§ Lord Eastnorwas extremely anxious to present a Petition to the House, which he had that morning received, from Leamington Priors, against the uniting that town with Warwick, in the exercise of the elective franchise, and praying to be heard by Counsel against the Bill. A Motion for the second reading of the Bill which was to have that effect was first among the Orders of the Day, and therefore he was desirous, before the House took any steps, that the facts stated in the petition should be before it. The feeling in the town of Leamington Priors was extremely strong against the contemplated union; and to show that the fact was so, he would state to the House one or two circumstances. The petition he held in his hand was signed by upwards of 600 rate-payers in Leamington Priors, who paid upon an average above ten pounds a year, and they earnestly prayed the House not to sanction the Bill for uniting Leamington Priors to Warwick in the exercise of the elective franchise. It might by some be considered that such a measure would be a boon to the petitioners, but they expressed their conviction that it would be an injury. East year there were two petitions presented from Leamington Priors, on the subject of the proposed union. Although the total number of rate-payers rated at above 10l. a year was not more than 850, yet 835 757 of the number had signed the petition against the junction, and only thirty-five rate-payers of above 10l. a year out of 850 had signed the petition in favour of the Bill. It was certainly true, that the petition in favour of the Bill had received a greater number of signatures by 415 than the petition against the Bill, but it was proved by investigation that many of those signatures were worthless. These were strong reasons to induce at least caution in the proceeding. It might certainly be said, that the petitioners did not know their own interests, and that the Bill would benefit them; but he would urge in reply, that those chiefly interested in the prosperity of Leamington Priors had succeeded in raising it, in the course of a few years, from a mere village to a flourishing town, and that, therefore, their sentiments ought not to be disregarded. It was necessary that, in considering the subject in reference to the prosperity of Leamington Priors, the House should bear in mind, that that town did not depend entirely upon the peculiar character of its springs and its salubrious situation, but also on the fact, that it was a place of retirement—a place to which persons from the metropolis, and large manufacturing towns could resort, for quietude, and a perfect release from bustle and noise. Now, the petitioners felt, that to vest the town with the elective franchise, especially in conjunction with Warwick, would be to deprive it of one of its important attractions. They felt that the moment Leamington became a Parliamentary borough, many who had taken up their residence in it owing to its quiet character, would leave it, and that, therefore the intended boon would be an injury. He was perfectly aware, that if the projected change was for the public good the interests of individuals must give way; but first it ought to be shown that the measure was for the public good, and that there was no other means of effecting it, but by the injury of individuals. It had been stated, that a great change had taken place in the public feeling in Leamington since last year, but he had the authority of those who had promoted the present petition, to say that they had not found five cases in which any alteration of sentiment had taken place. Besides the present petition was signed by 657 rate-payers, rated at above 10l. a year each. He strongly recommended the petition 836 to the attention of the House, and moved that it be brought up.
§ Petition to lie on the table.