MR. GOLDSMIDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is not the case that it has been for some years the constant practice of Lord Chancellors to communicate with the corporations of boroughs before new magistrates are appointed; why this practice was not observed in the case of the recent appointments at Rochester; and, whether, with reference to the Home Secretary's statement as to the political opinions of the Justices of Rochester, any record exists of the political opinions of justices; and, if so, on what authority he made that statement?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSI have, Sir, communicated since the Question was put on the Paper with my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor. He is most ready at any time to receive and give the fullest consideration to any representations which municipal corporations may desire to make to him as to the necessity for any addition to the Bench, and as to the names of persons which they may desire to submit to his consideration with a view to their appointment. At the same time, he considers that the responsibility of selecting and appointing proper persons for the Bench belongs to him, and not to the municipal corporation or any other person or persons; nor can he admit the right of any corporation or persons to require him to make a communication to them previous to appointing magistrates. Of course, he cannot undertake to say what has been the practice of previous Lord Chancellors. The magistrates of Rochester must be very extraordinary persons indeed, if they think their political opinions are not known. It is very well known what are the political opinions of magistrates in the county with which I am connected.
MR. GOLDSMIDsaid, he should repeat the Question as to the authority on which the Homo Secretary made a statement respecting the political opinions of the justices of Rochester.