The Sun.
London, England, 1835-01-14 00:00:00

E AST REY.

NOMINATION
FOR THE COUNTY,THIS DAY,

as a faithful and hones.
sreward.—( Cheers.) Gentlemen,
muchkhas
well said with respect to DestettetiteS,-.1-ndWi
r•-vwn hi the Cminty or garey, and ask whether there
1:" a sin le Man among you who dares to come out and state
to me I..at I am a Destructive ?—( Continued cheering.)
I
dsk,
whether, if they mean by Destructive, a man who is
anxious for a scramble—l ask—what I should gain by that?
I ask, whether any one can say there is a possibility of my
advocating such a monstrous principle ?—[Renewed cheering.]
While on the one hand I am' particularly anxious that the in-
novations which have taken place by the lapse of time in our
institutions—and what institutions are there, I would ask, but
what must in the course of time require improvement and
correction ? While lam for the pruning and improving hand
applied on all proper occasions, I am for no act of destruc-
tion. I shall not take up your time in going into what does
require correction, for I am perfectly satisfied that as a man
here to nominate another man, it would ill become me
to enter into any such detail. I should show you the institu-
tions that do require proper, moderate, and temperate reform,
but you will hear them better pointed out by Major Beau-
clerk. I can only say (little property as I may have) that I
am perfectly convinced that property will be much safer with
the principles of Major Beauclerk, than with those of his
opponents. Gentlemen, it is far from me, by any possible:
chance, to say one word against our honourable opponent. I-
can only say that, as far as I have heard or know of him, he is
a highly honourable and respectable man, but he has put forth
an assertion which I will beg leave to deal with—that
he is the only resident candidate in this county.—( Hear. )
Now I know with what view that was put, but I will meet it
in a fair, laudable, and open manner. I would ask any elec-
tor here to-day, whether he has on any occasion applied to
either of the honourable candidates for their services, or for
any act which he wished to be done in the Commons House
of Parliament, in which he has ever met with a refusal.—

BY EXPRESS.

