The Sun.
London, England, 1832-03-13 00:00:00

LONDON TUESDAY ENTENING, MARCH 13, 1832.

(No. 12,321.)

DORSETSIIIRE ELECTION COMMITTEE.

This Committee decided yesterday the long-debated
question of last week by the opposite Counsel—whether
the hod-tax assesstnen's of 1830-31, or of 1831-32,
should form the criterion of the scrutiny of the votes ob-
jected to by either party; and resolved, that as the Com-
mittee were fully in possession of the assessments made and
paid till the month of September, 1831, (which was pre-
vious to the time of the election contested), that the rates
of assessments from March till September, 1831, would
form the standard or guide in the subsequent decisions of
the Committee, on all votes objected to solely on the point
of a discrepancy between the assessments alleged. This de-
termination seemed to startle not a little the Counsel for
Lord Ashley, as many of the votes olsjected to against them
were on the basis of their irrelevancy to that assessment;
and many of the votes objected to by them against the votes
for Mr. Ponsonby were on the ground of their discrepancy
with the assessment of 1830-31. Immediately after this de-
cision, a scrutiny of fifteen votes in the Hundred of Bland-
ford (objected to by Mr. Ponsonhy's Counsel) was demanded;
yet few of these were amenable to the late decision of the Com-
mittee (one being objected to, being stated merely Mr.
Wyndham, M.P. for Salisbury—another as having from
voted from Milton School, Etc. &c.), and out of the fifteen
votes eleven were held to be good, and the other four were
postponed for a further hewing. A similar scrutiny for
the same hundred was then demanded by the counsel for
Lord Ashley, against some votes given for Mr. Ponsonby.
The first was where three or four persons had voted from
the same premises, as if they had bad a different freehold
or interest therein pursuant to the will of their father,
which stated that his property should be inherited by his
widow, and (on her decease) by their sons. One assess-
ment (it appeared) had been made for all at the last as-
sessment; but one engagement subsequent to this assess-
ment was tirade between the assessor and the parties, that
a proportionate division of this amount should be assessed
on and paid by each of the brothers ; and on the strength
of this, each brother claimed a separate right of voting.
The vote of one was decided by the Committee to be good;
and an examination of the second brother's right was pro-
ceeding, when it was announced that the Speaker was at
prayers.

THE ANTI-REFORMERS REFORM BILLS.

BILL TO MAKE PROVISION FOR THE EXTEN-
SION OF REPRESENTATION TO POPULOUS AND

WEALTHY COUNTIES, DISTRICTS, AND TOWNS

Whereas it is expedient that provision shounsi be made
for the extension of representation to populous and wealthy
counties, districts, and towns, and that, nevertheless, the
number of members to serve in Parliament should not be
increased, be it enacted, that at any time after the
day of ,in the year one thousand eight hundred
and thirty-two it shall be lawful for the Speaker of the
House of Commons for the time being, by some writing
under his hand and seal, to direct the returning officer of
any city or borough returning members, or a member, to
serve in Parliament, to call and hold a meeting of the
persons entitled to vote in the election of such mem-
hers, or member, for considering whether it be expe-
dient that for the future such city or borough shall either
wholly cease to return any member to serve in Parliament;
or, in the instance of a city or borough returning two
members to serve in Parliament, shall return one such
member; and such returning officer shall thereupon
proceed to call and hold such meeting accordingly.
And the resolution of such meeting, on the matter
so submitted for the consideration thereot; shall be
ascertained by the returning officer aforesaid who
shall for that purpose attend on the day, and at the
place appointed for such meeting, seven hours—from 9 in
the morning until 4 in the afternoon of such day, and shall
take the sense on the matter aforesaid, of each person en-
titled to vote as aforesaid, who shall attend thereat, and
shall forthwith faithfully register the same, together with
the name, place of abode, and qnalification of such per-
son ; and the returning officer aforesaid shall sign such
register, and shall forthwith deliver or transmit the same
to one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State; and
shall likewise keep a true and faithful copy thereof at his
usual place of abode, to be perused, or copied by any per-
son during the period of one calendar month after such
meeting shall have been held. And in case it shall be re-
solved by a majority of three-fourths in number of the per-
sons entitled to vote as aforesaid, present at such meeting,
that it is expedient that, for the future, such city or
borough shall either wholly cease to return any Member to
serve in Parliament, or in the instance of a city or
borough returning two such Members, shall return one
such Member only, such returning officer shall, by some
writing under his hand and seal, forthwith report such
resolution to one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of
State, who shall cause copies of such report to be laid be-
laid before both Houses of Parliament, if then sitting, or
if not sitting, then within ten days after the assembling
thereof.

