§ COLONEL SIBTHORPsaid, that he wished to ask the law officers of the Crown, whether, in consequence of the Act passed 10th August, 1854, c. 102, anno decimo septimo et octavo Victoriœ Reginœ, entitled "An Act to consolidate and amend the laws relating to bribery, 1420 treating, and undue influence at elections of Members of Parliament," there is any prohibition to a candidate, who has hitherto exercised what he did consider a duty, by giving certain assistance or relief to persons resident in or near the city or borough which he represents, by the distribution of coals and other articles of relief and assistance, though among those individuals so assisted and relieved there are and may be some persons, more or less in number, who have voted for, and may possibly continue to vote for, such candidate or representative; and whether there is any danger that such course of proceeding may affect the security of his seat in the House of Commons, if returned thereto?
THE SOLICITOR GENERALsaid, he would endeavour to give the best answer in his power to the question of the hon. and gallant Member. He should be very sorry if there was anything in the Act of Parliament referred to against the exercise of charity, generosity, and kindness; and if the hon. and gallant Gentleman dispensed his bounty indiscriminately to all, without showing any preference to voters or persons who could influence the elections in his borough, and did not time it with reference to his return so as to give it the character of corruption or undue influence, he need not be afraid if, in the career of his charity, he should bestow it on individuals who happened to be voters. The Act of Parliament was only directed against things that were done corruptly, and certainly was never intended to operate against those done in a bonâ fide spirit of charity.
§ COLONEL SIBTHORPsaid, he also wished to ask whether, if a poor elector, being greatly distressed by sickness or accident, should be assisted by an occasional donation of a small sum of money from his representative, or a friend of his representative, such a proceeding would be deemed an infringement of the law?
THE SOLICITOR GENERALsaid, that if the donation were prompted by a feeling of commiseration for the person's poverty and distress, it would not come within the meaning of the Act.