§ SIR J. PAKINGTON moved to appoint the following Members on the Select Committee on the Bribery at Elections Bill:—Sir John Hanmer, Mr. Horsman, Mr. Wrightson, Mr. Napier, Mr. Maitland, Mr. Mullins, and Mr. Sheridan.
§ COLONEL SIBTHORP moved to substitute Mr. Mackenzie for Sir John Hanmer.
§ SIR J. PAKINGTONresisted the Motion.
§ COLONEL SIBTHORPwould not divide the House, but thought the hon. Baronet had manifested more obstinacy than good sense in the course he pursued. The hon. and gallant Member then moved that the name of the Attorney General be substituted for that of Mr. Horsman. If it were urged as a reason for placing Sir J. Hanmer on the Committee that he knew a great deal about this sort of business, then it applied with increased force to his Motion, for the Attorney General knew a great deal more. The Treasury bench affected great purity, but the fact was, they almost stunk of bribery.
The ATTORNEY GENERALwas quite ready to serve, if such was the wish of the House; but if it was merely to gratify the hon. and gallant Member he should decline.
§ COLONEL SIBTHORPThe hon. and learned Gentleman is either very much conversant with bribery, or else he is very much belied.
The ATTORNEY GENERALThe hon. and gallant Member has no right to say so. I have already denied it. [Colonel SIBTHORP: What?] What you say I have been guilty of. I have denied in this House that I have had anything to do with bribery, and the hon. and gallant Member has no right to repeat it.
§ COLONEL SIBTHORPutterly denied having charged the Attorney General with having been guilty of bribery. ["Oh!"]
§ SIR J. PAKINGTONhoped this matter would go no further.
§ The Committee, as originally proposed, was then agreed to.
§ The House adjourned at One o'clock.