The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-16 00:00:00

THE BALLOT BILL.

Mr. LEATHAM moved the second reading of the Ballot
Bill, and referred to the investigation of a committee ap-
pointed for the [purpose of ascertaining the existence of
electoral corruption, and 'stated that although the inquiry
extended over a very wide area, the existence of corruption
was found to be one prevalent form of undue influence, which
could not, by the very nature of things, be brought within
the cognisance of judges, or .within the grasp of the law.
He alluded to the kind of influence which, through habit;
experience, and tradition sprung from the mutual relations
of landlord and tenant. And that kind of influence, without
the least intention on the part of the landlord operated
as strongly as though it were backed by instances of daily
oppression. He cited an illustration of what took place
at the last election for mid-Cheshire, A great Dissenters'
question was then uppermost, and when the day of the
poll arrived no less than 200 persons pledged to support a
particular candidate voted against him. That was an ex-
traordinary fact, and.on enquiry-it was found that there
was a sort of fear that unless they did as their landlords
pleased the landlords would not pleasethemin return. The
hon. gentleman alluded to the so-called grand moral
lesson, taught by open voting, and he rediculed the
idea of any moral grandeur arrising from elections, as
conducted in a multitude of instances ; wherever, he-con-
tended, any one had power over another in time of public
excitement it was exerted. He next called attention to the
mob violence at various elections in England and
Ireland. Referring to the protection of voters by
the military, he said the belief created was that Govern-
ment intimidation was combined with landlord intimida-
tion, for the purpose of coercing the election. He argued
that the law, in point of fact, was helpless in the presence
of intimidation, bribery, and treating. He believed that
the Government never struggled more to do away with
this state of things than when it passed the last great
measure against corrupt practices. The moment the last
election was over petitions cropped up from every part of
the country, but the result was that only one-sixth of the
petitions were successful. He asked if any one would say
that the result represented the electoral crime of
the last election. The hon. member pointed
out the difficulty of proving treating within the
'neaning of the statute, and referred to the
practice of " feasting " both before and after the election,
and cited the opinion of several of the election judges that
Q. 141 F. as I? 0.t.t17.P. 4i4g. Theiv vr_tg a,.l9,rge tiPatiwr.Domlar

Lion which did not join the Radical or the Conservative
party, but the noble "feasting " party, and it was the
feasting party who had good reason to want the judges at
their convivial occasions. Baron Martin refused to hold
that a man bringing up a voter and stopping for drink was
corrupt treating. ' After this, remarked the hon.
member, the house would he prepared for what fell
from Mr. Justice Wiles before a committee. He said
that it was better When the election was over to invite
up the liquor and say no more about it. Mr. Leath, m
proceeded to observe that 200 years' struggle with the
briber-bad made their antagonist almost a master of fence.
It was only when the briber was clumsy and reckless that
the law could reach him, but the law had been nu, de so
strong that it could get at the innocent any day. The
advocates of the Ballot, he said, had something more than
theory to appeal to. A vast number of Australian
witnesses were examined, and they were, in all that was
really important, unanimous in their evidence.
ThF" introduction of the Ballot into Australia
had been thoroughly efficacious, and the benefits derived
from its operation so great and so incontrovertible, that
the proposition to return to open voting would be scouted
on all sides. He pointed out that there were politiCal
parties, and political organisations, aad political ques-
tions the same as in England, and he centssideetitiant all
essentials the two populations corresponded. -
that the Ballot was not a Continental institution; in fadt,
it was an old institution, an institution which was in
operation in England three centuries ago, and
the Ballot was the defence of the great trad-
ing companies, and it was by a despotic Stewart
that the institution of the Ballot was sup-
pressed. Referring to America the hon. gentleman
said the ballot there was sufficiently complete for ordinary
purposes, but was not sufficiently efficacious when dealing
with a population of a mixed character, a portion of
which had brought from Europe its corrupt habits and
ideas.

