The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-22 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1853.

We rejoice to find that the petition of the
Madras Native Association, to which we have on
more than one occasion directed the public atten-
tion, will be speedily brought under Legislative
consideration. It is, indeed, a remarkable docu-
ment, fully warranting the demand for inquiry so
temperately, but firmly put forward, and also
justifying the application that the Charter of the
East India Company now rapidly approaching to
its termination, may not be renewed for any pro-
longed term, but merely continued from year to
year, until the close of the investigation, and the
final report of the Commissioners be obtained.
These are reasonable requests, such as we believe
it to be impossible for the Imperial Parliament to
slight or despise. The petition itself exposes
a state of affairs such as that, if but a tithe of its
allegations be established by evidence, must prove
an insuperable impediment to the continuance of
power to those by whom it was so flagrantly
abused. It is, indeed, difficult to understand why
such a system of misgovernment should be for a
moment tolerated—where matters are so ingeni-
ously involved that none are really responsible for
the welfare and happiness of one hundred and
fifty millions (1) of our fellow-subjects who owe
allegiance to the British Throne.

Why should the Charter be continued t We
are abolishing legal fictions. Even JOHN DOE
and RICHA.RD Ron, time-honoured phantoms,
have been exterminated. JOHN THRUSTOUT
is no more. And yet these whilome potentates
were known and respected for ages before
the East India Company sprung into existence.
If they have been swept away, why, we again ask,
should we sanction the absurdity of the Govern-
ment of our Anglo-Indian Empire being nominally
pL,tced in the hands of 24 elderly gentlemen, the
representatives of a supposed company of "mer-
chant adventurers" (1) who have no commercial
traiNactions, and who can neither be benefitted nor
injured by any changes in our Eastern dominions.
Government, forsooth, risum teneatis amici. The
real Government is vested in the Board of Con-
trol, which is empowered to set aside and cancel
the resolutions of the Directors, and even to take
steps, in their name, but without their pre-
vious knowledge, or any intimation being
given of the intention. This is a farce
too ridiculous to be longer enacted by, or
with the assent of, the British Legislature.
If the Directors are to retain the semblance of
Sovereignty, they should be allowed something of
the reality. If, on the other hand, that reality
be taken away—the tinsel should also be removed.
They should not hold the name when the sub-
stance is gone. Nor should they be permitted
to shelter the real delinquent from the castigation
he may merit by his maladminstration of our
Eastern affairs.

But, why, it may be asked, complain of those
respectable dowagers, if the power be so com-
pletely removed from their hands and vested in a
department of the Government ? Simply because,
though powerless for good, they are too potent
for mischief ; and because the arch4lelinquent
may shelter himself under their authority from
the censure that would otherwise be inflicted.
The Council of Directors are used as the shield
uneler cover whereof the President of the India
Board may discharge his shafts with impunity ;
and so long as Sir CHARLES WOOD holds the im-
portant office—so long as the MARPLOT of the
ABERDEEN Cabinet be the virtual sovereign of
British India, extraordinary vigilance will be
essential. It will also be necessary that every
functionary should be responsible for his own

actions—that there should be r o scape-goat (1
whom the well-merited censure may be trans'
ferred.
Again, we ask, why should the Charter be at
all renewed ? The Directors aro only the repre-
sentatives of the Proprietors of East India stock.
Their only duty should be to guard the interests
of their constituents, and these interests Aro
neither more nor less than matters of X. s. cl•
The Directors certainly made a good bargain in
that respect. They stipulated that interest after
the rate of 101. 10s. per annum should be paid
on every 1001. stock for a long term, of which 21
years are still unexpired. This was a handsome
remuneration. The veriest usurer would rejoice
at such a bargain-101. 10s. per cent. on Govern-
ment security. Verily, those who obtained such a
return for their investments would have nothing
to complain of, although the Government or plis"
government of 71 liindoos were not attached to
the ownership of each pound sterling of stock.
But even this was not all ! When the hour of
redemption so lone, postponed at length
arrives, 2001. in hard cash must be paid to the
t
fortunate proprietor of each 1001. in stock.
the administrative talents of the Directors Were
as remarkable as their bargaining powers, the
Native Associations would have nothing to een"
plain of.
But in addition to these enormous pectullari
profits, there is the patronage of our fairest de*
pendency thrown into the scale. The prosperity,
the happiness of the Ryots mainly depend on the
will, we shall not designate it as the caprice'
of those appointed to the Civil Service•
It is notorious that these appointments are not
e
given to the most worthy—to those who wen'
most efficiently discharge the onerous duties ,
the situation, or who, from the services of their
parents, possess the strongest claims on the eon"
sideration of the Directors. It is notorious that'
with some honourable exceptions, of which Car
tain SHEPHERD is perhaps the most remarkable'
the appointments are given to the nearest relaa
tions of Directors, or, perhaps, from a worse 111°-
tive, as a return for the votes given at the oleo'
tion. There is either nepotism or corruption
of the most flagrant character, and we know 110 t
why either should be continued a moment longer
than is necessary.
The matter is now placed in competent hands'
Lord ELLENBOROUGH will not suffer an instrument
so formidable as that which has just been placed
within his reach to remain inactive. An avenging
Nemesis will strengthen his arm, and in detailing
the wrongs of the Hindoo Ryots, he will aselif:
the injuries and insults inflicted on himself by
the Honourable Board of Directors.

