The Sun.
London, England, 1827-04-06 00:00:00

SLAVE TRADE.

Mr. W. HORTON postponed to the Sth of May his
motion for leave to bring Ma Bill to amend the Slave Trade
Consolidation Act.

Mr. F. BUXTON inquired what course the lion. Gen-
tleman meant to pursue ?

Mr. W. HORTON declined pledging himself, in this
stage of the question, to any partisular course.

POLLING AT ELECTIONS

Colonel DAVIES rose for the purpose of moving for the
appointment of a select Committee to inquire into the mode
of taking the poll at elections for Members to serve in
Parliament for cities and Boroughs. The Ilan. Member
was anxious to state to the House some of the numerous in-
conveniences which were connected with the system at pre-
sent in use. There was now, when elections were going
on, but one place appointed for receiving 'votes, unless a
contract were entered into by all the candidates for the pur-
pose of enlarging the number. In all cities and boroughs
the electors were, of course, solicitous for the success of one
or other of the individuals proposed as fit and proper per-
sons to represent them in Parliament and each party
wished to rush up and place their friend at the head of the
poll. This, as there was but one place for polling, gave
rise to scenes of the most unpleasant nature ; and he knew
at one. election with which he was connected, that (though
there was no rioting) individuals went up to the poll, such
was the pressure, at the risk of their lives. From the im—
perfection of the present system, it hid happened, in the
case of the Coventry election, that while only 30 persons werm
polled on one side, 650 had polled on the other. Now, ho
would suggest, that instead of having but one place for
polling, two or more should be allowed, in proportion to
the 'number of electors. This would enable individuals to
come up to poll without difficulty, and it would put an end
to the danger and to the system of demoralization and treat-
ing, which, under the present system, must prevail to a
certain degree, even in the purest places. He should also
suggest that every parish, where a certain number of elec-
tors resided, should have a polling place; and where the
number was very great, that the places for polling should
be multiplied as the case might require. He also wished,
if a certain number of votes, say 400, were not given in
the course of a day, that then the poll should be closed.

Mr. G. R. ROBINSON seconded the motion. He
thought that if they could lessen the expense attendio?;
those elections, it would be conferring a great benetit on
the country. For the purpose of effecting that object le
wished the electors who resided at a distance from the eit3.-
or borough contested, to give their votes at the places
where they lived. He saw no other mode except this, by
which the immense expense attending . those elections
could be avoided. As to shortening the time for keeping
open the poll, he did not approve of it. If the poll were
to close, because, on any given day, 400 electors did not
rote, it might prevent many individuals from expressing
their opinion as to the Member, who, according to their
view, was most worthy'to represent them.
An Honourable MEMBER who spoke from under the
gallery, declared that he would oppose any measere by
which the right to go up to the poll at the time most con-
venient to the elector was likely to be abridged.
The motion was then agreed to, and the Committee ap-
pointed.