The nomination of candidates fel', the Eastern Division of
Surrey took place this mo:iiing at Croydon. Long before
the hour appointed bed ';ne Sheriff for opening the Court, the
room was a sCOiie
and almost of extraordinary excitement and confusion,
every respectably dressed person to be met was de-
corated
with the colours of some of the candidates. The
Irmeession of carriages which accompanied Mr. Alsager, the
jrory candidate, extended for nearly a mile, and these were
preceded by a vast number of persons carrying flags, and also
a band of music. At a few minutes before eleven, the doors
of the Court House were thrown open, and the rush was tre-
mendous. It was generally understood that an adjournment
would take place to the open air, and only one of the candi-
dates (Mr. Briscoe) made his appearance on the hustings.
On Mr. BRISCOE coming forward in the Hall, he was re-
ceived with several distinct rounds of applause.
The HIGH SHERIFF (G. F. Nicholson, Esq.) then stated,
that it being the general opinion that it would be more con-
venient to hold the County Court in an adjoining field ; he
Wilting to accommodate all parties, and after the formal pro-
ceedings had been gone through, they would adjourn the
Meeting to Fairfield--( Great Cheering.)
The Writ, the Act against Bribery and Cor'ruption having
been read, and the Oath administered to the High Sheriff,
that officer stated that he .should now adjourn to the
Fairfield, and as he had adopted that step for the con-
venience of all parties, he trusted that they would favour him
so far as to allow all parties to address the electors openly,
fairly, and without any opposition.—[Cheers.] Clamour
would he useless, the only mode of showing the sentiments of
the electors being the poll.—[Cheers.]—The -fast crowd
Which had assembled then proceeded to Fairfien.
On arriving upon the ground a scene the utmost confusion
presented itself. Several waggons were brought forward
and were immediately taken possession of by the Tory party.
We regretted much to observe a band of low ruffians, who
scoured the field., 'Arnica with clubs, and tore in pieces several
of the flags 'flelonging to the Reform candidates. After con-
siderable delay, the High Sheriff made his appearance, and
accommodated the reporters with a place in his waggon.
A scene of greater confusion, and, we may add, of animation,
we have seldom witnessed. The waggons, which were filled
with the candidates and friends, were everywhere in motion,
in order to secure a good position near that of the Sheriff.
Hundreds of flags and banners were waving in every quarter
of the field, the music playing, and the vast terowds jostling
and pushing on all sides. When order had been in some
degree restored, proclamation was made by Mr. Abbott, the
Under Sheriff.
A gentleman in the crowd then came forward and stated
that unless some accommodation was made for the candidates,
it would be utterly impossible that the proceedings could go on.
It would be impossible to hear the different candidates.—
( Cheers.) He trusted, therefore, that the High Sheriff
would make some arrangements by which the proceedings
could be carried on with satisfaction to all parties.
The HIGH SHERIFF stated that it was at the earnest request
Of the majority of the electors that he had adjourned the County
Court to the present place. He had put it to the committees
of the several candidates to make such arrangements as
would give an opportunity to all persons to express their
sentiments freely and fully.—( Cheers.) As to every person
in the large assembly that presented itself hearing all
that was said, that was next to impossible.—(Cheers.)—He
would now only repeat what he had stated before, that he bad
adjourned the County Court at the request of! the electors,
and he trusted that in consequence of that, they would
grant his request, and allow every candidate to address the
t
meeting without
wouldp show that theyu were Englishmen, by al-
-I"ing every candidate to have a fair stand-up fight.—[Loud
cheers..l
Mr. Haessate then came forward to propose Mr. Briscoe.
lie said that the electors of East Surrey were on the present
Occasion called upon to exercise one of the most invaluable
rights which an Englishman could enjoy. I hope the electors
Of Surrey will come calmly forward to execute the duty
they owe to their country, and will enroll their names
in favor of those candidates whose qualifications and principles
are such as make them desirable to represent you in Parlia-
Meat —( Cheers.) Gentlemen, in discharging this important
duty, I hope that every elector will come boldly and fearlessly
to the Cheers.) I hope that you will conduct this
election with such temperance and moderation, as will confer
credit to the County of Surrey. You must not be thwarted in
the duty you have to perform on the one hand by threats,
or be corrupted on the other hand by bribery. --( Cheers. )
Gentlemen, in the few observations I she2A have to make, I
shall endeavour to abstain from all, personal allusions—
( Hear, hear)—and hope that, whe..Cever may be the result of
this contest, it will be conduct:4 on all hands with perfect
good humour and gentlee,,enly. feeling. It is my duty
otx this occasion to nom;..nate a gentleman who has served you
before, and I mays .y has served you faithfully.—( Cheers.)
And, gentlemen, . it would not be necessary for me to make
any further observations, were it not for some circumstances
Which have tended materially to injure that highly respectable
ltldividual in the minds of many of his former constituents, and
Which ought to be explained. In the first instance, I think that
.every man who comes forward to represent a county ought to
atand or fall on his own individual merits, and neither
be tempted by any personal views of his own, or even for the
sake of the cause he advocates, to coalesce with any body.—
( Hear and cheering.) Gentlemen, I will here boldly say
that when I first heard that a coalition had taken place between
Messrs. Briscoe and Beauclerk, I was determined to have
uothing to do with the election—( A laugh, and cries of
Hear, bear").---but I mound bound to say that when that cir-
cumstance was explained, it materially alteredthe case. These
Circumstances you shall know, and then judge for yourself.—
( Cheers.) In the parish of Rotherhithe where Major Beau-
clerk is the popular candidate—(" Oh, oh")—the Committee
who were conducting the canvass for Mr. Alsager, called upon
Major Beauclerk's Committee, and proposed a coalition—
(Uproar and cheers)—and at the very same time another
Party of Mr. Alsager's friends who were canvassing a diffe-
rent part of the county where Mr. Briscoe is the popular
e4ndidate—what was their conduct there ?—they canvassed—
(Tremendous groaning from Mr. Alsager's supporters)—l am
Only stating that which was stated to me by the Central Com-
te therefore, there is any thing untrue in it, the
Central Committee are to blame.--( Oh, oh.) No one can
detest the principles of a coalition more than I do, but un-
der these circumstances I ask you, as moderate and temperate
judges, to determine whether it was possible to avoid it.
There is another subject upon which I must say a few words.
311 C opponents of Mr. Briscoe have made a great handle of a
'arcumstance which has nothing to do with the county. I
allude to the circumstance of that gentleman being lord of
the manor of Epsom, and its attempting to be asserte that be
interfered with the races.—(Tremendous uproar and hisses.)
911 the first occasion of Mr. Briscoe's coming forward, I
Pined him upon principles of reform, but not upon the prin-
ciple of destruction, as I was opposed to that party that would
destroy. I appeal to you whether, under the circumstances,
have acted inconsistently. I appeal to you whether Mr.
nriscoe's conduct in Parliament has ever been bordering
en destruction or revolution.--( Cheers.) At the last election
I felt I could not,consistently with my feelings, vote for Major
Beauclerk.--( Cheers and hisses.) I considered that he ex-
pressed himself so warmly upon many points of great im-
Portance and weight, so much farther than the dictates of
Prudence advised, that I could not give him my vote.—
(Cheers.) This impression was strong in my mind till last
Saturday, when I attended a very large meeting at the Town
Hall, and when Major Beauclerk stated what were his prin-
ciples, he said nothing would induce him to go into the
Present Parliament with a view to a.ny factious opposition to
the present Government—(cheers —and that if he found
them acting up to their professions, he was determined to
Support them ; at the same time he had suspicions of them,
and would watch them closely. He stated, that though a sincere
reformer he was far from being a radical, and would never
tanction any step that would injure vested rights or disturb
Public credit.—(Hear.) Many gentlemen heard thtse asser-
leas, and when I heard them I was pleased, for it enabled me,
1:u far I was able, to-support him.—( Cheers.) I will not de-
rin you further, I feel obliged to you for your kindness, and
ill'ape you wilt spew the same indulgence to any gentleman.
a want not, to carry our point by violent declamation. We
Zaut to have the sense of the county in a mild and temperate
~i`"intier--let every gentleman have an opportunity of stating
thi.et his principles are upon such an important occasion as
• I will say no more. I believe Mr. Briscoe to be one of
yee raost independent men in Parliament, he has always had
tiol4'r interests at heart, and I therefore have great pleasure in
urinating him.—( Applause.)
Mr. MELLISH stated that he had been called on very unex-
&etal
,▪ ely to second the nomination, and that he would only
is the meeting by expressing the great satisfaction he had
doing so.
gaillr• PALMER presented himself amidst great cheering. He
you' Mr. High Sheriff and Brother Electors, I congratulate
ilri upon our assembling here to-day, on one of the grandest
etitclPles that can call us together as Englishmen, namely to
p.u,t:e our Representative to the Commons' House of
t_gruament. Gentlemen, before I proceed further I have
• return the High Sheriff my most cordial thanks,
I_,re the very kind expressions he made use of to us, the
clors of Surry, when he requested that there should be that
hod order among us that would do credit to the meeting, and
did, Jou should have the opportunity of judging of the can-
( (drat:
by allowing all of them to have an impartial hearing.--
that Ws.) I am aware there is a difference of opinion here--
to Where necessarily should be in so great a county as this, as
beO should be a fit and proper person to represent us, is not
clutas_tonishing ; but my labours are light on this occasion
iease. I have not to-day to introduce to your notice a new
o;( Hear, hear, and cheers.) Major Beauclerk is well
the hont° Hear, hear)—Major Beauclerk, who I had
elector our, of nominating on the last occasion, and I ask any
he present now to come forward and state that
has forfeited a single promise he then made ?
• lears, hear, and cheers.) I am perfectly aware that
Major 711 -statements have gone abroad with regard to the Hon.
havebs_ votes, and he himself will againstou on that head.
I I_ been told that he voted eveng the Malt Tax, but
colorti:(,)s say that that is not the truth.--( Cheers.) While I
o e-_,Q •
cool_ an anxious disposition on his part to uphold the
mercial interests of the country, I have seen bim equally
anxious to relieve the agricultural grievances.--( Cheers.) I
y
the sa
Itis work, who
that in the Major you have the very man who will do
will do your duty, and discharge his own to you

(Cries of " No, no.") Then, gentlemen, if we find that to
be the case, and there may perhaps be the distance of a mile
which separates the i esidence of those gentlemen from the
county of Surrey, I would ask is that a reason why we should
return the Hon. Tory ?—( Uproar from the Tory party.)
Gentlemen, I hope you will have the goodness to bear with
me patiently a few minutes longer, as I am rather exhausted.
—( Hear, hear.) Something has been said on, the subject
of coalition. We have been in the habit during the time
of the Rotten Borough. System, of finishing certain coa-
litions, when the Candidates coalesced against the rights
of the people ; but I say that coalition is honourable and
honest on the part of the people, if they coalesce to main -
tain their rights.— [Cheers and cries of " Bravo, bravo."] We
have been told, Gentlemen, that the Honourable Candidate
has been particularly anxious to look first upon one side and
then upon the other, according as circumstances may require.
--L[Laughter.] Gentlemen the Honourable Captain puts
me in mind of another Captain, of whom perhaps you have all
heard—l mean " Captain Macheath"—who, having two sweet-
hearts, said,

" How happy could I he with either,
Were t'other dear charmer away l"

(Great laughter and hisses from the Alsagerparty. )—Gentle_
men, I thank you for the patient hearing you have given me:
I feel myself exhausted from fatigue, and shall therefore con-
clude with nominating Major Beauelerk as a fit and proper
person to represent the Eastern Division of the County of
Surrey in the ensuing Parliament.—(Loud cheers.)

