The Sun.
London, England, 1842-06-17 00:00:00

BELFAST ELECTION.

On the motion of Mr. O'CONNELL the following
Members were appointed a Select Committee on the
Belfast election :—Mr. O'Connell, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Beckett
Denison, Mr. Cripps, Mr. East, Mr. Liddell, Mr. Ellice,
jun., Mr. Protheroe, and Sir Benjamin Hall ; with power
to send for persons, papers, and records.
Mr. O'CONNELL then moved that the Committee
have the power to inquire into alleged bribery and
treating at the said election.
Sir J. GRAHAM inquired (as we understood) what
the motion of the Right Hon. and Learned Gentleman was?
Mr. O'CONNELL said he had given notice that
he should move that the Committee should have the
power of inquiry into alleged bribery and treating, but
instead of that it was taken on the notice paper, that
they should have power to send for persons, papers, and
records. If, under those circumstances, the motion
should remain as it was, he would not offer any objection.
Mr. HATTON hoped that the same precautions
should be taken to secure attendance of the members of
the Committee as had been in the case of the Commit-
tee appointed on the motion of the Hon. and Learned
Member for Bath.

Mr. O'CONNELL had understood from gentlemen
connected with the Government that five out of the
nine would attend. He (Mr. O'Connell) had ascertained
that three out of the remaining four would attend, and
he had every reason to believe that there would be a full
attendance of the Members. • _ _ _

Sir R. INGLIS would not trouble the House by-
pressing the matter to a division, but his opinions were
the same on this matter as he had expressed on
former occasions. When the Right Honourable Ba-
ronet, at the head of her Majesty's Government, con-
curred in the measure, it would be but giving the
House unnecessary trouble to divide ; but he wished
merely to record his opinion.
Mr. DARBY thought that the customary and proper
notice should be given in this matter.
Mr. O'CONNELL said that the fact was, that he had
given the notice he had mentioned, but that it was taken
down inaccurately. As the period of inquiry must be
much later than he could wish, it was desirable to have
as much evedition as possible. He should then hope
that the motion, as now proposed, would be agreed to.
Sir R. PEEL said his Hon. Friend had again referred
to him, and he, therefore, had again to repeat that all
he asked was to be allowed to exercise his own indi-
vidual judgment.—(Cheers.) He did not in any way
wish to influence any one. He had not asked any man
to vote for him, but he claimed the right of deciding
what course he should take.—(Cheers.) Consider-
ing the appearances of compromise, and consider-
ing that considerable bribery prevailed, he then
stated his deliberate opinion that he did not
think it would be to the character or credit of the
House of Commons to put this question on one side
solely on account of technical objections.—(Load cheers.)
He wished to maintain the House of Commons as he
found it ; he wished to prevent the recurrence of these
compromises, which were constitutional chinges ; and if
the House of Commons were to refuse an inquiry in
cases of this nature he was perfectly persuaded that they
would find more difficulty to refuse further consti-
tutional changes. When one person said, if you will
protect my friend I will protect yours ; he did
not think this would be upholding the character of the
House of Commons. He gave public notice that he never
would act on that principle. If the parties were guilty
of corrupt compromises, for the purpose of concealing
inquiry into practices of bribery, he would not use the
influence of party to prevent that inquiry.—(Cheers.) He
did not say that any party then had committed bribery ;
but he would say for one, that he never would
use the influence of party for the purpose of
preventing inquiry into prima
,facie cases of bribery.—
(Loud cheering.) He thought that such a course would
have 'a great tendency to diminish the character of the
House of Commons.—(Cheers.) Those who were
guilty of bribery, if there were any, must take the con-
sequences, for he gave them public notice that he would
not exercise his influence for the purpose of preventing
inquiry.—(Great cheering.)
Sir R. INGLIS said his Right Hon. Friend had quite
misapprehended his meaning. He did not accuse his
Right Hon. Friend of using the influence of his office for
this or that purpose. He had stated simply the fact,
that in a case in which his Right Honourable Friend
and the Noble Lord at the head of the Opposition
concurred, it was in vain to expect to divide success-
fully against them; and that for that reason, though he
retained the opinion which he had expressed in con-
junction with those who voted with him, in the case of
Belfast and Nottingham, it would be painful to be
found again in fruitless opposition.
Mr. O'CONNELL then moved for leave to bring in a
Bill to indemnify witnesses who may give evidence before
the Committee to be appointed by this House, to inquire
whether a corrupt compromise has been entered into for
the purpose of avoiding investigation into gross and ex-
tensive bribery, and gross and corrupt personation of
voters, and consequent perjury, alleged to have been
practised et the late election for Belfast.
Sir R. PEEL said he had stated yesterday that he
thought the House of Commons ought to rely, in the
first instance, upon its own constitutional powers. If
they found those powers insufficient, it would be time to
make alterations. He hoped the Right Hon. Gentleman
would not at present ask for additional powers.
Mr. O'CONNELL said he had been apprehen-
sive, from what had formerly passed, that the
great powers were insufficient ; but after what had fallen
from the Right Hon. Baronet, he would withdraw his
motion.