HC Deb 13 July 1874 vol 220 c1517

Mr. SPEAKER informed the House, that he had received from Mr. Justice Bramwell, one of the Judges selected for the Trial of Election Petitions, pursuant to the Parliamentary Elections Act, 1868, a Certificate and Report relating to the Election for the Borough of Stroud. And the same was read, to the effect that Mr. Stanton was, and that Mr. Dorrington was not duly elected. The learned Judge also referred to a Report made by him in reference to the Borough, at the General Election in February, by which he still abided, but there was no reason to believe that corrupt practices extensively prevailed in the Borough at the late Election in May, neither had any corrupt practice been proved to have been committed by or with the knowledge or consent of any Candidate. The learned Judge also referred to an agreement common to both parties, as to the payment of travelling expenses, and with regard to one particular case, declined to find the party implicated guilty of bribery, there being no doubt as to which party the vote would have been given had the voter exercised his right. He further said there was evidence of bribery by others, but as the Respondent, Mr. Dorrington, withdrew from the defence of the seat, and the persons charged were not called, he thought he ought not to report that bribery was proved against them. And the said Certificate and Report were ordered to be entered in the Journals of this House.

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