The Marquis of HARTINOTON having alluded to the
report of the committee appointed to investigate, which
was only concluded on the previous day, said that the
House had been placed in a condition of some difficulty by
the motion for the second reading of the bill, and it had
become necessary for Government to consider the course it
would adopt on the present occasion. (Hear, hear.) The
Government certainly did not feel that the introduction of
the bill had released them from the responsibility
they undertook when they recommended last session
and this session that the House should appoint a com-
mittee, and the Government would certainly take the very
earliest opportunity of considering the recommendations
of the committee, not only those referring to the question
of; the Ballot, but those referring to all other subjects that
were alluded to in the report. The Government would

place itself in a false position if they were to meet the
motion with a negative—(hear, hear)--and they were not
prepared to negative the principle of the bill. On
the contrary, he had no hesitation in saying
that personally he entirely concurred with that
paragraph in the report, which recommended the adoption
of the Ballot. It would consequently be contrary to the
opinion of Government if they were to refuse to support
the motion, but they could only consent to give the hon.
member support on condition that he would consent to
the postponement of further progress of the measure until
such time as would enable the Government to consider

the recommendations in the report of the committee,
and if necessary, to prepare and introduce a
measure upon the subject. (Hear, hear.) It would
of course be impossible for Government to prepare a mea-
sure until the committee had concluded its report. He
thought he might say that some of the subjects which were
referred to in the report, and upon which there did not
seem to be any difference of opinion in the committee, had
already been under the, consideration of the Government.
Mr. HARDY said that in consenting to the course the
Government had taken, it must not be supposed that any
member on that side of the House gave in his adhesion to
the course of the hon. member opposite. The Govern-
ment wished for time for consideration, and as the Ballot
was a question which must be discussed fully, it should be

adjoUrned, either until the time they brought in the bill
ou the whole question of the conduct of elections, or until
they set free the hon. member from the condition imposed
upon him, and then take his motion upon going into com-
mittee on the bill.

A brief but animated debate ensued, in which most of the
members taking part expressed it as their opinion
that the time had come for taking a diviiion on the ques-
tion, eye or no. Would the House give its assent to the bill

for establishing the ballot?
Sir G. GREY and Mr. HERBERT both thought it would be
but right to give the Government an opportunity of consi-
dering the report of the committee on Parliamentary and
Municipal Elections before they were called upon to give a
promise to bring in a bill similar to that now submitted to
the House by the hon. member for Huddersfield.
The House divided on the question of the adjournment of
the debate, which was moved by Mr. NEW DEGATE, when
there appeared—
Pot the adjournment of the debate ll6
Against it
Majority against.. —llo
The .debate was about to be resumed, when
Colonel BARTTELOT expressed his strong objection to the
shifty way in which the division had been arranged. 1
was generally believed on his side of the House that no

division would be taken, and then the very opposite course

was adopted. lie concluded by moving the adjournment of

he House.

The House again divided, when there appeared—
For the adjournment of the House llO
Against 220 —llO
The adjournment of the debate was then moved by Lord
C. Hamrizow, and the motion being seconded by Mr.
LEATHANI, it was agreed to. Tuesday, the 3d of May, Was
fixed for its resumption.

The Annuity Tax Bill was withdrawn, and
The House than adjourned.

S PORTING IN TELLIGENCE-1 HIS DAY.

CAMBRIDGE HUNT MEETING.
(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPTI.)
STEWARDS' lIANDICAP.

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Four ran.,
HUNTERS' STEEPLECHASE.

Miss Fanny
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Pour ran.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE _HANDICAP.

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Primrose 1
Doctor
Daisy

Six ran.

The above are the only telegrams received up to the time
of going to press.

CITY BETTING.—THIS DAY.
CITY AND SUBURBAN.
10 to 1 agst Sabinus (taken and offered)
10 to 1 agst Ashfield.(offered—take 11 to 1)
11. to 1 agst Miss Dayrell (taken)
100 to 9 agst Walter (offered-100 to .8 taken and
wanted)
100 to 9 agst Douglas (taken and offered)
100. to 6 agst Gertrude (taken and offered)
20 to 1 &gat Lelia colt (offered—take 25 to 1)
20 to 1 &gat Myosotis (offered)
22, to 1 agst Oxonian (taken)
25 to 1 agst Brennus (taken and offered)
25 to 1 agst Blue Bell colt (taken and ofLred)
200'to 9 agst Ladas (taken and offered)

Lord Randolph Churchill; of Merton College,
Uxford, and third son of the Duke of Marlborough, was yes-
terday fined trn• 'billings for running away with a pace-
r/lAA'S helmet.

The Iron. Blanche Astlcy, fourth daughter of the
late Sir lacob Henry Astley, Bart., and sister of the late
Lord HaStings, in whose favour the abeyance was termi-
nated, died at her residence, York-terrace, Regent's Park,
yesterday.
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