O'Gorman Mahonpresented a Petition from an Inhabitant of Dublin, complaining of the conduct of the Corporation of Dublin, in excluding him from the freedom of that City, to which he was entitled by birth and apprenticeship. The petitioner had obtained a Mandamus from the Court of King's-bench, and had paid the fees necessary for obtaining his freedom; notwithstanding which, the Corporation refused to admit him as a freeman. He described the Corporation of Dublin as very differently constituted from that of London, and very inferior to it in respectability and independence.
§ Mr. Shawassured the House, that he trespassed upon it with extreme reluctance. But the hon. member for Clare having 653 once failed In courtesy, by attacking him in his absence, seemed determined to make amends, by attacking him as often as possible in his presence. The hon. Member had given him notice, a few evenings since, that he had a petition to present respecting the Corporation of Dublin; and on his (Mr. Shaw's) asking on what subject? the hon. member for Clare replied, that it was no matter on what subject; but "it will be enough," said he, "to make a breeze in the House between you and me." But he must protest against the House being made an arena for a sort of Irish pugilism in argument. He hoped the hon. Member would not occupy the time of the House in discussing merely local matters; which he made, by his manner of treating them, directly personal. He denied that there was the slightest foundation for the allegation of the petitioner, and must oppose the Motion for the petition to be read.
Mr. Alderman Waithmansaid, that notwithstanding the compliment which the hon. member for Clare had paid the Corporation of London at the expense of that of Dublin, he was bound to observe, that the petition cast imputations upon persons whom he knew to be respectable, and he therefore could not support the petition.
§ Petition rejected.