2. And be it enacted, that in case an act of Parliament
shall thereupon pass, providing that any county, district,
town, or place, shall return Members or a Member to serve
in Parliament, in lieu of the Members or Member hereto-
fore serving for the city or borough, which shall be the
subject of such report or in lieu of one of the Members
serving for the same (in case it shall have been resolved in
manner aforesaid, that it is expedient that the same, having
theretofore returned two such Members, shall for the future
return one only), it shall be lawful for his Majesty to is-
sue his Royal Proclamation, making known the whole
matter ; and after the end of the Parliament existing at
the time of issuing such proclamation, the city or borough
to which the report to be made as aforesaid shall relate,
shall eitner wholly cease to return any Member to serve in
Parliament, or shall return one such Member only, accord-
ing to the purport and effect of the resolution so reported.
3. Provided always, and be it enacted, that every meet-
ing to be called for the purpose aforesaiu by the returning
officer of any city or borough, shall be held at some conve-
nient place within such city or borough, or as near thereto
as possible; and notice of the time and place of such meet-
ing, and of the purpose for which it is intended to be held,
shall be inserted for two successive weeks in the London
Gazette, and shall be affixed for two successive Sundays
on a conspicuous part of the door of the church or chapel
of every parish or chapelry within such city or borough,
and shall be otherwise made public, as may be convenient,
and the period to elapse between the first of such several
notices and the holding of such meeting, shall not be
greater than one calendar month, nor less than 21 days.
4. And be it enacted, that the expenses to be incurred
by the returning officer of any city or borough, in calling
and holding any meeting in pursuance of this act, and all
other expenses to be incurred in carrying into effect the
provisions thereof, shall be defrayed by the treasurer of the
county, riding, or part, within which such city or borough
shall be situate, out of any public money in his hands, and
he shall be allowed all such payments in his accounts.
5. And be it further enacted, that this Act may be
altered, varied, amended, or repealed by any Act or Acts,
to be passed in this present Session of Parliament.
It is the province of a separate Act to appropriate the
seats to be hereby surrendered, and to determine
what shall constitute the qualification of an elector.

A BILL TO ADAPT THE REPRESENTATION OF THE
PEOPLE IN ENGLAND AND WALES TO THE AL-
TERED CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE COUNTRY
Whereas it is expedient to adapt the representation of
the people in the Commons' House of Parliament to the
altered circumstances of the country; be it therefore en-
acted, by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with
the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Tem-
poral, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled,
and by the authority of the same, that notwithstanding
any law, statute, or usage to the contrary, no man shall be
hereafter entitled to vote in the election of Members or a
Member to serve in Parliament for any county, city, or
borough, in virtue of any right or qualification whatso-
ever, other than is hereinafter conferred.
2. And be it enacted, that every man who, for 12 ca-
lendar months next preceding, shall have had, in his own
name, or in trust for him, 40s. by the year, above reprises,
in lands or tenetnents of freehold tenure, shall have a right
to vote in the election of knights or a knight of the shire,
to serve in Parliament for the county in which such lands
or tenements shall be situate.
3. And be it enacted, that every man who, for 12 calen-
dar months next preceding, shall have had in his own name,
or in trust for him, 10/., by the year, a),ove reprises, in
lands or tenements, of copyhold or customary tenure, in
fee.tail, or for the life of himself or some other
person, shall have a right to rote in the election of knights
or a knight of the shire to serve hi Parliament for the
county in which such lands or tenements shall be situate.
1. And be it enacted, that every man who, for twelve

calendar months next preceding, shall have had in his own
came, or in trust for him, 20/., by the year above reprises,
in lands or tenements, held by lease or leases for the term
of 21 years, or some longer term, whether determinable on
a life or lives, or not, shall have a right to vote in the
election of knights or a knight of the shire, to serve in Par-
liameut for the county in which such lands or tenements
shall be situate.

