The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-06 00:00:00

(LEFT SPEARING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'Clock.
SOUTHAMPTON ELECTION.
Mr. REDINGTON brought up the Report from the
Committee appointed to try the merits of the petition
against the return for the Borough of Southampton.
The resolution the Committee had agreed to was, that
Viscount Bruce (now Lord Elgin) and C. C. Martyn,
Esq., were nut duly elected,
and that the election for
the Borough of Southampton was void. That the said Viscount
Bruce, and C. C. Martyn, had by their agents been guilty of
bribery, but that there was no proof that the said Viscount
Bruce, and C. C. Martyn, Esq., were cognisant cf such
bribery. The Committee also reported that very extensive
treating prevailed during the election, and that the amount of
money expended in the contest, 5,600/., having far exceeded
the ordinary and legal charges of an election, it %Naos a matter
which deserved the serious consideration of the House.
SECOND READINGS.
The Boston Harbour Bill (No. 2), and the Birmingham
and Liverpool Junction Railway Biil (No. 2), were read a
second time.

Colonel SIBTHORP presented a petition against the Bos-
ton Harbour Bill
OF (No. 3.
NORTH
The Great North of England Railway Bill was read a third
time and passed. NGLAND RAILWAY.
CATHOLIC GRIEVANCES.
Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL presented a petition from the Ca-
tholics of Warwickshire, complaining of the grievances to
which Catholics are subjected, particularly in military service,
or in prisons.

THE DUBLIN FREEMEN.
Mr. GREGORY presented a petition from the Conserva-
tives of Dublin, praying that some measure might be adopted
to facilitate the admission of freemen, and to insure the attend-
ance of the Lord Nlavor when required.
Mr. O'CONNELL said, as the petition referred personally
to himself, he might be allowed the liberty of saying a few
'words respecting it. Since he had been Lord Mayor, he had
admitted 1,400 freemen, but it was not stated that he had
admitted one, except on the proper and legal oath—the late
Lord Mayor admitted 600 in one evening. The petitioners did
not allege that he had not applied the same rule to all parties, or
that he had admitted a single person, or rejected a single per-
son improperly. He, therefore, considered the petition a kind
of public declaration in his favour.
Mr. GREGORY explained that the petition did not com-
plain of the number admitted on either side, or of the right to
admit them ; it merely prayed for some measure to facilitate
their admission, and ensure the attendance of the Lord Mayor.
Mr. O'CONNELL said he had omitted one day from illness,
bat had any of these parties expressed their desire fer his at-
tendance, he would have left London for that purfose.
HARDY presented a petition from 4,500 inhabitants of
Bradford, complaining ~f the excessive labour to which the
operatives were subjected, with inadequate wages, at some parts
of the year, and of total want of employment at others ; and
praying that the House would agree to a Bill fur regulating the
hours of labour.

S
Mr. VILLIERS pr CORN LAW
resented several petitions from operatives
in Staffordshire and Cheshire, praying for the removal of all
restrictions upon the importation of food.
Mr. FITZSTEPHEN FRENCH presented several peti •
tions from millers in the county of Tipperary, and other parts
of Ireland, against the importation of foreign flour.
SOUTHAMPTON ELECTION.
Mr. H. BARING moved that a new writ be issued for the
Borough of Southampton, the late election from that bo-
rough having been declared void by a Committee of the House.
Mr. WARD said that after the report which the House had
jest heard at the bar--( Hear, hear)—which made grave alle-
gations not merely against the former Members, but against
a large portion of the constituency, insomuch that
an extensive system of treating and bribery was said
to be locally organised ; he thought that no step ought to
be taken until the House had the evidence before it.—( Hear,
hear.) The Chairman had moved that the evidence be re-
ported, and until it was reported they ought not to proceed
further in respect to this election, especially when it was recol-
lected that the Committee had three several times to apply to
the House during the inquiry. If there were any doubt
as to the propriety of waiting for the evidence, he would move
that the report be read by the Clerk at the table, and he would
subsequently move that the motion for a new writ be adjourned.
