The Sun.
London, England, 1834-05-02 00:00:00

up to the period of its passing; but if Parliament, in its
wisdom, did not think it went far enough—that it had not
eradicated, and would not eradicate—if their lordships
were not contented to try the efficacy of what had already
been accomplished, then of course it was competent to
them to take other and more decided measures. On the
other hand, there certainly was a difficulty in confining the
whole inquiry to one election, because it might be said that
they were obnoxious to representation—that they wished
to withhold some part of the truth—to shut out the light.
He must say, he should not do his duty to himself
or to that house if he did not express the extraordi-
nary disgust which he felt at the gross abominations
which had prevailed at elections in Liverpool (Hear),
where, in 1832, two shops were fitted up purposely with
machinery, a slit and tube in the wall, to which wretched
individuals were taken by wretches more criminal than
themselves, in order to barter their consciences, for 51.,
101., or 201., or as the market rose, to 501., 601., 701.,
80/., and in one instance to 120/., in order to sell those
votes which they ought to have tendered purely, honour-
ably, and conscientiously. He had heard that such things
had existed in 1812—he had heard so since, and justice to
those who were not there to speak for themselves—Mr.
Canning more especially—required him to say that that
lamented gentleman knew as little of it as he did—that
they had never paid even the value of a silver penny for
any such purpose. Ale and beer, he had heard, had been
delivered out by the friends of the different parties. He
did not know it at that time. He little thought that
tickets for a cask or a half cask of beer, as the case might
be, were delivered out ; which tickets were afterwards ex-
changed for money ; thus constituting a currency—com-
mitting one offence to enable others to commit a still
greater one. He hoped, however, that the Reform Bill,
by enlarging the constituency, had done away with such
misdeeds, and if it had this effect, he thought it hardly wise
to go further, but this was of course in the wisdom of par-
liament. If it was efficient, in God's name let them rest
upon it ; but if it was found that it was not efficient—that
corruption still prevailed—that the Liverpool voters were
still offending, notwithstanding the remedy which had been
applied, then it would behove them to go into a far more
searching inquiry. But now he thought it would be better
to limit the inquiry according to the plan of the noble lord
Wharncliffe, adding the words " in the first instance" as
suggested.
Lord WHARNCLIFFE was perfectly ready to consent
to the insertion of the proposed words.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE had no objection to the
proposed course • but he must beg to say, that if, after
hearing the evidence, it appeared proper to disfran-
chise the freemen, as freemen, he must also insist on the
disfranchisement of
those 500 freemen, who, by the Reform
Bill, had become voters (Hear, hear), so that the consti-
tuency should not be tainted by a body of men who had
been convicted of such gross practices.
There was here a long desultory discussion as to prece-
dents for proceeding, in which Lord Durham, the Mar-
quis of Salisbury, the Duke of Cumberland, Lord Wyn-
ford, the Lord Chancellor, and the Earl of Haddington took
part, but it was wholly barren of public importance.
The amendment was then agreed to.
On the motion of Lord WHARNCLIFFE, counsel
were then called to the bar.

Mr. Maule and others appeared in support of the bill;
Mr. Harrison and others against it.
The LORD CHANCELLOR informed them that they
were empowered to call witnesses with reference to the
Liverpool Disfranchisement Bill ; but that in the first in-
stance they were to confine themselves to the question of
any treating, bribery, or corruption, which might have
taken place at the last election.
On Mr. Maule being asked by the Lord Chancellor
when he would be prepared to proceed, the learned gentle-
man answered that he would be prepared to proceed on
Wednesday.
The LORD CHANCELLOR informed them that if
their lordships should be ready to proceed on Wednesday,
that day would be fixed, but that he would take care on or
before Tuesday to let the learned gentleman know...