5. And be it enacted, that every man who, for 12
calendar months next preceding, shall, as tenant or lessee,
have been in the actual occupation of lands or tenements
for which he shall be bona fide liable to a yearly rent of
not less than 50/.2 shall have a right to vote in the electiun
of Knights or a Knight of the Shire to serve in Parlia-
ment, for the county in which such lands or tenements
shall be situate.

6. And he it enacted, that in the election of Members,
or a Member, to serve in Parliament for any city or
borough, where the right to vote for such Members or
Member is, according to the laws now in force, enjoyed
solely, or in part, by persons entitled to yob, in virtue of
some corporate right, every freeman' of such city or
borough, who, for 12 calendar months next preceding,
shall have been an inhabitant householder within the
same, paying scot and lot, shall have a right to vote
and that every man of the full age of 21 years, and not
subject to any legal incapacity, who, for three successive
years next preceding, shall have been an inhabitant house-
holder within such city or borough, rated to the relief of the
poor on a yearly value of lbl., shall, for the purposes of
this Act,t be entitled to be admitted a freeman of-the same.

7. And be it enacted, that in the election of Members
or a Member to serve in Parliament for any city or bo-
rough, where the right to rote for such Members or Mem-
ber is, according to the laws now in force, enjoyed by
persons entitled to vote in virtue of any qualification
other than those hereinbefore-mentioned, every man who
for 12 calendar months next preceding, shall have been
an inhabitant householder within such city or borough,
paying scot and lot, shall have a right to vote.
8. And be it enacted, that where any lands or tene-
ments which would otherwise entitle the owner or lessee
thereof respectively to vote-in the election of Members, or
a Member, to serve in Parliament for any county, city, or
borough, shall come to any man within 12 calendar months
of such election by descent, devise, marriage, marriage
settlement, or by promotion to any benefice or office, tine,
owner or lessee of such lands or tenements respectively
shall, notwithstanding, have a right to vote in such election.
9. Provided always, and be it enacted, that notwith-
standing any thing herein contained to the contrary, no
man shall have a right to vote in the election of Knights
or a Knight of the Shire to serve in Parliament, in re-
spect of any estate or interest whatsoever, in lands or te-
net:. eats, situate or being within the limits of a city,
town, or borough, (whether the same be a county of itself
or not), returning Members or a Member to serve in Par-
liament. Provided nevertheless, that where any lands or
tenements, which would otherwise entitle the owner, les-
see, or tenant thereof respectively to vote in the election of
Knights or a Knight of the Shire to serve in Parliament,
shall be situate or be within the limits of a city, town, or
borough (whether the same be a county of itself or nor),
returning Members or a Member to serve in Parliament,
the owner, lessee, or tenant of such lands or tenements re-
spectively, shall have a right to vote in the election of such
Member or Members.

10. Provided also, and be it enacted, that no man shall
have a right to vote in the election of Members or a Mem-
ber to serve in Parliament for any county, city, or bo-
rough, for or by reason of any trust estate or mortgage,
unless such trustee or mortgagee be in actual possession or
receipt for his own use of the rents and profits of such
estate ; but that the mortgagor or cestui•que trust in pos-
session shall have a right to vote in such election for such
estate, notwithstanding such mortgage or trust.
11. II Provided also, and be it enacted, that no man
shall have a right to vote in the election of Members or a
Member to serve in Parliament for any county, city, or
borough, in respect of any rent issuing out of such lands
or tenements as aforesaid, unless such rent shall, in the
creation thereof, have been bona fide granted or reserved
for an absolute estate of inheritence in fee simple, svitltout
any trust, power, or agreement, or other matter or thing
for determining the beneficial interest therein of the grantee
or grantees thereof, or of the person or persons reserving
the same, his, her, or their heirs or assigns.
12. Provided also and be it enacted, that nothing in
this act shall extend, or be in any wise deemed or construed
to extend, the right to vote in the election of a Member
or Members to serve in Parliament for any county city,
city, or borough, to any man who shall be under the full
age of 21 years, or who shall be subject to any legal inca-
pacity, or who, within twelve calendar months of such
election, shall have been in the receipt of parish relief.
13. And be it enacted, that if any man who at the
time of election shall be in the enjoyment of any office by
law disqualifying him from giving his vote in the election
of Members or a Member to serve in Parliament for any
county, city, or borough, shall presume to vme in such
election, he shall be liable to all penalties and forfeitures to
which he would be subject for the said offence by any law
in force at the time of such election, in case this Act had
not been passed ; and in case of a petition to the House of
Commons for altering the return or setting aside the elec-
tion in which such person shall have voted, his vote shall
be struck off by the Committee, and such sum shall be by
him paid to any petitioner as to such Committee shall
seem just.

