The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-08 00:00:00

tion for voters, and that got rid of the objection to a
great extent. The objection would also be further
lessened by the establishment of a sufficient number of
polling places, and it was necessary, in Ireland espe-
cially, that there should be more polling places. He
should propose as an amendment in the sth line of the
23d clause, after the word "shall " to insert the word
"not," and to omit other words in the clause so as to
make it stand that "it shall not be lawful for any can-
didate to pay or cause to be paid any expenses of bring-
ing voters to the poll."
Lord REDESDALE objected to the amendment
for several reasons. He thought that that house ought
not, at this period of the sessions, to introduce impor-
tant amendments in a measure which had been delibe-
rately passed by the other house, and for the same
reason which had induced their lordships to refuse to
read any important bill a second time. The noble duke
(Newcastle), by giving an opportunity of reconsider-
ing this question, and making this a temporary mea-
sure, had had a material effect in the determination
of the house with regard to the passing of the bill. This
clause was supported by several large majorities in the
other house, and by all the Cabinet Ministers, so that
the decision of the other house was given in an unequi-
vocal form that it was proper and reasonable to allow
the travelling expenses of voters. With regard to these
payments being bribery, if nothing more than the abso•
lute expenses were paid it was not bribery, for a man
had nothing to gain by such payments, and any danger
to the over-paying of real expenses was removed by the
appointment of the election auditor, who was to pay all
bills. He thought the amendment would lead to a great
practical disfranchisement of voters, especially in the
counties, and would certainly give an immense advan-
tage to voters in towns over those in counties.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE was glad to find that his
noble friend since last Monday had become a convert to
the doctrine he (the Duke of Newcastle) had then laid
down, that the bill so materially affected the privileges
of the House of Commons, that even at this advanced
period of the session their lordships ought to agree to it.
But his noble friend went so far as to lay it down that
their lordships were not to touch it all. He agreed with
the noble marquis that while dealing with the subject of
bribery, it was desirable to put an end to the heavy item
of travelling expenses, and if he was obliged to vote aye
or no on'the amendment, he should vote that no pay-
ment for travelling -expenses should be allowed. Still
there was a good deal in what had been said with re-
gard to this being a question especially connected
with the House of Commons, and though indivi-
dually he would assent to the amendment of the
noble marquis, yet he could still consistently say
that he could not assent to it, and the more so
because of the temporary nature of the bill as it now
stood. He hoped in some future bill that a clause would
be introduced making travelling expenses specifically
illegal. Having said that much, he was not prepared to
accept such an entire alteration of the law as was pro-
posed by the clause ; but he thought there was a wide
difference between accepting that which was newly
made the law, and leaving the law as it now stood. He
should propose a course which he thought would be
acceptable to their lordships, and ought not to be ob-
jected to by the other house. If the amendment of the
noble marquis was either negatived or withdrawn be
should propose that the clause be omitted, and that the
question of travelling expenses should be decided when
the matter again came before Parliament.
After a conversation in which Lord Campbell, Lord
Stradbroke, Lord Redesdale, and Lord Brougham took
part,
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said he should not
press his amendment, and it was accordingly negatived.
The question was then put that the clause stand part
of the bill.
' The 'house divided—

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. -26

' Con'teats
Non-contents .
' Majority
The clause was consequently struck out.
Some other amendments were made, and the bill
passed.

STAMP DUTIES BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
PUBLIC REVENUE AND CONSOLIDATED
CHARGES (No. 2) BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
CRIME AND OUTRAGE (IRELAND) BILL.
The Coromons'ameudments to this bill were considered
and agreed to.
Their lordships adjourned at half-past seven o'clock.