The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-21 00:00:00

Election Petitions.

The list of disputed returns has been augmented
by the following petitions recently presented to the
House of Commons :
BARNSTAPLE.—The return of Mr. Cave for this
borough has been petitioned against by two elec-
tors, who impute bribery, corruption, treating, and
intimidation as having been practised by Mr. Cave
and his agents and friends, upon which grounds the
petitioners pray that the return of that gentleman
may bo declared null and void.

CARLOW BOROUGH.—A petition has been pre-
sented by two electors, who pray the house to annul
the return of Mr. Stock, to whom by himself and
agents they impute bribery, corruption, treating,
intimidation, abduction of voters, undue influence,
and other illegal practices.

DEVONPORT.—SeveraI electors live presented a
petition against the return of Mr. Ferrand and Mr.
Fleming, whose majorities over the competing can-
didates at the general election—Mr. Phinn, Q.C.,
and Mr. Brassey, jun., they declare to be but col-
,
ourable, and consisting of the votes of disqualified
persons. They also allege that many good votes
were tendered for Messrs. Phinn and Brassey which
were not received, which, if duly counted, would
give those gentlemen the highest positions on the
poll. It is also alleged that the sitting members by
themselves and agents were guilty of bribery, treat-
ing, and undue influence, and the petitioners con-
clude by praying that the return may be amended
by substituting the names of Mr. Phinn and Mr.
Brassey for those of Mr. Ferrand and Mr. Fleming.
HEREFORD CITY.—In the case of this city a second
and, we presume, a counter petition has been pre-
sented, impugning the return of Mr. G. Clive, who,
with Mr. Baggallay, also petitioned against, was
returned at the general election. The petitioners
allege against Mr. Clive the usual charges of bribery,
corruption, and intimidation, which they submit
make the return of that gentleman illegal, where-
fore they pray that it may be annulled.
SANDWICH.—Two members of the Government,
Lord C. Paget and Mr. Knatchbull-Hugessen, are
attacked by a petition from two electors, who allege
that the return •of the sitting members is invalid,
such return having been obtained by corrupt and
illegal practices. It is averred in the petition that
Lord C. Paget and Mr. Knatchbull-Hugessen, by
themselves and agents, made promises of money and
other valuable considerations in order to induce
electors to vote for them, and not for the opposing
candidate, Mr. C. Capper.
WAREHAM.—The return of Mr. Calcraft for this
borough is disputed by two electors, who in their
petition declare that the sitting member owes his ma-
jority over Mr. Drax, his opponent, to the use of
illegal means, and therefore they pray the House of
Commons to annul such return.

THE IRISH SECRETARY.—At the last moment a
petition has been presented, the requisite recognisances
being entered into, against the return of Mr. Chichester
Fortescue for Louth. It is not believed that there are the
slightest grounds for this proceeding, the'object of which
is to prevent the immediate issue of a new writ consequent
upon Mr. Fortescue's acceptance of the appointment of
Irish Secretary, and so keep him out of the houso for
several weeks.