The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-04 00:00:00

THE'rSUN, LONDON, SA'

which it may be easy to vote, but very difficult to
speak. Indeed, to vote against it without blushing
must require a good share of political hardihood, or
of political drill. Mr. DUNCOMBE will convict all
who vote against him of complicity with bribery—
since, if they had the least wish to put it down,
they could not refuse to try in two only of the most
corrupt constituencies of England a measure recom-
mended by the experience of free nations ancient
and modern, of our own colonies largely peopled
by emigrants of the present generation, and by the
judgment of a whole band of our most distinguished
modern statesmen.

As advocates of the Ballot, we perceive, indeed,
that a trial in two boroughs only, and in two such
boroughs, is a very severe:ordeal. The corrupters
and corrupted on the spot, irritated at the spoiling
of their trade, may attempt to make the fist
elections by Ballot scenes of disturbance, and even
to try a well-known mode of bribery itself to show
that the medicine they dread cannot cure them.
But the eyes of many will be upon them. While,
on the one hand, the detection of bribery, and its
punishment, therefore, we hope, is almost certain,
if the large numbers be bribed whom, under the
Ballot, it would be requisite to purchase ; and, on
tie other, the disappointing results of bribing
under secret voting would soon sicken candidates
of paying persons to turn them out. As to paying
head• money after the lapse of a certain time,
we trust the House will enact that, in future,
no length of time shall enable any per-
son who has been a candidate for any borough
to pay money directly or indirectly to its eioCtors.
The Clubs, too, in London, who have money at dis-
posal, may attempt to disgrace the first and few
elections by ballot. Well, let them try it on.
They may be very clever, but they may be too
clever. If their attempts be detected, as they
almost certainly would be, it would only prove that
nothing could daunt political burglars ; while the
utility of the bolts and bars of secret voting would,
we are confident, be illustrated by their very
attempt. Every constituency would demand them.
For our part, we thank Mr. DUNCOMBE most
cordially for his seasonable intervention, and we
call on every supporter of the Ballot to be present
when his motion comes on. It is fixed for next
Wednesday, though it is quite possible that the
Church-rate discussion may prevent it from coming
forward that day. We hope, however, it will
be introduced. Indeed, as the motion will only be
for leave to bring in a bill, so that discussion on
the principle would take place most properly on
the second reading, we almost hope the Govern-
ment will not oppose the motion. If they do, we
shall know where to class them as reformers. If
they refuse to concede to the vast majority of
their Liberal friends but two of the corruptest
boroughs to make trial of the anti-corruption plan
which the latter have so long demanded, then such
leaders no longer deserve the confidence of Libe-
rals and their representatives. Let them be
ejected. The matter may seem trivial—a dispute
about two corrupt boroughs—but the party
principle is a serious business. If the leaders
of a great party are to pay no attention to
.the
votes of the majority of their supporters ; if they
are not merely to withhold adoption of their policy
for all constituencies, but to treat them worse than
dogs—kicking them away from any crumbs which
fall from their masters'tables—then we demand, in
the name of the Liberals of England, that their re-
presentatives combine to oust such leaders.
Let Mr. DUNCOMBE but be firm, and he must,
through very shame, win. He may tell all cavil-
lers to their faces, and before the nation,
that if they dare to reject his bill, their consti-
tuents will reject them. The whole country will
exclaim that the obstinates who deny the Ballot
to Gloucester and Wakefield, do it solely and
simply in the interest of bribery and intimidation.
That they " believe and tremble"—" believe" the
Ballot would convert the model boroughs of
corruption into models of purity, and " tremble" at
the sentence which would:then await open voting.

We have just received a pamphlet, whose title—
" American Securities" *—will cause a smile on
many a face. It did on ours at first, as we ex-
pected something pretty strong in its special pleas
for transatlantic share property. We are bound to
acknowledge that the pamphlet is nothing of the
kind. Its object is, indeed, to suggest to those who
cannot well maintain their position upon the in-
terest paid on Consols, that it is worth inquiring
whether some of the six, seven, eight, and nine per
cent. investments of America are sound or not. It
is the fact that many are undoubted securities, such
as the United States Federal Debt, which is so small
that it could be paid off with little effort any year,
and pays six per cent. Its stock, paying that interest,
is barely at par ! This must be owing to the greater
profit attending the employment of money in
America, as compared with England. Even were
the North and South to explode and separate, the
Federal Debt would be secure ; yet, paying six per
cent, it is to be purchased nearly at the price of
English Consols.