After a few words from Mr. Baring and Mr. H. Hinde, who
!econdrd Mr. Ward's motion, the report was read by the Clerk.
Mr. STANLEY said that the Hon. Gentleman who made
the motion, having alluded to what passed a the Committee,
he begged to say that he made a motion before the Corn-
mittoee that the writ be suspen,led till the evidence was laid
before the Heuse, but he was not supported.
Sir C. W. WYNN was rising to address the House, when
Mr. BERNAL moved that the Hon. Baronet be allowed to
address the House from his seat.--( Hear, he;r.)
Sir C. W. WYNN said, that as long as he was able to ad-
dress the House on his legs, he thought it was better that he
should conform to the usual course. With regard to the
motion before the House, he thought it better that it should
be adjourned.—( Hear.) He hoped the Hon. Member would
have no objection to adjourn the debate on the issuing of a new
writ till Monday next.
Mr. WARD said that he had no objection. He should
therefore move that it be adjourned till Monday next.
Mr. BARING said the most convenient course for him to
adopt would be to withdraw his motion altogether.
Mr. H. HINDE only wished the House should not act in igno-
rance of the circumstances. The evidence before the Committee
showed that a large sum of money was spent by local associations
before the testing of the writ; and the difficulty was, that if the
issuing of the writ was suspended, an opportunity would be
afforded of practising that very system of treating which it was
their Object to put an end to.
The motion was then withdrawn.
NEW WINDSOR ELECTION PETITION.
The SPEAKER informed the House that he had received
notice, on the part of the petitioners against the return for the
borough of New Windsor, that it was not their intention to
prosecute the petition.
Lord F. EGERTON presented a petition (we did not hear
from what place) praying for an alteration in the Turnpike Act.
Mr. GORDON presented a petition praying for an altera-
tion in the Poor-laws.

Mr. TURNER presented a petition from Cornwall (as we
understood) complaining of the proposed alteration in the duties
on foreign copper ere.
Mr. A GLIONBY presented a petition from Cockermouth,
against the practice of administering oaths.
Mr. V. SMITH brought up the Report of the National
Breakwater Committee.
hlr. T. DUNCOMBE presented petitions from Bromley and
Sbeffield in favour of a repeal of the Poor-law Amendment Bill.
Lord WORSLEY presented a petition from a place in
Gloucestershire against the Income-tax.
Mr. O'CONNELL gave notice that he should take an early
opportunity of calling the attention of the House to the state of
the administration of justice in Ireland.
ELECTION PETITIONS.
Mr. ROEBUCK then rose, and said, seeing both the Hon.
Members for Reading in their places, I rise for the purpose
of putting the question of which I have given notice; but
before I do so, Sir, perhaps the House will allow me
to say that in taking this extraordinary course—extracrdinary
I know it to be—l am, I think, justified in so doing, by some
very extraordinary circumstances. It has been stated very
generally, that with respect to the election for the town
of Rending, that on the merits of the petition
being tried by the Committee appointed for that purpose, there
was a compromise agreed to, and it is stated that to that com-
promise both the lion. Members now sitting were parties.
Thinking that they would be most anxious to be relieved from
the imputation connected with such a transaction, and
desirous of maintaining the purity of this House, I
thought it my duty, as it had come to my knowledge,
to put distinctly to each Member the question which I have
put
upon the notice paper of the House. I 'have heard, and have
reason to believe, that the Election Committee appointed to
try the question of the Reading Election had their business
enth ely put an °L it to by a compromise made on the part of one
or both of the Hen. Alembers, now the sitting Members for
Reading, 4nd that a bond has been entered into by some parties,
with their knowledge, if not in their name, the one or either of
them, though declared by the Committee to be the sitting
Member for Heading, should resign his seat by the accept.
