§ Mr. T. Duncombepresented a petition from eight electors in Chippenham, complaining of what was not only a breach of privilege of that House, but also an infringement in the freedom of election. He had only received the petition that morning, and had not been able to show it to either of the Members for Chippenham; but it appeared from the petition that the petitioners were tenants at will of one of those hon. Members, and that they had declined to support him at the last general election, inasmuch as they had voted for the Liberal Member. This conduct it appeared, had not satisfied Mr. Neeld, and they had received notice to quit their holdings, in consequence of the vote which they had given. The petitioners complained that this was not only a positive infringement of the liberties of the House, but also a direct violation of the freedom of election. He was afraid that this was not a solitary instance, and that Mr. Neeld was not more to blame than many others. [Cries of "Order, order."] This was a question which he thought required immediate redress, and, therefore, they had a right to discuss, it. He was about to say, that he did not think Mr. Neeld was more to blame than many other landlords.
§ The Speakersaid, that the petition was not one which prayed for immediate redress, and, therefore, the hon. Member was irregular.
§ Mr. T. Duncombesaid, he would in that case read the prayer of the petition, which was to the effect, that some measures might be adopted, in order better to secure the freedom of election, or, if such steps were not adopted, to take away from them the right of voting. The petitioners stated they were ready to prove the facts alleged, and besought the House to give such protection to the voter, in the free exercise of his vote, as to the House might 1157 seem fit. He moved that the petition be printed with the votes.
§ The Speakersaid, it was necessary to give notice of such a motion.
§ Mr. T. Duncombesaid, that his reasons for having the petition printed, were, because it complained of the conduct of certain Members in violating the privileges of the House, by interfering in the free election of Members of Parliament. It was his intention to call the attention of the House to this subject next Session, and he, therefore, thought that the petition ought to be printed. In connection with this question, he might take that opportunity of stating, that he was sorry to hear the right hon. Baronet, the Member for Tamworth, declare, while he admitted the extent of the bribery and corruption, that he was not prepared, and that he did not intend to bring forward any bill for the purpose of putting an end to so disgraceful a system. A noble Lord, a Member of that House, last Session had given notice of his intention to bring in a bill on the subject, but such a measure, he thought, ought to come from a Minister of the Crown; and that noble Lord would have some cause to complain if the right hon. Baronet, while occupying the seat which that noble Lord occupied some months ago, threw on him the duty, while the right hon. Baronet pocketed what had been called the fee.
§ Sir R. Inglisrose to order. However amusing this might be, yet while they were waiting for certain knocks, he thought it was contrary.
§ Mr. T. Duncombewas surprised, that so old a Member as the right hon. Baronet should call him to order when he was so disorderly himself. He was not presumed to know anything about the knocks which the right hon. Baronet anticipated. He was merely arguing that the petition which he had presented should be printed, to which course he hoped there would be no objection.
§ Sir R. Peeldid not say that he would not bring forward any bill on the subject referred to by the hon. Member for Fins-bury, because he had determined not to make any promise which various circumstances might prevent him from fulfilling; all that he had said on the subject was, that he hoped the hon. Gentleman would 1158 not press him to enter into any engagement to bring in a bill for the prevention of treating and bribery. With respect to the medical allusions of the hon. Member, he ought to be aware that there were certain delicacies in professional practice, which forbade him to interfere until the patient was formally given op. The noble Lord, the Member for London, lad paid great attention to the subject—had not expressed any wish 10 be relieved of his duties in this respect—and was perfectly entitled to introduce any measure which he thought calculated to put an end to the evils complained of. All that he had said, was, that he was unwilling to give a positive pledge on the subject.
§ Mr. T. Duncombedid not see why it ought to be left in the hands of the noble Lord. In his opinion, it ought to be a Government measure.
§ Petition laid on the Table.