The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-23 00:00:00

REPRESENTATION OF NORWICH.

(Front the Norwich, Mercury.)

The inhabitants of this city were probably never more sur-
pris3d, and certainly never less anticipated, the information
which reached them on Wednesday morning, that Mr. Peto
was no longer their representative —not through his own
choice but because he had undertaken, in conjunction with
his partners, Messrs. Brassey and Betts, to be the Govern-
ment agent in carrying out certain operations, on a very large
scale, iu the Crimea. That he had undertaken to fulfil these
very arduous and important works for the country, gratui-
tously, did not at all alter his position, and he was therefore
compelled, after consulting the highest legal authorities, to
resign his seat for Norwich, rather than forfeit his pledge to
the Govrument and the country. That the necessity imposed
by the law demanded a most painful sacrifice, we can Well
imagine. But great as is the sacrifice Mr. Peto has been re-
quired to make, the honourable member will have the far
greater recompense in the recollection that he has made it for
the good of his country—for the maintenance of its fame and
honour—for the greater safety, security, comfort, and case of
her brave heroes—for the preservation of Constitutional free-
dom, and to curb the encroachment of a monarch whose am-
bitious desires admit no limit but that which his own
will or superior power imposes, and above all to procure
for European nations the blessings of a Permanent Peace,
unalloyed by barbarian violences, a peace leading to a more
wide-spread civilisation. Whatever the pain this suddcli
s.Taration of a close connection may create, Mr. Peto, both
now and hereafter, will bo the more honoured for his patriotic
act by the Sovereign and the nation, neither of whom will
forget a sacrifice, the more noble because it is unspotted and
untarnished by an impure motive. We were among the first
to uphold the fitness of Mr. Peto when he became a caudidato
for the representation. We maintained that, if elected, his
course would be an honour to the city. That course, as far
as Norwicb is concerned, is run, and the close of Mr. Peto's
Parliamentary career, as representative for Norwich, while
shedding a halo of patriotism around tl:e representative, in-
cludes iu its bright circle, by its connection, the city and the
electors who had made him the object of their choice. But
although that tic is loosened, we aro assured by Mr. Peto, in
his address, it is not broken.; and that although no longer
member for Norwich, its interests, and the interests of the
citizens, will still find a friend iu Samuel Morton Peto. We
wish that gentleman the most perfect success in his bold un-
dertaking, and that he may live to see that success accom-
plished, and to feel that his patriotism is acknowledged by
his Sovereign and the nation.
Since writing the above, we learn that when the necessity
for Mr. Peto's retirement became known to the leader of the
Conservative party, Mr. Disraeli addressed a letter couched
in the handsomest possible terms to Mr. Peto, regretting the
cause, and paying him the highest compliments. The mem-
berg on both sides of the house have als.), we hear, expressed
their regret in the strongest terms, as well as their sense of
,he high and honourable course Mr. Peto has adopted.

Almost as soon, if not before, Mr. Peto's ineligibility wag
known in Norwich, Sir E. N. Buxton. accompanied by Mr.
Samuel Gurney, had arrived in the city, and immediately
called on Sir Samuel Bignold, by whom they were politely
received, and whom, we believe, undertook, without pledging
his support, to acquaint the Conservative party with the
gentlemen's objects. The two gentlemen also paid visits to
the Mayor, Sir W. Foster, and Mr. Springfield. A meeting
was called of about 20 of Mr. Peto's priuoipal friends, by Mr.
I. 0. Taylor, at which a letter was read from that gentleman,
announcing his resignation, and the cause; upon which the

following resolutions were passed :
" That this meeting has learned with the most profound
regret that the noble and. disinterested conduct of their hon.
member, Mr. Peto, in volunteering to make, without profit
to himself, a railway iu the Crimea in aid of her Majesty's
forces, has involved him in the loss of his seat as member

for this city.
" That this meoLing cannot relinquish the hope that it may
be possible for Mr. Peto to resume the representation consis-
tently with his duty to his queen and country, and they there-
fore request the Mayor and Mr. Willett to proceed imme-
diately to Town to have a conference with him on the sub-
ject."

