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    Untitled Article

    without the consent of the landlord ( there being but twenty peers present ) , by 18 to 7 ; and on the fourth , a matter of minor detail , relating to expenses , by 13 to

    10 . MOBE IRISH INTERRUPTIONS . The conduct and character of the Irish members was again dragged before the House on Monday . Mr . E . Ball , referring to the report of a compact made between " the Whig party , " when in opposition , and some of the Irish members , for the purpose of turning out Lord Derby , denounced the transaction as " iniquitous in its nature / ' also unconstitutional , " wicked , and revolting . " After some remarks of this stamp , Mr . Ball asked Mr . Magan , who had mentioned the matter some evenings before , to repeat his statement .

    Mr . Magan , amid laughter , evaded the question at first , because it was not put on the paper ; and secondly because , in answering it , he should name an absent person . But Lord John Kussem , spoke a few words directly to the point : — t " The honourable member ( Mr . Ball ) seems to think that some one authorized by the Whig party , before the late Government left office , made a compact that they would not be parties to the imposition of the income-tax

    on Ireland if the Irish members would vote against the late Government . I can only say that , according to my knowledge and belief , no person was so authorized , nor any such compact made . " ( Loud cheers . ) Lord Adolphus Vane asked Mr . Magan who was " the accredited agent ? " Colonel Dunne said , it should be stated , as it was known " all over the town " who was meant . Mr . Malins having complained that it was " most discreditable" that the " grave imputation" should not be noticed ; Lord John RtrssEti said he had noticed the question , and added sharply : —

    " I ask the honourable gentleman who has just sat down , whether he believes me , or does not believe me ? ( Great cheering . ) I ask the honourable gentleman if he means to say that I made any such agreement or bargain with the Irish members ; and if he does not mean to say that , let him say whom he means . ( Loud cheers . )" Mr . Gr . H . Mooee started up : " We have been a long time beating about the bush . I will go to the point . " He then asked Mr . Hayter whether Tie was " the agent" in the transaction . Mr . Hatter answered directly . Repeating the imputation in plain words , he

    said" I never authorized any person or body of persons to make any such communication to any person—I never attended any meeting in my life , that I am aware , of Irish gentlemen—I never stated to any person at any time that I authorized them in my name to state that in the event of the overthrow of Lord Derby ' s Government , the Government which took the place of : Lord Derby ' s Government would undertake not to impose the income-tax on Ireland . "

    Some c onfused conversation followed , in which Mr . Magan disclaimed reference to Mr . Hayter . The House was again drifting into a muddy stream of "disjointed chat" when Mr . Stuart Wokti , ey prevented it , with a contemptuous reference to the " untruth' * of the allegation , and a curt advice to the House to proceed to " business . " The question of the alleged compact was again introduced on Thursday evening . According to the statements of Captain Magan , Mr . Fjjench , and Mr . Lucas , Mr . Hayter , on being questioned casually as to the intentions of the Whig party respecting the

    incometax , had referred to Sir C . Wood ' s former Budget , to show that the Whigs , if they again came into power , would not propose an income-tax . This information Mr . Mattkick O' 0 oNXE : Lii communicated to a meeting of Irish members : in the form of an " authoritative " communication , reported Mr . Lucas and Mr . French ; ns the substance of a chance " conversation , " said Mr . O'Connull , himself . At all events , the communication admittedly influenced tho vote of the Irish members against Mr . Disraeli ' s budget . . In addition , apparently at tho suggestion of Mr . O'Coimell , conveyed through Mr . Hayter , Sir C . Wood ( when in opposition ) condemned an Irish income tax . On this point being Htutud , Mir C . Wood explained that his present vote

    for Mr . Gladstone ' s proposal of an Irish income-tax was not inconsistent , as Ireland was now free from tho fumino-dobt , the preswuro of which was tho cause of her former exemption . Several other irregular negotiations witli Irinh members were exposed ; Bomo of the Brigade inclined to Dorhyito viewa having expressed , in the meeting * of Irish members , wide anticipations of the freedom from taxation which the Derbyito party , if once again in power , would allow to Ireland . The conversation was rapidly becoming " more Irish and less nioe , " when Sir K . Inoub mildly , but decisively , hinted that these interruptions wore injurious to the character of the House , and that there had hoen enough

    of such discussions . Tim l ) WBi . r / iN < iB op tub Poob . —To clear space for new buildings , tho removal of Hovoral houses generally tho housoa of tho poor is often iiocoHHary . Jn future , persons seekinir un Act to authorize such removal mustgive detailed . tatwtfcsof tho houses , and of tho people inhabiting thorn ;

    and state what provisions if any are made to replace the inhabitants removed . A considerate resolution of the House of Lords , moved by Lord Sbcabtesbubt , has laid down this ride . Sheriffs' Courts ( Scotland ) . —Mr . Ckaupurd moved the second reading of the Sheriffs' Court ( Scotland ) , No . 2 , Bill , the object of which was to extend the jurisdiction of the Sheriffs' Court in Scotland , now limited to 82 . 6 g . 8 d ., to the same amount as that of the judges of the

    county courts in England . Mr . Cowan intimated his preference for the measure on the same subject introduced by the Lord Advocate , and moved , as an amendment , that the bill be read a second time that day six months . After a discussion , in which Mr . C . Bruce , Mr . A . Hastie , Colonel Blair , Mr . E . Ellice , Mr . Forbes , Mr . Charteris , the Lord Advocate , Mr . J . S . Wortley , and other honourable members took part , a division , took place , and the amendment was carried by 184 to $ 8 , the bill being consequently lost .

