this •
stance, was satisfactory; for it was based on the valuation
for the pcor-law, and it was well known that there was no
provision of the Bill would affect every borough in Ireland,
uniformity of valuation in that country. The franchise could
with the exception only of Belfast and Newry. He would .
not, therefore, be uniform, when its basis was not so Again,
not at present enter further into the details of the Bill, and
he considered the Irish county franchise as too high. But
the provisions it contained for registration, polling, and the
still, believing the measure to be a step in the right direc-
rest of the necessary machinery. The Bill would not be a
tion, he should give it his support.
very long one; and he trusted that the plan it was intended Mr. NAPIER would not have interposed in the debate
to carry out would prove satisfactory to the House.
Mr. WHITESIDE said he had no desire to resist the in- only that some of the views put forward by his Hon. Friends
the Members for Enniskillen and Inverness had been per-
solving the difficult problem of what would best remedy the had not suggested to give every four hundred electors the
evils of Ireland. But he might congratulate the Right Hon.
power of representation ; for, if that principle was carried out
Baronet upon his being the individual who had discovered
how representativesmroyr-dhad would be elected for London ? The
the necessity of reforming his own Reform Bill, though it
was as yet scarcely twelve rnon•hs old.—(Laughter.) He and Learned Friend
ent on the observations of his Hon.
(Mr. Whiteside, had examined the returns relative to the knew his Hon, Member for Enniskillen; but every
petitions presented to that House, and had fonnd that the
whoonellthat he was wholly incapable
Learned Friend knew perfectly
number in favour of the Irish Reform Bill of 1850 amounted
7 his observations .—(Hear,
incapable of the construction put
.—(Hear, hear.) If he (Mr. Napier) un-
to one, and it was signed by 49 persons, whilst there was one
derstood the argument of
also presented against it signed by 34—thus giving a . he had
Friend aright,only his Honourable and Learned
asked the Attorney- General for
ma-
jority of t 5 in its favour. (Laughter.) For 1851 he found
the return nil, and he firmly believed that it would be impos.lreland .
.. _ was prepared to follow out consistently
his own principle—namely, to reduce the qualification of a
Bible to find in Ireland any body of individuals, in a respect- Juror to that of a 5/.
able position of life, who would set their hands and signs- - juries. He (111reNa • elector, or to enable 51. electors to sit
on h pier) cast no reflection on the con-
tures to a petition praying this House, in the present condi- of the • uries on
duct
.1 t e late trials in the north of Ireland,
Lion of Ireland, to extend the franchise to the Si. householders.
but nevertheless, thought it a perfectly • fair proposition to
He thought so, because they would be of opinion that it was •
consider the squestion whether the
Me .
fled the
who would have to deal with sub-
who were best qualified to those who were the worst quali. jecth involving the glory and greatness of the empire, should
find to use it.—( Hear.) The Noble Lord had introduced his •be disqualified for the jury-box, or vice "
ce versa ? The argu-
English Reform Bill on the ground of the increased circa- meet was a fair argument;lion and he (61r. Napier) was satis-
lation of newspapers and periodicals, and the growing Intel-.
fled for one that his and Learned Friend in using it did
ligence of the people. But no such reason as that could be not in the slighest degree* seek to cast any imputation on the
urged in support of this measure for Ireland, for the Noble administration of • justice in Ireland. - (Hear.) As regarded
Lord himself had heretofore described the newspapers of
the Bill before the Hoes he, e (Mr. Napier) felt bound to say
that country as uniformly advocating sedition and disorder. that he did not regard it with any very pleasant
That ground failed, therefore, in reference to his (Mr,
anticipations with respect to its operation in Ireland. The
Whiteaide's) unfortunate country. He readily admitted Noble Lord who governed that country said on a recent oc-
that in Ireland there was some increase of knowledge ; be- cation that what Ireland wanted was peace and repose—that
