The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-24 00:00:00

THIRD READINGS.

Tne Merton College Bill, Mitiord's Estate Bill, and
Wilkinson's Estate Bill, were read a third time and
passed.

ADMIRALTY COURT BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
LAND REVENUES OF THE CROWN
(IRELAND) BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
DUCHY OF CORNWALL OFFICE.
On the order of the day for the third reading of this
bill,

Mr. WISE, as a representative of the people and a
tax-payer himself, objected to the passing of this bill,
which asked for a sum of 17,0001. to build a new office
in Pimlico for the Duchy of Cornwall, while there was
ample accommodation for the purpose at Somerset-
house.

Sir W. MOLESWORTH said he should fully explain
the necessity for this bill being passed when the house
went into committee of supply.
Mr. W. WILLIAMS thought the house ought to
resist the passing of this bill till they had a full explana-
tion respecting the reason for erecting such a building,
while the Government had Somerset-house, and such a
number of other public buildings.
Mr. HENLEY objected to the bill beingpassed hastily
through the house without hon. members having had
time to consider it, as the bill was only distributed to
hon. members on Saturday last.
The house then divided, when the numbers were—
For the amendment.
Against it 79
Majority
The third reading was accordingly postponed till
Thucrsday.
HIGHWAYS (PUBLIC HEALTH ACT) BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
BRIBERY, &c., BILL.
On the order of the day for this bill, as amended, to
be considered,
Lord J. RUSSELL. moved the insertion of the fol-
lowing clause .—" And whereas doubts have also arisen
as to whether the giving of refreshment to voters on the
day of nomination or day of polling be or be not accord-
ing to law, it
is expedient that such doubts should be
removed. Be it declared and enacted, that the giving,
onraticaenueionrgtht.:yboef given,
poili to any voter on the day of nomi-
Elteconyntmoefats,u
about polling,
drink,e h
or havingenter-
tainment
polled, or being
of rtoefreosbriaomil:enant,for any money
by way
refreshment, shall be held
or ticket
to enable such voter
treating, at the
and be taken to amount to b
case may be, within the meaning orfytl7
Mr. FRESHFIELD opposed the clause, on ground
that refreshments might be given to a voter without any
corrupt intention.
Mr. HENLEY thought this clause, if passed, Would
so absurdly
tbsur
go much further than hon. members at presseant thought
of; and he believed that by enacting law
stringent they should bring their legislation
tempt, instead of putting down bribery or corrupt ot' con.
ea
treat-
ing. What they wanted to strike at was the peopler who
gave suing of money to induce a man to vote or toel:-
stain from- voting, not cases where a man got a pint of
beer at a private house, or a sixpence to buy it. (Hear.)
He therefore thought it better to leave the law as it was
at present.
After a few words from Mr. SPOONER,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the clause passed
on Saturday included reasonable travelling expenses
refreshments
only. But he thought that giving to a
man coming a distance to the poll ought not to be con-
sidered illegal treating. He never intended the present
clause to reach such a case as that indicated by the right
hon. gentleman (Mr. Henley) ; but he thought the house
ought to decide whether refreshments given to a man
for voting, and notoriously because he had so voted, or
intended to vote, came under the heal of corrupt treat-
ing. He was himself strongly of opinion that the voter
ought to be perfectly free from all obligation to the can-
didate, even for refreshment, and he wished the house to
deride the question one way or the other.
Lord R. GROSVENOR spoke in favour of the clause,
though he hoped when the bill came to committee the
penalties would be made less severe than they were at
resent.

Mr. G. BANKES opposed the clause on the ground
of its excessive stringency.
Mr. HILDYARL) wished to know whether, if a can-
didate, meeting his constituents after the election, or
when he goes down to give an account of his steward-
s ipp to constituency, and
. *
-- ...„2-vitgribertB.d.t? any su gave them a dinner, or
each dinner, would be illegal or cor-
/4„;. AO truittient '-, Or might they have t„ parties for the
r,.,„„:..• ~....,,uji,vewirflittra?).iters of their constituents, or were bread
l'r-
:,.. :.a,obatii N,R nrcihibited ? (Hear, and laughter.)
-;" ' --
~' '"-- I', --r '•rtoy-AL COMMISSION.
, gr", PIKKA,N, the Deputy-Usher of the Black Rod,
..,
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