§ On the Motion for agreeing to the Amendments on this Bill,
§ MR. JACOB BELLsaid, that he did not rise for the purpose of opposing any further obstacles to the progress of the Bill. He thought that he had done as much as could be expected under such circumstances for the defence of his constituents. He merely wished to express a hope that the crusade against corruption at elections would not terminate with the disfranchisement at St. Albans, for if that were so, he thought this measure would be a source, not of satisfaction, but of dissatisfaction to the public. If Her Majesty's Government, taking advantage of the information that they had received through the St. Albans Commission, would, before the dissolution of Parliament bring in a Bill that should more effectually check this corruption, than was done by any present Act of Parliament, he felt certain that such a course would give great satisfaction to the country, and that it would receive the support of every honest man in the Kingdom.
§ MR. WALPOLEsaid, that the noble Lord who was lately at the head of the Government would on the following evening move the Second Reading of the Corruption and Bribery at Elections Bill, and that Her Majesty's Government intended to give him their support. They had every desire to adopt effectual measures 46 for the suppression of corruption at elections.
§ MR. HUMEhoped that the Government were sincere in the declaration that they would adopt the most effectual measures for the suppression of corruption. He did not believe that corruption could be wholly put an end to, but he believed that the best means to diminish it would be to adopt Vote by Ballot. He would press that both on the right hon. Gentleman and the noble Lord as a test of their sincerity.
§ Amendments agreed to.
§ The House adjourned at half-after Eight o'clock.