JOHN HUMPITERI; Esi., M.P., then stood up, and was
greeted with loud cheers. He said—Gentlemen, I have great
pleasure in standing here upon this occasion to second the no-
mination of Major Beauclerk, and I do it under circumstances
different from those of his proposer, because I have sat with
Major Beauclerk in the House of Commons, and know the
feeling which he has towards Surrey and towards the whole
of the country at large.—( Bravo, bravo.) Gentlemen, Major
Beauclerk is a man you may depend upon in time of need,—
he is a man you may depend upon at the time when Members
are most required,—that is at three and four o'clock, to give
their votes against those men who are now in power.—( Cheers. )
Major Beauclerk has been taunted that he is not an
agricultural member. I can assure you, gentlemen, that I
have seen him upon all occasions support the agricultural in-
terests of this country.—( Cheers.) I can assure you that
when the question of the Malt Tax was brought forward, he
voted in favour of its reduction—( Cheers)—and more than
that, he did not, as many of those men now in power did, come
down in a night or two, and vote against what he had before
done.—( Cheers.) No, gentlemen, be considered, as every
honest man would, that the question was settled, and he saw
with indignation that by the help of those now in power that
tax was again put on.—( Loud and continued cheering. )
Major Beauclerk was a man who was always at his post,
in times of the greatest trouble.—( Cheers.) He has stated
that he does not go into the House as a factious man. I know
he does not—l have never seen any factiousness in him. I
have always seen him supporting what he and I considered the
best interests of the nation, and I know that he has always
had at heart, and been most anxious, for the welfare of this
county.—( Cheers.) Gentlemen, I will assure you that upon
all popular questions Major Beauclerck was at his post, and
voted on the proper side. It has been said that he voted with.
Mr. O'Connell for the Repeal of the Union. Gentlemen,
there was only one Member who sat for either England or
Scotland who voted in that way, and that was the Hon. Member
for Tive rton. Major Beauclerk is, I think, incapable of voting
for a measure which would lead to such irremedial confusion
as I consider the repeal of- the Union would do.—( Cheers.)
It has been stated that Major Beauclerk goes to the House
to support the men now in power, if he finds their measures
good. I know he will, but it will be in another way to what
they expect.--( Cheers.) He will, I know, try to make their
liberal measures much more so, before they leave the House
of Commons.—( Cheers.) I hope, gentlemen, that upon this
occasion you will recollect that the county of Surrey returns
four members, and if you return a Tory and a Reformer,
you will altogether lose your vote.—( Cheers.) You
ought to recollect, also, that in such a case the reform-
ing Member might be taken ill, and be unable to
attend to his duty when the county would have one vote against
itself, for they would have the Tory supporting the measures
of the Ministry whether they were good or bad.—( Cheers and
uproar.) You must use all your exertions—every man of
you must rouse up your neighbour ; leave no stone unturned,
and be sure you do not lose one single vote for the want of
asking for it—( Cheers.) Do not let the Tory get ahead on
the poll for even an hour, so that you may have the benefit of
what you have been fighting for during the last four years.
[Here the gang again interrupted the speaker.] lam afraid
—[said Mr. H., turning to them]—you are the destructives.
—[ Cheers.] Gentlemen—l am so satisfied of the fitness
of my friend, Beauclerk, that I believe he will be returned
as your Member. I say your Member, because he does no-
thing but support the opinions of the great body of his con-
stituents ; and I believe you have no cause to complain of
him. —[ Hear, and cries of "we have none."] I shall there-
fore detain you no longer, but conclude by expressing my
hope that you will return Mr. Beauclerk and another Reform
Member to Parliament, or else your votes will be useless,
and of no value in that House.—[Cheers.)
_ _ - _ _

Mr. W. NOTTAGE then prop-osed the nomination of Mr.
Alsager. From the confusion which prevailed throughout his
address, and his distant position in a waggon opposite, we were
unable to catch only a few stray sentences to the following
effect :—Mr. High Sheriff and Brother Electors, I come for-
ward to propose as a candidate for the Eastern division of the
county of Surrey a man that has been requested by the great
majority of his neighbours to come forward for the honour of
representing his brother electors in Parliament.. He was
urged by them to do so, because of his known character and
fitness to be your representive.—( Cheers, hisses, and uproar.)
Gentlemen, he chooses rather to be recommended to you by
so humble an individual as I am, than to be brought forward
by any commanding influence, because he is a freeman him-
self, and wishes to be elected by the free choice of the electors.
—(Cheers and hisses.)—He is a man who upholds and re-
joices in the constitution:of the country as the glory of our
forefathers--( Laughter and uproar.) That constitution
which has secured to these realms that high honour and re-
nown which has raised them so high above all other nations—
(Laughter and groans.) He loves his King, the Constitution
and his country-4 Cries of " No, no," and considerable up-
roar.) He will be the protector of his King, and of our
commerce, for he knows its advantages. He will promote the
interest of our maritime population, and our merchandize ;
that enterprize in trade which has carried the name and re-
nown of England to the utmost bounds of the earth—( Cheers,
hisses, and laughter.) He will promote the benefit of every
rank and every class in the kingdom, and represent you fairly
and properly—( Uproar.) I therefore propose Mr. Alsagar
as your representative in the next Session of Parliament—.
( Cheers and groans.)
Mr. W. PAINTER then came forward to second the nomina-
tion of Mr. Alsager—in doing so he said,—Brother Electors,
it is highly gratifying to me to find that the gentlemen who
who have nominated the opposing candidate, by taking a view
of this large assembly—( Cheers)—have found it necessary to
adopt atone of moderation on the present occasion.—( Hear. )
Those recriminations, and the party who have said there was
no re-action in the county—[Cheers]—are the very first per-
sons to prove that there is a re-action.—[Cheers.] I regret,
gentlemen, to find that it is necessary on the present occasion
to misrepresent Mr. Alsager's Committee.—[Cheers.] No
coalition whatever has ever taken place between Mr. Alsager
and either of the other candidates.—[Cheers.] The denial
of that coalition was made in the presence both of Mr. Briscoe
and Major Beauclerk—[Cheers and cries of " No, no"]—and
admitted by them.—[Loud cheers.] This misrepresenta-
tion, however, gentlemen, is not all: it has been stated,
and very widely circulated, that Mr. Alsager is opposed
to the great principle of Reform—[Cheers] : that he was a
Tory in disguise.—[Cheers.] Such, gentlemen, Lean assure
you is not the case—[Cheers] and those who know the high
and honourable character of Mr. Alsager, know full well that
not even for the high honour of representing the county of
Surrey in Parliament would he stoop to the least disguise or
concealment.—[Great cheering.] Gentlemen, Mr. Alsager
will state to you what his opinions are himself, and al-
though he would wish the electors to approve of those
principles, yet still such are his feelings upon the present
occasion that he wishes any elector who does not agree with
them to vote against him. Gentlemen, with regard to
the charge of his being an enemy to Reform, it is desirable to
know what the meaning of the word Reform is?—[Laughter,
and cries of " Hear."] If Reform means the correction of
abuses for the purpose of improving the institutions of the
State, and rendering them more available for the public be-
nefit, Mr. Alsager is a Reformer.—[Cheers, groaning, and
uproar.] If the word Reform means the introduction of new
and untried experiments--if Reform means instead cf
purifying and beautifying our institutions and lob oduc-
ing • others—if it means instead of strengthening the
monarchical forms of government of introducing in their stead
one which would be uncontrollable and uncontrolled—a wild
democracy—then Mr. Alsager is opposed to such Reform—
( Cheers and great uproar. )—Gentlemen, I am aware `that I
am addressing the electors of Surrey ; I know that I am ad-