ante of the Stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds,
thereby defeating entirely the determination of the Com-
mittee, and as it certainly appears to me, thereby violating
the privileges of this House. Therefore, Sir, with perfect re-
spect for both these Hon. Members, I now proceed to put the
question to Lord Chelsea, whether he is cognisant of or party
to any arrangement by which it has been agreed that one or
other of those Hon. Members is to accept the Stewardship of
the Chiltern Hundreds, in order to vacate the seat
notwithstanding that he has been declared duly elocted, by the
Select Committee appointed to try the merits of the petition
presented to this House against his return.
Lord CHBLSEA said, as the Hon. and Learned Gentleman
has done me the honour to put my name first on the list of
those included in the notice which he has given for this evening.
I am perfectly prepared to state to him how far I feel it con-
sistent with the duty which I owe to myself to gratify his
searching spirit of investigation, holding as I do a very strong
t opinionru. thisded He
Members may justly consider that matters
of are strictly private, and ought not to be in-
most peremprily to
and most unequivocally to give any answer
whatever to the Rouse. I think myself bound to decline
question which the Honourable and Learned
Member has put to me_
( Cheers from the Ministerial benches.)
At the same time
I trust the Hon. and Learned Member will
allow me to regret that he should have so far departed from
the deep and sound discretion which characterizes his proceed..
ings in this House as to indulge in a practice which, were the
circumstances reversed, if I were the catechiser and he the
catechumen,
he Would see great reason to withstand and
condemn.
Mr. ROEBUCK felt
I proceed in the same respectfulperfectly manner to put the same ques-
t Gentleman, ion to the Hon. Gen•lean the colleague of the Noble Lord.
Mr. C. RUSSELL: satisfied with that answer.
denied that the Hon. Member for Bath
had any right to
ask him what his intentions and purposes were
respecting his retaining his seat in Parliament. He ( Mr. R.) held
that sent by a right as
e his—by the returns of a very large
perfect as that by which the Hon. and
Learned Gentleman h
majority of a very
e pld
numerous constituency. That right had
been affirmed by the decision of the only tribunal which by law
was competent to eor„idar it.—(Hear) If any doubt existed
as to the mode in which the petition against his return
was withdrawn. ft was for the Committee which formed that
tribunal, and not for the Hon. and Learned Member for Bath,
to complain, consider, and adjudicate upon that measure.—
( Hear, Bear.) If
Hon. Members of that House were to be
thus catechised respecting their seats what Honourable
Member would he free from being harassed during
the whole duration of a Parliament.—( Hear, bear.) If that
H use will sanction such questions being put to Hon. Mem-
bers, they would make a stride, and a long stride, towards the
resumption of the worst and most improper jurisdiction, which,
after long experience, had been deliberately and wisely re-
nounced, and which, if revived, the seats of Honourable
Members would again become the sport of party contention,
personal envy, and inquisitiveness. In conformity with the prin-
ciple which had been adopted by that House he (Mr. R.)
declined answering the question put him by the Hon. and
Learned Member for Bath—(Ministerial cheers)—and he
protested against that House drawing any inference whatever
from his refuse' to answer the question which had been
now put to him, and which the Honourable and Learned
Member had in right, either personal or Parliamentary,
to pl 4 to him OIL R.). The Hon. and Leartied Member for

Bath might draw whatever inference he pleased in silence, and
his inference might be about as pertinent as his question.
Mr. ROEBUCK—I oeeed in the examination I 'nave pro-
posed, believing, that if 1 hear aught that would be detrimental
to any Member of this House, I will do that which is most
advantageous to the House itself. I shall now proceed to put a
question to the Hn. and Gallant Member for Penryn. —( Cheers.)
