n of corruption was a question
of influence. All that a committee could do was to report to the house,
and the house could proceed on that report or not as it pleased. Mr.
Wynn also objected to the clause which gave power to present petitions
of complaint within six years from the period of election; and that
there was no penalty or punishment assigned to an unfounded charge. The
bill was supported by Messrs. Hobhouse, Smith, and Fyshe Palmer, but
it did not proceed further; for when the report on the bill was to be
taken into consideration, Lord John Russell stated that it was not his
intention to press it during the session, but that he would probably
embody its provisions in the shape of resolutions. On the last day
of the session he moved, therefore, that "whenever a petition shall be
presented to this house after the expiration of the time allowed for
presenting petitions against the validity of the return of any member of
this house, by any person or persons, affirming that at any time within
eighteen calendar months previous to presenting the said petition,
general bribery or corruption has been practised for the purpose of
procuring the election or return of any member or members to serve in
parliament for any borough, cinque-port, or place, and it shall appear
to the house that such petition contains allegations sufficiently
specific to require further investigation, a day and hour shall
be appointed by the said house for taking the said petition into
consideration, so that the space of twenty days shall intervene between
the day on which the said petition shall have been presented, and the
day appointed by the said house for taking the same into consideration,
&c."--"that at the hour appointed by the said house for taking such
petition into consideration, the said house shall proceed to appoint a
select committee to inquire into the truth of the matters contained in
the said petition, and report the result of their inquiry to the said
house, and such select committee shall consist of thirteen members
chosen by lot, &c." Mr. Wynn said, that he did not intend to object to
the principles of these resolutions, but he thought they had better be
reserved till the next parliament, as they would have to be confirmed by
it. Mr. Peel thought so likewise, as the last day of the session was not
a fitting time to give them that consideration which their importance
demanded. Lord John Russell, however, pressed his motion to a