The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-27 00:00:00

THE LAW OF ELECTIONS.

The following exposition of the present Law and
Practice at Elections we extract from a new editi,n
of Mr. Warren's masterly and authoritative work
on the subject :
"During the last four years several changes,
some of great importance, in the election law of the
United Kingdom, have bef.n effected by the Legi—
lature. One rel Ates to Ireland, and provides for a
complete annual revision and registration of the
Parliamentary voters for the city of Dublin, by
barristers of the Irish bar, styled by the statute
rvising barristers,' not exceeding three in num-
ber, of six years' standing at the least ; and attend-
ing at the same place, at the same time, but holding
separate courts, which are courts of record.

-"
Three Acts relate to Scotland. The first re-
stricts the polling to one day, in counties, between
the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., subject to being
closed earlier, on request of all the candidates, or
in case of riot ; and regulates the arrangements of
polling-places and the times for polling. A second
requires the day for election, in counties and com-
bined counties, to be not less than six nor more
than 12 days after the receipt of the writ ; but m
the case of Orkney and Shotlan'l the law remains as
fixed by statute 2d and 3d of Wm. IV., c. 65. A
third establishes a new code of procedure for burgh
registration in Scotland.
" Time other statutes relate to England
and Waifs. The first limits the polling in
counties to one day, from the hour of 8 a.m.
to that of 5 p.m. The poll clerks at the fitia'
close of the poll are to enclose and seal their seve-
ral books and publicly deliver them, so euclosed
and sealed, to the sheriff, under-sheriff, or sheriff's
deputy, presiding at the poll, and every such de-
puty must publicly deliver or transmit them to the
sheriff or under sheriff, who must keep them -un-
opened till the resssembling of ithe Court on the
day next but one after the close of the poll,—but if
that day be Sunday, then the f Mowing Monday,
—when he shall openly break the se-as, and cast up
the number of votes as they appear on the books,
and not later than 2 p.m. openly declare the state
of the poll and proclaim the members or memlar
chosen. The second contains several impuriant
provisions, applicabie to both counties and.
boroughs. Writs addressed to the sheriffs of coun-
ties require them to make election fur counties
' only, and not' (as heretofore) further or
wise. Writs for the universities of Oxford and
Cam' ri ige are to be addressel to their respective
Vice-Chancellors, writs for boroughs to tneir re-
spective returning officers ; and such Vice-Chan
cellors and returning officers are to certify the eLc-
tion according to the direetiAi of the writ, as pte-
scribrd by the Act.

" The special county court for holding a county
election fond be held on any day not later from
that of making proclamation than the 12th, nor
sooner than the sixth day. Elections in boroughs
must be had within six days after the receipt of the
writ, at least three clear days' notice—which are :o
be exclusive of those of proclamation-and of elec-
tion—b, iug given of the day of election. The pol-
ling at the two Universities is not to continue for
more than five days at the most; and ttie Vice-
Chancellors may appoint additional poling placi=s,
pro Vice-Chancellors, polling clerks, a .d other
officers, as may be judged necesr,ary. No poll at
any elotion is to be taken at inns, taverns, hotels,
public-houses, &c., or other places directly com-
municating therewith, unless with the written con-
sent of all the candidates. And on petition of the
justices in quart r sessions assembled, her Majesty
may stibstiru'e other f ,r existing polling-places,
The third statute constitutes the sheriff the rd.-
turning dficer in boroughswhenthat office is vacant.
" All tlxeN acts, however, practically valuable
as are their provisions, fade into insignificance when
compared with another pasted on the 10th of Aug.,
1854, entitled, ' The Corrupt Practices Prevention
Act, 1854,' which is commended to the gravest and
most deliberate consideration of every candidate.
together with his agents and advisers, before enter-
ing into a contested &ection. The provisions of this
act, often spoken of with a levity showing ignorance
of its true character, will be found so subt'e, com-
prehensive, and stringent as to fill with anxiety
'the most conscientious, and alarm even the astutest
and those disposed to be most unscrupulous.
"The corrupt practices in the eledtion of mem-
bers to serve in Parliament, at which this formid-
able act aims, it declares to be threefold—bribery,
treating', Undue influence. -After carefully defining
each, in terina embracing almost every conceivable
deVice to ;which corruption can resort, and annex-
ing to infractions of its provisions imprisonment,
fines, and penalties, the 36th sec. deals thus with
the case of candidates

" If any candidate at an election for any county
city, or borough, shall be declared by any election
committee guilty, by himself or his agents, of bri-
bery, treating, or undue influence at such election,
such candidate shall be incapable of being elected
or of sitting in Parliament for such county, city, or
borough during the Parliament then in exist, nee,

"It will be noted that this mortifying and der.o-
gatory incapacity attaches to the simple 'declaration
of an election committee,' which cannot be revised.
It is conclusive and irreversible. This circumstance
is suggestive of caution, equally to candidates and
committees ; to the former as to their sayings and
doings, and the appointment of individuals for
whose sayings and doings they are thus declared
responsible ; the latter as concerns the due discharge
of their twofold functions of judges and jurymen.
A rash, superficial, or perfunctory discharge of those
duties inflicts a wrong grievous and irreparable.