date

21 Aug 1809 + Parl y Reform
21 Aug 1809 +

Parl y Reform

B.III. Influence

Corruption

Electors

1

The Lords are in for themselves: Why may not Electors be?

'. Bribery be on the part of the Elector?  Not till after Corruption on the part of the Member.

The parliamentary Elector in his situation does he not do mischief, by accepting of money or what is equivalent, for his vote?

I answer, as before /above/ - that depends upon the character and disposition of the Member whom his vote contributes to place in the House: in which is included the this /these two/ proposition, viz. that, if without his vote the candidate would equally have been placed there, or is not placed there at all, no mischief is produced.

The Member /Candidate/, who being a man of an independent mind, means to act upon independent principles gains his election by bribery, and acts upon those principles to the last. The Candidate who had he succeeded on his election would have been from first to last a tool of the Minister, gives no bribes and loses it. Now where is the mischief in this? - just none: the case /event/ in which the mischief, whatever mischief the case is susceptible of, would have taken place, is the opposite case /event/.
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    '. Bribery or other corruption on Parliamentary Election cases on the part of a Member or Candidate.

    We have seen the mischief that results from /to the community from/ corruption of the passion head on the part of a Member of Parliament, in respect /on the occasion/ of his conduct in Parliament /that assembly/: we have seen how much beyond the mischief of corruption in any other form, and particularly in the form of bribery is that which is produced by the union of any lucrative office held at will with a seat and vote in parliament /the House of Commons/. We have seen the indication afforded by corruption in this shape respecting /in relation/ the character of the corrupted individual.

    We come now to that species of corruption to which the election made of those members of the legislature is liable to give birth: corruptor, the candidate for the situation of member, party corrupted or liable to be corrupted the person having a vote on the occasion of the election by which that situation is filled.

    Let us in the first place consider the sort /mischief of this species/ of corruption as flowing or liable to flow from the act of the corruptor in the /his/ character of candidate.
  • Title: [22 Aug 1809 Parl y Reform Corruption]
    Description: 22 Aug 1809

    Parl y Reform

    Corruption

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     Held[?] J.B.'s opinion of such bribery - he thinks well of every body that committs it - he himself would have committed it.

    Such being the species and degree of guilt if guilt it be to be called, on the part of the Elector by whom a bribe has been received in return for his vote, we are now in a condition /situation/ to view in its correct and proper point of view the guilt if such it be to be called, of the candidate the successful /successful or unsuccessful/ candidate by whom the bribe has been administered.

    Whatsoever be the guilt of the bribed elector, the bribing candidate is let it be said apprized of that guilt: he is the procurer and in that sense the author, one /an/ author at least of that guilt. Whatsoever mischief is done by that vote, of the electors the candidate the procurer /purchaser/ of that vote is the author of that mischief. Whatever mischief is in his belief and opinion the consequence of that vote, he in that his belief and opinion is the author of that mischief.

    But, except in the case where in placing himself in such seat his design is to place himself in a state of dependence under the Minister, in the opinion and belief the Member the /this bribing/ Candidate no mischief at all is done or can be done by such vote. No mischief but on the contrary /contrarywise/ good. Thus if in this case there be any thing to which the name of guilt can be with any propriety be applied - how [...?] and evanescent, at the utmost, must it not be?
  • Title: [15 Jan y. 1810 Parl y. Reform]
    Description: 15 Jan y. 1810

    Parl y. Reform

    Ch.15. Electors Contin.

    '.1. Mischief to State

    2

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    But if the power of a Elector be such as exposed his will to influence, bribery is the species of corruption of influence of will over will least detrimental to his dependence.

    Beyond all question, the thing /state of things/ to be desired in the first place, is - that on the part of the Elector, the will should be what is called free - unexposed to the action of any kind of influence: of particular, and thence sinister, influence.

    Why? because in that case, weak as /in comparison/ in the generality of men it can be - the love /the social affection/ of the community of the country at large - call it by what name you will - public spirit, patriotism, regard for the public interest, regard for the public welfare, having no motive of a stronger texture /complection/ /constitution/ to contend with, may give the law to conduct. /determination in the vote./

    To the understanding it /in this case/ then belongs in case of a competition among candidates, to give information to /inform/ the will which of them it is from whose services, in the event of his being placed in the seat in question the state is likely to reap most advantage.

    But, as between shape and shape, it has already been shewn that the least efficient shape in which it can happen to the matter of corruption alias the matter of sinister influence to present itself is that of a bribe.

    It is even in the case of the Member of Parliament that this comparative innocence of bribery has been shewn to have place: and if there be any difference, in the case of the Elector the comparative innocence of it will be seen in a still stronger point of view. Why? - not only because the influence /power/ of the elector is but a fraction of that of the Member, but because if in the scandal there be any mischief, it is in the case of the Elector that there is least of it.