cause it had been observed by the police that the Ribbon men might sit d
notices were written in a much better style than for-
calmly.
This
Bill
lwn and pursue their several occupations
would have a contrary effect to that pre-
merly.—( Loud laughter.)
The spelling was better, the dieted by the
orthography was more accurate, and, if the Noble Lord took He (Mr. Na • Lord-Lieutenant as a necessary for Ireland.
pier) consieered, moreover, that as the qualifica-
the trouble, he would discover the reason of it to be that
tion for boroughs some of the schoolmasters paid out of the national fund had figure, by theoughs had been fixed last year at its present
consent of all parties, there was no ground now
been the writers.— (Hear, hear.) At this moment a ma- to disturb it.ln respect of the small constituencies, he did
gistrate in Ireland was suffering the most excruciating not think the ill would improve the representation ; at pre-
torture, he having been shut because he had committed a
sent these b
schoolmaster to prison for writing Ribbon notices, Mr. werzughs did not return the worst members.
LAGEI said the 8/. franchise fixed last year
and showing some activity in putting down the
the House,
been 1
Ribbon conspiracies.—( n , ,
, --ear. j Ine registration under
House. Jare subject of a long and bitter debate in that
that occeesion the majority of the Irish people
Act of I°so had just been completed by the barristers, and
protested against the 10/. franchi,e. The Noble Lord saw
110,000 persons added to the constituencies. Now, these
his error,r_,.., and hastened to rectify it; and new they were
electors had not yet had the opportunity which a general
r_.r.that.. the Irish Members submitted to the 81. franchise.
election would give them of exercising their privileges, and , °I"
y wo Members for Irish boroughs had voted against
testing the effects of that measure of reform. In particular the sum L
e sum of 8/ in favour of a lower sum; while 28 Irish
instances of' borough elections there had been no corruption,
county *
ceredMembers had voted in the other direction. He con-
because there had been no Coppock.—(Loud laughter.) Yet.
Bill a step in the right direction, and he should
the Right Hon. Baronet now came forward to condemn his 1
thereforeBi the
hir
J. YOUNG
give it his support.
own measure, and declare that it was necessary for the
said his remembrance of the agreement
peace of Ireland to reform the Reform Bill. But not only 6
of * lastyear was, that the borough franchise and the county
had there been an increase in the constituencies, but a
franchiseoud not assimilating, her selajesty's Government were
diminution in the Population of Ireland which counted by
n to take up the matter this session. He did not think
millions. What, therefore, constituted the necessity for the b
present Bill? Who had called for it? Nobody. Who ex- the union of small towns with the existing small boroughs
would be satisfactory in practice as in Ireland; unlike Eng-
pected ; who desired; who wished for it ? No one. He
and, these towns wore in general widely apart. Nor did he
protested against the principle of the Bill. The system I
believe that the addition of those towns would make the
of adding towns and boroughs together, for the purpose of
borough constituencies any better than they now were;
making up a constituency, had never existed in Ireland dm-
inasmuch as they would be formed of people who had lost
ins the five centuries that she had possessed representative
their land in the country, and who had crowded to these
institutions—and the only effect of this alteration would be
towns to live. He was of opinion that it would be far bet-
to give power to those who were the least qualified to use it.
(Hear.) TT
Upon one point, he must say, he congratulated ter to give an increased representation to the large towns
and boroughs. As regarded the qualification, he had no ob-
the Right Beneath The separation of the Irish from the
English Reform Bill was highly judicious, and highly sig. jection to it.
nificant also. That he d 9 meantwhatever
arehen e ,might Leave was then given to bring in the Bill.
LIGHTI eG THE HOUSE.
be the fate of the English Reform Bill, the Irish Reform Bill,
House be
Sir J. PAKINGTON then moved that the
as a B,parate measure, would be rejected by the good sense was
