The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-17 00:00:00

fided to the elector for the benefit of the rest of the commu•

(" No," from Mr. BERKELEY.) Very good; then my
hon. friend maintains that the ♦ote is a personal right,
which the individual holding it is entitled to exercise free
from any consequences. If the vote is a personal vote, upon
what ground does my hon. friend punish a man for taking
money for his vote ? If a man has a personal right, he is
entitled to exercise it from pecuniary or whatever other
motives that he pleases. The moment you narrow a vote
by describing it as a personal right, you cut away the
ground upon which you can rest the right to punish a man.
(Cheers.) But I deny that a vote is a personal right. A
vote is a trust. Even if universal suffrage were adopted,
a vote would still be a trust which an individual would have
confided to him for the benefit of the nation of which he is
a member. (Hear.) I say, then, that not only by the
English constitution, but by the common sense of man-
kind, the man who holds a trust for the benefit of others is
bound to manifest to the world, and to those for whom the
trust is held, the manner in which that trust is performed.
Therefore the ballot, the object of which is to screen the
trustee from all consequences as to the manner in which he
may perform his trust, is contrary not only to the principles
of the British constitution, but contrary to common sense,
and contrary to the very nature of things themselves.
(Hear.) But then my honourable friend thinks that the
ballot would exempt a voter from those influences from
which mankind never can be free. He has given us ex-
amples of places and countries where territorial possession
has varied, and with the varying of that possession he
says you vary the political action of those who have votes
in those places. My hon. friend wants to alter the course
of human events. A man must be influenced by feelings
of some sort or other, and it is natural that there should
be harmony between the possessors of land and those who
hold under them. Such relations will continue, whether
it be the influence of territorial possessions, of mercantile
wealth, or of commercial engagements; for you cannot
divest mankind of an influence which is inherent in their
nature. I contend that it is a perfect fallacy to say that
secrecy to the voter would be beneficial. If vote by ballot
existed, the man who wished to influence the voter would
ask him to promise his vote, and he would understand what
a refusal meant. If my hon. friend thinks such a promise
would be a fallacy, and that no man could trust to it, he
pronounced the strongest condemnation upon the voter,
because he declares that in his opinion they were men whose
opinions could•not be relied upon—that they would pro-
mise one thing to-day and do a different thing to-morrow.
Ido not believe that. If a voter would not promise a vote
when asked, he would be exposed to the same consequences
as if ho voted openly. I think, therefore, that the ballot
would be inconsistent with the principles on which human
society is constituted, and is at variance with the principles
and practice of the British constitution, demoralising in its
effect, and calculated to lower the character of the British
voter ; and, therefore, I must again oppose the motion of
my hon. friend. (Cheers.)
The house divided—
For the resolution 74
Against it
Majority
The house then passed to the orders of the day, and
The Fortification (Provision for Expenses) Bill and the
Harbours Transfer Bill were severally read a second time.
The report on the navy and army expenditure (1863-4)
was brought up and agreed to ; as was also the report on
the Colonial Docks Loans Bill.
The Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions Bill, and the
Navy and Marines (Properties of Deceased) Bill were read
a third time.
The Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (No 2) Bill,
and the Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (No. 3)
Bill passed through committee.
TURNPIKE ACTS.

Mr. BARING obtained leave to bring in bill to continue
certain Turnpike Acts in Great Britain ; also a bill relating
to turnpike trusts arrangements.
The bills for which leave had been obtained were read a
first time.
The house adjourned at a quarter to one o'clock.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

- 4 --

WESTMINSTER.

The following correspondence has passed between
the Attorney. General and Mr. Mill's Committee for
Westminster :

" Lincoln's-inn, June 16.

" Sir,—l perceive that my name is in the published list
of Mr. Mill's Committee for Westminster. As I have never
authorised, or intended to authorise, any such use of it (in-
deed I am not aware that I have ever, even in private, said
anything from which any person could be likely to infer
that I should be willing to do so), I must request:that it
may be immediately withdrawn, and I shall esteem it a
favour if you will inform me by what authority it has been
so made use of.

"I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
ac ROUNDELL PALMEIt.
" The Chairman of Mr. Mill's Committee,
9a, Bridge-street, Westminster."
"John Stuart Mill's Committee Rooms,
9a, Bridge-st., Westminster, June 16.

" Sir,— I have caused inquiry to be made respecting the
placing of your name on the committee, and regret to find
that it was done through the inadvertence of one of the
clerks employed in the arrangements for the election. A
return was received signed R. Palmer,' which the clerk
entered on the committee list as Palmer, R., Esq., 11, New-
square, Lincoln's-inn,' that being the first R. Palmer he
found on the register, This, I suppose, is how it was done,
as the clerk who then had charge of the book has since left
the employ of the committee. Another gentleman employed
hero, seeing the address so entered, and knowing that the
place named was your address, altered Palmer, R., Esq.,'
into the form in which it has since stood, never for one
moment doubting that authority bad been given for the
publication of the name. It has been the earnest wish of
Mr. Mill's committee that no name should appear without
the consent of the party, and I have therefore thus fully
explained the way in which this mistake has occurred. We
have not had more than five or six mistakes in a list of 600

names.
"I trust that you will deem this explanation satisfactory,
and have ordered fresh lists to be printed with your name
omitted, one of which shall be forwarded to you.
" Apologizing for the trouble that has been given you,
and for the annoyance of having your name thus published,
"I am your obedient servant,
"JAMES BEAL, lion. Sec.
" Ile Right lion. Sir R. Palmer."