Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-19

leg. sligo, and CzshcI were 70 disfranch'sed
IN 1879. -Four boroughs. Totnees. Rebate,
Great Yarmouth, and Lancaster were dis
frsachised by the Representation Of the Peo'
Plies Act,' 1857, for corrupt prscticss. In
The csse offs vacancy Ia constituency where
csrrgpt practices havo prevailed at the last
election. she House may disiranehiae II IN
deflraiely, either hy resolution TO that ei-
feet or BY negsttying the motion for new
WRIT
In addition 70 this quotation. the chapter
referred N gives fair synopsis OF the his
tory Of British parliamentary legislation on
the subject referred 10. The volume OF the
Royal Commission Reports, which perhaps
are not 10 DO obtained here, furnisb fuil
history Of the various Investigations beld by
virtue OF the "c0rrupt practices" act ana
the result OF each investigation.
The mode OF conducting an election con-
test In England allows any single voter to
petition against the return OF member
upon compliance with certain terms and
forms OF law; whereupon two judges,
termed "election Judges" are sent down TO
the borough to hold an inquiry. They re-
port 10 the House OF Commons, and II they
report corrupt practices BY the member.
elect or bis agents his election IL declared
VOID. II they report that such praciices
extensively prevail the House OF Commons
appoints toyal commission OF three non.
partisan barristers 10 inquire and report, ana
II their report be adverse 10 the constituency
II "a tnereupon DISTINGUISHED for the re-
malnder OF the Parliament then existing, the
regular term Of when Is seven years. And
even though the report do not show sucn
general corruption as 10 warrant the ds-
iranchisement Of the borough, still indiYid'
uals found guilty OF treating voters, bribery
10 any form, Intimidation, &c, &c, are dis
lrSnehised for period Of seven years and
their names printed and published with The
list OF voters every year until the period oil
disability has elapsed.
by the cOrrupt-prsCtices act OF 1851 when
does not change the law Of 1867 but en-
larges it, scope, persons guilty OF violating
its provisions are made liable to criminal
proceedings in sddiion to the diJranchlte-
ment, and on conviction are liable to im-
prisonment with hard labor not exceeding
two years.
Prior 10 The act of 1867 the election judges
who made the inquiry consisted OF select
committee OF the House Of Commons.
In addition 10 the boroughs above cited a.
coming within this DISTINGUISHING power Of
Parllaaent, Gloucester has been twice dis
franchised, Coventry once, and think sligo
has been several times placed under the ban,
until finally ~ representation was entirely
wiped ont by the redistribution act"
passed under Gladst0nean administration.
Doubtless with the nsmes and dates OF the
ats | have given you and the boroughs
which baye been the subject OF the "stro-
cious wrongdoiDg OF which the British
House Of Commons Is CAPABLE" You will be
able to fully inform yourselves how badly /
have treated both England and the South.
/ have not been in England since 1882,
and tie law may since have been changed,
but IL so my knowledge OF the British public
assures me that 1t has been In the interest OF
protecting the ballot rather than stillDg or
supprcsslngit.
/ NAV also STATE "a n fact that the expense
OF conducting "rOgal commission" is TO
be borne by the borough in the event the
determination is against il. and in one OF the
Gloucester cases referred to, that expense
amounted 10 six shliings in the pound on all
the property within its links, or 80 per cent.
OF its taxable value.
have tried TO keep within the bounds OF
the courtesy YOU rendered me. II you will
give me week hence another half column
| will furnish you from DemOcl attic autborl-
ty solely evidences OF the corrupt practices
for which the English rule would be the best
remedy in America; and II you will give me
another nalf column the next week 1t shall
treat OF the comparative view Of how have
treated the South and how the South has
treated me. Yours respectfully.
IDCAp Allan.