and discernment of the House.—(Hear.) There was another lighted with wax candles in the future. If Housethesho
should be left
Point Upon which he wished to put a question, either to the to be lighted with gas he would prefer that it
prefer it to be
Right Hon. Gentleman or his Hon. and Learned Friend op- to Dr. Reid ; but if it was not, he shouldthe
had
polite (the Irish Attorney-General), who had just returned lighted with wax candles. At present y
lan he Proposed
flushed with his triumphs from the Special Commission' smell in the house, and a bad light. The P
triumphs, at
Mo^a
- ehan.—(Loud laughter.) In reply to a question which would remedy both.
how the House could accede
he put to big R,ght Hon. Friend the other eveniog, he was Mr. BROWNE did not seeba resolved that the lighting,
informed that it was the intention of her Majesty's Govern- to the proposition, as they t
the
House should be under one
nent to introduce a Bill respecting the jury law of Ireland. warming, and ventilationo
they
had ordered Dr. Reid to send
,Now, the present jury law in Ireland followed the first Re- person ; and as, moreover,tbateect.
form Bill, and under its provisions the 10/. elector became in his estimates to that
said D. Reid did not understand the
qualified also to serve on juriee. Did the Government, then, Lord SEYMOUReHouse,
whether be was to send in an esti-
resolutions ofeeh
House and library (Lord 's
for the Committee
acting en that precedent, mean to lower the qualification then
mate for the He (Lord Seymour) had advised
franchise,
and found the new Jury Bill on the basis of the Si.
refreshment rooms.
and
follow the resolutions. It would be inconvenient
lir, ;brie°, which they proposed to establish by their present
" r Ills firm belief was that if that were ar nounced nothing hirti
tt:enter on the question. Besides which wax candles
remained for the weak and the innocent but to pre: are for now
be of no use if the passages were to be lighted with
rh .Noble
PromisebGt l i nelhtßeet. s a'
NirOu
death,
and for the strong and the powerful to defend them-
as the aroon, of which Dr. Reid complained, would
selves against a confederacy so powerful and united that his gas as infromthe lobby.
_Hon. and Learned Friend (Mr. Hatchell, the Attorney- Sir 0- NORREYS charged the Noble Lord with recom-
lieneral for Ireland), though accompanied by a corps of mending Dr. Reid to send in such a report as would make
counsel, was unable to obtain the conviction of one man. the resolution of the House ridiculous, because he was op-
Mr•
• HATCHELL said the observations of his Hon. and
posed to them.
Learned Friend had beendoublehad
made with . a view. He Mr. HERBERT called the attenti •
on of the Noble Lord to
e supposed the condition of the strangers'
endeavoured to draw into the discsession som tgallery, where those who sat
Bill about •
Jur°ra, and it was most unreasonable to expFcn might posibly hear what passed, but ld that he (Zete Hatchell) should then enter upon the discussio than the mace on the t b cou see nothing nearer
of a Bill not before the House, and
which might be brought
seemed strangers were not accom a le. He also complained that
modated with any place to wait in,
in or not. The Hon. and Learned Member also . but were tom II
had die- pe ed to stand in Westminster Hall at the risk
to intimate that the Chief Secretary for Ireland
ure of their lives,
covered some gross inaccuracy or oversight in the mess
After a few sed a few words from Mr. S. MAYAN.), Mr. RemLE, and
reforming the Irish representation which was
PaPThe Mr. Gou
years ago, and which it was now sought to remedy.
' Lord ;3*
ignorance of the Honourable and Learned Gentleman on
of J. RUSSELL was understood to say• he was in favour
the matter must be attributed to his not having been a Wax candles; but he thought it would be advisable to
,Member of the Rousetthe
period referred to. He would have the whole case before the House before a decision was
inform
him, then, ho athe case stood. At the period in arrived at.
question there was aw strong demand by several of the Mr. FOSTER moved for a return of the tolls collected by
Irish Members that should be enxrafted on the Bill I the corporation of the City of London at the several gat" 1
~.... _ there
the
thou passed the t• •ne embodied 14 the present and ayepee of the City for the jut three yearof ellu`"
pr 9 #31.0_,4

