The Earl of Winchilseawas anxious to have an 341 opportunity of seeing the correspondence between Government and a gentleman of the name of Lacon, respecting some recent transactions in the borough of Yarmouth. The charge against the corporation was, that a certain number of constables, being voters, had been dismissed, in order that they might vote at the late election, and that on the following day they were re-appointed constables, and paid for their trouble. The borough seemed to have been put to a considerable expense, and the conduct of the magistrates, if the charge were true, had been most unconstitutional.
The Marquess of Normanbyhad not only no objection to the production of the correspondence, but was most desirous that it should be laid upon the Table. The noble Earl would find from it, that he was labouring under considerable misinformation. Mr. Lacon imagined that constables were disqualified as voters ex officio, but misapprehension seemed to have prevailed on the point. The men, as he was informed, without any bargain, had bonâ fide tendered their resignation, and no doubt had been afterwards reappointed. There had been, however, no understanding that they should be so reappointed, and having resigned, had received no salary. Therefore the borough of Yarmouth had not suffered at all in its funds.
The Earl of Wicklowobserved, that the constables thought themselves disqualified, and if the magistrates were of the same opinion, and had discharged them merely for the purpose of the election, the culpability on their part was as great, although they had acted under misapprehension of the law. If so, they were unworthy of their situations, and he wished to know what was the belief of the magistrates on the point?
§ Earl FitzwilliamHow can the noble Marquess tell us what was the belief of the magistrates?
The Marquess of Normanbyrepeated, that he had not the slightest objection to the production of the correspondence, and the magistrates would thus be enabled to speak for themselves.
§ Adjourned.