§ MR. CRAUFURDsaid, he begged to move for a new writ for the Borough of Maidstone, in the room of George Dodd, Esq., whose election had been determined to be void.
§
Motion made, and Question proposed—
That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a New Writ for the electing of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Maidstone, in the room of George Dodd, esquire, whose Election has been determined to be void.
§ MR. DISRAELIsaid, that the evidence taken before the Committee had not yet been circulated.
§ MR. PHINNsaid, he believed that no evidence was adduced before the Committee. Some charges of a very serious nature were made in the petition; but he understood that the hon. Member who was petitioned against either did not appear, or that, as intimated, he had no defence to offer.
§ MR. CRAUFURDsaid, this was a case in which there was no bribery proved, and no special report made by the Committee. All the Committee reported was—
That George Dodd, Esq., is not duly elected a burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Maidstone; that the last election for the said Borough, so far as regards the return of the said Dodd, Esq., is a void election; that the said George Dodd was, by his agents, guilty of treating; and that it was not proved to the Committee that such treating was committed with the knowledge and consent of the said George Dodd.
§ MR. DISRAELIsaid that, having had 876 the honour of being a Member for Maidstone, he felt interested in that constituency, but he must admit that there were circumstances of suspicion connected with the last election. He had no wish to take a severe course, but he would suggest that the discussion on the issuing of the writ be adjourned until Friday next.
§ Debate adjourned till Friday next.