31st day of December, 1851 ; distinguishing the amount col-
lected at each gate or avenue; together with a specification
of the tolls.
The House a ijourned at Eight o'clock.

ON REFORM WITHOUT THE BALLOT IN
THE SMALL BOROUGHS OF DEVON-
SHIRE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—As I conceive it to be the duty of every person,
who may be desirous of seeing the ballot appended to
the Government nleature of reform, to brirg to light any
circumstacces calculated to promote the accomplishment
of so desirable an end as giving protection to honest
voters, I take the liberty, as an elector of Totters (one of
the small class of boroughs), to make a few remarks on
some of our past elections, and to show what would be
the probable effect of the new Reform Bill, without the
ballot, in towns of this class. •
It will be recollecTd that Totnea has been the scene of
several very severely contested eketions, and no one can
deny that they have been attended with the most dis-
astrous consequences to the trade and commerce of the
town. Io the year 1839, Mr. Parrott, one of the th. n
Members for the borough, resigned his seat, and we
wt re plunged into a contest of the most severe
descrintien resulting in a double return. The
candidates at that time were Mr. B .Ii win (erre of the
present representatives). and Mr. Blount, a son-in-law
of the Duke of Somerset. Party spirit ran dreadfully
high, and interest of every checription was brought to
bear cn both sides of the question. The numtKrs polled
by each catididtste being qual, there was to have beef, a
scrutiny before a Corrimite e of the House of Commons,
who, boa ev r, delved :he election to be null and void
in consequence of some informality in the preeeedieee
Oho nature of which I need tot explain); a new elec-
ti ,n was the result. when the candidates were Mr. B
win and Mr. Thomas Guv Gisborne (the eldest son of
the veteran reformer). Another close contest ensued, anti
party contention ran as high as betore. Mr. Bald win,
however, succeeded in being returned by a majority of
seven (a censiderable time baying elapsed and a fresh
registration take place between the two elections, by
which a number of fictitious votes were added to the
Conservative side).
Now, Sir, the cricumetance to which I am about to
call your attention is this:—On each of the occasions to
which I have referred, " Lists of the Poll" were printed
and circulated amongst the adherents of one of the po-
litical parties, by which it could be seen at a single
glance how every tradesman had voted. lam not going
to state what of such an act may have caused in thin
town; I do riot profess to attach myself particularly to
either the Rsdical or Tory sack; but Ido not think it
would be possible to calculate the extent of injury capable
of being inflicted by resorting to such a practice as this.
Some of these lists are still in existence, and may, like
so many embers, be easily re-kindled into a flame at the
first outbreak of a political egitution. True it is that
each party may adopt the same course; but I totally ob-
ject that any party whatever should have the power of
publishing to the world how every tradesman and work-
man has voted, and thus set man against man, and have
the effect of intimidating a tradesman particularly from
giving a conscientious and independent vote.
Fancy the effect of such a practice as the one I have
described being resorted to in a neigbouring town (Tor
quay), where the tradesmen are mainly eependent for
support on the aristocracy who flock to that fashionable
watering-place, and where, during the winter months,
there is frequently an i flux of from 2,000 to 3 000 of
the higher classes of society, including a pretty good
sprinkling of tee clergy ! A tradesman could scarcely
dare to give a conscientious vote, for tear of his name
being published with a view to obtain patronage for the
serfs of party only.
I happen to know, from frequent communications with
several of the Torquay tradesmen, that hundreds there
have been heard to express that they had no desire what-
ever to have a share in the election of borough Members
for fear of consequences that might ensue. I say, God
forbid they should, for their own sakes, unless shielded
by the ballot.
I could say a great deal more on this subject, but fear
I have already taken up more space than you will allow
me. I venture to assert, however, that without the
ballot, the new measure of Reform will be productive of
evil rather than good in small boroughs; but accompa-
nied with the ballot, it would give general satisfaction.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
AN ELECTOR OF TOTNES.