The Mayor (R. Chamberlin, Esq.) with Mr. Willett, woo
appointed to go to town and wait upon Mr. Peto, to confer
with him upon the latter part of the resolution. The Mayor,
on being detained by urgent business, Mr. Sultzer
pulled Mr. Willett. On their return, nearly the same gentle=.
men met, and after an explanation, which showed that it WO
impossible Mr. Peto could preserve his seat, from various dif- ,
ticultics connected with the affair, it was determined to call a -
meeting of electors, by circular, for this (Friday) evening, al
eight o'clock, at the Royal Hotel, in order to hear the viewatic•i:
of Sir E. N. Buxton, or any other candidate whom any elect* 1::
might desire should he heard, and then for the electors to
termine which gentleman they considered most entitled
their support.
On Wednesday evening a very large meeting of the Censer .' • -
vative party was held at the Large Room, Norfolk Hotel,
which was crammed. Sir Samuel Bignold in the chair, who an-
nounced that he had been called upon by Sir E. N. Buxton and
Mr. S. Gurney, who informed him of the intention of the for-
mer gentleman, and soliciting his support. Tint he had ex-
pressed his opinion of the character of the Hon. Baronet, but
that all he could say was, ho would lay the name of
Sir E. N. Buxton before his party for their opinion. Sir
Samuel also pointed out to his friends that they had near
their walls a gentleman of ancient family and high character,
whose opinions were known, who was well fitted for their re.
presentative, and who might probably be willing to accept
their invitation. He meant Captain Stracey. There might
be other gentlemen equally eligible, whom his friends might
wish to support. Mr. Henry Straccy's name was received
with great cheering. . It was then, we understand, suggested
by Mr. J. B. Morgan that Sir Samuel Bignold himself
was the most eligible candidate, and deserved the warmest •
support from his fellow citizens. Sir Samuel's name
was received with the most deafening cheers. Sir Samuel,
however, declined the honour, but expressed bow
highly he felt flattered by their proposal. If he had
been some years younger it would have been a just
object of ambition; but, looking to his years, to his
strong family tics, and to the great transactions in which he
was so engaged, he felt that it was impossible for him to
accede to their very flattering wishes. After some discussio.',
it was determined to send a deputation to Captain Stracey,
requesting him to become a candidate. The deputation
' started immediately to Racklicath, and we understand that
Mr. Stracey requested that he might have tim • for considera-
.

This morning has, however, put a new phase upon the pro-
bable contest. Sir Samuel Bignold has issued an address,
stating that he will serve as Mr. Peto's locunitenerts, if his
proposal should be responded to on any sufficient scale. We
have no time to do more than to refer the electors to the ad-
dress itself, and to remark, politically speaking, it will bear
as wide and as narrow a guage as any elector may choose to
run ever, while reading it.

The writ is arrived. We apprehend the Nomination will
be on Wednesday—the election ou Thursday next.