1, therefore, ask him if he was a party to, or cognizant of,
any agreement by which he, in the month of July next, or
anywhre about that time, is to accept the Chiltern Hundreds,
although he hail been declared elected by the Committee ap-
pointed to try the validity of his election, it being notorious that
acts of bribery were proved at that election, and I wish to
know if he is cognisant of any such Acts.—( Hear, hear.)
Captain PLUMRIDGE—I do not think I have any fault to
find with the Hon. Member for the question he proposes.
(Laughter 'and cheers.) I shall answer the question truly,
without fearing that I shall compromise myself; and I say
that I was not cognisant of the arrangement until after it was
made.—(Loud cheers from the Opposition benches, and
laughter from the Ministerial side of the House. I assure you
that the a. rsngement did not please me then, nor does it now—
(Laughter)—hut I always thought that when a person put his
case into the hands of his lawyer, it was to be entirely left with
him to settle it as he thought fit : and in this case I think the
act was premature. I hope I have now answered the question,
and I could not do so more fairly.—(Lond (Awe's.)
Mr. ROEBUCK : I beg leave to return thanks to the
Hon. and Gallant Member for the extreme candour arid fair-
ness with which he has answered the quostion I put to him.--
(Loud cheers.) I could expect nothing from the Hon. and
Gallant Member but a fair and honourable answer.—(Cheers.)
In the same spirit of inquiry which I have shown, 1 now beg to
ask a question of the Right Honourable Baronet,
the Member for Nottingham.—(Laughter.) I wish to
ask whether he has been a party to or cognizant of,
or whether, being cognizant of it, he has taken any advantage
of an agreement of the following description : that a sum of
money has been paid down to avoid the investigation of the
Committee respecting the bribery alleged to have taken place
at Nottingham—that a fresh sum has been paid down as a
pledge, by which it should be permitted to an Hon. Gentle.
man to walk over the course, as it is called, whether he has
any knowledge of it, or whether any such terms, or any ap-
proximating to them, had been come to?
Sir J. C. HOBHOUSE—I can make the samo answer as
has already been given, that I do not admit the right of the
Hon. and Learned Member to put the question ; therefore I
shall not answer it. I shall say no more, Sir, because Ido not
consider that more is called for.—( Cheers. )
Mr. ROEBUCK—I agree with the Right Hon. Gentle-
man that nothing more is called for.—(Order, order.) After
I had left this Rouse last night, I understand that a motion--
(Loud cc es of " Order.") lam speaking of the Hon. Gen-
tleman the late Member for Nottingham, Sir G. H. de Lar=
pent, I think.—(Loud cries of " Order.") I was but about
to explain to the House why I was going to ask the question.
—(Order, order. ) At half-past twelve or one o'clock on the
day before, it was signsfied that that Honourable Gentleman
had accepted the stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds, and
therefore I cannot put the question to him.—(Laughter )
Now, sir, I am going to ask a question of an Hon. Friend of
mine, the Member for Lewes. lam about to ask him if he is
cognizant of a party to an agreement, or arrangement, by
with which the question of bribery at the election of Lewes is to be
drawn from the consideration of the Committee, so as to admit
a Member into this House, who was not returned by the re-
turning officer, but eho would come into this House by agree •
meet between the Hon. Gentleman and that party. This is
the only question I shall put to the Hon. Member.
Mr. ELPHINSTONE—In answer to the question, I have
to state that a compromise did take place upon that Commit' ee
by my Hon. Colleague on the other side. I must further state
directly or indirectly have 1 consemplated accepting the Chil-
tern huudreds.—( Cheers. )
Mr. ROEBUCK—I return my best thanke to the Hon.
Gentlemen. I have now to ask the Hon. Member for
Har-
wich, or rather the two Hon. Members, whether they are party
to, or cognizant of any agreement, by which either of these
Hon. Members is to retire from the seat which he now holds.
by accepting the Chiltern Hundreds, for the purpose of letting
another person into the House, and by those means avoiding
the consideration of bribery before the Committee.