A STANDING NAVY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

The paying off the Ganges and Southampton at
this critical period has at length demonstrated the imbeci-
lity of putting together a complicated and beautiful piece
of machinery at an enormous expense, and as soon as it has
attained perfect winking order, the whole of the elements of
which it was composed was scattered to the why's. It is,
therefore, a source of the very greatest possible pleasure to
me to see that you have !aken up a subject of such vital
importance to the British empire as the manning our ships
of war; and would to God your influential journal had thirty
years ago been equally zealous iu ativocating the con-
centration of our naval forces to five of the maximum
rates, which I have incessantly advocated in oilier to
prevent a recurrence of the disgrace which was inflicted on
our country by the defeats we sudained from the Americans
in the last-war, when the Board of Admiralty at that period
were obliged to issue an order t the captains of our frigates
not to risk an action with the American frigates! forsooth,
because they were so much inferior to them in size, calibre
of guns, and number of men. Yet, notwithstanding this
self-convicted blindness on their part in not keeping pace
with the times in building ships of equal magnitude with
other maritime powers, will it be believe in defiance of the
constant warnings they had, they continued buil ing donkey
frigates of 26 guns, line-of-battle ships of 70 guns, 10-gun
brigs, and nondescript corvettes, until within the last three
or four years.

The -millions that have been squandered in this way
have been of that enormous amount that it has always been
to me a subject of amazement that it was tolerated for
such a protracted period.
Sir, the only remedies for these evils are those which I
have advocated in vain for many years. The first is, to
have a standing navy, like a standing army, by which
means we can keep all our educate I gunners, which cost us
such large sums in training, and when turned adrift after
three years' service generally go to America, where the
exodus of the Irish, English, and Scotch population are
bending their steps.
With a eta ding navy we have the power of selecting
and retaining none but the best men in the service, which
on au emergency form the nucleus of ships' crews for
increasing our flees; wheras, by the present privateer
system, we are allowed to take what men we can get,
good, ad, and indifferent, to man our ships of war; and even
this process is generally extended over some months before a
ship can be got ready for sea! With a standing navy, when
a ship comes home from a foreign static n, if on examination
she is found to require considerable repair, the crew would in
that case be turned over to a ship of the same class in ordi-
nary, and fitted out immediately, a portion of them receiving
that leave of absence to see their friends to which they are
undoubtedly entitled.

Again, with respect to the concentration of our ships of
war to five of the maximum s;zes, the materiel of one rate
would be applicable to every one of the same rate. The eco-
n my that would by this means ensue i❑ the materiel would
he enormous; in addition to which the maximum size of
each rate would be not only a match for every enemy's ship
of the same rate, but would be sure to annihilate all others
of inferior sizes, though nominally of the same rate.
If you will steadily advocate these effective remedies for
the crying evils which exist in the government of the navy,
you will render an Important service to our common
country, which is now labouring under the apprehension of
invasion—a subject that never would have entered into any
man's mind had the timely warning been taken which I
g•ve twenty years ago, and been therefore prepared f r all
eventualities. Of those who have not had the capacity to
do that which they ought to have done, it may with truth be
said—" Amabilis insania, et mends gratis:iinus error t"
I am. Sir, &c.,-
J. RYDER BURTON.

15, Park-square, Feb. 12.

NAVAL INI_'L.LLICIENCE.

The members of the new Board Of Admiralty, including
Rear Admiral Sir James Stirling were gazetted last night.
Rear-Admiral the Hon. M. F. Berkeley, C. 8., M P.,
and Roar-Admiral H ,uston Stewart, M.P., have announced
their intention of receiving officers on Tuesdays, at two
o'clock in the afternoon.

Rear-Admiral Deans Dundae, CB. , in his flag-ship
Britannia, 120, Captain Grildsmith, is said to have been
seen by the Pilot on Wednesday off Plymouth, running
down Channel under a fine topsail breeze. The wind after-
wards shifted.
Argus, steam sloop, in charge of the second master attend-
ant Mr. Davy, sailed from Portsmouth for Devonport on
Thursday afternoon. She will form one of the
.advanced
steamers at that port.
Cormorant, 6, steatn-sloep, Commander Chamberlain,
arrived at Spithead yesterday morning from Rio, from
whence she sailed on Christmas-eve. She has sailed nearly
all the way home, and had but one ton of coals on
,board
when she anchored. She Li come into harbour to g,t fud,
and will proceed to Woolwich to pay uff. Her boilers are
:n a deplorable state, and have been so bad that she lay at
Rio nearly six months as a guard-ship. Commander Cham.
berlain has completely recovered from fever. il,
- -a Harpy
steamer, the Crescent receiving-ship, and the Col
American frigate were at Rio whenprtihzeesC, oermmpotryanstlalveefrt gTrens:
Cormorant has taken all ut eight
of which she sent to St. Helena for condemnation the othersstw°
were destroyed. She has experienced bad weather for the
last ten days.
Pilot, 12, Commander Hicsdkt!ueyn,,viraoort
mustered, Thursday morning, inspected,
and exercised in Plyinuut'i
by Captain Lowe; after which she was towed into harbour
by the Confiance, and placed alongside the dockyard to pre-
pare for paying off.
Simoom iron screw steam troop-ship,
was to have gone out to ,rY her Captain Kingcome,
machinery after repair. She
got up her steam, but, in
way, and she was towed moving,
something
again
gave
where she remains; and it isov uncertainer to thewmhoeonrsihnge off Gosport,
will be tried.
Mr. Durrien is (we understand) expected at Portsmouth to
examine the machinery.
Sprightly, Master Commander Allen, succeeded, after
much trouble, in • getting the .gnus, barque, off shore on
. Wednesday. On Thursday the Sprightly took down Colo-
nel Sir Frederick Smith, of the Engineers, and a board of
Officers. They landed at Sconce Point, in the Isle of Wight,
at Hurst Castle, and at Calsbot Castle, and minutely exa-
mined the state of the defences at those points. Captain
Hall, R.N. also went down in the Sprightly
"A CHANNEL SQUADRON."
Under this head we find the following in the Chronicle
of yesterday:—
It is resolved to organize a powerful Channel squadron
which will be cruising between Spithead, Plymouth !
, ana
Queenstown during the summer. A gallant vice-adrnira 1
who distinguished himself iu China, will most probablyhave
the command of'
this evolutionary force, Which will com-
prise the finest sailing and steam ships in the British nav
and will include alt or most of the following :-. y,
H. M. S. Waterloo 12),H. M. S. s c.,
uperb
Queen ......... 116 80
PP PP Boscawen
Neptune l2O 70
St. George l2O Blenheim
Impregnable... 104 ~ Edinburgh
"
....tg . Vincent ... 100 I, Hogue
. ”
Prince Regent 92 ft Ajax ••• •
"
I
Rodney . ........ ~ ~ Arethusa
PP
London n I „ Phaeton 5O
IP ...... ••• ...2 Indefatigable
„ Ganges 1 ), 5l)
~ The whole of the 841 „ Leander „ ,50
Ganges and Edinburgh, ove ships, with the exception of the
_u___
will ,___
0 some time to serve on her arrival 44119irgutlanvitioulbci, 1 . . . from the
oral pi, .i A )AC4(I pis® fjligi 99m.