TRE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1835.

dressing men attached to their country and their King—
Cheering)-=--that I am addressing men who can well know
find estimate the good defivable !tom social orders and the
mischief's that would ensue from the disorgainisation of the
frame-work of society.—(Hear, hear, followed by cries
of Ireland—lreland and blood.) Gentlemen, I know you
are attached to your King, because he has identified himself
with the interests of his people—( Great uproar, and cries of
—" he is a sham Reformer.") Gentlemen, you must be aware
that the King of England consented to the passing of the Re-
form Bill, because lie felt that it was opposed to anarchy and
revolution, and therefore the greatest compliment that you
can pay your King is to place confidence in his Ministers—
( Loud cries of " No, no.") And I am satisfied that the
time will come when the reasons why the late Ministry
were dismissed, will be fully explained. Gentlemen, I an-
ticipate from the new Ministry the introduction of many good
measures, which will tend to correct abuses, extend your com-
merce, and take off many of the burdens of the people. I
am satisfied, that let those measures come from whatever
quarter they may, the people of England will hail with de-
light and gratitude the introduction of good measures.—
cCheers, and great groaning.) But, gentlemen, there is a
ast difference between cutting off decayed and rotten branches
arid felling the pride and glory of the forest--that British oak
which has spread its branches for so many centuries over our
liberties.—( Hear, and confusion.) There is a difference
between curing a disease and killing the patient, and there
is a vast difference between the skill of the physician
and the wild nostrum of the empiric. Gentlemen, the pen
of history records what must be well known to every rational
and thinking man.—( Great confusion.) It is thus recorded
that the greatest injury to the people and to the state has oc-
curred by following the councils of men who made the largest
promises, while in fact they introduced anything but improve-
ments in the Constitution. But I would beg of the electors
of Surrey, and of the electors of all England, by the love and
allegiance which they bear to the King—by the protection
which they owe to their families and children, and by the re-
spect which is due to themselves, to send men of moderate
and rational views to Parliament.--( Great cheering. )
You will not trust to experimentalists, to men who, with_what-
ever good intentions, are nothing but the tools of more prac-
tised demagogues.—( Cheers and uproar.) I have the greatest
pleasure and satisfaction in recommending Mr. Alsager to you.
—( Cheers.) Recollect that the vessel of the State, like other
essels, may be foundered by too much as well as too little
talent.—( So we understood ; but the uproar, and our distance
from the speaker rendered what he said very indistinct.) You
will do best by selecting Mr. Alsoger, who will labour to sea
cure the interests of the county.—( Cheers.) He is perfectly.
independent of parly. I regret extremely that any
section of i ttl)lic men should imagine themselves so
superior to all others that they should resolve for ever to keep
possession of the offices of the State. Consider the high and
elevated position of this country compared to all others—the
r umber of our colonies—the extent of our commerce—consider
that this country is the market, the emporium of the world—
that this is the dwelling place of liberty, and then I ask you as
sensible men, whether she could be raised to so proud a posi-
tion by men who supported themselves by corruption.—
( Cheers.)
Mr. BRISCOE then came forward amidst tremendous cheer-
ing and some hisses, and said, Mr. High Sheriff and Gentle-
men, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the cordial
reception with which you have just honoured nee.—[Cheers.]
I think I may draw the inference from your cheers that no re-
action has taken place.—[Tremendous cheering and hisses.]
Yes ! I repeat, that no re-action has taken place in this
county.—[ Tremendous cheering.] I entirely concur in
the remarks that fell from the High Sheriff, and from my
excellent friend near me, who has done me the honour to
come forward to propose me as a fit candidate—to whose
kindness and esteem, and powerful support, I owe my last
election.—[Cheers.] Allow me to say that I entirely concur
in their observations that the election may be conducted with
perfect good humour, and that the friends of freedom and re-
form may prove themselves, as I know them to be, equally
the friends of order.—[Cheers.] Far from me bo it to
treat the new candidate, who comes forward for the first time,
with any thing but the utmost respect—[cheers]—far from me
be it to impute to him any thing but the most pure and
honourable motives—[cheers]—but I think I may fairly conclude
from these cheers, and his gratifying reception—(" Oh, oh,"
and loud cheers)—l may conclude, from the approval I have
met with, that I am in the right in not shrinking from this con-
test of principles.—(Cheers.) I now present myself, for the
fourth time, a candidate for the high and imposing honour of
representing you in the Commons House of Parliament. A
voice from the crowd says " We have tried you."--( Uproar
from the Alsager party.) I feel that my public conduct and
my public principles are well known to you. I do not appear
before strangers, but I came amongst friends, amongst those
with whom, as companions in arms and in victory, I have
before struggled.—[Bravo, bravo.] Gentlemen—You may
remember that in the year 1826 we fought under the banners
of Reform and Independence, side by side.—[ Cheers.]
You remember the victory we obtained, and you may re-
member that the independence of your country was esta-
blished by our united struggle at that time.— [Loud cheers.]
In the year 1830 I again came forward, in my own person,
as a candidate to assist you in establishing your independence
—we again fought together, and we were again vie-
torious—[cheers]—and at the last election, in 1832
I again come forward, and I came forward in order to assist
you, ,for I have no personal objects whatever—[Cheers and
laughter from the opposition.] I say to assist the people in
reaping the fruit of the Reform Bill—[Cheers.] Then,
Gentlemen, it is now for the fourth time that I stand before
you as a Candidate, and to render to you an account of my
past conduct : far be it from me to claim any merit
in the simple discharge of my duty ; but I tell you
as a sincere and honest man, that I have endeavoured
to serve you faithfully,—( Cheers. )—feeling, as I do, the most
unfeigned respect for the whole constituency, and never have I
done or said aught with a design of obtaining an idle popula-
rity, but I believe I have been silent when I ought to have spo-
ken.—( Cheers and laughter.) But, gentlemen, this I say
fearlessly, I have endeavoured to serve you with integrity, with
fidelity, and with constancy. Gentlemen, I will also avow ho-
nestly, that I have been a steady supporter of the late Adminis-
tration—( Hear, hear. )—as far as I could conscientiously, and
my votes will show that upon many occasions. Gentlemen, I
am not—and never will be—a party man. I told you I
was independent of all party, and my votes in the House
of Commons will show that the declaration which I have
just made to you. viz. that I did give a steady
support to the late Administration as far as I could, conscien-
tiously could, is the truth.—( Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, if I
have the honour of being again returned to the House of
Commons—( Great uproar, and cries of " No, no," from the
Alsager party, and cries of " Shame, shame shall con-
sider myself but a servant of the people.—( Cheers.) Gentle-
men, I have heard it stated to-day that the object of the new
candidate coming forward is to support the Monarchy of the
count:y.—( Cries of " Toryism.") I boldly ask, what act of
mine, what word ever fell from my lips in Parliament, or out
of Parliament, can subject me to the ascusation that I am an
enemy of my King?—[Cheers.] But, gentlemen, I request you
to bear in mind, and perhaps many. who stand before me now
have read the King's proclamation dissohing the late Parliament
—the King tells you in that proclamation he wishes to meet
his Commons,l and take the sense of the people.—( Hear.)
Gentlemen, I believe that the people of England, and sure I
am that the people of Surrey, will fearlessly respond to the
appeal of their Sovereign—( Hear)—they will feel it to be
their duty to record the opinions of the past, and their expec-
tations of the future, of the individuals whom they will feel it
to be their duty to return again to Parliament.—( Cheers. )
Unquestionably, Gentlemen, it is the prerogative of the
Crown to select their own Ministers.—( Hear.) No loyal
man, no man who has the slightest knowledge of the
Constitution of his cour.tq but can entertain a doubt that
the Ministers are the servanti of the Crown ; , the Members
of the House of Commons are the servants of the people; and
I shall go there as a sentinel.—( Cheers arid some hisses.) I
shall be there if I am again returned—if you again bestow on
me the proud and high distinction of sending me as your re-
presentative, I shall go there as a guardian of your rights—
( Loud cheers)---as the defender of our liberties.—( Cries of
" Bravo.") I shall go there certainly to reduce, by every pos-
sible means, the expenditure of the country, consistently with
that which we Reformers hold as sacred as any man, ,I mean the
public credit of the country.—[Loud cheers.] I ask you
what object I could have in holding, if it be imputed to me
that I hold, revolutionary and destructive opinions.—[ Cries of
" No, no."] Why, gentlemen, I have something to
have a stake in the country—l have a stake, and no incen-
siderabls one, in this very county, as well as elsewhere ;
therefore, when it is asserted that those who hold opinions
similar to mine aim at destruction and revolution, I repel
the charge with the utmost indignation.—[lmmense cheer-
ing.] A similar charge was made before the last election,
but how was it falsified? I believe there are not to be found
an equal number of men in this country possessing a similar
extent of property in it with those who have been already
nominated and' returned as reforming members for the next
parliament.—( Much cheering.) I am sure that charge, there-
fore, will not with you the intelligent electors of East Surrey,
weigh for a single instant.—( Cries of " No, no !" and cheers.)
But, gentlemen, I did hear a word fall from a person respect-
ing the want of a personal canvass, and allow me to make an
observation on that. 1 am most anxious to remove an
impression, if such does exist, that I have been guilty of
that omission which custom has long sanctioned, of
paying a personal tribute of respect to any and each individual
elector. Gentlemen, I do assure them sincerely from the
bottom of my heart, that the omission has not arisen from any
want of respect to them, but that it was principally from the
conviction of my political opinions being so thoroughly known
to you—( Hear, hear)—and I think I may claim this indul-
gence and advantage, viz., that it is in evidence from the
statements I have made, that I have sat in Parliament not for

