The Sun.
London, England, 1836-06-21 00:00:00

VEXATIOUS PROSECUTIONS,

Mr. BETHEL I, presented a petition from a magistrate of
the county of York, of the name of General Wharton, com-
plaining of the expense and annoyance he bad been put to, by
reason of a vexatious and frivolous charge brought against him
for something he had done in his capacity of magistrate.
When the prosecution was commenced, he applied, upon affi-
davits, stating that the'prosecutor was a man of straw, and
unable to pay any costs that might be awarded against him;
but the Judge had ranged to compel the prosecutor to enter
into recognizance to pay expenses, stating that he had no power
to do so. The action had since been tried, and a verdict given in
favour of the petitioner, but he had been put to great expense
and inconvenience, and was unable to recover anything from
the plaintiff, lie being, as was alleged in the affidavits, a mere
man of straw. Ile complained that if the magistracy were
not protected in the discharge of their magisterial duties against
such harassing, vexatious prosecutions, the laws of the country
could never be fairly or duly administered ; and he therefore
prayed that that House would adopt some measures to indem-
nify parties in such situations against the expense of actions of
this nature. _ _ _

Colonel PEEL objected to the reception of the petition,
on account of the length of time that had elapsed since the oc-
currence had taken place to which it referred.
Mr. WYNN concurred with the lion. and Gallant Mem-
ber that the petition ought not to be received.
Mr. D. W. HARVEY said that the petition was sent to
him to present last session, but not thinking it a proper sub-
ject for that !louse, he wrote to General Wharton to that
effect; but unfortunately he mislaid the petition, or he would
have handed it to the lion. Member fur Yorkshire. The
abuse however which he received from the Gallant General
was a sufficient penalty for his neglect.—(A laugh.)
Mr. BETH E L L said he was not answerable for the allega-
tions contained in the petition.
Mr. BA INES said no blame could attach to General
Wharton fur his conduct in the transaction.
Sir ROBERT PEEL thought it would be an extremely
bad precedent if petitions of this nature were to be received.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL expressed himself to the
same eff,ct.
After a few words from the SPEAKER, the petition was

withdrawn.
MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS (IRELAND.)
Mr. H. BULW ER presented a petition from the parish of
Marylebonne in favour of the Irish Municipal Bill, us it ori-
ginally passed that House.
Mr. HUM E supported the prayer of the petition.
Mr. JACKSON presented a petition from Cork in favour
of the Lords' Amendments to the Irish Municipal Bill.
Sir W. BIZ AR A ZON presented a petition from the county
of Mayo. signed by the High Sheriff, the two Members for
the county, and many of the wealthy and respectable inhabitants
against the Irish Municipal Bill as amended by the Lords.
Also two petitions from the same county, praying for a re-
form in the House of Lords.
Mr. R. D. BROWNE had been requested to support the
prayer of the petition front the County of Mayo, and as he
perfectly coheurrud in it I.e did so with much pleasure.
Mr. POWER presented a petition from Bathetic. in the
County of Wexford, in favour of Corporate Reform, and against
the Lords' amendments. The petition was must numerous!y
signed.
Sir E. WILMOT presented a petition from two manufac-
turers of paper in Manchester, praying that they might be
allowed a drawback upon the stock in hand when the duty was
taken off.
Mr. HUME presented four petitions to the same effect.
The first was from the manufacturers of paper in London, and
the other three were from workmen in their employ.
They said their labour had been uncertain in consequence of
the unsettled state in which the matter had been for some time,
and praying that the House would allow the 'duty to be taken
off innnediatelv.
Lord J. STUART presented a petition numerously signed,
praying fir the total and immediate repeal of the Stamp Duty
on Newspapers.
The LORD-ADVOCATE presented petitions in favour
of the Commons' Bill for reforming the Corporations in Ire-
land, from the Magistrates and Council of Leith, Glasgow,
and other places. '
Mr. D UND A S presented a petition from the Glasq Met'.
chants of the Shetland Isles, complaining of the heavy duty on
Glass, and praying. that it may be removed.
Lord FRANCIS EGERTON presented a petition from
certain spirit sellers in the county of Lancaster, praying for au
alteration in the duties on spirit licenses.
Sir R. PEEL presented a petition from the Central Com-
mittee .of the Handloorn Weavers of Manchester, complaining
of children under 10 years of age being compelled to work in
factories for 12 hours and upwards. The facts stated in the
petition were precisely those which l.d him to vote for a
revival of the Bill upon the subject. As the law now stood
it was openly violated, and he saw no hope for the removal of
that violation, unless the Bill to which he had referred was re-
vived. The Hon. Member also presented another petition,
the prayer of which lie could not support, though he felt for
the petitioners—it was from the handloom weavers, praying
for the establishment of a board of trade,

EXCISE LieENsgs.
TLe Right Hon. BARONAT also presented a petition rpm