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    ELECTION PETITIONS . Cork Citt . — " Intimidation" is the ground of the petition against Sergeant Murphy and Mr . Fagan , members for Cork city . Colonel Chatter ton was the unsuccessful candidate . The evidence seems to establish the case for the petitioners . The polling booths were surrounded by mobs armed with bludgeons and intensely excited . Some of Colonel Chatterton s voters were stoned through the streets . The violence of the crowd caused the military to be called out ; and even then the mob was unawed , assaulting the dragoons as they had the " Protestant" voters . The most degraded women sat " on the hustings and the sheriff ' s desk . " Placards signed by priests and others " denouncing" Colonel Chatterton ' s supporters were widely published . Crowds of excited men and women paraded the streets with , flags , bands , lighted tarbarrels , and the Colonel ' s effigy . ( After the election the Mayor issued a proclamation announcing that he had taken measures to " preserve the peace . " ) The following is a specimen of the rest of the evidence . Captain Cor well , aide-de-camp to General Maunsell , testified as follows : — " Saw a hatter ' s shop , which had all its windows smashed . Saw Captain . Guy on the day of election , after he had been severely injured by a stone . Saw Mr . French , with his head cut open . Saw Mr . Morgan after he had been struck . Saw Mr . Mackinnon of the Royals with his face cut open . Saw several soldiers with marks of violence upon them . Considered that at one time voters could not poll for Colonel Chatterton with safety . " The conduct of the Derbyite candidate at the last

    Plymouth election seems to have outrun even the indecent corruption already exposed . Mr . Mare came down to the borough as " a supporter of Lord Derby , " and freely used " the Premier ' s" name . To George Knapman , a voter who when canvassed asked fpr a situation , he said , " I will see what I can do : I have all the Government situations in my handa . " In Mr . Mare ' s presence one of his agents said to Samuel Medley , that if he would vote for Mare an appointment for his son would come down within 48 hours . Mr . Churchward , " Bub-editor of the Morning Herald , " was employed to conduct the department of promising Government situations : ho kept a little book , and when the Plymouth elector , not naturally a shamefaced animal , asked for a situation in exchange for a vote , Mr . Churchward

    examined the candidate for the post , put his name down in the book , and gave . promises more or less positive as tho necessities of the case required . The following extract from a letter written by Clouter , a schoolmaster , to Mr . Marc , shows how direct and patent was tho traffic in situations : " I beg to remind you of your promise that if I voted for you you would procure a situation for my son , and that under that consideration I gave my vote . " There being- some rumour that tho Ocean mail-sorvice would bo removed from Plymouth , and popular feeling boing against tho romoval , Mr . Mare contradicted tho statement ( his " connexion with Lord Derby , " of course , warranting this assumption ) , and to give eclat to his influence with the Government on this point , he , on one occasion during the

    election , got up a procession in which his agents and chief partisans figured in a coach drawn by six horses , and thus wero " Her Majesty ' s Mails" conveyed to the packet ; tho postmaster accompanying tho party . On the second day of tho inquiry Mr . Maro resigned , and thon deponed , with a view to personal exculpation , that he had novor promised a situation to any one , and never gave Churchward authority to do so . Tho report of tho Committee ) deserves marked recognition . It declares Mr . Mare guilty " by himself and by his agents" of bribing electors with promises of situations ; it declares his return void , and advises that tho inquiry bo continued . Mr . Collier ( the other mornbor ) has boon declared duly elected , and tho petition against him frivolous and vexatious .

    lJAitNHTAiT'K . —A Commission to inquire into corrupt practices at tho lust election for this borough linn boon prayed for by tho House . Durham IHi . wotiow Pkiitions . —Mr . Grainger nnd Mr . Atherloii wero returned for Durham at . the general election ; Mr . Graingor died . After liifl death a petition against his return was presented , clearly with the object of el aying tho issue of a now writ . Ono against Mr . Athorton was also proHonted . Tlioy wore both withdrawn tho samo , lav ( Lord Adolphus Vano waa thon elected in place of Mr . also is petitioned against ) 1 hihuji