14. And he it enacted, that if any man shall falsely and
deceitfully pretend that he is entitled to vote in the elec-
tion of Members, or a Member to serve in Parliament for
any county, city, or borough, and shall thereby vote, or
attempt to vote, in any such election, or shall falsely and
deceitfully assume the name or character of any other per-
son, and shall thereby vote, or attempt to vote, as and for
such other person on any such election ; or if any person,
after having voted in any such election, shall again vote or
attempt again to vote in the same election ; every person
so offending shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and being
convicted thereof, shall be for ever afterwards disqualified
from voting in any election whatever of any Member to
serve in Parliament, and shall be liable to such fine not
exceeding 501., or to such imprisonment not exceeding
six months, as the Court before whom he shall be con-
victed shall think fit, and in case of a petition to the
House of Commune for altering the return or setting aside
the election in which such person shall have voted, his
vote shall be struck off by the Committee, and such sum
shall be by him paid to any petitioner as to such Commit-
tee shall seem just.
15. And be it enacted, that all laws, statutes, and
usages now in force respecting the election of Members to
serve in Parliament, shall be and remain, and are hereby
declared to be and remain in full force, except so far as any
of the said laws, statutes, and usages, respect the right
to vote in such election, or are otherwise inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act.
16. Provided always, and be it enacted, that nothing
in this Act contained shall extend to Gr in any wise affect
the election of Members to serve in Parliament for the
Universities of Oxford or Cambridge, or for the city of
Landon, or for the boroughs of New Shoreham, Crick-
lade, Aylesbury, or East Retford.
17. And be it enacted, that this Act shall extend to
that part only of the United Kingdom called England and
Wales, and to the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
IS. And be it enacted, that throughout this act when-
ever the words city or borough may occur, those words
shall include all cities and towns which are counties of
themselves, towns corporate, cinque ports, districts or
places entitled to return a Member or Membcrs to Parlia-
ment, other than counties at large, and shall also include
the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
19. And be it further enacted, that this act may be
altered, varied, amended, or repealed, by any act or acts to
be passed in this present session of Parliament.
It is proposed, in separate acts, to fix the limits of bo-
roughs, to shorten the duration of elections, to ap-
point the several districts in which the poll at county
elections shall be taken, and generally to revise those
regulations which are only incidental to the exercise
of the elective franchise.
s mon;;lc'arelleemdatn, is the
aitnenAnctu)sel, The
object Geo.
of
t.
he (c om
legisla-
ture in using the most general term, freeman,' was to prevent
any argument that might arise ; and therefore, by whatever
name the freemen may be called in any particular corporation,
this general term will extend to all."—per Lawrence, J. Williams
v. Evans, 8 T. R., 9.5.").

•
-I- This is not the introduction of a new principle; at Carmar-
then, inhabitants paying scot and lot, who for three years previ-
ous have rented lands within the borough, for which they have
paid 101. a year, may be admitted to the freedom of the borough.
112 Geo. 111. c. 21. s. 1.
it This proviso destroys occasional and fictitions votes occa-
sioned by granting rent charges for the voters' lives only, which
consequently terminate on their decease, without depriving those
persons of their votes who may be possessed of freehold interests
in perpetual rents, which are bona fide property.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, MARcH 9.

In consequence of the death of the Speaker's Mother
(the widow of the late Archbishop of Canterbury), it was
arranged that the House should not meet this evening.
Shortly before Four o'clock the Right Hon. Gentleman en-
tered the House, and prayers were read, during which not
a Member was present—while the lobby was full of
Members. At Four o'clock the Speaker adjourned the
House until to-morrow.