The proceedings on Election Petitions 1111,ceo
commenced, and the favoured gentlemen of wit
long robe have their time fully occupied wi.rvt
business of the most lucrative description. Bribery
and corruption appear to be the burdens of ever)
song. Votes obtained by undue influence-1
purchase or intimidation—form the general groom
of complaint ; aid already have two elections-e'd
those for Canterbury and Lancaster--been direlar
null and void under circumstances that prove t',o
existence of habitual venality on the part of coer-
tain classes of Electors. The very strong measure
of suspending the writ has been resorted to ,
order that the minutes of evidence may be laid 49'
the table and fully considered before the final fate
of the delinquent borough should be finally detel‘
mined. It is by no means improbable that Core;
missions may be issued under the recent statute
to inquire into the practices at Elections in thee0
peccant constituencies, and that several other
boroughs will be placed in equally unenviable
positions. Indeed, a numerous body of Core;
missions may be anticipated. Startling revolati%lll
will be brought to light—revelations that w's
prove, beyond the possibility of doubt, the illy
perative necessity for the adoption of the ballot'
the only guarantee for the purity of election---4
the touchstone that can alone insure the bolle:',1
and patriotic exercise of the franchise—that or,
protect the needy voter from selling his birthright
for a few paltry pounds, and the humble
voter from the tyrannical influence of a des'
potio master. Whatever
doubt may hitherto
have existed on the point must be removed
by the testimony that has already apPeared'
and is forthcoming during the pending to
investiglv
tions. It is a humiliating fact, but it is a fact
which it is impossible to close our eyes, or ,„`"
feign ignorance, that, in a large proportion of COtolY
stituencies, many voters are indifferent
the proper discharge of their most sacred
duties. They have accustomed themselv to
to think that the franchise was bestowed solely g
enable the voter to wallow in drunkenness dnrin_
the elections, and to obtain money—more or 107
according to the custom of the district—in return
for his most sweet voice. How could they 00,r
pose that the man to whom they wilfully and dite.
liberately sold themselves would abstain from
ing them in turn, when the fitting opportolllv
arrived—that anything good for the commute
in general or the district could come of such
quitous transactions. Such considerations were 0;
however, disregarded. Money or drink, drio
of
money, were more thought of than the fitness
ea
the candidate ; and " What will he give?" alWeei,ro
to be an interrogatory far more important t'
fof
" What aro his opinions and qualifications
_ _

Parliament."
This gross abuse—this " aged vice"--w '„er.
pie
mated be speedily obliterated, and no longer
Oa°
mated to remain the disgrace and reproach of
British nation. As we have stated,. it could
be got rid of by the use of the balloting-hli%•ti
and not merely the right, but the need
of secrets voting. If, as many well-disn-ais
persons have suggested, it was allowed to relot
optional with the voter whether he would bes
his suffrage openly before his brother electorstecl
in private, stringent measures would be adOPOO
to prevent persons liable to undue inlioe' jt
from exercising the franchise privately the
would be announced that the use °f
ballot-box would be considered inst‘a ho
objectionable as voting for the wrong man, 311 00
productive of as many untoward results• the
tradesman who refused to vote according t° ho
whim of a wealthy customer—the tenant
rai•
disobeyed the imperious behests'of his land°, ills
or the artisan or operative who did not less tea
employer know how he voted, would all be tr
as if they had acted in the manner opposed ,
wishes of those whose favour they were desiro oere
of seeking, and be treated accordingly 1041
cannot, then, be any exception to the rule.
be optional for men to wear what colours and 7--the
for what candidates they think proper, hllO
franchise must be exercised in such a manner _t
be only according to a man's own consciences air
by such means alone can we avoid such &ill
graceful transactions as those which are 1149'
being brought to light in the Committee-re°3o
the House of Commons.
arras There is one matter to which we have an tiot
looked forward---one power which hasf O.P
yet been resorted to. Under the New, /r 001;
deuce Act, members or petitioners WI 00111 u
selves be examined as witnesses, and tile' olfe.
thar
surely give the best information as adios'
participation in the objectionable prose Vita
None, however, have as yet been called °rids the
shall hope that this privilege, which 84.4.%
best means of eliciting the whole troth,
vitif
no longer be disregarded, but that Ttsactioll°,
find persons engaged in Election trWleir
willing to come forward and -vindicate
the oaf
• h
characters from the reproaches to whie—
otherwise be liable.

friends to
W© invite ioliari°l3
the attention of our SO `,_ 000
most d some facts which ought to interest 00,
selve eeply.
We scorn indeed to vindic6tcirre-
-1 inions, from
the charge of irreverence and ,8 0
make
because we totally reject all attenlP:oooi.
men religious by law, yet we beg the
people
deraetion of the clergy and some other good-
_toe
to
_an exem
set the
which the sabbat. ilave
Plification of the best possible :vrios
--ey as religious men and as
can take. They must see plainly that theYseilve
working classes against both the'3ltiwee
and the Sabbath, and if there be danger ofil 0
classes being misled by Popery one with " ,