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

THE .REPRE,

NTAT.MY NO

(From the Norwich Mercury.)
The inhabitants of this city were probably never m're Sur.
prised, 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 Goiern-
ment agent in carrying out certain operations, on a very large
scale, in 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 Government 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. Pete 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 ease 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 madden
separation of a close connection may create, Mr. Peto, both
now and hereafter, will be 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 candidate
for the representation. We maintained that, if elected, hid
course would be an honour to the city. That course, as far
as Norwich is concerned, is run, and the close of Mr. Peto's
Parliamentary career, as representative for Norwich, while
shedding a halo of patriotism around the representative, in-
cludes in its bright circle, by its connection, the city and the
electors who bad made him the object of their choice. But
although that tie is loosened, we are assured by Mr. Peto, in
his address, it is. not broken ; and that although uo longer
member for Norwich, its interests, and the interests of the
citizens, will still find a friend in Samuel Morton Pete. W.
wish that gentleman the most perfect success in his bold nn•
dertaking, and that he may live to see that success accom-
plished, and to feel that his patriotism is acknowledged 14
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 mew'
bers on both sides of the house have also, 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 wal
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 principal 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 in the Crimea in aid of her Majesty e
forces, has involved him in the loss of his seat as member
for this city.
" That this meeting cannot relinquish the hope that it mar
be possible for Mr. Peto to resume the representation cone,.
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, were
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 busineas, Mr. Sultzer acorn.
panied Mr. Willett. On theirreturn, nearly the Same gentle-
men met, and after an explanation, which showed that it Wag
impossible Mr. Peto could preserve his seat, from various dif-
ficulties connected with the affair, it was determined to call a
meeting of electors, by circular, for this (Friday) evening, A
eight o'clock, at the Royal Hotel, in order to hear the view's
of Si E. N. Buxton, or any other candidate whom any elector
might, desire should he heard, and then for the electors to de-
termine which gentleman they considered most entitled to
their support.
On Wednesday evening a very large meeting of the Cousin,.
vative party was held at the Large Room, Norfolk Hotel.
which was ermined. 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. Thrt he had ex-
pressed his opinion of the character of the Hon. Baronet, but
that all he could say was, he 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 bad 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 Stracey'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 ho 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 ties, 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.i,
it was determined to semd a deputation to Captain Stracei,
requesting him to become a candidate. Tho deputation
started immediately to Raeltheath, and we understand that
Mr. Stracey requested that he might have tim *for considers'
tion.

This morning has, however, put a new phase upon the pro'
bible contest. Sir Samuel Bignold has issued an addre,
stating that he will serve as Mr, Peto's locundenens, if _,1"1
proposal should be responded to on any sufficient scale. "
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
ran ever, while reading it.

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

LARGE MERCANTILE FAILURE IN YORKsHing...--o.llc
Leeds correspondent reports with regret the dilliculyeisi
4 an extensive Huddersfield mercantile house, whi.c.
has done a great business with Australia. The liabilv
ies are stated to be 135,000/., and the apparent as
ibout 155,0001.; but it is difficult to say tO what e%ter!
;he latter can be realised. The cause of the crisis in 00..
_
,{fairs is the non-arrival of some large remittances
mere expected at the beginning of the month. The hol:
,as done a large business in Leeds, and several Le,eo
aouses are consequently involved in its difficulties, ".a,
not to the extent that might have been expected, COOI
ering the business done, „:

(From the Morning Post.)
The retirement of Mr. Pete from Parliament le an event to
which wo should scarcely think it necessary to refer hadi
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,
any peculiar views, which the honourable gentleman may
cutertain, we have 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 he has undertaken
to or•
ganiso that brigade of stout hands and stout hearts which, W°
doubt not, will be of invaluable assistance to our military en<4-
ueers 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 frothhonourable position of member for the city of Norwich in the
Commons House of Parliament. If Mr. Peto could make one
shilling of profit from the contract which he has entered int°
with the Government—or, perhaps, we should rather tern!
' it, the arrangement which ho has made with the Government
to assist then in the operations of the present calliPaign—....
then the general rule as to the inability of public coutractel
to•sit in Parliament would very legitimately and PrePeri
i
apply. But this is not the case, and as the honourab:
gentleman has very clearly laid down the reasons whiei,
have induced him to retire from Parliament, it is
fair that they should be stated iu his own words :—" '—
Government recently desired my advice and assistance
in promoting the facility of transit in the Crimea, Aud„a
had no hesitation, with my partners, Mr. Brassey
fir. Betts, in devoting to it our best energies, acting
simply as agents on behalf of the Government, and witucTs
the slightest pecuniary profit or benefit to ourselves. I
carrying out this arrangement, and during its continuance,
find that, by a strict interpretation of the act, which inct.
pacitates Members of Parliament from being concerned in $4%
contract or commission on behalf of the Government, I may
have brought myself within these clauses, anhough
not in any way infringed upon the true spirit or meaning of the
law." Here, then, a gentleman, who undertakes a contract
as a merelagent 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 ret"..
temporarily from public life. The Athenians with rare .T
gratitude, sometimes banished the most worthy of their ell'
wens ; but we permit the clauses of an Act of Parliament totaPP
a species of practical ostracism to one whose offer of assistant
should entitle him to the public thanks. That contraetel
who derive a profit from their dealings with the Government
should bo excluded from serving in Parliament, is only
wise and necessary precaution to preserve the purity 11„,
independence of the Legislature. The act in question (t'"
22d Geo. 3, c. 45), declares, " That any person who shall,
di-
rectly or indirectly, himself, or by any one in trust for into!
undertake any contract with a Government departmenl'
shall be incapable of being elected or of sitting or voting dn-
ing the tim3 he shall hold such contract." The penalties in'.
hseamseh,aallnasiatnyoi•
posed by the act are of a nature fully to justify the step
sittingw hich tehre
votinghon our a,l, ise
lgentlemaniable to forfeitha s taken. .
forA ceovnetii.;ecitao ry
soune 'fvehriethh e personvote againstt anyo
shall be recovered is incapable of holding any contract.'
admit
a of 500/. is also imposed upon any person who adini",.:
a member of the House of Commons to a share of a contract'
The letter of this absolutely v,
wpheermsonthiws hpoenfti
excludes the hon. gentleiTl if
and he would obviously have encountered too great a peril a 1
he had for a day postponed the resignation of his seat in
liament. In modern acts imposing a provision is usll''l,
inserted that the penalties shall only be sued for by the A:6
torney-General; but under this act any person might 0.3110
harassed the honourable gentleman with actions to which
could have had no legal defence. It is the first time in the
tort' of any country that a contract so disinterested, and for
object so patriotic, has ever been made between a
ot.ut
vernment and a private individual. Hard, indeed, wr,,,`",r,
it be, if the banishment of that individual from 1-I`re
liament should be longer than the time necessary to P"Piall
'on 0,
and pass a short measure to exempt from the operation le'
otherwise salutary rule, au engagement which, thonen.,,,ile
gaily a contract, is for the eminent advantage of the Public
service. ho 115°
A word, too, roust be said of those gallant men w
ntle-
so cheerfully enlisted in the brigade of the honourable fought
man. They are the brothers of the soldiers who t
and won at Alma and Inkerman. They. are the slolutshefettli'rer
;•allant English peasantry whom Lord John Russell
can 1).-3
eight so justly and so eloquently eulogised ; an
varies'
said that England requires the aid of foreign merc.
strength and sine"
when these men, emphatically the very
fntri
of the working classes, are ready at the call of their coa
to face the dangers and participate in tho glories of a cam'
paigu in the Crimea'{