§ MR. FINCH (Rutland)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, with re- 958 ference to the case of Mr. Fydell Rowley, Whether he is aware that Mr. Fydell Rowley was scheduled to the Report of the Election Commissioners, and has not been found guilty of bribery; and, whether, under the circumstances, Mr. Rowley is disqualified from filling the office of High Sheriff?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)In reply to the hon. Gentleman, I have to say that I am aware that Mr. Rowley was scheduled to the Report of the Boston Election Commissioners as having been guilty of bribery at the Election of 1880. I have only superficial information of the subsequent proceedings; but I believe that a prosecution was instituted against Mr. Rowley, and his case tried at Lincoln in 1881, when the jury failed to agree. The question whether, in these circumstances, Mr. Rowley is or is not disqualified from filling the office of High Sheriff is rather for a lawyer to pronounce on than myself.