The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-02-16 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-THURSDAY.

Captain Dundas took his seat for Devizes, in the room of
Admiral Sir Philip. Durham.
Some petitions were then presented, and some other business
was disposed of.
CARLOW ELECTIOII-CONDUCT OF. MR. O'CONNELL.

Mr. HARDY said he had a petition to present, upon a subject
which involved a breach of the privileges of the house, and
therefore, he believed, he was entitled to precedence of hon.
members who had notices upon the papers. The petition to
which he alluded contained a serious imputation upon the cha-
raker of a member of that house—namely, that he had been
engaged in trafficking for a seat in the house. If the facts re-
ferred to in the petition respecting an election for the county of
Carlow were true, which, however, he did not now state to be
the case, there never was a subject more deserving of the most
serious attention of the house. He purposed to bring forward
the petition immediately, thinking it was most consistent with
the dignity of the house to take it into consideration before any
other business was proceeded with.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL having no wisb to interpose between
the hon. member for Bradford and the house, postponed the
motions he intended making that night.
Mr. Hums thought that the petition ought to be presented
without any speech or statement respecting its merits; that it
should be printed, and an early day fixed for dealing with it.
Mr. WYNN said that the practise of the house, when a breach
of privilege was complained was to hear of it forthwith. After the
hon.member had presented the petition, the house might ad-
journ its consideration, or refer it to a committee of privileges
or to a select committee.
BauEN said he rose to present a petition from some
of t/se freeholders of the county of Carlow complaining of tran-
sactions in which a member of the house was concerned. In
eider to put the house in possession of the facts of the case he
would state the substance of the petition. The petitioners
stated that from various statements in letters lately published it
appeared that an agreement or traffic for a seat in the House
of Commons had been entered into between Daniel O'Connell,
Esq., and Alexander Raphael. by which the former engaged to
procure the return of the latter as a member of the house in
consideration of two sums of £l,OOO each; that the said traffic
or agreement was represented as a " safe speculation," and was
carried into effect by both parties accordingly; that one sum of
£l,OOO was paid on account, upon which a printed address,
signed by Daniel O'Connell, Esq., was extensively circulated in
the county of Carlow, recommending the freeholders to elect
Alexander Raphael, Esq., who was then a total stranger to
them; that after the return of the said Alex. Raphael, Esq., the
second stun of £l,OOO was paid to John O'Connell, Esq., on ac-
count and by desire of his father, Daniel O'Connell, Esq.; that
a petition was presented to the House of Commons against the
return of Alexander Raphael and N. Vigors, Esqrs.; and that
the ballot for a committee upon that petition took place upon
the same afternoon, on which the second sum of £l,OOO was
paid to the said John O'Connell, Esq., for the use of his father,
Daniel O'Connell, Esq. ; that after having so received the
money, the said John O'Connell, Esq., did attend the ballot for
the committee, was balloted as a member of the committee,
suffered his name to remain on the list, as finally reduced, and
was sworn at the table of the house " well and truly" to try the
merits of the petition against the return of Alexander Raphael
and N. Vigors, Esqrs., and to come to a -fair decision according
to the evidence. The petitioners submitted to the house that
these transactions were a plain violation of their rights as elec-
tors of the county of Carlow, no less than of the privileges of the
House of Commons, and they therefore humbly prayed that
the house would be pleased to enquire into the circumstances,
and if they found the allegations proved, to take such steps as to
them should seem meet. The hon. and gallant member then
proceeded to observe, that, having performed his duty to his
constituents by stating the contents of their petition to the
house, he would abstain from making a single remark, because
he well knew that the extreme sensitiveness of the house with
respect to corrupt practices, would make them shrink with
horror from the bare idea of such mosistrona proceeding" as the,
petition referred to. (Cheers, and some cries of "Oh !" from
the ministerial benches.) Hon. inerobeis: +rare naturally in-
clined as well as deeply pledged to the hquse and the country to
eradicate all such abuses connected with the representation,
and therefore he confidently placed the matter in their hands.
(Hear, hear.)
The petition was brought up, read at length by the clerk, and
ordered to lie on the table.
Mr. O'CONNELL had no objection to inquiry. As far as he
was concerned he did not complain—he scorned complaint—
but he appealed to every man of good feeling in the house—to
every father—whether it was right to introduce the name of Mr.
John O'Connell (cries of " Yes, yes!") without giving him
notice? (" Oh, oh!" and "Hear.") How could the hon.
member, as a father, think of bringing forward any allegation
against the integrity and honour of John O'Connell without
giving notice of the charge? It was all otiing to the infernal
spirit of party. Was he to be harrassed by imputations against
—he blessed God for it—as pure a creature as ever breathed,
the hon. member for Yougbal. (" O'h, oh!") The charge
came from one who had depopulated villages ; the screams of
the widows of the victims of his tyranny were still ringing in
his ears; he would not for the world have such a nature as the
hon. member who bad made an attack upon John O'Connell.
(Hear.)—Mr. O'Connell's voice was drowned by the loud and
indignant cries of " Chair, chair!"
