§ Mr. Divettmoved the first reading of the Stafford Disfranchisement Bill.
§ Captain Chetwyndsaid, that after what had passed the other night he could not contest the first reading of the Bill, without going into all the details and bearings of the case. He should, therefore, reserve to himself the right of opposing that Bill in the second reading with all the abilities he possessed. He was induced to take that course because, during his short Parliamentary experience he had known that to be the usual way of proceeding. But he begged leave to state to the House that t was not from any fear of the weakness of his case or the apprehension of any opposition that might be brought against him, for he trusted that at the second reading he should be able to make such a statement as to prove that there existed at present no necessity for the Bill and that statements, false, and without foundation, had been industriously spread against the Borough for the purpose of misleading and prejudicing the minds of hon. Members. As a proof of the latter, he would only then refer to the notice of a motion, as far back as the 18th of last May, by the lion. Member for Limerick, for transferring the franchise to the county if Cork, which clearly proved that there existed at least in the mind of that hon. Member no hesitation as to the course he should pursue, even before the Bill was brought in. But he earnestly entreated 209 hon. Members to banish from their minds any false impressions that may have been formed in their minds, and suspend their judgment till they had heard both sides of the question.
§ Bill read a first time.