§ Mr. Bernalmoved, "That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report upon the best means of preventing bribery and corrupt practices at all future elections for the borough of Hertford."
Colonel Evansobserved, that the object of the hon. Member was to extend the constituency, by taking in a district extending two and a half miles beyond the present limits of the borough, and he expected to obtain the desired purity in the elections by this extension of the constituency. The hon. Member seemed to rest his whole case upon this, arguing that no act of bribery had been alleged to have taken place in the county. He (Colonel Evans), for his part, could not conceive how extending the constituency would produce purity of election. He saw no real and effective remedy for corrupt practices but the ballot; and he, therefore, thought they had now a very fine opportunity to try the question of the ballot. He should, therefore, move, as an Amendment, that "gross bribery and treating having prevailed during the last election for the borough of Hertford, it is expedient, with a view to the better management of the election for the same, that the members to represent that borough should in future be elected by ballot."
§ The Speaker having put the question,
Mr. Kemyss Tynteobserved, that he had not always been a friend to the ballot; but he confessed that the circumstances of his sitting, as a member of the Committee on the Hertford election had decided his opinion upon the subject; and he should support any measure for introducing it. If his gallant friend divided the House, he should feel bound to support him.
Mr. Edward Stanleysaid, it was very probable, that the ballot might turn out to be one of the modes for effecting the objects which they had in view; but he thought it would be better to leave it to 95 the Committee to determine whether it was the best method which they had it in their power to adopt. He thought, certainly, that the present was not a bad opportunity for making a trial of the ballot—an experimentum in corpore vili; but at the same time he thought it ought to be left to the Committee.
Mr. O'Connellsaid, he wished his hon. and gallant friend (Colonel Evans) to consider whether his Motion would not tend to defeat his own object. He was quite aware of the paramount importance of the ballot; but he thought its effects, in a small constituency, would afford a less favourable opportunity of tracing its operation than that which would be afforded if the constituency were extended. The only fruits which they could anticipate from the introduction of the Ballot into a borough in which such miserably low and depraved corruption had prevailed, would be, the return of some hon. Member by means of Twaddle, Dack, or some other person bribing the whole of the electors. He hoped, therefore, that his hon. and gallant friend would allow the Committee to be appointed, and the constituency to be enlarged. He might then move the introduction of the Vote by Ballot, when he should certainly command one vote at least in favour of it. For these reasons, he would respectfully implore his hon. and gallant friend to withdraw his Motion.
Colonel Evanssaid, the hon. and learned member for Dublin contended, that his proceeding on the present occasion tended to defeat his own object. He (Colonel Evans) was of opinion, that the Vote by Ballot would secure purity of election, even if the borough of Hertford were to continue to be a small borough. His object, however, was not confined to the borough of Hertford. His object was in this case to endeavour to gain a great principle. He, therefore, differed from his hon. and learned friend in this respect. Ac the same time, if it should appear to be the opinion of the House that he ought to pursue a different course, he had no objection to shape his Amendment as a recommendation to the Committee.
Mr. O'Connellsaid, if the hon. Member's Amendment succeeded, it was plain that there would be no Committee.
Colonel Evanswithdrew his Motion, and the Committee was appointed, and the issue of the writ suspended till July 1st.