Major IsERESFORD—I do in one singular particular fully
agree with the Hon. Member, viz. that the present conduct is
most extraordinary. Neither my Hon. Colleague nor myself
can conceive what right the Honourable and Learned
Gentleman has to ask me this question here in my face,
relative to any private errangements of my own, and
therefore, I oecidedly decline to answer the qnestion,
which the I-lon. and Learned Gentleman has asked me. How-
ever, if the Hon. and Learned Gentleman has any prima facia
case with regard to the Harwich election petition—if he has
any grounds to go upon, let him bring it before a competent
tribunal, let him bring it before this House, and then
I will be ready to explain to the House, and thereby
clear my character frem the slurs these sort of questions throw
upon it, and I trust I shall prove myself free from all blame.
Belene that tribunal 1 will willingly state all I know, and I
perhaps may then gratify the active curiosity of the Hon. and
Learned Gentlemen, but I will not give an answer to the
Learned inquisitor himself, but to the House.—( Cheers.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved the
Order of the Day for the House resolving itself into a Cone-
mittee on the Income-tax Bill.
Mr. ROEBUCK considered that he was entitled on the
motion of the Right Hon. Gentleman to put it to the House
whether or not he was entitled to bring forward the question of
privilege of which he had given notice last night. He thought
after having given a notice of the kind, he had done
he was bound to press on the House the question whether,
on the subject of breach of privilege, he had not a right
to be heard. He had heard certain statements respecting
various iliembers of that House in connection .with Election
petitions. Those statements having clime to his ear, and being
anxious at all times to preserve the character of the Hoose,
he had thought it his duty to bring the subject under its consi-
deration ; and, as a mere matter of privilege, he claimed
the right of being heard. Having stated that the state-
ment affected , certain Members in tho House, he do .
mended from it the consideration of the question, and
from the Chair its decision, whether or not, if he stated in
his place, that he had heard imputations against certain Mem-
bers whom lie had questioned, he was not justified in bringing
it before the consideration of the House.
The SPEAKER said if the Hon. Member had any accusa-
tion to make against any Members of the House by which they
had incurred a breach of the privileges of the House, he must
first move that those Members attend in their places ; and then if
he proved that they had been guilty of such conduct as was a
breach of privilege, it would be competent for him to move
for a Committee to inquire whether certain actions were or
were not a gross breach of the privileges of the House ? If
he dist not adopt that course, he was not making such a motion
as would entitle him to precedence on the ground of a breach
of privilege.
Mr. ROEBUCK was ready to state the accusations, and
having done so he believed they would be proved to be a gross
breach of the privileges of the House, and under these circum-
stances he though he should be justified in moving for a Com-
mittee of Inquiry on the subject.
Mr. H. ELPHIN STONE said that if his Hon. and Learned
Friend had any imputation to throw upon him, he hoped he
would bring the charge immediately, and give him at once the
opportunity of a reply.
Mr. ROEBUCK said that he would do what he could to
put the House in possession of the facts of the case, as
they had reached him. He was then prepared to state
certain imputations made against certain Members. All those
Members, or almost all of them, he believed were then in the
House; and as they were there he was prepared to make
in their presence the statement which he wished to lay before
the House. He had said before, that the substances he was about
to state were, he believed, a branch of the privileges of the
House, as he was sure they were a branch of the
common laws of these realms. Under these circumstances he
believed he would be in order in moving for a Committee of
Privileges to inquire into the facts.
The SPEAKER said that under the circumstances stated
by the Hon. and Learned Gentleman, he should consider he
would be in order in moving for the proposed inquiry
The House was, however, in this poAtion,—a motion had been
made that the Order of the Day for the Committee on the Pro-
perty Tax Bill should be read, and the Han. and Learned
Gentleman could not make his motion unless the previous mo-
tion were withdrawn. _

Mr. ROEBUCK said that he had no desire to stop the
course of the Government ; but if the Right Hon. Baronet
thought it would be advantageous for the business
of the House that a question affecting its privileges
should be immediately brought under its consideration, he
(Mr. R.) was prepared to proceed.