meeting to use individually every exertion in your power
amongst your neighbours and friends to give a substantial proof
that you are the friends of reform and of the county, by sup-
porting the representatives of the people.—Cheers.) It has
Veen my lot, during the last ten days, to be very actively
engaged in addressing the electors at public meetings,
and I feel the efieci§ cr it. At a late hour
last night, I attended one of the most gYatifying meetings
in the County of Surrey.—[Laughter, followed by cheers.]
I assure you that but one opinion prevailed in favour of your
tried representatives.—[ Cheers.] Let me tell you also that
I have attended similar meetings in Croydon, Wandsworth,
Camberwell, and Kingston, and I never met in your town a
more gratifying reception than was bestowed upon me and my
hon. colleague last Saturday. In fact, to judge of the united
feeling which prevails in the county, I may say it is most flat-
tering, though to myself, indeed, it may be undeserved, but
I attribute it to your kindness and impartiality. I will
admit as readily, as my bitterest opponent can state, that I
have indeed done but little in your service, neither have I acted
up to my own full wishes ; nor have I, I think, honestly and
faithfully done all that you had a just right to expect. I make
that admission, and my opponent may take any advantage of
it he can.—( Cheers from Alsager's party. )—I do so from no
mock humility, but from a conscientious desire to discharge
faithfully every duty you require of me as a Member of
Parliament with increasing promptitude and assiduity.—
[Loud cheers.]— Well, then, I have shown you that my poli-
tical principles are so well known, that I need not go into any
lengthened detail, the substance of my creed is Reform.--
(Cheers.) In one word, I say again it is Reform—Reform
and not Revolution—an honest and faithful reform in all the

institutions of the country, both in Church and State.—( Great
cheering.) I see that I ought not to detain you longer, but
permit me to repeat to you, if it is your pleasure again to
select me as one of your representatives in Parliament—if
you believe me to have been faithful to the cause of the