    Grainier , and ho . « «> - < iious withdrawal of potitions was discussed on Tuesday in the Commons , a motion for a ( Select Committee to inquire into tho nict . s having boon made by Mr . JJkntinok . Hut the motion itself was characterised by some Liberal members as a move to shield Lord AdolphiiH Vano . Some went further , and imputed « general sympathy with corruption to the Opposition . This roused tho iro of Mr . Kgerton , who blamed Mr . O . Stanley for having said , that " the corruption of one side of tho Houso was greater than the other Mr Bi dnky Hkrukut moderated this recrimination and pointed out that Mr . Locko King had given

    notice of a motion on the subject generally of the withdrawal of petitions . Lord Palmerston pressed this point and moved the adjournment of the debate , which was carried by 107 to 74 . Harwich Borough . —The consideration of the question whether a new writ should issue for this place is adjourned to Monday the 23 rd , the House having so resolved ( against a motion of Sir J . Tyrrell ) by 177 to 116 . The report of the Committee states a corrupt bargain between Mr . Attwood and Mr . Peacocke , for the transfer of influence ; and also two cases of bribery , not however attributed to Messrs . Peacocke or Waddington . Rye Borough . —Th % writ for the Borough has been issued , by a majority of 118 to 99 .

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    THE DOCKYARD DISCLOSURES . The Duke of Northumberland was examined on Monday . He gave no instructions to Mr . Stafford to send the letter of the 2 nd of April to Sir Baldwin Walker , and regarding the regulation of patronage he " always declined to interfere from want of experience . " He " knew nothing about it . " He " could not conceive how he could inquire" as to how the patronage was managed , and , " from the day he entered office till the day he left it , " he did not know who had the patronage . He did not approve of the circular * of the 19 th of April ;

    ho was cognisant of it , but did not know when it was isstied ; he never saw it ; in fact , he " always declined to interfere . " The Duke repeated this more than once . Mr . Stafford told the Duke that the circular of ' 49 ( rescinded by the circular of April ' 52 ) was a Secretary ' s letter not a Board minute ; the Duke never knew that Sir Francis Baring had initialled it . Touching Sir Baldwin Walker ' s letter of resignation , the Duke did not know of it till November . Admiral Parker , in his interviews , talked abont " the substance of it , " but the Duke " did not recollect that he used the word ' letter . ' " Admiral Parker told the Duke that

    Sir Baldwin Walker considered the circular a slur upon him ; the Duke urged Mr . Stafford to remove this impression . Mr . Stafford wrote the draught of a minute disclaiming such a meaning , and Sir Baldwin Walker expressed himself " satisfied . " ( This Sir Baldwin denies ) The Duke took no notice of Sir Baldwin ' s subsequent letter complaining of the character of the appointments ; and he never made any effort to ascertain was anything going wrong ; but , added the Duke , amid some laughter , " I have walked arm-in-arm with Commodore Seymour and encouraged him to talk ; and it was not for me to say to him , Have you anything wrong to tell me ?"

    Mr . Disraeli was examined on Wednesday . He stated the whole case with the adroitness of a political tactician , and in a very clear style . He was first questioned as to Mr . Stafford ' s statement : — " I am so much pressed by Lord Derby and the Chancellor of the Exchequer that I cannot help myself , " and he answered : — " I never had any conversation with Mr . Stafford , or with any person who held office under the late Government , with respect to any such circumstances . " And respectingpatronage in the dockyards lie said : " Mr . Stafford never consulted moon such a subject , nor did any one under the late Administration . They wero subjects that did not fall under my department , and it never entered into my head that any ono would have spoken to me upon such a subject . "

    Mr . Disraeli then made a statement of the cause of tho Admiralty " misunderstandings . " The late Board of Admiralty was , at tho wish of the Duke of Northumberland , composed , without any reference to politics , of very distinguished naval officers , who solely regarded the efficiency of the Admiralty administration . There was in consequence a want of the usual good understanding between the Admiralty and the House of Commons : the present Board , for instance , is connected with the House by the Secretary , the First Lord , and another lay Lord ; while Mr . Stafford was the only person representing the feeling of tho House at tho former Admiralty .

    " The consequence of all this was , that from tho very first there was not Unit sympathy between the late Hoard of Admiralty and the House of Commons which is necessary in the administration of our Parliamentary Government . I have no hesitation in saying , that from my position then as loader of the House of Commons , in giving it , tho committee , as my opinion , that Mr . Stafford was placed in the position of mainly considering and representing tho llouto of Commons , without any ono allied with him to support him ; and the Board of Admiralty , formed of the most able and efficient men , looking at what t hoy called the efficiency of tho service , not only with respect to tjiose questions of

    patronage , promotions , anduppomtmeiitd , but with regard to matters of another . kind" In reply to an addod inquiry , Mr . Disraeli declared his views diuluicLly : "Imean to say that tho Ward of Admiralty looked merely to the efficiency of the service . They thought their only duty waa to consider the efficiency of the service , but they did not understand sufficiently , I think , the spirit of our Parliamentary ( Government , and that in conducting affairs they must look to tho temper , that they must conaider tho temper of tho House of Commons ; that temper bein g represented in tho present instance , and wan represented before by the several members of tho House of Commons who aro also mouiboru of tho board . "

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    Jfeyy 14 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . 461

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), May 14, 1853, page 461, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1986/page/5/