Sir ROBERT PEEL said that he was quite ready to
bow to the decision of the Chair when given against him ;
on 'the other hand, he thought it most desirable that any
Member who brought forward a motion on the ground of a
breach of privilege ought to have that precedence to which he
was entitled. But, on the other hand, he thought it would
establish a very inconvenient precedent, if an Hon. Gentleman
bringing forward a motion should bring it forward contrary to
the rules of the House. For his part he was ready to abide by that
decision of the House. He need not say how anxious be was
upon public grounds that they should proceed with the mea-
sures introduced by the ,Government, but at the same time
although his Right Hon. Gentleman had moved the Order
of the Day for Committee on the property-tax, he (Sir R.
Peel) should insist upon that circumstance of the Hon. and
Learned Gentleman was entitled to bring forward a question
of privilege.—( Hear, hear.) If the Honourable and Learned
Gentleman were to bring forward the motion on Monday,
He (Sir R. Peel) should give nothing, but at tile same time
he should, say he thought that in the case of a motion of so
universal a eharacter, he would'not say more, it would be for the
public advantage that there should be some delay before its discus-
sion. He was not aware what might be the facts which the
Honourable and Learned [Gentleman might reveal, but he
could not think it would be desirable that the House
should at once entertain the question. The matter was one
of indifference to the Government as regarded the time
at which it might be brought forward, but he could
not help thinking that it would be more satis-
factory to the House, and more consistent with justice to
indiviuuals, that the Honourable and Learned Gentleman
should give his notice for Monday • next, and allow
the House the interval for considering' the motion.
But if the Hon. and Learned Gentleman insisted 'on the right,
which the Speaker declared he 'possessed, of bringing forward
this question, bo, for one, should not insist on the accidental
circumstance of the Right Hon. Gentleman, the Chancellor of-
the Exehequer, baying named the . Order of the Day as an
impediment.
Mr., ROEBUCK said, he was quite in the hands of the
House as,to whether he should go on now, or defer it till Mon-
day.—(Loud cries of " Go on, go on.")
The Hon. Captain FITZROY asked the Hon. and Learned
Member for Bath whether he included him in the list?
Mr. ROEBUCK replied in the rffirmative.
Capt. FITZROY said in a matter of such importance he
trusted the Right Hon. Baronet would allow them time.
_ Mr. BERESFORD stated that his colleague, who was
unwell, had gone out of town ten days before the Hon. and
Learned Member had given notice of his intention.—(Go on. )
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in accord..
ance with the general feeling of the House, withdrew his motion
for reading the order of the day, for going into Committee on
the Income-tax.

BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.
Mr. ROEBUCK then said, the Right Honourable Baronet
at the head of her Majesty's Government had termed the
course he had pursued on the present occasion a very extra-
ordinary one; he quite agreed with the Right don. Gentleman
that it was an extraordinary course, but he thought before he
sat down he 'should have convinced the House that the cir-
cumstances under which he acted were also extraordi-
nary, and that extraordinary evils required extraordinary
remedies. He had deviated from the oromary course of mak-
ing motions before the House, but it was in conse •
quence of their being grave suspicion attaching to
the two Members sitting ter tha town of Nottingham.
He should be able to show the House that there
was grave reason for suspicion against the two Mem-
bers for Nottingham..—( Cries of " One ! One !") Yes !
One had resigned. He shculd be able to show
the House that there was
_grave reason for suspicion against
the two Members for Harwich, or at least against one
of them ; he should also show that there were grave
suspicions resting on certain transactions connected
with the representation of Penryn and Falmouth—that there
was the same grave suspicion resting on the two Members for
Reading, and also on the two Members for Lewes. Now what
reasons were there for entertaining these suspicions ?
