Star.
London, England, 1828-03-11 00:00:00

quences. The case bad been dosed ditotl it Occurred
to the Am Member for Colchester (Mr. Harvey) to
ensusitrierstr. Cfflutp_tan,. he object of the Hon. Mem-
ber (Mr: Harvey)lie 'Wald not say was to gratify
spleen, but it might have been to gratify curiosity.
Why notubting forward Mr. Osbaldiston, Mr. Marsh,
and other Candidates for East Retford, as well as Mr.
Crompton? The latter Gentleman, indiscreetly, he
would admit, but still competently, put some questions
to the witness Hannam, and it was in that the idea ori•
ginated of entwining himself.
Mr. LUMLItt thought it rather extraordinary that
though the examination of witnesses commenced on
Monday, the idea of examining Mr. Crompton did not
occur to the Member for Colchester until Friday. It
the question was pressed he should vote against it.
Mr. G. BANKES said, that in consequence of the
statement made by an Hon. Member in the course of
this discussion, he should not persevere ia his intenton
of calling Mr. Foljambe.
Mr. TENNISON aaid, a similar representation had
been made to him with respect to Mr. Foljambe, and it
was now confirmed. He owed it to Lord Fitzwilliam
to say, that his advance of 1,2001. was not directed to
any purpose of corruption. It was advanced to defray
those legitimate expenses which must be incurred at all
elections. He could see no crime in a Peet's advancing
1,2001. or any other sum for the legal 'charges c.f an
election. It was a matter of indifference to him,whether
Mr. Crompton was examined or not. He thought he
had made out a sufficient case without him. The mote
witnesses, however, that wet e examined, the more clearly
he felt confident it would appear that the grossest bribery
and corruption prevailed in the Borough of East Retford.
BANKES disclaimed any intention of casting
the least imputation on the character of Lurd Fitzwil-
liam. He distinctly stated that the 1,2001. was not
advanced by him for the purpose of bribery. Them
was some reason, however, to believe that the whole
had not been legally expended ; for part appeared to
have been used to defray the expense of treating.
Mr. Secretary PEEL, referring to his declared-opi-
nion of a former night, thought that no Committee of
the House, except a Committee armed with power to
send for persons, papers, and records, had any right to
proceed to the examination of any Honourable Mem-
ber of that House. Same doubts had been thrown out
respecting the power of that House to compel one of
*Es own Members to attend and give evidence before it.
He rather thought, however, that ancient authorities
could be adduced in support of the affirmative; but he
admitted, in some degree confined to the operation—
namely, by the addition to the order of the words, " if
he shall so think fit." In modern times, however, it
had been the practice of that House to require the at.
tendance of its Members for similar purposes, emitting
those gratifying words. For these reasons he thought it
must be presumed that the Honse had the power in
question. He believed that no instance had occurred
in which it had been found necessary for the House to
exercise its power to compel compliance with its order;
and he bad formed this belief, because he was pretty
sure that no instance could be cited in which any Hon.
Member had resisted it. There could be found no case
in which any Hon. Member had been committed to the
Tower. or otherwise, for disobeying such an order of
the House--(hear, from Mr. C. W. Wynn),--If his
Right Hon. Friend had any specific instance to adduce
in support of the contrary, he (Mr. Secretary Peel)
would, of course. give to it every possible considera-
tion; but he rather thought that no such case could be
found. With respect to the attendance of Mr. Crontp-
ton, be begged leave to say, that he should be ex-
tremely sorry that what he had said on a former night
should produce upon any Hon. Member's mind any
impression upon a case in which they were acting in a
judicial capacity, as from the circumstances, as given
in evidence alone, every Hon. Member ought to decide.
The case of Mr. Crompton he should consider precisely
as he would that of any other individual—(Hear,
hear). An Honourable Member had expressed his
fears lest it should be said elsewhere, that the House
was disposed to screen its own Members; but he (Mr.
Secretary Peel) was determined to do his duty, caring
nothing what comments might be applied to his con-
duct out of doors—nothing could induce him to depot t
from the line he should adopt, provided he %ere con-
vinced in Itia own mind that such injurious imputations
were unwarranted. If several Honourable Members
still felt dissatisfied, he increased them to combat that
feeling of their own minds, because if doubts should
be telt by those who would be afterwards called upon
to act judicially in the affair, those doubts must in
finence their decision. Ho, for one, however, could
never consent that any question should be put to Mr.
Compton for the purpose of subjecting him to a
penalty—(Cheers). An I if he could think for a mco
meat that that was the eed or object of the H, nourable
Gentleman's motion, be should appose it—(l-jear, hear).
He would, however support it, and his reason for con-
curring in that motion was, that the House might be
the better enabled to come to a conclusion on the goes-
tian. whether or not tl e Borough of East Re.ferd ought
to be disfe anchised ? Whatever the conduct of the
Honourable Member (Ms. Crompton) had been, whe•
ther criminal or is t. the House was bound to protect
him. as it would protect any other individual—(ileat,
hear). is r the satisfaction of his own mind, he (Mr.
Secretary Yeel) bad, since the former discussion of the
subject, read over the evidence respecting Mr. Cromp-
ton, and he found that on the only point to which that
Honourable Member could be examined, his evidence
was not necessary to satisfy his (Mr. Secretary Peel's) '
mind. That evidence alle,.ed that a sum of 2,8401.
bad been lodged in the bank at List lietford for the
purpose of defraying the election expenses of Mr.
Crompton. The witness Fs had proved that fact,
and Mr. Fox also said that the money so lodged had
been for the purposes of apportioning a sum of 20
guineas to each person that should vote for Mr.
Crompton. These facts being already in evidence, the
testimony of Mr.Crompton WAS not, therefore, necessary.
But, on the other hand, if it should be said that a blank
would occur in the evidence, which could only be sup.
pled by Mr. Crompton, he (Mr. Secretary Peel) must
consent to the examination of that Hon. Gentleman,
feeling that his sitting in that House ought not to be a
protection to him against such examination. If, there-
to e, several other lion. Members should declare that
the evidence of Mr. Crompton was necessary to tltir
satisfaction, lie (Mr. Peel) should vote for the motion,
although, he repeated. he felt satisfied in his own mind
that it was not necessary.
Mr IN YNN said, he felt disposed co concur in much
of what fell from the Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Se-
cretary Feel). He had not a shadow of doubt as to the
right of the fleuse to examine Mr. Crompton, and he
was equally certain as to the right of a Committee of
the whole House to put cres ions to any Meniber. if
it aneated to be the wish of many Members to cx
amine the lion. Gentleman, he should be tl:spo-ed to
cencte. That a Committee of the whole Ilouse bad a
right to ex *mine Members was proved in the case of
Col. V% mule, who was called upon to answer celtaisi

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