GOLDEN RULES FOR ELECTORS.

I.

By the spirit of the British constitution, the House of Commons is designed to represent the people, express their voice, and support their interests, in making laws, in controling ministers, and in levying taxes: consequently, its members ought to be freely and fairly elected, and to be independent of the other estates of parliament, of the king's ministers, and of the produce of the taxes; or they cease, for their important constitutional purposes, to be genuine representatives of the people.

II.

The property, liberty, happiness, and life, of every one of the British people, depending essentially and substantially on the incorruptibility, independence, and public spirit, of their representatives,-every elector is bound to scru

tinize the character and pretensions of all persons who offer themselves as delegates, to express his voice, and support his interests, in the parliament of the nation.

III.

As guardians of the public purse, it is evident that members of the House of Commons should possess at least the ordinary qualifications of upright stewards, and should not appropriate to their own benefit those national resources with the control of which they are entrusted; nor in any manner identify themselves with the servants of the state, whose expenditure and measures they are appointed to examine and restrain.

IV.

As guardians of the rights of the people against encroachments of the prerogatives of the crown and the privileges of the nobility, and as conservators of public liberty, it is evident that members of the House of Commons should not consist either of servants of the crown, or of mere dependents of the nobility.

V.

As controllers of the political measures of the state, it is evident, that the members of the House of Commons ought to possess unquestionable integrity and undaunted public spirit; and, as co-legislators, ought to be men of liberal education, mature age, and practical experience.

VI.

Of course it depends, in all cases, on the independence, intelligence, and energy, of electors, whoever they may be, whether the persons whom they choose to represent them are worthy or unworthy, are competent or incompetent, or are traitors or friends to the rights, privileges, and interests, of the people.

*That freeholders, burgesses, and householders, according as the right of election exists, may not have their right nullified by improper persons, it should be understood that the following classes of persons are disqualified from voting, viz. minors, aliens born, persons deaf, dumb, and blind, idiots and lunatics, peers, papists, outlaws, convicted felons, persons convicted of bribery, perjury, or subornation, persons receiving alms, customhouse and excise officers, distributors of stamps, certain collectors of taxes, and persons connected with the Postoffice.

VII.

It should never be lost sight of by the electors, and by the connexions of electors, that, at the hustings, every elector takes, or is required by law to take, the following solemn oath:-I swear that I have not received, or had, by myself or any person whatsoever for me, or for my use or benefit, directly or indirectly, any sum or sums of money, office, place, or employment, gift, or reward, or any promise or security for any money, office, employment, or gift, in order to give my vote at this election;”—a form of words which will check all who respect the obligations of religion, and fear the penalties of perjury, and which therefore ought, on no pretence, to be dispensed with at any election.

VIII.

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But, if the perpetration of the crime of jury serve as no check on the conscience of an unprincipled elector, it should be known, that to give, to offer, or to accept, any bribe, or the promise of any bribe, in any direct or indirect manner, is held by law to be a crime which subjects the convicted party to infamous disa

bilities, and renders him liable to heavy fines and imprisonments.

In the year 1819, Sir Manasseh Lopez, for bribery, through his agent at Grampound, was sentenced to twenty-one months' imprisonment in Exeter gaol, and to pay a fine of 10,000l.; and in the same term, Henry Swann, esq. for bribery at Penrhyn, was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment in the King's bench, and to pay a fine of 10007. In 1804, Messrs. Davison, Parsons, and Hopping, were convicted of bribery at Ilchester, and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment in the King'sbench. Hundreds of similar instances of this crime, and its punishment, might be adduced; but the notice of these cases may have the salutary effect desired.

1X.

In like manner, any threat or intimidation, with a view to influence an elector in the conscientious discharge of his duty, is held in law to be equivalent in criminality to an actual bribe; and the infliction of an injury on an elector, in resentment of his conscientious vote, vitiates the return, and is punishable by law as a high crime and misdemeanour.

** Thus any act of a candidate, tending unduly to influence a return, subjects the party, by 43 Geo. III. c. 18. to the penalty of 1000l.; and the elector submitting to such influence is liable to a penalty of 5007., to be recovered by any person who shall sue for the same,