Our author gives his tests, however, of the value
of American railway securities—and he does so
clearly and cleverly. The pamphlet is well worth
its shilling to all intending purchasers of American
stocks or securities, especially railway investments.
It shows very lucidly the conditions under which
railways must, except under gross mismanagement,
be profitable—the possession of productive landed
property, mineral or agricultural, or both, but the
former, especially, being the chief. We miss one
thing—some test of the honour and capacity of
American Railway Boards. In connection with
Indian, Australian, or Canadian investments, we
have generally some means of learning something
about our men. We are utterly at a loss in regard
to the whole genus of railway board men, managers,
and contractors in America. Can our " Anglo-
American" furnish us with the most necessary test
of all—a test of the honesty and capacity of our
Yankee cousins ?

* American Securities. Practical Hints on the Tests of
Stability and Profit ; for the Guidance and Warning of
British Investors. By an Anglo-American.

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an early date as a candidate fora seat in
The adjourned meeting of the Great Ship Com-
pany is to be held on Tuesday next, to receive the report of
the committee of investigation.
A notification has appeared from seven.share-
holders in the Equitable Fire Insurance Company, inviting
a special meeting for the 28th inst., to consider the pro-
priety of dissolving the company.
which has oc-
We understand that the delay
curred in calling the meeting of the Royal Swedish Railway
Company is occasioned by delay in the receipt of the ac-
counts from Sweden. The traffic is steadily increasing, and
the board propose to publish the weekly receipts regularly
as soon as the forthcoming meeting shall have been held.

LATEST NEWS.

The following telegrams have been received at
Mr. Renter's office

PARIS, SATURDAY.

The Moniteur of to-day publishes a report of the
Minister of War, Marshal Bandon, announcing
that, in conformity with the intentions of the Em-
peror, he will submit a project of law to the Legis-
lative Body reducing the contingent of the class
1859 from 140,000 to 100,000 men.

TURIN, FEI3. 3.

The journals of this day publish an Austrian
ordnance concerning the enlistment of volunteers
for the Neapolitan army. Sardinian officers have
left for Bologna to organise the Artillery, Cavalry,
and Engineers of the army of Central Italy. Ar-
rests continue at Venice to a very great extent,
and spread terror among the inhabitants.

ROME, JAN. 28 (VIA MARSEILLES).
The encyclical letter of his Holiness was distri-
buted yesterday amongst the cardinals.
The report of an approaching departure of the
French army is unfounded. No measures have
been taken for effecting the evacuation of Rome
by the French troops, as the Pope does not wish to
compromise the tranquillity of the city. His Holi-
ness will remain here.
The Mazzini party is said to be active. General
Goyon has taken measures for preventing any
manifestations. Numerous detachments of French
soldiers patrol the streets during the night. Signor
Galenga has been expelled.
The Pope has traversed a part of the city. On
his Holiness passing through the promenade of
Pincio the crowd was immense.
Trado is stagnant, strangers are leaving, and
bankruptcies are frequently occurring.
The municipality is actively preparing for the
new election of councillors.
An address from the town of Perugia, covered
with 609 signatures, has been sent to the Emperor
Napoleon. Signori Massino, Fiano, Prince Doria,
and Rospegligni, have signed the address.

PARIS, FEB. 3.

The Pays of this evening says :—" It appears
certain that the question of the annexation of Cen-
tral Italy will be subordinate to the result of the
universal suffrage. All the Powers are agreeing as
to the propriety of that measure, the early applica-
tion of which will positively make known the state
of public opinion in Italy."

The Pays also contains the following :—" The
statement of an approaching departure of the
French troops from Rome is completely false."

TURIN, FEB.. 3.

The French Government has ordered Prince
Latour d'Auvergne to prolong his stay at Turin for
some time after the arrival of Baron Talleyrand, in
order to support tho counsels of moderation which
Napoleon 111. has instructed him to submit to
Count Cavour.

VIENNA, FEB. 3.

General Crenneville, one of the members of the
Austro-Sardinian commission at Peachier& for the
regulation of the boundary line, has returned to
Vienna.

The commission has agreed on all points, except
one, being unable to fulfil literally the stipulation
of the treaty of Zurich, according to which the
frontier between Le Grazie and Scorzarolo was t•
follow a straight line. This would have rendered
it necessary to divide certain places into two parts.
The commission has therefore proposed a system
of compensation, which is first to be approved of by
the two Governments before being applied.