people and of mankind—if you deem me to be the firm
and uncomp •emising enemy of all corruption and oppression,
[Cheers,] if you consider me as the steady supporter of
economy and retrenchment, and a relief of the burthens of
the people ; if you think I am what I assure you I am, the
decided_ advocate for the spread of knowledge and of popular
education—[Cheers,) if you consider me the friend of
peace, and as a means to that end, I repeat that I am a friend
to education, if you think I have redeemed the pledges
which I made to you, and faithfully acted up to my professions,
then I ask you not to forget an old servant—[ Hear, hear.]
One whom you have tried and known, for one however
honourable, upright, and respectable,---( Her, hear)— and I
am quite willing to give my opponent every claim and merit
he conceives himself entitled to. I repeat that I never will
believe that there has been any re-action in this county until I
see it upon the poll. Such is the confidence that I place in
the intelligence, integrity, and, above all, in the love of Re-
.form felt by the electors of East Surrey, that I think you will
think it your duty to return your two old and tried servants.—
( Great cheering.)
Major BEM:CLERK then rose in a neighbouring waggon, and
was received with cheering, which laited for some minutes. He
said Mr. Sheriff, I have a wish to take this early opportunity of
returning my most sincere thanks to you for the kind atten-
tion you have shown to all the candidates—[cheers]—and I
trust that you, the electors, who have behaved so well, and
given a patient hearing to all who have gone before me, will
also do me the same favour. In now coming forward, I
am anxious to assure Mr. Alsager that I have no ill feeling
towards him—that I entertain for him personally every kind
feeling, but I detest his politics.—[Cheers.] It is a politi-
cal question alone, and not a personal one.—(loud
cheers]—and I wish to take this early opportunity of
telling the Hon. Candidate that a friend of his made a very
great mistake last night, in stating that I voted for Mr.
O'Connell's motion for a repeal of the Union. I voted against
that motion, because I conscientiously believed that it would
be for the benefit of neither country. There is also another
question upon which much misrepresentation has been sent
abroad with respect to me and my conduct—l mean the ques-
tion of the Malt Tax. We have here a number of members
of the late Parliament, and I appeal with candour to Mr. Grote,
Mr. Humphery, and ary other, whether there was any man more
active than I was. I gave notice of a motion upon the
subject, I gave it up out of respect to Sir Wm. Ingilby, but I
voted for his motion, and spoke at least 50 times in favour of
its repeal during the . Session ; and I challenge any one to
gainsay me when I state that I am a sincere supporter of the
agricultural interests. I have been accused of bearing a hatred
to our beautiful system of religion. To that I reply, that there
is not one man in this large assembly who has a greater respect
for that religion than myself. I have come forward upon the
same principles that I stood upon before, and I think, that,
in spite of the cry of re-action, I shall be returned again
as your Member in a very few days.—( Great cheering. )
You have been told that Mr. Alsager is not a Tory. It now
seems that Sir F. Burdett was perfectly justified when he
said that a Tory was more scarce in this country than the uni-
corn ?—( Laughter.) If this is not a Tory question, why, I
would ask, areTyou to turn out a Reformer ?—( Cheers.) If
it is not a Tory question, why, let me ask you, was
the old House of Commons sent about its busineps ?
Gentlemen, I carry no favour of either party.—( Cheers.) I
am a determined opponent of the Tory faction, but, at the
same time, I tell that faction that I have honesty of feeling in
my heart, that *I am sent to the House of Commons, and find
the Tories turn Refoamers, I shall give them my most cordial
support. Gentlemen, I told you at the last election, and I tell
you again, now, that I am no party man.—(Cheers.)
I have voted repeatedly against both Whigs and Tories—
( Cheers)—when I considered the measures they brought for-
ward wrong—( Cheers.) I have ever voted against Mr. Hume,
that able and long-tried friend of the people, when I thought
him wrong---( Great cheering)—and I will continue to vote
against every party whose great object is to destroy the wel-
fare and happiness of the people—[Cheers.] If, however,
gentlemen, I find any attack made upon property or vested
rights, I shall ever be at my post--the firm advocate for that
property and those rights.—( Cheers.) But, gentlemen, I
never have been, and never will he, the upholder of idle sine-
cures.—( Cheers.) I shall ever be the determined foe of any
Government who upholds that system which drags the last
penny from the pockets of the people.—( Cheers.) If you
send me to the House of Commons, I shall go there for the
very purpose of carrying forward the great principle
of Reform.—( Cheers.) lam an English gentleman by birth,
and I glory in the name ; my ancestors, generations back ad-
vocated the cause of the people in the House of Commons—
( Cheers)—my father, grandfather, and great-great-grand-
father, each in their day advocated the people's cause, and I
trust their venerated shades will ho /or round me, teaching me
to trace their steps.—l trust I shall ever be found to be the
most determined foe of all unjust and oppressive measures.—
(Great cheering.) Mr. Lainson, who was my oppo-
nent at the last election, and who thought that on many
points I went too far, came to a meeting of my Committee
last night—(Cheers)---took the chair, and while filling that
office stated that he had carefully watched my conduct, and
having
.done so, so gratified did he feel with it, that he was
determined to give me his most cordial support.—( Cheers. )
Gentlemen, I have the pleasure of having here beside me
Mr. Grote, one of the Members for the City of London—
_ .

[loud cheering]—who has come down for the purpose of
giving me his support in this county, where he is, and de-
servedly, so much loved and respected.—[ Applause.] I trust
you will have an opportunity of hearing him address you ;
and I will ask you, would either of those gentlemen have
supported me if J wished to destroy property and every thing
that is dear to us?—[Cheering.] Without any reference
to the property of the opposite candidate, I beg to say that
he has not more to lose than the individual who now has the
honour to address you.--[Cheering.] It would be strange,
gentlemen, if I would wish to destroy the agricultural inte-
rests, when the whole of my property consists of land alone.--
[Hear, hear.] I also assure you that I shall join no party in
injuring those who have lent their money to the country ; and
whatever attacks may be made upon property which has been
fairly and honestly acquired, I shall be the last man to give
my assistance to any party to shake or destroy it.—[Loud
cheering.] Having attended many meetings lately, and being
very far from well, I trust, unless any gentleman wishes to ask
me a question, that you will allow me now to retire, thanking
you for the honour you have formerly done me, and that you
will carry me triumphantly in a few days to the same position.
—[Tremendous cheering.]
Mr. ALSAGER then came forward, and was received with
cheers from his own party, and loud groaning and hissing from
the friends of the other candidates. He said—Mr. Sheriff
and Electors of Surry, with the other candidates, I beg to
return you my sincere thanks for the fair field which has been
shown to myself and my supporters.--( Cheers.) Before I
commence addressing you, the first thing I should do as a gen-
tleman and an honest man, is to refute the charge that has
been made as to a coalition.---( Hear, hear.) I assure you,
on the honour of a gentleman, that I never did di-
rectlh or indirectly, offer to coalice either with Mr.
Briscoe or Major B eauclerk, at any part of
this division of the county of Surrey.—( Cheers and cries of
" Your Committee did."] Nor do I believe that my Com-
mittee have done so.—[Cheering and groaning.] If the
Hon. Gentleman who brings the charge will name the indi-
vidual, then we shall come to particulars.—[Cheering.]
Gentlemen, scarcely a week has elapsed since I have been
selected and stood forward for the honour of representing this
division of the county of Surrey ; and the successful canvass
that I have made is as unparalleled in the history of this
country as it is gratifying to myself and my friends.. What
does this indicate, gentlemen ? It indicates that true
patriotism, though dormant, is not extinct—that it only awaits
the vivifying ray to put the whole again into animation.—
( Cheers, laughter, and cries of " Captain Burton.") I trust
that the shn will soon shine out again—that the gales of our
prosperity will blow over, and the dark clouds of agitation fall
away and sink for ever. I hope you will show an example
to all England, and_ make every man exert himself. Why
should not good men exert themselves in a good cause as
much as others in a bad cause ?—( Cheers.) Let us take
for our motto uhat of old Nelson, his last telegraph, " Eng-
land. expects every man to do his duty."—( Cheers.) Whilst I
have, been upon my canvass I professed to stand alone, opposed
to no fan. I declare, upon the honour of a gentleman, that
never when I asked an elector for his vote, have I said other
than tt tat he was at liberty to give his second vote to whosoever
he plc aced.—( Cheers, and cries of " Oh I") I only speak for
mysel F, and what has come to my own knowledge, and to the
best -of my belief to that of my committee.—( Cheers, and
continued cries of " Oh I" and groans.) I perfectly agree
with ti e other candidate, that, whilst canvassing, all personal
allusic t.ns ought to be avoided.—(Cheers, and cries of " Who
saw t ;he taxes?") This conduct is sometimes offensive, and
alwr .y s, in fares the cause of those who have recourse to it.
(i 14 :ear, hear.) It is said that I am a Tory in disguise,
I: fremendous cheering.] Gentlemen, disguise is far from my
\ ?eitlttraintenrt.s_ll
hnaevveerdehiclaarto myd tahee
the same.—d [Tremendousy up-

