HC Deb 02 February 1819 vol 39 cc208-10
Sir Francis Burdett

presented the following petition against this bill: To the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in parliament assembled:—The petition of the undersigned electors of Westminster,— "Sheweth; That your Petitioners are induced to address your hon. house in consequence of a bill now in progress through your hon. House, to continue an act passed in the 51st year of his present majesty, intituled, 'An act to extend and amend an act of the 18th year of his late majesty Geo. 2nd, touching the Election of Knights of the Shire to serve in Parliament for England, respecting the Expenses of Hustings and Poll Clerks, so far as regards the City of Westminster.'—That your petitioners are few in number only, because time has not been allowed to call an open public meeting of the electors; but your petitioners have reason to believe, that they now express the opinions and desires of the great body of the Westminster electors. —Your petitioners beg leave to state to your hon. house, that the act of the 51st of the king was passed at the solicitation of the high bailiff of Westminster; and, in consequence of the recommendation of a committee of your hon. house, recommending, that on account of want of time and information requisite to form the ground of a more permanent legislative measure, a temporary act, for two years only, should be passed.—Your petitioners further beg leave to state to your hon. house, that this act was continued in the 53rd of the king, at the solicitation of the high bailiff, and for the same reasons; and that the act expired on the 1st day of the present year.—That your petitioners have heard, and believe it to be true, that the office of high bailiff of Westminster was formerly a compulsory office, imposed for a single year, under a penalty for refusal; but, that such office is now purchased from, and immediately held under, the dean and chapter of Westminster; and your petitioners have not been able to ascertain under what law the appointment is made, nor under what law or authority the dean and chapter, or an officer appointed by them, are required to take the election of members of parliament for the city and liberty of Westminster.—That your petitioners have heard and believe that the elections were formerly made in the Guildhall of the said city, at the expense of the dean and chapter, who exercise the civil government of the city and liberty. But your petitioners have not been able to learn under what law or authority the dean and chapter are invested with the civil power exercised by them.—Your petitioners further represent to your hon. house that the high bailiff having purchased his office of the dean and chapter for a sum of money, furnishes no ground for his being paid money by any person who may become a candidate, the purchase and sale (even if legal) being an affair between the parties with which candidates for a seat in your hon. house have no concern.— Your petitioners submit to your hon. house, that as the high bailiff may, at any time, resign his office, he is not bound to incur expenses on account of any services the dean and chapter may require him to perform; and that he is not compelled by any law to take the elections for members to your hon. house. That as he is not bound to incur any expense, he does not choose to incur, and as he is not bound to execute the king's writ, your petitioners take leave to suggest, that he is not a person in whose favour a law should be made which compels candidates to pay large sums of money somewhat in the nature of a fine for attempting to serve their country as representatives of the people in your hon. house.— Your petitioners beg leave to represent to your hon. house, that as it is the high bailiff himself who solicits the act for his own advantage, to the injury of those who may become candidates, and to the hindrance of free election, it is incumbent upon him to show to the satisfaction of your hon. house, that the dean and chapter of Westminster by whom he is appointed, are not compelled by law to take the election of members for the city and liberty of Westminster; and your petitioners trust, that your hon. house will not pass an act at the instance of the said high bailiff, which may compel a candidate for a seat in your hon. house to pay a sum of money, which, in certain cases, may exceed 1,000l.—Your petitioners therefore pray that your hon. house will not pass the bill now before your hon. house, respecting the hustings and poll clerks for the city and liberty of Westminster; and that your hon. house, will be pleased to cause due inquiry to be made into the powers, duties, and emoluments of the dean and chapter of Westminster, so far as they relate to the civil offices held by them, or to which they appoint, and especially in relation to the election of citizens to serve in parliament for the city and liberty of Westminster."

Ordered to lie on the table.