made pure. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fitzroy, member for Lewes, who
warmly challenged inquiry into his conduct. Captain Plumridge, also,
member for Penryn, declared that he had never given one penny towards
the expenses of his election. On the other hand, Mr. Elphinstone,
another of the accused members, declared frankly that, in his election,
both parties had been guilty of bribery, and that if the inquiry had
proceeded, none of the four candidates for his seat would now have been
members of parliament. After a lengthened discussion a committee was
appointed, and at the latter part of July the report of this committee
was presented to the house, shortly after whicli Mr. Roebuck gave
notice of his intention to move the following resolutions:--"That the
compromises of election petitions, as brought to the knowledge of this
house by the Report of the Select Committee on Election Proceedings,
must, if for the future they be allowed to pass without punishment or
censure, tend to bring this house into contempt with the people, and
thereby seriously to diminish its power and authority. That all such
practices are hereby declared to be a violation of the liberties of the
people, and a breach of the privileges of this house; which it will in
all future cases inquire into, and severely punish. That whereas in the
late elections for Harwich, Nottingham. Lewes, Reading, Falmouth, and
Penryn, and Bridport, the present laws have been found insufficient to
protect the voters from the mischievous temptations of bribery, it be
ordered that Mr. Speaker do issue no writ for any election of members
for the said towns, till further legislative enactments have been
adopted to protect the purity of elections." In moving these resolutions
Mr. Roebuck said that they mentioned no names, but simply provided for
future mischiefs. He had proved all his assertions, and much more:
and would the reflecting and honest people of England believe, that
in buying up poor voters, in debauching, poor constituencies, and
afterwards shielding themselves by a contemptible quibble, and buying
off the consequences, the conduct of members was either honourable to
themselves, or beneficial to their constituents? He believed the people
would say the chief criminal was the briber; the rich man who went
down with money in his pocket to a large constituency.--some of them
oppressed by poverty--and offered them bribes to sell their consciences.
A lengthened and storm