§ MR. R. N. FOWLER (LORD MAYOR) (for Baron HENRY DE WORMS)asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether his attention has been called to a system of violence alleged to be in existence at Brighton for the purpose of preventing Mr. Marriott and his supporters from addressing the electors; and, whether such proceedings, if adopted, do not constitute an offence under the Corrupt Practices Act?
§ MR. INDERWICKI beg to ask whether Mr. Attorney General has reason to believe that the persons who interrupted Mr. Marriott's meetings are the same persons who persistently interrupted Mr. Romer's meetings, and who stole the watch of one of his committee men?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)Sir, my attention was first attracted to this matter by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Greenwich (Baron Henry De Worms), who placed a Notice on the Paper of a Question to the Home Secretary, asking whether his attention had been called to the presence in Brighton of certain gentlemen from Birmingham? That Question has been removed from the Paper. It was in consequence of that Question that inquiries were made, and it was found that, as far as it was possible to ascertain by those who knew the facts, no member of any Liberal Association, and no person from Birmingham in any position whatever, visited Brighton at this election. He asks whether this comes within the Corrupt Practices Act. I have great faith in the efficacy of that Act; but I do not think it can obtain a good hearing for candidates at all times.