The Sun.
London, England, 1840-10-02 00:00:00

TORY FREEHOLERS AND TORY FRAUDS.

Thomas Ward Blagg was objected to by the Refor-
mers, on the list of St. Paul Shadwell ; his place of
abode was stated to be Brighton, and the qualification
" A moiety of a frethold house, situate in Green Dra•
gon-alley."
Mr. Coppock said be should have to trouble the
Court with a few observations upon this case, for there
was rather a curious division of property in Green
Dragon-alley. Mr. Blagg was described as of Brigh-
ton. Now he (Mr. Coppock) went to Brighton on
the 25th of August last, and made every inquiry, but
was told by persons, best calculated to give information,
that no individual of that name had ever resided in
Brighton. He then served a notice at the Post-office,
which was the best service he could make in Brighton,
on Thomas Ward Blagg, but that letter had been re-
turned to him (Mr. Coppock) with these endorsements
upon it—" Not known"—" Try again." He happened
to know a Mr, Thomas Blagg, a very respectable man,
the town clerk of St. Alban's ; believing him to be the
person whose name was mentioned in the list he had
caused service to be made on that gentleman.
Mr. Adey (the Tory agent) here produced a letter
from Mr. Blagg, of St. Alban's, acknowleding the re..
ceipt of the
,notice of objection, but stating that he had
no property in Middlesex.
Mr. COVENTRY was inclined to think that Brighton
was an insufficient description.
Mr. Adey lied no objection to take that as the deci-
sion of the Court, but hitherto the Court had decided
that no name could be touched until service of the no-
tice of objection had been proved.
Mr. COVENTRY—There is no house mentioned.
Brighton is a large place, and it appears that there has
been a good deal of inquiry made for Thomas Ward
Blagg, of Brighton.

AdeyLllf you strike off Mr. Blagg you will have
to strike off 500 others. For instance, there are many
parties who have merely stated their residence " Lam-
beth," whom we object to.

_
Mr. COVENTRY—WeII, in these cases you must prove
that you have searched all Lambeth and cannot find
;hem.

Mr. Coppock admitted it must be shown that due di-
ligence had beers used to find the party, and he had done
so in this case.

Mr. COVENTRY said that if inquiry had been made of
the tenants as to who was their landlord, he should not
have felt so much difficulty on the point ; but as the
question had never been positively brought before him
he would consider it.

In the same list were also the following curious claims,
with the same vague description of the places of abode,
Henry Lamb, Swansea, Glamorganshire. Qualifica-
tion,freehold house in Green Dragon-alley !
Joshua Lomax, Chilkwick, Bury St. Alban's. Qua-
lification, a moiety of afreehold house in Green Dragon-
alley ! !

Joseph Poole, Windsor. Qualification, moiety of a
freehold house in Green Dragon-alley !!!
John G. Teed, Plymouth, Qualification, freehold
house, Green Dragon-alley!! !!:
Percival Walsh, St. Giles's, Oxford. Qualification,
' freehold house, Green Dragon alley !!!!!
Julian Payne, Camberwell. Qualification, freehold
house, Green Dragon-alley!!!!!!
Mr. Coppock observed that the above were a com-
plete batch of fudge votes.
Mr. COVENTRY—It is certainly most singular.
Mr. Coppock—The fact is, the parties who concocted
them depended upon the forbearance of others. Mr.
C. then stated that he was not prepared to prove ser-
vice of notice on Mr. Lamb or Mr. Teed, the places
of abode given for these gentlemen being at such an
inconvenient distance ; but notice had been served on
the others, and they would be struck off.

Service of notices having been proved,
Mr. Adey read a letter from Mr. Julian Payne, who
is the Secretary to the Middlesex Cnnservative Asso-
ciation, stating that he was possessed of a qualification,
and that he had been in possession of it long enough
to receive a half year's rent. At the foot of the letter
were the words; " I will not appear!"
Mr. Coppock--Mr. Payne himself told me that he
had only been in possession of the qualification three
months, and you Mr. Adey know it.
Mr. Adey—l only know what he states in his letter.
Mr. COVENTRY—This is very strange.
Mr. Coppock—Oh, Sir, it is the most disgraceful
thing that ever appeared before you.
Mr. COVENTRY—I shall expunge Mr. Payne's
name.

The claims of those parties having been called for by
Mr. Coppock and produced,
Mr. Coppock examined themP and handing the claim
of L.om.a cv MT. tide said, that IS your hand-writing
Mr. Adey.
Mr. Adey (after some hesitation)—lt is.
Mr. Coppock—And you know that he has not the
property for which you sent in that claim.
Mr. Adey—l admit he has not that property !
(This admission appeared to astound every one
present.)

Mr. Coppock (with some warmth)—ls not this a
case of gross fraud ? And did you not say last night,
Mr. Adey, that it I attempted to prove service on
Lomax you would indict my witness for perjury ?
Mr. Adey--I did not.
Mr. Burnard—You did, Sir.

Mr. Coppock—lu my presence you threatened Mr.
Burnard with an indictment for perjury if he attempted
to prove service on Lomax, and yet you now admit that
the claim is in your hand-writing, notwithstanding you
know the mln had no qualification 1 Such conduct is
most disgraceful.
Mr. Adey—l could explain it.
Mr. COVENTRY—WeII, I think you ought.
Mr. Coppock—l beg the overseer of this parish will
take care of this batch of claims in order that an indict-
ment for a conspiracy may be preferred.
Overseer—l will, Sir.
Mr. COVENTRY—It appears that Mr. Perceval
Walsh has never sent in a claim.

Mr. Coppock—Mr. Perceval Walsh is a most re•
spectable solicitor residing at Oxford. The names of
solicitors residing in all parts of England are inserted in
the Lists for this year,who have no more right to pro-
perty in Middlesex than they have to Windsor Castle.
But I am aware that this system has been carried on
for years. It was formerly carried on with the names
of clergymen, and now they are trying what they can
do with solicitors. I never before objected to those
votes, but finding the register becoming filled with the
names of people residing in the country, I determined
to look into the matter, and I shall continue to do so.
The names of Lomax, Poole, Walsh, and Payne were
then struck off.

Mr. Adey subsequently attempted to justify his con-
duct by saying that at the time he sent in the claim Lomax
tvas negotiating through him for the property, but that
no arrangement was come to between the parties.
( Before Mr. SHADWELL.)
Mr. Shaw Lefevre, the Speaker of the House of
Commons, was objected to by the Tories on the ground
of change of residence.

Mr. James stated that the Right Hon. Gentleman
had been written to on the subject, but as the answer
returned was that so long as he continued to hold the
office of Speaker he should not vote at elections, and as
the Right Hon. Gentleman had changed his residence
he (Mr. James) would allow the name to be expunged,
which was accordingly done.
The following is the result of yesterday's proceed-
.

lugs :

PARISHES. Ove
Before Mr. Coventry. ir
made
All Saint's, Poplar ! 10
Ratcliffe

seers. I Refor.
!mist. j made !
10 ' 7 j
I 1 2 1

ers.
sust.
2

•
St. Paul,. 5hadwe11......1 3 ' 3 9 6
St. Nlary,Stratford,Bow 0 0 1 1
Before Mr. Shadwell.

St. Anne, Limehouse..

Bromley, St. Leonard..l

Total