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

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 8, 1854,

or those who fancied themselves entitled to the
designation, would have no objection to a pleasant
trip at the expense of their favourite candidate.
Excursions would be organised, in which the depar-
ture would be attended with every facility, while
the return (to be paid for by the candidate) would
be charged the full price, and encompassed with
every difficulty.
" Sed revocare gradun< tuperasque evadere ed auras
Hoc opus, hic labor est."
Free and independent electors would select the
advent of a sharp contest as the period for arrang-
ing their business transactions, and as the re-
cognised allowance would be far more than need
be expended the voter might not only transact
his affairs, but realise a very handsome surplus
into the bargain. As Lord CLINRICARDE justly
remarked, first-class fares and post carriages
would be charged, and paid in every instance,
although the recipient travelled by the 3d class
or Parliamentary train. He certainly would not
inconvenience himself to save the pocket of the
aspirant for Parliamentary honours, and few elec-
tions would take place in which " travelling
expenses" would not constitute a very formidable
item.

It is to be regretted that the proposition of
Lord CLANRICARDE was not adopted, and the pay-
ment of travelling expenses of any kind or to any
amount rendered absolutely illegal, and even the
conveyance of voters to the poll prohibited under
any pretence. If the franchise is worth possess-
ing—if the elector desires honestly and conscien-
tiously to exercise the sacred and inestimable pri-
vilege of a free man—he should not object to, or
cavil at, any trifling inconvenience incidental
thereto ; nor should he demand a conveyance to
the polling booth, or refreshment at the spot, of
a different character from what he would require
if engaged in his ordinary business.

There are few members of the House of Com-
mons who cannot speak feelingly of the heavy de-
mands which they have been compelled to submit
to under the existing system. The securing the
" Cab" or " Fly" interest was invariably a stroke
of policy second only to the opening of the public-
houses. The worthy Jehus had a peculiar spe-
cies of eloquence, which they did not hesitate to
exercise freely on the supporters of the shabby
scrub who could allow his friends to trudge to the
poll. We believe the hackney carmen once turned
an election for the metropolis of the sister king-
dom ; and certainly it would appear as if they
could do the same at almost any election in this
country, if we were to form a judgment from the
zeal and anxiety displayed, and the amount of
money squandered in obtaining the services of the
rather noisy and uproarious class.
This nuisance will not, however, be abated
under the present bill. The Lords, in deference
to the other branch of the Legislature, have been
contented to strike out the enabling clause, and
to allow matters to remain in, state quo. From
the spirit displayed, we cannot doubt that, when
the proper time arrives, their Lordships will be
prepared to deal with the grievance, and to pass
a stringent enactment for its total and uncondi-
tional abolition. The numbers on the division
list (30 to 4) afford a cheering augury as to the
mode in which this question will be dealt with,
when a permanent measure for insuring the purity
of elections shall be brought under their considera-
tion.

CRONSTADT AND THE GALVANIC

BATTERY.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

LATEST NEWS.

THE WAR.

NARROW ESCAPE OF THE ARCHDUKE
CONSTANTINE.
Yesterday (Monday) the following reached Ham-
burg :

CRONSTADT, Aug. 2.—The Archduke Constan-
tine has bad a hair-breadth escape of his life. The
boat in which he was embarked was upset. Admiral
Galitzin and four seamen were drowned.
The White Sea squadron had entered the Gulf
of Onegskaia.