LIVERPOOL ELECTION. (Hansard, 20 December 1830)

§ Mr. Robinson
said, he had to present a Petition from an individual who was a party to the petition which he had formerly introduced to the House, against the return of his hon. and learned friend (Mr. Ewart), for the 1351 town of Liverpool. The petitioner stated, that there were 4,500 voters in that town, and that it was perfectly capable of proof, that four-sixths of them were bribed at the late election. The petitioner was, therefore, of opinion, that whatever plan of parliamentary reform his Majesty's Ministers might think proper to bring forward, still the Representation of the town of Liverpool should be taken into serious consideration by that House. The reason why this petition was now offered to the House was, because an idea had gone abroad that his hon. and learned friend intended to vacate his seat, and that no inquiry would, in consequence, be instituted into these proceedings. Such was the ground of the petition, which prayed, that even if the seat were vacated, the House would itself adopt such measures, with reference to the proceedings at the late election, as might seem right and proper.

§ General Gascoyne
thought, the petitioner had gone too far in declaring that he could prove bribery and corruption, and then insinuating that his (General Gascoyne's) hon. and learned colleague meant to evade the charge. He trusted that his hon. and learned colleague had been informed of the intention to present this petition.

§ The Speaker
begged hon. Members, before they proceeded further, to bear in mind, that if this were an election petition, it was too late; and if it were not an election petition, it would be well to inquire how far they would prejudge this case, or enter into a subject which must, by the law of the land, be examined before a committee.

Mr. Ewart
gladly availed himself of the opportunity afforded him by his hon. friend, to answer the first statement of the petition. He could only say, that the shadow of such an idea as the acceptance of the Chiltern Hundreds had never crossed his mind: it would be the dereliction, not only of individual duty, but of public duty also, since public justice must necessarily suffer, if he, who felt himself completely innocent, basely acquiesced in the charge of guilt. If consciously to do nothing; wrong, to sanction nothing wrong, or to wish it,—if this constituted innocence, then was he most truly and completely innocent. There was one portion of the petition, for a knowledge of which he had been indebted to the courtesy of his hon. 1352 friend, which suggested some extension of the franchise at Liverpool. He (Mr. Ewart) was decidedly of opinion, that those who contributed to extend the wealth and to bear the burthens of a vast community like Liverpool, ought to participate in the benefits to be found in that community; and that they ought, as far as Parliament thought fit, to be admitted to the privilege of voting. If there was one sentiment which could add to his consciousness of rectitude, it was the confidence he felt, that he came in for the borough of Liverpool with the strongest support from the most respectable classes of society, and also with the enthusiastic acclamations of the people. Even this, however, was not to be compared with his own deep consciousness of rectitude, to which extraneous circumstances could add little, and of which no circumstances whatever could deprive him.

§ Mr. Robinson
expressed his opinion, that this was not an election petition. The petitioner, anticipating the possibility of the petition which he (Mr. Robinson) had formerly presented not being inquired into, in consequence of the parties not entering into recognizances, or from some other cause, called on the House to prosecute the matter themselves, should his apprehension prove well-founded. Now he would ask, whether there was anything irregular or informal in that? With respect to what had fallen from the gallant General, he could assure him, that he never presented a petition of a personal nature without apprising the individual to whom it related of the fact.

Mr. Ewart
must do his hon. friend the justice to say, that he had communicated his intention to him. He begged leave to repeat, that he never entertained the shadow of an idea of taking the Chiltern Hundreds.