CORK ELECTION. (Hansard, 15 June 1835)

§ Dr. Baldwin
presented a Petition from freeholders of Cork, praying the House to adopt measures for the better prevention of bribery and corruption at Elections. He declared that the Conservative Club of Dublin at the last election for Cork had sent down money for the purpose of bribing the freeholders and freemen, and that an office was opened in George's-street to distribute the money, which was done in the most unblushing and shameless manner. He was glad to see the noble Lord in his place, whose father had the merit of introducing the Reform Bill, and he trusted that he and the other members of his Majesty's Government would see the necessity of introducing some measure which would prevent these malpractices—which would preven the city being put to the expense of petitioning that House, and would save Committees of that House the trouble of turning out obtrusive Members from the seats they had usurped. The petitioners suggested that candidates should be required to take the same oaths against bribery that was 783 required to be taken by the electors at present. None of the evils which it was supposed by some would result from the adoption of the Ballot, could ensue from such a course. It was well known that the system of the Ballot had been found to work well in the election of Directors of the East India Company, which legislated for so many millions of persons, and he was a decided advocate for it. He begged that the petition be referred to the Select Committee on Bribery at Elections.

§ Colonel Perceval
regretted that the late Members for the city of Cork were not in that House, that they might have an opportunity of replying to the very serious charges of bribery and corruption which had been brought against them by the learned Doctor. He was satisfied that his hon. Friends, the unseated Members, were not taxable with such offences. He was perfectly satisfied that if none but those who possessed a bona fide franchise were allowed to vote, the result of the late Cork city Election would have been very different; but the Committee had refused to go into the qualification of 1,080 persons objected to. He greatly regretted that in almost every case of Irish Election petitions justice had not been done, in consequence of this scrutiny not having been entered upon. The only remedy for this would be a revision of the freeholders' list, as the Courts of Justice were at present closed against any persons petitioning against freeholders whose title was good for eight years. He would not have risen if the learned Doctor had not alluded to the imaginary conduct of some society in Dublin, which had sent down money to defray the expenses of the Conservative candidates. He (Col. P.) begged to deny the charge that he was a Member of any such society. He believed there was at present a Bill before the House for the prevention of bribery at elections, which included a provision for candidates taking the same oaths as the freeholders.

Mr. G'Dwyer
denied that there were too many facilities to the registering of freeholders in Ireland. There was scarcely any impediment in England, while in Ireland they had to appear before the Registering Barrister, and undergo a severe cross-examination from any person who pleased. Many of those Conservatives who were most violent in their opposition to the people had no money of their own, and therefore must have been supported and returned by the friends of the Conservative body.