(Front the Morning Post.) • •
The retirement of Mr. Poto from Parliament is an event to
whieb wo should scarcely think it necessary to refer had it
occurred under any of those circumstances which are usually
considered to justify or require the relinquishment of a seat
in the House of Commons. With the political 'opinions, or
any : peculiar views, which the honourable gentleman may
entertain, we base nothing to do on the present occasion.
It is sufficient for us to know that he has been the first to
step forward to apply the marvellous appliances of mechanical
skill to the purposes of war—that ho has undertaken to or-
ganise that brigade of stout hands and stout hearts which, we
doubt not, will be of invaluable assistance to our military engi-
neers in the Crimea, whether digging trenches, mining under
ground, or making railways. The reward which the hon. gentle-
man receives for his patriotism is—compulsory retirement from
honourable position of member for the city of Norwich in the
Commons House of Parliament. If Mr. Pete could make one
shilling of profit from the contract which be has entered into
with the Government—or, perhaps, we should rather term
it, the arrangement which' he has made with the Government
to assist them in the operations of the present campaign—
' then the general rule as to the inability of public contractors
to sit in Parliament would very legitimately and propel lY
kpply. But , this is not the case, and as the honourable
gentleman has very clearly laid down the reasons which
have induced him to retire from Parliament, it is only
fair that they should be stated in his own words :--" The
Government recently desired my advice and assistance
in promoting the facility of transit in the Crimea, and
had no hesitation, with my partners, . Mr. Brassey and
Ur. Betts, in devoting to it our best energies, acting
simply as agents on behalf of the Government; and without
the slightest pecuniary profit or ben-efit to ourselves. In
4 carrying out this arrangement, and during its continuance,
find that, by a strictinterpretation of the act, which inca-
pacitates Members of Parliament from being concerned in airy
contract or commission on behalf of the Government, I may
have brought myself within these clauses, aLhough I have
not in any way infringed upon the true spirit or meaning of that
law." Here, then, a gentleman, who undertakes a contract
as a meresugent of the Government, and without the slightest
claim for pecuniary profit, is compelled by a statute which
was never intended to apply to such a transaction, to retire
temporarily from public life. The Athenians, with rare in-
gratitude, sometimes banished the most worthy of their citi-
zens ; but we permit the clauses of an Act of Parliament tolaPPly
a species of practical ostracism to one whoseinffer of assistance
should entitle him to the public thanks. That contractors
who derive 'a profit from their dealings with the Government
should be excluded from serving in Parliament, is only *
wise and necessary precaution to preserve the purity and
independence of the Legislature. The act in question (the
22d Geo. 3, c. 45), declares, .4 That any person who shall, di-
rectly or indirectly, himself, or by any one in trust for him,
undertake any contract with a Government department
shall be incapable of being elected or of sitting or voting dur-
ing the time ho shall hold such contract." The penalties im-
posed by the act are of a nature fully to justify the step
which the honourable gentleman has taken. A contractor
sitting or voting "is liable to forfeit 500/. for every day
on which he shall sit or vote to any person who may
sue for the same, and any person against whom this penalty
shall be recovered is incapable of holding any contract." IS-
penalty of 501}t. is also imposed upon any person who admit
a member of the House of Commons to a share of a contract.
The letter of this absolutely excludes the hon. gentleman' ,
and ho would obviously have encountered too great a peril •
he had for a day postponed the resignation of his seat in par'
l
lament. In modern acts imposing a provision is usually
inserted that the penalties shall only be sued for by the At'
torney-General ; but under this act any person might have
harassed the honourable gentleman with actions to which he
could have had no legal defence. It is the first time in the his
toy of any country that a contract so disinterested, and for an
object so patriotic, has ever been made between a Go-
vernment and a private individual. Hard, indeed, wool*
it be, if the banishment of that individual from Far'=
liament should be longer than the time necessary to prepare ,
and pass a short measure to exempt from the operation of an
otherwise salutary rule, an engagement which, though 10
gaily a contract, is for the eminent advantage of the public
service. haie: •
A word, too, rust be said of those gallant men who
so cheerfully enlisted in the brigade of the houourablo gentl.e,
man. They are the brothers of the soldiers who fought
and won at Alma and Inkerman. They are the sons of that
gallant English peasantry whom Lord John Russell the other_
night so justly and, so eloquently eulogised ; and can it. les,
e
said that England requires the aid of . foreign mercenaries,
their country
the call of
when these men, emphatically the very strength and mew
of the working classes, are ready at
to face the dangers and participate in the
paign in the Crimea ? •
glories of a cam-

LARGE MERCANTILE FAILURE IN YORKSHIRE.-Our
Leedp correspondent reports with regret the difficultieg
of an extensive Huddersfield mercantile house, wbioh- ,
has done a great business with Australia. The liabili-
ties are stated to be 135,0001., and the apparent assets
about 155,0001.; but it is difficult to say to what extent
the latter can be realised. The cause of the crisis in their
affairs is the non•arrival of some large remittances which-
were expected at the beginning of the month. The house
has done a large business in Leeds, and several Leeds
houses are consequently involved in its difficulties, but-
not to the extent that might have been expected, consid`
ering th 4 business done. _