The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-13 00:00:00

A member of Parliament had hard enough work to
do without paying for his seat. The man who had
sacrificed his time by sitting every morning till two
o'clock to do his duty ought to be paid himself, in-
stead of paying others for it; and any constituency
ought to be glad to get a hard-working honest man
to see after their interests. Was ignorant of the
election bills still outstanding, and if they were
never sent in should never inquire. Hoped the gen-
tlemen intending to send in accounts would con-
sider the-state of the case and refrain from asking
for money. (Laughter.) Was once a candidate
for St. Alban's. The requisition to him to stand
for that borough on purity principles was signed
by gentlemen who afterwards went against him.
Thought he had done a public service in helping to
get St. Alban's disfranchised. Had fancied, after
the part he had taken in connexion with St. Alban's,
that no constituency would have applied to him in
which bribery prevailed. St. Alban's was.probably
the most debased constituency in England ; but he
had thought that when things were at their worse
they would, perhaps, .get better: and believed he
had been sought because the constituency wanted a
pure and honest member to serve them. He had
been the victim of duplicity at St. Alban's.
Commissioner Fitzgerald Was not the experi-
ence of St. Alban's lost to you when you came to
Glocester ?
Witness—How could my experience of a place
notoriously venal guide me as to a place which I be-
lieved to be totally different ? I have now, how-
ever, gained a little experience, and will act a
little differently another time. (A laugh.)
Commissioner Fitzgerald—You made a speech in
favour of purity principles at Gloucester. Did you
not therefore feel bound to inquire into this large
expenditure ?
Witness—ll by inquire respecting the character
of those about whom you have no doubt ? You
must presume a man to be of good character till
you find him to be different. I thought the people
to whom I was introduced were highly respectable,
and I put faith in everything they told me.
Commissioner Welford—Did not the facility
with which you allowed money to be drawn from
you in 1857 encourage the corruption in 1859 ?
Witness—They found, perhaps, that I had been
o•oodnatured, and thought I would do the same
again.
Commissioner Welford—Was not that which you
call your good nature the cause of all this corrup-
tion ? _

Witness—You must draw your own conclusion.
Commissioner IVelford—Don't you think it was
something like wilful blindness for you not to ask
for any accounts P
Witness—lt was certainly not so intended. I
appointed my agent, and. expected that he would
direct everything according to the Act of Parlia-
ment. Must say Mr. Lovegrove has shown no
backwardness to give me accounts. Think he may
have offered to refer them to some indifferent
person. Don't recollect receiving any letter after
the election of 1857 imputing bribery. Should
not have heeded it if I had. Always should expect
such accusations, however ill-founded, to be made
from the defeated side. Having been. purged by a
committee of the House of Commons, I preferred
to respect their decision rather than attend to the
allegations of any private letter. Though rewards
had been offered for evidence against him, not a
scintilla to fix him with bribery had been adduced ;
and even Mr. Roebuck, an independent member of
opposite politics, had declared the petition against
him frivolous and vexatious. The witness added
—Mr. Lovegrove had asked him to contribute
to the expenses of the municipal elections, and wit-
ness had told him to pay for him what was usual.
Never imagined this money went for bribery at
the municipal contests. Had paid in " lump" sums,
but should never do it again. Had always thought
when a man had a long lawyer's bill sent to him,
whether for elections or otherwise, the best thing
for his peace of mind was to look only at tho total,
and pay it at once., (Laughter.) Had not ab-
stained from inquiring into the items because it
would be more convenient or more prudent. It
did not look as if he had been over prudent. (A
laugh.) Should look rather sharply at the out-
standing bills which might be sent in to him, but
every honourable engagement he should recognise.l
Commissioner Welford.--What if some of the,
claims are illegal ?
Witness—l should fancy all the corrupt business
was done for ready money, and the legal expenses
were left till the last. (Laughter.) Think I have
been imposed upon ; but believe those who have
acted improperly, and contrary to every wish of
my own, had the best intentions. Don't believe a
farthing would have been spent in bribery but for
the lavish offers of money on the other side. And
if the Commission will only make it one of their
recommendations that there should be no canvass-
ing, it will be a great improvement.
Mr. Lovegrove and Mr. Whithorn were then
examined at length as to the 1867 election, and the
former gentleman said he had repeatedly offered
accounts to Sir R. Carden, and was ready to ac-
count to the Commission for every shilling intrusted

,o him.
The inquiry was then adjourned.

