11 Sep 1809 + '.4

Parl y Reform

Ch. Electors Voting

'. Wagering eludes[?] Ballot

1

'.4. Wagering - a mode of purchasing votes notwithstanding secrecy - Sole remedy, shortness of the term - i.e. Election annual, and Electors numerous

There is one case in which the secrecy of the mode of voting will not operate as a bar to corruption: viz. /and in particular/ to that species of corruption which takes the shape of bribery.

If /Let/ matters be so ordered /arranged/, that That portion of the matter of good, which, in the shape of a reward for the {sinister} service in question, viz. the co-operating towards the desirable event in question, is destined to serve /operate upon a man/ as an inducement to do what depends on him towards the bringing about the event, shall take place as of course upon the happening of the event, and this whether it be or be not known whether he to whom the reward has been contributory /instrumental/ to the production of the event.

[Side note:] If matters be so ordered, that the bribe shall take effect /be received/ whether the part which the intended receiver has taken in the election be known or no, bribery will not be prevented, nor so much as obstructed, by the secrecy of the vote.

There exists a mode of operation /of [...?]/, in which unless adequately opposed by him, bribery may /might/ be employed with effect and safety in the purchase whether of a seat in parliament, at the hands of an indefinite number of electors, or any other political situation, or in short anything that constitutes an object of desire.

This is the mode called wagering. Number of electors, say 1,000: majority 200. Applying himself to each of this number, an agent of one of the Candidates engages each of them {to lay} /them to lay/ a wager with him about the success of his employer. The agent lays with each of them, say a guinea, that the Candidate will not {gain his election} /be chosen. The Candidate being chosen, the agent loses his wager, and pays to each of the voters the stipulated guinea. (a)

Note (a)

(a) In the novel called Chrycal, or the Adventures of a Guinea, the wife of a dean lays a wager say of ,5000 with the Minister, that her husband is not appointed to a then vacant Bishoprick. The vacancy is filled by the reverend Dean, and the wager being lost by the lady, is honourably paid. A Dr O'Mearn might in this way settle matters with a Mrs Clark.