HC Deb 27 March 1876 vol 228 cc687-8

Resolutions [March 24] reported.

First ten Resolutions read, and agreed to.

The Eleventh Resolution being read a second time,

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."

Mr. RAMSAY

complained that the Vote for the maintenance of criminal lunatics at Broadmoor was excessive.

Mr. ASSHETON CROSS

explained that a part of the apparent excess was due to the construction of the prison, and stated that the whole question was under the consideration of a departmental Committee.

Question put, and agreed to.

Next twenty-one Resolutions read, and agreed to.

The Thirty-third Resolution being read a second time,

MR. PARNELL

asked for explanations relative to the cancelling the appointment of Mr. Sheridan as clerk of the petty sessions for the Trim district, in the county of Meath, when his opponent, Mr. Darling, was about to be appointed by the Castle authorities in Dublin, though he had had a minority of votes. The precedent was a very bad one; the course taken being much resented in the locality, it being said the appointment was cancelled solely on religious grounds. He would move the rejection of the Vote.

SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH

said, he must disclaim entirely that any religious motive had intervened in the circumstances to which the hon. Member had referred. Three of the magistrates who voted for Mr. Sheridan were not qualified so to vote on account of insufficient attendance at petty sessions, and his opponent was consequently placed in a majority. He could not say that the resident magistrate had acted improperly in recording his vote on the occasion. The election was, in his opinion, properly conducted and properly decided in favour of Mr. Darling.

MAJOR O'GORMAN

said, he must take exception to the statement of the right hon. Gentleman with regard to the disqualification of magistrates for voting at these elections in Ireland; as their duties were frequently conducted in such a way as to make their non-attendance much to be preferred to their attendance.

MR. FAY

wanted to know when the rule, to which the right hon. Baronet referred the rejection of those magistrates votes, was made?

Motion made, and Question put. "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution. "

The House divided:—Ayes 192; Noes 18: Majority 174.

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