The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-06-24
bribery, Corruption and Intim'd"-
ton.

We hear much Of the bribery and corruption
that prevail in the political elections IN tue o"'''
States. but had they arc democratic ins'i''
,ions and universal suffrage have AZ YET gwen
bir,h IN no such denominations as dtsgraee the I'M
IA .x.rc;.a ~ franchise in Great Britain. The
rnrsor Weekly Times, of May 80. in leading ar
ticle In favor of the adoption of the ba''o'' s"se
that IL Is absolutely necessary to the pr"'ec'o" W
moor and dependent voters, AMI that 'he'e IS
ahuadaa, proof OF the prevalence OF iht'n'''"''o"
and corruption at elections The limos "e0i"'eS
that in the counties, the voters, Almost "i'uou'
exenntiou, obey the orders OF the iand'oE"s ""e"
they exercise the franchise; and IL Is p"''i ''"'
that IL an estate changes hands, and the ne" pr
pretor holds political opinions opposite ~ '"'T
the old proprietor, the tenants change the' 49,
accordingly. Ia county contests u - 'es"' "N'
an objectionable breach Of etiquette I" canvass
the voters without the permission OF tue ''u''''
The tenant farmers follow their frudal chief to the
poll Just their foreiathers did MS A"I''
the field This is not all. how yer, nor the worst
feature of a Parliamentary election Inc r'gn' Fl"
vote becomes often an intolerabie nuisance ~
tiercely do rival proprietors and conh'ct'us p"'
ties employ every possible means to obtain pre-
ponderating influence aod lerce the electors 10
their hide Party despotism and persecution so d
bovshot beyond their malignity aud oiSotrS ia
This canntry Tor it is rare indeed in the Uhi'e"
S,,tes that we hear of attempts TO break do"n
mans private business because he cannot surTeh
der his own honest views OF puellc Sua's' ie'
the Times informs us that ut every eiectioh IN
England 1.-The screw" is put on remorseiesss
MERCHANTS are threatened &th loss OF custom. ana
" orsuien with dismissal il they VIII not vote rs
they are directed. Bribery, treating, noo every
,nru of corruption are set to work TO secure 'he
vats and il they are unsuccessful lheh 'oi'o"'
the inevitable Punishment. The election over
saws the Times ''tLs lists Of the poll arc commonly
,,,i,rd and circulated Grisr that or1Socrdf'c
customers may barn tcom n seek and ioton' % arena
in The eours, of their deaiiHg' We really 40 not
see how after such exhibit, the English Jour
nails car tauut the electors of France with voting
under compnsiop, even critieise the OCCASIONAL
rowdyism which blocks mp the polls IN some 81
cur large cities aud prevents quiet citizens 'roui
registering their votes. These are exceptions,
sud the &c tors in them the outcasts OF tue COM
muuity, whereas. in Great Britain, bribery and
Intimidation are the ordinary engines with whlch
the ari.tocracy control the exercise Of the fran
chise so tina, there is no more chance tor Epg'ish
men II vote according to their convictions than
there Is in France or Russia.
The Times is ofopiniou that the introduction of yo
tim l.y ballo, would put end to the present mock
cry offree institutions and establish system which
will give fair play to legitimate persuason and tue
propagation of opinion by argument. A motion
for the ballot WAS made in the House of Commons
by Mr. Berkeley year ago, but it was defeated
because Lord Palmerston was pledged to bring IN
a comprehensive Reform Bill for the present SEES
sion OF course, Lord Palmerston was feeding the
Liberals as usual with chaf aud be has gone ont OF
office without any attempt TO redeem bis promise
Mr. Berkcley's motion has been lately renewed,
and the Liberal majority in the House, which has
affirmed the proprieiy of extending the county
franchise. aud of aholishing the property quaiIh-
cations of members of Parliament, is large enough
TO carry the Ballot also, if members remain true
10 their PRINCIPLES.