myself but on account of you, to be a defender of your rights
and liberties, and not for any benefit of myself.—( Cheers. )
I think I may fairly claim that at your hands ; at the same
time I make this promise to you, that if ever I am again placed
under similar circumstances, I will not again have to reproach
myself with a neglect of that duty.—[Cheers.] As you
have been reminded_ by every individual who has addressed
you of the very important crisis in which we are placed, I
think I need not tell you it is of great imporiance to calculate
well before you vote, because it may occur that the
peace and welfare of this country may even hang upon
a single vote ; and I call your attention here to the second
reading of the Reform Bill, which was carried by a majority
of one.—( Hear, hear.) I say a majority of one • and had
not the electors of Surrey discharged their duty to themselves
and to the principles of independence and reform, that measure
would have been lost, for my gallant opponent who represented
or rather misrepresented you would have voted against the
Reform Bill, .and the casting vote would have been given
against it..—( Hear.) I entreat you, therefore, to view this as
matter of the highest importance, and to go home from t'

roar, dering which Mr. Briscoe came forward and said, Let
us all have fair play, be silent I intreat you, both for your
own sake and mine.] The term Tory has been applied
to individuals who contend that there are no such
thing as abuses or grievances, and to shut their eyes to all
reform, all alteration, and all improvement, I am not that man.
—(Loud cheers.) There is one character that I am anxious
to be thought, viz. ; a lover of my kind, a lover of my country
and above all, the lover of the poor mau.—( Cheers and up-
roar.) I am a Conservative—(Tremendous groaning and
cheering)...that is, gentlemen, one who knows that abuses
exist, that grievances exist, and who has a clear :head and a
good heart in order to do his utmost to renress them.
I am a member of the Established Church of England,
I consider an Established Church essential to the peace and
prosperity of the country—[Bravo.]—and I do hope, that
at all times whenever any gentleman comes forward respect-
ing that establishment should have the honour of being your
representative.—[Laughter, and cries of " You never will."]
The only body of men in this large country that are shut out
from the House of Commons will never want an advocate in me.
I don't say but what there are alterations required in the es-
tablishment, but let them be done with a orudent hand. (An
elector in the crowd asked—" Will you vote for the ballot ?"
to whhich Captain Alryge answered— " decidedly not.")
Gentlemen, a question has bee put to me, and I always like
my sentiments to be spread far and widl. I have been asked
whether I will vote for the ballot? I answer I will not, for
two reasons. I have two reason—one is that I would
never have any Englishman been ashamed of holding up his
hand and saying what man he voted for upon such and
such principles, and also to give his reasons for so doing.—
[Hear, hear.] In the next place, I should ask, that suppose,
for instance, the Vote by Ballot was to be adopted in the
House of Commons, and every Member was to give his vote
there by ballot, would approve of that ?—[Cries of " yes,
yes." I have just been asked whether I would pledge
myself to vote for the repeal of the malt tax. I will pledge
myself to it—[Cheers]—but I should be most anxious to
repeal any tax that pressed hard upon the poor man. I will
not go, Gentlemen, as your " delegate " to Parliament. but as
your " representative"-1 am free from all trammels, all
party ; I come free to advocate the cause of my country, and
it is for the electors of secrecy to decide who they will
choose. I give the Candidates credit that are before you, for
conscientiously wishing for the welfare of his country, and the
welfare of the people ; but at the same time; gentlemen, per-
haps you may think we are pursuing two different courses.—
( Cries of " Yes, yes, you arc quite right there.") It is for
you to say who you think is most likely to attain
that great object. (Loud cries of " Not you. ")
I hope at present, as I am rather unused to public speaking,
you will excuse me, but when your cause is to le advocated I
won't be silent—[Cries of " Oh, oh."] I hope you will
excuse the shortness of what I say—[ Hear, hear, hear.]
I have the same plea that my brother candidates have
namely, that so many things have been crammed together
within the last week, that I am quite at a loss to know what
to say.—[Cheers, confusion, and laughter.] If you ask any
questions of me I shall be happy to answer them, a I understand
some are intended to be put ; but if any question shall
be sent to me from any particular spirit, such question or ques-
tions I shall reserve to myself the right of answering you, not
as may be directly ; but when these questions come into dis-
cussion, in Parliament, they shall always have my grave and
serious consideration, and I hope I shall always do that which
is best for my country and the people around me.—( Cheers,

Mr. BRISCOE then proposed a vote of thanks to `the High
Sheriff, which was seconded by Major Beauclerk, and [carried
accordingly.
The High Sheriff returned thanks, saying he had endea-
voured to discharge his duty to their satisfaction, and he hoped
he had succeeded. —( Cheers.)
vi Three cheers were given for Reform, and three groans for
the Tories, and the assembly quietly dispersed. ,4Z7,41;4
We cannot conclude without expressing our thanks to the
High Sheriff and his Under Sheriff, Mr. Abbott for their
kindness in making such arrangements for the accom-
modation of the Press; nor can we sufficiently express
our thanks to John Miller, Esq., whose house immediately
adjoins the Fairfield, where the meeting was held, and who
most kindly accommodated the reporters of this Paper with a
room in his house.