The SPEAKER interposed by telling Mr. O'Connell that he
hoped he would see the necessity of moderating his expressions.
Mr. O'CONNELL then defended his pure son John from the
charge of sitting on the Carlow committee, in which he had dis-
charged-his duty conscientiously. That he had been balloted
on that committee was no act of his, as he only attended the
house at the time in the execution of his duty. John O'Con-
nell's name had been introduced into the petition not to give it
(the name) weight, but as the lead to sink it. It was not suffi-
cient to halloa on newspapers and public meetings (though in
this his stock in trade was equal to nine-tenths of tha; possessed
on the other side) to attack him; they must attack and distort
the conduct of John O'Connell. But, God be blessed ! mother
never had a more respectful son. (" Oh ! oh !") The dagger
had been aimed at his heart, but it fell blunted on the shield of
the honour and integrity of his loved, pure, and, except by false-
hood, unimpeached son, John O'Connell. (Cheers from the
ministerial benches.)
Colonel BRUEN said that the
just
.as true as the generality of
accusations which proceeded from that quarter—(great cheer-
ing)—and would no doubt be received with the same degree of
credit usually given to any assertions made by the hon. and
learned member. (Loud continued cheering.) It was noto-
rious that three-fourths of those who voted at the Carlow elec-
tion for the gentleman whose return was petitioned against,
voted against their inclinations, and under fear of the loss of
their lives. (Cheers.)
Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL anxiously courted a committee, and
defied any one to prove misconduct against him. He did not
know whiit infernal machine was in store for him, he would see
what was to be brought forward and act accordingly.
Mr. HARDY then said that he had a petition to
.present from
the inhabitants and Mends of purity of election at Bath. After
some observations Mr. H. proceeded to read the prayer of the
petition :—" Your petitioners, anxious that the principles of re-
form should be fully and fairly carried into effect"—(laughter
from the ministerial benches.) This seemed to be a subject
which excited -the merriment of hon. gentlemen apposite.
(Cheers from the oppositiou.) lie believed, however, that the
petition came from the coinmittee and supporters of the hon.
member for Bath. (Cheers and laughter.) " Your petitioners,
anxious that the principles of reform should be fully and fairly
carried into effect in all cases, and with respect to ail individuals,
alike pray your honourable house to iuquire strictly into the
Whole transactions, including, th4,.,4oatanta...ot.site-sesci unpub-
lished letter, and to take such measures as your honourable
louse in its wisdom may think fit for protecting the rights of
parliamentary- electors,,and bringing bonae punishment to all
persons:of whatever political party who may be guilty of vio-
' theta." .(Chears) he Wheel, guilty, °fatly-want of
courtesy in not presenting a coipsYhte g
and learned member, he was, ' be'
blefortetisatiian to the hon.
said, sorry for it;
but, at the same time, his regret wow considerably diminished
by reflecting that there was no person more able to grapple with
the subitance of the charge, and defend himself from it, than
that hon. and learned member.
The petition was then read at length by the clerk.
The subject having undeone further discussion, Mr. Hardy
proposed that the petitions should be taken into consideration
on Monday (yesterday.)
Mr. O'CollivELL again rose to propose Tuesday, because he
thought that, as far as he was concerned, theincluiry would be
a mock, solemnity. (Oh, oh!) Lord Stanley might differ with
him in opinion, but he (Mr. O'Connell) had no hesitation in
Itaying that be considered the charge ridiculous.
.He knew that
he should not be acquitted by Lord Stanley; he snew the deli-
cacy of the noble lord'a enmity—(cheers)—he had experienced
it already, but he would be on Tuesday ready to meet the
charge.
LORD STANLar was indifferent whether the business was
brought forlard on Monday or Tuesday. He then said, whatever
the lion. and learned member may be pleased to think of the
delicacy, as ho calls it, of my enmity towards, him, signified
here or elsewhere, I trust it will never lead me to take any step
which shall he discreditable to my own feelings as a gentleman
and a man of honour. / consider the hon. and learned mem-
ber's political career, and political position, to be one fraught
with danger to the empire. Politically I have always opposed
it, and I thank his candour when he told me, and it is a grati-
fication to me to hear his belief, that during the administration
of Earl Grey I had essentially served to thwart his political
schemes (cheers);
.hut political e•rounds of hostility shallnever
I
lead me into personal enmity. never would sit upon such a
committee as that which it is proposed to move, because I
teluid mistrust my judgment. Nominated upon the commit-
, I would decline to sit upon it. I never will make an at-
tack upon the hon. and learned gentleman, and I never have
done so, when he has been incapacitated from replying; but I
am bound to say of the hon. and learned gentleman, if he re-
fers to me because I cheered his declaration, that he was always
exempted from the charge of personal corruption, that what-
ever may be my opinion as to the justice of that charge, that
that charge does hang over his head before the country, and
that charge he must answer before this house and the country.
Whatever application the hon. and learned gentleman might
purpose to make of the mones which it is alleged he received,
the allegation is that he did receive that sum of money, and