§ Lord Clive moved, that the report of the committee on the Barnstaple Election to be taken into further consideration. The noble lord read the two special resolutions to which the committee, of which he sat as chairman, had come. (See p. 933). He said, that the testimony of the witnesses examined before the committee completely justified these resolutions. Of the number of resident voters, which did not much exceed 300, 66 had received bribes from sir M. M. Lopes, who had expended 3,000l. at the last election, in bribery and treating, through a banker, Mr. J. Gribble. The out voters, who amounted to about 240, received 20l. a-piece; the resident electors 5l. Mr. Gribble had stated, that the London voters in sir M. Lopes's interest claimed and received 2l. more a-piece, because Mr. Ommaney's said they had been so paid. The noble lord submitted, after detailing these and other facts, that the committee were justified in the opinion they offered to the House. The number of voters was considerable. The modes of acquiring the freedom of the borough were three—birth, servitude, or creation. The committee were anxious to increase the number of freemen, that such disgraceful proceedings as had lately taken place should not again occur. The noble lord expressed a wish that some member, more able and better acquainted with the subject than himself, would originate some measure, in consequence of the resolutions of the committee, should those resolutions be agreed to by the House.
§ Sir J. Newportexpressed a hope that the noble lord would follow up the proceedings already instituted, with such ulterior measure as might be best calculated to support the dignity of the House-When bribery had been proved to have existed in Barnstaple to such a gross extent—when it was shown that the trade of manufacturing members of parliament had been carried on there with such unblushing effrontery—it was absolutely necessary that the House should punish the offence, and show that it was laudably anxious at the same time to secure its own dignity and the welfare of the community.
§ Lord Comptonsaid, that this treasure Could not be in better hands than in those of his noble friend, and in the name of the committee, added, that all the members of it would be extremely willing to afford him every assistance.
§ Mr. Bennetconcurred in the sentiments expressed by the noble lord, and hoped the measure would be followed up to the utmost.
§ Mr. W. Smithsaid, it was a long cherished principle of his mind that some reform was necessary in the constitution of that House, but he also felt that unless some reform were effected, as well in the electors as in the elected, no effective good could be attained. He hoped measures Such as were now recommended, would have the effect of introducing some more extensive reform, but although he might not obtain all he desired, he was happy to take whatever he could get.
§ Mr. Blakethought, that though this right bad been abused by the electors, the borough ought not therefore to be disfranchised.
§ Mr. W. Smithexplained his ideas of parliamentary reform, which, he said had never extended to the absurd doctrines of universal suffrage and annual parliaments.
Mr. Wynnobserved, that the practice of parliament was not to disfranchise the borough, but to increase the number of voters from the adjacent hundreds. In the present case, the corruption was made out so clearly, that the noble lord would probably see the propriety of introducing a bill with a view to prevent the repetition of such disgraceful scenes. He was sure that every member would gladly lend his assistance towards forwarding such a measure.
§ Mr. Alderman Heygateadmitted, that corruption had been proved to a great extent in Barnstaple, and hoped it might be punished with the utmost severity; but the House should pause, and consider whether they might not strengthen the interests of one part of the community at the expense of the rest. Should boroughs be deprived of their exclusive representation, and the right of election be thrown open to the hundred, the interests of the trading and Commercial parts of the community might be sacrificed to those of agriculture.
Mr. Gordonsaid tbat he would support the principle of including the hundred, 1392 for the very reason that the worthy alderman opposed it, namely, that it would give a preponderance to the landed interests. He thought the best way of putting an end to the foolish clamour raised out of doors, about annual parliaments and universal suffrage was, to reform each corrupt borough, as its corruption became known, in the same manner as it was proposed to reform that of Barnstaple. The best answer to these senseless and noisy demagogues was, for the House to show that it was always ready to do its duty when called upon.
§ The first Resolution was agreed to; and on the second being read,
Lord Clivesaid, he did not wish to press himself forward on a task of this nature; yet as it seemed to be the desire of the House that he should proceed, he was willing to obey. His lordship concluded with moving for leave to bring in a bill to prevent bribery and corruption the election of members to serve in parliament for the borough of Barnstaple.
Mr. Wynnrecommended the adoption of a resolution as a foundation for the bill to be introduced, and the following resolution was agreed to: "That it appears to the House that a general system of corruption was practised at the last election for the borough of Barnstaple." Leave was then given to bring in the bill, and it was ordered, that the Speaker do not issue his warrant for making out a new writ for the borough of Barnstaple until the 30th of April. Mr. Wynn thought that the House, having thus ascertained the existence of the crime, ought to proceed to the punishment of the delinquent. It was therefore, on his motion, ordered, "That the Attorney-general be directed to prosecute sir Manasseh Masseh Lopes fop Bribery at the last Election for Barnstaple."