WRECK OF THE STEAMER EXPRESS.

SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY.
• The Board of Trade inquiry into the circum-
stances connected with the wreck of the South-
Western Company's steamer Express,• which occur-
red. off Jersey on the morning of tho 20th ultimo,
commenced this morning at the Town-hall. The
court consisted. of Mr. J. Bernard and Captain J. R.
En gledue, borough magistrates, and Captain Harris,
nautical assessor to the Board of Trade. Mr: Cum-
lierland attended as solicitor for the Board of Trade,
Mr. Crombie for the company, and Mr. Coxwell for
the captain (Mabb).
Mr. Cumberland having opened the case, pro-
ceeded to' call witnesses. The first examined was
George Cooper, chief mate of the Express, who
stated that the steamer left St. Helier's, Jersey,
between six and seven o'clock on the morning of
the occurrence, Captain Mabb being in command,
with between 150 and 160 passengers. The vessel
was in perfect order when she left, and the morning
fine and clear. Abut five minutes to seven, off the
Aiquillon, witness went below, at which time the
captain was in charge on the bridge and the second
mate at-the wheel. He went on deck again about
ten Minutes past seven, in consequence of hearing
the ship strike, and found the captain and second
mate in the same positions. The wind was light
from the N.E., and the weather still clear; the sea
smooth, with a ground swell. He did not look at the
ship's position, but went to see if she had sustained
any damage. He went to tho engine-room and sent
the carpenter to the after-hold. The engines had just
been stopped and the fore-cabin was nearly full of
water. The Express was built in three watertight
compartments. Thefore compartment was filled with
water and the other two Were perfect. Witness re-
ported to the captain, who said he thought he would
run her ashore. The land on the coast of Jersey was in
sight, and witness saw the Rocco Tower on the
starboard beam,' but noticed nothing ahead. Ho
saw the Corbiere rocks, but nothing on the port side
but water. He also saw the reef which runs off by
the Rocco Tower, extending about a mile from the
land, and the ship might have been about a mile
from the reef. The tide had been Rowing about a
couple of hours, consequently the reef was not
covered. The roof was on the starboard quarter,
and lies to the south of the Rocco Tower, Witness
knew the Frouquis-rock, which is double-headed,
but did not see it at the time. It was sometimes
covered with the tide. Should think the ship was
about half-a-mile from this rock. He did not see
all the rock called Bon. The engines were stopped,
and the captain ordered them to go on again and
the ship's course to be altered. Witness . told the
captain he thought they might get her back to St.
Helier's or St. Brelade's Bay. The helm was ac-
cordingly starboarded, and she returned over the
course she had previously travelled. The ship was
then run ashore on the other side of the Corbiere,
on account of the water making so fast in her en-
gine-room. The fore compartment was full of
water and the ship down by the head. Boats were
lowered and passengers, mails, and three horses
landed about eight o'clock. He heard that two
opua
rs
oe
nn
ogee! s
Thewer were
ship drowned,waar run
nut ashoredid aboutnotloo yards
see the oc-
from land, and the passengers landed on the rocks.
After the ship took the ground the starboard
anchor was let go under foot, and the ship heeled
towards the shore with her stem to the eastward.
Ad wvaer pin was
a s fltoowthed. A
the shoreliannediatrhaes ship
dro
run
ashore to draw the boats to and fro. Witness had
made many passages in the Jersey packets and
cathrreiedtid oute
passed many times between the Corbiere and- Bon
rocks. Had run through that channel from an
hour-and-a-half flood to high water. Should not
think it prudent to attempt it at low water.
The Express drew about seven feet. Witness
ditl not know the width of the passage between
the Corbiere and Bon rocks. He would
have navigated that channel, if he had been in
command of the Express, with a flowing tide and
weather similar to what it was at the time of the
occurrence. 'They passed to the westward of the
Fronquis rock when they took that passage. At
low-water spring tides a small rock is visible be-
tween the Fronquis and Bon rocks. There is no
passage outside the Fronquis. Witness felt the ship
strike twice, both together, as if she was going over
rocks. The ship was abandoned at-dark the • same
night.
Charles Neel, second mate, gave similar evidence
as to the accident. He was at the helm, and tool
his steering course from the captain's hand. He
bad only been twice or three times through that