The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-11 00:00:00

the suggestion of his hon. and learned friend the member
for Bath. He had no objection to take away the vote.
Lord J. RUSSELL said this clause, as the hon. member
for Liverpool had, said, was not originally in the bill in
the shape it now was. All that he proposed in the bill as
was originally brought forward was to prevent more
effectually than was now done by law the attorney or
agent from voting. The objection to the clause of the hon.
member was that he thought it could not be carried effec-
tually into practice. What the hon. member (Ur. Ather-
, ton) said was true, that the candidate would contrive by
having the partner, or nephew, or clerk as his nominal
agent. He thought the best course would he to strike out
the clause as ib now stood and to insert another clause at
end of the bill.

Mr. CRAUFURD thought that until they could put an
end to the employment of attorneys at elections they
would never get rid of corruption.
Mr. WALPOLE was glad that the noble lord cemented
to withdraw the clause. He thought the difficulty would
be got over by adopting the clause of the hon. member for
Liverpool.
Mr. V. SMITH did not envy the gentleman who sued
an attorney at law for 501. Depend upon it he would get
the worth of it. (Laughter.) The object of the hon.
member for Manchester in proposing the clause in commit-
tee was to get rid of the enormous influence of attorneys at
elections. At present they could engage attorneys as
agents and secure their votes. It was the only legalised
bribery there was.
Clause 10 was then struck out.
On clause 11, which prohibits the giving of cockades,
Mr. HEADLAM moved an amendment, extending the
provisions of the clause to candidates as well as to mem-
bers, which was agreed to.
On the question that the clause stand part of the bill,
Mr. BOOKER moved that the clause be struck out.
He thought the time had come when they should deter-
mine whether the elections should be popular or not.
Mr. AGLIONBY said his definition of a popular elec-
tion was different from that of the hon. member. He con-
ceived that a popular election was that which gave to
every man who had the power to vote the right to vote
without bribery and without corruption. He asked if it
was discussed in the select committee whether they should
get rid of those nuisances at elections, flags, banner, and
music ?
Mr. WALPOLE said it was before the committee, but
as the house had deliberately, upon two occasions, rejected
the proposition, they thought it was hardly within their
province to insert a clause.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the 7th and Bth
Gee. IV. was passed for the purpose of putting a stop to
the practice of giving ribbons and cockades to the electors.
It was found a very heavy expense, as they had not only
to give ribbons to the voters but to their wives, and to
many besides who were not voters.
The clause was then agreed to.
On clause 12, which provides that electors are not to be
compelled to serve as special constables,
Mr. SOTHERON asked what was the object of such a
provision.
Lord J. RUSSELL thought the object was that per-
sons should not be made special constables to prevent them
from voting.
Mr. MILES said that is many small boroughs all the
respectable inhabitants were voters, and they were the
only persons who could be called on to quell riots. (Hear.)
WALPOLE did not think it right that el etere,
who might have strong partisan feelings, should be com-
pelled to act as special constables.
Mr. E. DENIS3N sail that if they had such strong
feelings they would willingly be sworn in.

134
39
-145

The committee divided:-
For the clause
AgAinst
Majority
On clause 13,
Sir J. WALUSLEY moved to insert words to render
penalties imposed under the act recoverable in the county
court of the district.
Mr. PHINN said that the committee had considered
this question, and had rejected it—in his opinion wisely—
after mature consideration.
Mr. CR.A.UFURD supported the amendment.
Mr. WHITZSIDE did not think it advisasle to render
these penalties recoverable in county courts.
Mr. ATHERTON' objected to the amendment, and
Mr. HADFEELD supported it.
Mr. FOX said that if county courts were so little to he
trusted as some hon. members supposed, they ought not to
be trusted to decide cases at all. He supported the amend-
ment.

W Lord
J. R-173 SELL said that, except in some cases there
was no appeal from county courts, and ho did not think
that a local tribunal should have the power of deciding
qnestions which involved political disqualifications.
The amendment was negatived, and the clause was
agreed to.
On clause 14,
Mr. HENLEY asked whether the expen-es of proscu-
tion were to be paid out of the Treasury or out of the
county rates?
Lord J. RITSSELL said that the intention was to pay
them out of the Consolidated Fund.
Clause agreed to.
Clause 15 was agreed to.
Oa clause 16,
Mr. WHITESIDE moved an amendment to limit the
time within which an action must be brought to six
months. _ .

The ATTORNEY-GENERAt opposed the amendment.
The clause Wa3 then agreed to.
Oa the motion of Mr. V. SCULLY,
The CHAIRMAN reported progress.
Lord J. RUSSELL stating that ho intended to resume
the committee on Thursday.