The Sun.
London, England, 1842-06-24 00:00:00

BELFAST ELECTION COMMITTEE.

Mr. O'CONNELL moved that the Select Committee
on the Belfast election, be at liberty to appoint an agent
on each side to assist them in the inquiry into matters
referred to them. He said that the Committee could not
proceed with any justice, unless they were authorised to
nominate two agents, one fur each party. By that means,
they should have the case brought before the House,
without having the unfairness, he might almost say the
indecency, of being at once prosecutors, offenders, and
judges. He had thought it better to bring the subject
before the House, as being the reverse of a party motion;
he had done so in accordance with the unanimous feel-

ing of the Committee.
Sir H. PEEL said that it would be better for the Com-
mittee to act upon former precedents, and undertake
to ducide fur themselves as to what would be the most
advisable way of conducting the inquiry, and not leave it
to the House. With respect to the payment of the ex-
penses also, his own opinion was, that the tribunal ap-
pointed by the house was the best judge ; the expense
of agents might be very considerable, and he must re-
serve himself entirely on that point. He would not pledge
himself to the payment of the expenses.—(Hear,
hear.) It was right that the witnesses should be
remunerated for their attendance ; but the Committee
ought steadily to guard itself against delay, which might
be caused by holding out hopes of large professional
reward.

Mr. STUART WORTLEY said the object of the
Committee was to get the authority of the House to
ap-
point agents ; he was sorry to say that from precedents
they derived very little support, though there were in-
stances of Committees appointing agents who were paid
by the Treasury.
Sir R. PEEL repeated that he thought the Committee
had better conduct the inquiry in the mode they thought
would be most conducive to the ends of justice, but they
ought to take care that they held out no inducement,
from the hope of emolument, to protract the inquiry.
51r. WILSON PATTEN thought it would not be
possible to prosecute the inquiry without appointing
agents.
Mr. SHAW also spoke in favour of the appointment
of agents.
Mr. O'CONNELL was addressing some observations
to the House, when
Mr. FERRAND rose to order. There was no question
before the House.
Mr. PROTHEROE thought 'that common courtesy
ought to have restrained the lion. Member from rising to
order. He had no reason to suppose but that the Hon.
and Learned Gentleman would act with perfect fairness
towards the Committee. At the same time he could not
accept the responsibility which the Right lion. Baronet
threw on them. It was necessary that the House should
determine the course which that Committee was to take.
Mr. DARBY said he understood that the proposition
was withdrawn.
Mr. O'CONNELL said that the Committee really
was placed in a position of difficulty, but they were quite
ready to take the matter upon their own responsibility.
Mr. ROEBUCK said he hoped that every person con-
nected with the Committee would entirely refrain from
answering any attack or insinuation which was made
against them.—(Hear, hear.) He trusted that when the
Report was made to the House, it would be found that
they had done their duty.
Mr. DARBY said he meant to cast no imputation
whatever on any member of the Committee.
NATIONAL UALLERY AND NELSON'S MONU-