The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-06 00:00:00

COMMERCIAL.

Business at New York was reported to be gene-
rally dull at the Arctic's departure, and money
was obtainable on even easier terms than men-
tioned in the last advices. In the Stock Market
also considerable dulness continued to exist.

The report of the condition of the market for
breadstuffs was more satisfactory, greater activity
existing, and prices consequently showing a dis-
position to improve.
The unfavourable condition of the Cotton Mar-
ket, stated to exist at the departure of the last
steamer, was reported as still continuing at New
York when the Arctic left.

In the Provision Market no improvement in
business was reported to have taken place, but few
transactions having been effected since our last
advices.

In freight there was no change to report.
Foreign exchanges were in moderate demand,
but firm. Bills on London, 1091.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-(THIS DAY.)

The SPNAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock.
The Lords' amendments to Gorbals Gravitation Bill
were considered and agreed to.

PETITIONS.

Mr. DUNLOP presented a petition from the work-
ing men of Glasgow against the Registration of As-
surances Bill. _ _

DROPPED ORDERS.
The dropped orders were reappointed.
EXPENSES OF ELECTIONS' BILL.

On the motion of going into committee on this bill,
Colonel SIBTHORP said he made it a point of
always opposing bills of this nature. It was a bill of
pains and penalties against the electors, and he could
not better characterise its spirit than to stigmatise it as
a mean, shabby, disgraceful affair, from beginning to
end. It was alike a degradation to the candidate and
electors, and he would not permit it to proceed without
protest ; only consider that the law was so rigidly en-
forced that the candidate could not give his supporters,
who might have walked miles, either a glass of
brandy and water or a change of linen. (A laugh.)
All that the candidate could do, if the bill passed, was
to thank his friends for the expense and trouble they had
been put to, but "fine words buttered no parsnips," and
thanks would be an empty return to the man who had
expended his money and his labour to promote the re-
turn of the man whose principles he admired. (A. laugh.)
Pshaw ! this was a paltry bill ; it was to put down
music at elections, and, if it passed, he supposed the
gingling of the town crier's bell, or the noise of the
child's penny whistle, would be viewed in the light of
bribery and corruption. (A laugh.) The man who had
the means was bound to entertain his supporters, and
keep up that feeling of good old English fellowship
which always characterised the proceedings of our fore-
athers. He was as much opposed to bribery
and corruption as any man, but he believed there
was a wide difference between bribery and cor-
ruption and entertaining a man's friends to some
good wholesome cheer. His table was open to all his
friends without t3;ng up their votes, and, as he consi-
dered the bill would prevent him from exercising the
hospitalities of an English gentleman, he should move
as an amendment that the Speaker do not leave the
chair until this day three months. (Roars of laughter.)
Mr. BARROW seconded the amendment, beea.ise if
this bill passed the enthusiasm of an indiscreet fr:end of
a candidate might lead him to exhibit a flag, and thereby
endanger the seat of his friend if he was returned.
Mr. MULLINGS said there was not a more fruitful
source of bribery and corruption than allowing the can-
didates to have bands and flags at elections. (Hear.)
He regretted very much that the objections now urged
against the committee were not urged against it
on the motion for the; second reading. At his own
election he gave notice that he would neither employ
flags nor music, but his opponent who was the popular
candidate did not follotv his example, and the conse-
quence was, that for several days the town was kept in
a state of uproar. Nor was this all, he was asked to
name a numher of persons who were his supporters to
be sworn in as special constables, but he refused to do
so, as he thought it was the duty of the returning officer
to take all the necessary precautions for preserving the
the peace of the town. He would pay nothing but the
bare legal expenses of the election, and he should sup-
port this bill in the hope that it would put an,end to the
pernicious practice of corrupting voters under the guise
of employing them as flag carriers or musicians.
Mr. E. DENISON thought the bill was open to
considerable objection, on the same ground as those
stated by Mr. Barrow, and he should vote against the
committal of the bill.
Mr. ELLIOT followed on the same side, and said he
could not understand why a man should be prevented
from enjoying himself at an election with a fiddle or band
of music, or that he should be liable to a fine to 10/. if
he 'displayed a laurel leaf in a piece of ribbon in his
button-hole to show which way his feelings went.
Mr. GREEN said there were objections which could
be removed in committee.
Mr. H. BERKELEY approved of the merit of the
bill, and recommended the house to go into committee
without any more delay.
Mr. MITCHELL complained that the bill did not go
far enough, and thought the time had arrived when all
emblems of party ought to be prohibited at contested
elections, as they only served to provoke wars and
rioting.
The house then divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment
Against it

Majority against it 79
The house then went into committee.
On clause 1,
Mr. BARROW moved the omission of words, so as
to limit the responsibility of the candidate to acts donet
by himself, and not leave him liable for the miscot.idu.
of an agent of whose proceedings he had been q
the dark.uite in
M rw.oMrdUs
After a few words from Mr. HENLEY and Mr. VERNON
SMITH, the amendment was agreed to.
and
LouLtI.N_GS consented to strike the objection-
able Some other amendments were made, the clause
was then passed.
discussion took place,
(in clause 2, relating
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verbal alterations, and a promise by Mr. Mullings that
on the bringing up of the report he would endeavour to
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The r
the house resumed.
PROBATE OF WILLS AND ADMINISTRATION
upon some
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