plete by cruising. The flag-ship of this new squadron
evolution will be the Sanspareil screw two-decker of 81
guns, and the Commander-in-Chief Vice-Admiral Sir Thos.
Cochrane, K.C.B.
It is scarcely necessary to state that there is not the
slightest foundation for the above formidable statement.
It is a piece of pure romance, both with respect to ships
and commander-in-chief.— Herald.
PORTSMOUTH, FEB. 13.—The Camperdown, 104, advanced
ship, which was driven from her moorings a week or so
since by the violence of the gale, was taken back to-day, the
moorings having been repaired.
PoaTsmottam GARRISON, Her Majesty's Government
having ordered the permanent staff of the militia throughout
rest Britain and Ireland to be inspected by field-officers of
the regular army, to ascertain its present efficient state pre.
vious to the militia being drawn for and called out before
Jame next for drill, Lieutant-Colonel Ward, of the 48th Re-
giment, quartered in this garrison, has been selected to
In-
spect those in this district, the South and North Hants, Ile
of Wigh,, Sussex, Dorset, and Wilts.
PLYMOUTH, FRIDAY, FEB. 13.—Her Majesty's brig Pilot,
which arrived from Portsmouth on Wednesday,
yester-
day inspected by Captain Lowe, of her Majesty's ship um-
pregnable, and her crew was exercised at the guns, ater
which she was towed up harbour by the steam-vessel Pilo,
preparatory to her being paid off. was

