On the motion of lord Howick, the order for the attendance of the deputy clerk of the crown, with the return for the county of Galway, was read. The deputy clerk was in attendance, and the return was read. It stated that the sheriff, in obedience to his majesty's, writ, had proceeded in due time to the poll, and proceeded with all due diligence, it being kept open seven hours in each day: but that on the 15th of December, the day before which the return should have been made; the suffrages of a great number of freeholders remained still un- 228 collected. The clerk of the crown notified at the same time, that a second return had been received this day, dated 17th of December. The substance of this return was, that, the suffrages of all the freeholders of the county of Galway being collected, Mr. D. B. Daly, and Mr. Martin, were duly elected. It was ordered that these returns should be entered on the books.
Lord Howicksaid, it was his intention to have followed up the substantiation of the default of the sheriff in not having made the return by the day when it was required, with a motion that he should be ordered to attend at the bar to abide the judgement of the house. But in consideration of the precedent stated by a right hon. gent. (Mr. Corry) last night, and from there being no room to suppose that the sheriff had been wilfully negligent of his duty, he should wave that proceeding, and rest satisfied with the real return.
§ Mr. Corrywas happy that his recollection had tended to save the house and the sheriff the pain of misplaced severity. But he hoped the Irish gentlemen would, in the course of the present session, consider the propriety of amending the Irish election laws in this and many other particulars.