add confusion.)
To a question put to the Hon. Candidate by a gentleman
in the crown, which we could not hear,
Mr. ALSACE said, as an honest man I hope I have done that

which is right.—( Hooting.)
Mr. NICHOLSON, tea-dealer, from an opposite waggon,
believed that this was thetime lor an elector to speak ; that
all electors possessed this right, and as one he desired to have
the opportunity of putting some questions to the late repre-
sentatives. One of the Hon. Members had stated that they
been the tried and faithful representatives of the electors.
The truth was, that the electors were to be the judges of that.
He himself was not satisfied that they had not faithfullly and
truly represented the people of Surrey ; and out of many im-
portant questions decided in the last Parliament there were
some upon which he would like to know how they had voted,
and which the Hon. Gentleman would be glad of having an
opportunity of giving answers to. He believed they were
both in Parliament, when Sir John C. Hobhouse, the Secre-
tary at War, increased the army 10,000 men—he wished to
know how they voted on that occasion.—( A cry of " What
was the date.") He did not recollect the day.—(" Oh, oh.")
He thought they ought to have kept the dates of their own
votes. The nrxt question he desired to ask was how they
voted on Mr. Harvey's motion to inquire into the pension list.
The third how they voted on the Poor Law Bil, which he
called the Starvation Bill.—( Cheers.) And the fourth was
how they voted on the Australian Bill, the effect of which was
to transport all the poor in England. The anniversary
to those questions would be of the greatest importance
to him, in deciding how he should give his vote.—
[ A cry of " Give it to the Tory," and laughter.]
I think those four questions, if honestly answered, will suffice
for the business of this day, and I have nothing further to
say than that it will very much regulate me in giving my
vote —[Hear.]
Mr. BRISCOE—I do not, believe me, 'gentlemen, use idle
words when I say, that I consider that elector my best friend
who gives me an opportunity of offering an explanation of
every vote I gave in the House of Commons.—[Cheers.] I
will neither consent to lose the election, nor to obtain
your suffrages by any trick or false pretence.—[Hear, hear,
hear.) But unless the Honourable Elector will point out
the time of which he speaks. I cannot readily answer his
questions. However, it is about two years ago that Sir John
Cam Hobbouse was Secretary at War, and the question relates
to a proposal by him of an increase of the army by the addi-
tion of ten thousand men. I have not a distinct recoliection
of the fad, but as far as my memory goes, I am so desirous of
reducing the army by every possible means, consistent with the
efficiency of the public service, that I should say I voted
against that increase—[Loud cheering.] I am glad
that my Honourable Colleague near me ] alajor Beaclerk]
confirms that statement, The next question was how did
vote in Mr. Harvey's motion for an en ,uiry into the Pension
List. I voted for that enquiry. The third question is re-
specting a very important Bill—the Poor Law Bill. I did not
approve of all the provisions of that Bill, but I beliove there
is a great deal of what is most valuable in that measure, espe-
cially to the labouring classes, because it will do away with
the practice of being paid their wages out of th poor-rates,
and prevent them being paupers.
Major BEAUCLERK said—l most heartily return my sincere
thanks to the gentleman who has taken the proper and con-
stitutional mode of asking questions of the candidates. As to
the first one, he will allow me to remind him, that he has
made a mistake in the dates. Sir John Hobhouse, on the
first occasion, opposed my motion for the reduction of ten
thousand men in the army 1 In the very following year,
he said that he would follow my plan, and reduce
the army by not fiiling up the vacancies at that time. Mr.
Hume proposed that the reduction should be 16,000, and then
I said that I thought the first proposition should first be tried.
Then come the scond question, which relates to the Pension-
list On that question I voted always with Mr. Harvey.—
( Cheers.) I have always taken a most determined stand
against the gross abuses of thaf list. The next question re-
lated to the Poor Law Bill. On that Bill I was obliged to
vote against those with whom I wished to have acted
and my votes on that occasion gave me great pain ; but I op-,
posed it in almost every stage.—[Cheers]—for I never could
so far forget myself as to vote for a measure which went to
separate a man from his wife, which is in direct violation of
the law of God. The next question is the Australian Bill, that
was a Bill to enable Mr. Grote and some other gentlemen to
borrow money in order to send out men who applied for
that purpose—it was a voluntary principle upon which it stood,
and, I must say, that though I voted for it, I was less pleased
with that vote than almost any other, for, I believe, that with
the blessing of God and a good Government, this conntry is
quite capahle of maintaining in comfort the whole of its popu-
lation. He concluded amidst immense applause.
Colonel STANHOPE then came forward amidst great cheering
and much noise and confusion to put several questions to Mr.
Alsager. He wished to know whether that gentleman would
vote for the Pension List.
It was here suggested to the High Sheriff that the Worthy
Colonel was not an elector, that officer therefore inquired
whether he was so or not ?
Colonel STANHOPE said he was—(Great cheerin)—and
again repeated his question to Mr. Alsager.
Mr. ALSAGER—I shall very happy to see the Pension List
done awey with if, without injuring one person, I could bene-
fit another.
Col. STANHOPE—Are you in favour of the malt-tax?
Mr. ALSEGER—I have answered that question already ge-
nerally—(Laughter and Groans. )
Col. STANHOPE—I want your answer.
Mr. ALSEGEK-3 can only give the answer I gave before—l
think it ought to be removed—it shall be my honest consideration
in public—[Laughter and great groaning.]
C Colonel STANHOPE—WiII you vote for a revision of the
Pension List ?
Mr. ALSAGER—J shall vote for the abolition of all pensions
not honourably acquired, and against any addition to the pen-
sion list.—( Cheers and cries of Bravo.)
Colonel STANHOPE—WiII you vote for triennial parliaments?
Mr. ALSAGER—Certainly I will not.—Much confusion and
uproar.
Col. STANHOPE—Are you in favour of cheap bread, and
will you vote for the abolition of the Corn Laws ?
W. ALSAGER—I can only give the same general answer I
have given to all of them—[Roars of laughter and uproar.]
If you cannot depend upon my character, you must judge for
yourselves.
Colonel STANHOPE.—Are you one of the Commissioners
for building the Church at Streatham ?
Mr. Au/teak—Yes. [Laughter, and tremendous groans.]
A Mr. EPPS then came forward to address the electors,
and after observing that the Bastardy clauses of the Poor
Law Bill had tended much to demoralize the female popu-
lation, the uproar and confusion became so great, that it was
impossible we could catch any of his observations. Mr. E.
asked Mr. Briscoe whether lie had voted for these clauses ?
Mr. BRISCOE—I do not believe that I voted for those
clauses. The votes are a matter of public notoriety: there is
a printed list, to which any elector may refer.—[Cheers and
hisses.]
The Sheriff then put the names of the several Candidates to
a show of hands, and declared that the show was so nearly
equal that he could hardly decide who had the most ; accord-
ing, however, to the best of his judgment, lie thought the show
was in favour of J. J. Briscoe and A. W. Beauclerk, Esq.—
[Tremendous cheering.]
A poll was then demanded on the part of Captain Alsager,
and the High Sheriff stated that the poll would commence on
Monday next at nine o'clock.