APPOINTMENTS.
WOOLWICH, Pen. W.—Second Master John W. It rfar7-
vl.- (1847) to the Horatio, 24, screw steam guard-ship at
Sheerness.
Clerk William H. Richardson (1845) to the Simoom,
steam troop-ship, at Portsmouth.
Captain Kelett, C. 8., Commander of the Resolute, and
Captain
Richards, appointed to the Assistance, the sail
ing vessels of the Arctic expedition, visited these vessels at
Woolwich to-day, and Lieutenant Osborn, appointed to com-
mand the Pioneer screw steam-vessel for the same service,
visited her y sterday.
A nun-bar of caulkers commenced caulking the Assistance
and Resolute to-day, both these vessels basing remained in
the dry dock since they were paid off on their return font
the last Arc is expedition.,
The Highflyer steam-sloop is ordered to be supplied„w,„itill
fly,. iron provision tanks on a plan approved of b 7 the
ralty and Surveyor of the Navy, and to be furnished to tees-
se's for holding provisions, instead of the wooden bins hitherto
used for that purpose.
SHEERNESS, THURSDAY. Her Majesty's ship Ganges, 84,
was warped this morning from the south side of the basin
to the west side, and underneath the sheers, for the purPfhtse
of having her masts removed prior to being taken int°
dry dock to make good her defects, and to begot ready for
commissioning . She had her mizenmast taken out this
afternoon..
Her Majesty's ship Russell, 72, was removed to the south
side of the basin to have her hold stowed, and to take
her tanks on board. She is to be fitted forthwith for
service.
Her Majesty's ship Waterloo, 120, Captain G. R. ge,fici.t
flagship of Vice-Admiral the Hon. Josceline Percy, ,—;
mander-in-Chiet at the Nore, was placed this morning-;
the north side of the basin, in order that, as soon as 1,
7.
,-
tides permit, she may be removed to her moorings off '—
north end of the Dockyard. Her internal arrangementS'
painting of her cabins, &c., are finished, and on her quitting
the basin her officers and crew, at present in the Mieotalt'
will be removed into her. She has been upwards of all
months under the hands of the dockyard. n
rtly
Four steamers, it is currently reported, are to be 13`•"'
got ready at this port, as an addition to the present ate"—
squadron of reserve.
Her Majesty's steam-sloop Hydra, Mr. Thomas Beira et
commander, after starting from Portsmouth for the Cape al
Good Hope, with the new Governor of that colony, Gelier.
Cathcart and suite, wrung her rudder-head, and was co
o
sequence obliged to put into Plymouth on Monday aftellis°
last, to have the necessary repairs effected. ved
The Goodwill, dockyard lighter, Patrick master, WTI 0„
on Wednesday evening from Chatham with stores, and is u
loading in the discharging ba in. She will sail for Portsino:
in a few days, with other stores for the naval arsenal of Ow
port..

Wind, E N. 8., weather fine.
FRIDAY MOANING. —Her Majesty's steam-sloop
couta, 6, 300-horse power, Polyphemus, 5, 200-horse P.°”„
and Pluto, 4, 100-horse power, are to be stationed at this 17_",„.
as an increase to the present steam squadron of reserv.;
They are to be provided with their sea stores, Sc., 1° sal
months, so as to be ready for any service for which they 111'
be required.
The brig Coquet, Bain master, put out of the bashz„t
Wednesday, and having got her ballast on board, sails"
day for Newcastle.
The stoker, J. Duly, of her Majesty's steani-frigs"
Amphion, who lost his fife on Tuesday last,
by the upsetting of the ship's boat in the harbour. has lef.tds
widow and child in great distress. An appeal is being tn",,,
to the humane and charitable of the port on behalf of tm.
family, which has been already responded to by nlaff
in-
spectable individuals to such an extent as to supply tue to
media e wants of the widow. The body of the unfortunass
man has not yet been recovered. The boat in which he lot
contained two iron pigs of ballast, the cause no doubt of
sinking.
Her Majesty's screw steam guard-ship Horatio, 24. CansPd
tain S. T. Carnegie, will be ready to cross her lower vet
topmast yards to-day. Few, if any, able seamen briefie.
while on dutys,
volunteered to join her. There appears to be a great,,,regs-
tance on the part of our blue jackets to enter fat shir" -
tinned here.

Itto,LAN.II
DUBLIN, FRIDAY.—J. seph Carter, proprietor and edit::
of the Dundalk Democrat, extreme tenant-right journal,
arrested last night, by order of the Government, for 113%
cious and wicked libels, exciting hatred and malice beticeiii
landlords and tenants. H was admitted to bail, and
be tried at the nex, assizes.
Toe election of a representative for Kinsale took P!,abce,
yesterday, when Mr. John Isaac Heard was returned v""og
out opposition. Mr. Heard was proposed by s
Lieutella_
Daniel, R N., and seconded by Major Warren. There j
no popular feeling whatever evinced on the occasion.

Miles
opened,
lesl.

RAILWAY ttET URNS

.ST WE

X 1,122
616
141

26%
K 554
18914
94%
6%
65

596
3,476
2,276
2,111

171%
241%
183
277

228
9336

427
909
717
312
621
157

243
202
12,814
6.477

304%
279

2,850
750
109

mot
70