This was a matter in which of all others it . behoved the
Howe to be watchful. It was no less 811 accusation
egg this,

that certain Members of that House had obtained their
seats through intimidation and bribery. He charged
the Bight Hon. Member for Nottingham with bribery. lie
charged the Gentleman who had recently resigned his
seat for Nottingham with bribery. He charged the
Honourable Member for Harwich with bribery. He charged
one of the Members for Penryn and Falmouth with
bribery. He charged the lion. Members for Reading
with bribery. He charged the Member for Lewes with bribery.
How, it might be asked, had these facts been with-
drawn from the cognizance of the tribunals by law
established ? This it was that had led to the extraordinary
proceeding which he had adopted. The law was framed in
such a manner that those who were cognisant of their own guilt,
were enabled to withdraw the consideiation of the subject from
the tribunal by law appointed. But should it therefore be said
that Parliament, which possessed large powers, which insti-
tute inquiries of a much more stringent nature, should there-
fore suffer these things to be withdrawn from its cognizance—
An Act of Parliament had been passed, appointing a tribunal
for the trial of election petitions—any one presenting an election
petition had by that Act the power of withdrawing it, and this
was the manner of proceeding which had taken place. He would
suppose a case. Suppose a general election about to take
place, and that the two seats for Nottingham were about to
be contested ; a sort of a Parliamentary Nopoleon determines
to conquer that town ; he jumps upon it, as Napoleon would say,
with both his feet—he rushes down into the town, lie bribes
every man he meets, he frightens his opponent out of the town,
and he is returned. The party who has lost, petitions; the Com-
mittee is to be struck, say on Monday—fear seizes the Membera
and they enter into a compromise with the pasty opposed to them.
They paid down money for the purpose of exeulpaiing them-
selves, and of escaping from the scrutiny of a Committee. They
further pledged themselves, the other candidates, to walk over
the course. He (Mr. ) hearing of those things,
put a question to the Right Hon. Gentleman who must be cog-
nisant of the circumstances. And now he asked the House
what would have been the conduct of each Member of that
Ilouse if he had not been cognizant of the fact. Suppose
such a question as he had asked to-night had been put to him,
what would have been his answer? should he have
sheltered himself -under the plea—" that the Hon. and Learned
Member for. Bath had no right to put such a question?'' No.
He should have been glad of such a question ; he would have
said in the face of that House, and of the country, of which he
was a representative, that the whole statement was a
foul lie and ealhmny. Had not one of those Honourable
Members already—what he (Mr. Roebuck) anticipated
at Five o'Clock yesterday—accepted the stewardship of
the Chiltern Hundr,ds for the purpose of keeping- that very
contract which he (Mr. Roebuck) had then given notice of
bringing under the consideration of the House He (Mr.
Roebuck) was met by a statement upon this subject
to which he must advert. It was said, suppose that,
under the circumstances mentioned, the Honourable
Member found it expensive to protect his seat,
what was he to do. He (Mr. R.) allowed that, but his
charge went further ; his charge went to say that he
heard, and had reason to believe, that some money had been
either promised or paid down, for the purpose of escaping the
scrutiny of an Election Committee.—( Hear, hear.) Now, that
was not simply acting as if he was unable to go
through the contest. It was sa3ing that Le was guilty of that
which the petition laid to his charge—that he was prepared to
give something to escape from an inquiry. Now he (Mr. R. )
was prepared to say, and did say, that he had heard those things
circulated through every portion of the town in which he had
been. He was prepared to say, that if they gave him
power to bring the question before them, and to
examine the agents engaged in those transactions,
he would get out all about them. Was the House prepared to
say that that gross bribery—that bribery of a whole town for
electioneering purposes was rot a gross breach of its
privileges. If they were prepared to say so, he
had no answer to make; but, if not, there he was
in his place, to say that he believed: the accusation, and
that, believing it, he was able to prove it.
[LEFT SPEAKING.]