LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
 Class 
 
 
NERAI. 
 
 THE 
 
 PEOPLE'S CHARTEll; 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 to tfje 3&afctcai 
 
 OF 
 
 GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, 
 
 AND 
 
 A BRIEF SKETCH OF ITS ORIGIN. 
 
 C. H. ELI, HIGH STREET, ISLINGTON; CHARLES FOX, 
 67, PATERNOSTER ROW. 
 
 1848. 
 
 PRICE TWOFENCB. 
 
Schedule A, the BallotiBg Place. 1. The space separated off by a close par- 
 tition, for the purposes of Secret Voting. 2. The entrance to the Ballot Box, 
 where the voter gives his vote. 3. The door by which the voter retires. 4. The 
 front of the Ballot Box, placed on a stand with an inclined plane, down which 
 the balloting ball descends, to be ready for the next voter. 5. The seat of the 
 deputy returning officer. 6. The seats of the Agents of the Candidates. 
 7. The desk of the Registration Clerk and his Assistant. 8. The Assistant, who 
 delivers the balloting ball to the voters. 9. Assistants and Constables at the 
 doors and barriers, who examine the certificates, and let the voter pass on to 
 the ballot. 10. A Constable, to stop any voter who may vote unfairly. 
 
 Schedule B, the Ballot Box. 1. The front of the Ballot Box, with the lid 
 down, showing five dials (or any number that may be necessary), on which are 
 engraven (or otherwise) numerals, from .one to any number of thousands that 
 inay be required, with hands (like the minute and hour hands of a clock) to re- 
 gister the number of votes. 2. The apertures, with the Candidates' names op- 
 posite, through which each voter drops a Brass Ball, which, falling in a zig-zag 
 direction, touches a clock-work spring, which moves a pinion on which the 
 hands are fastened, and thus registers one each time a person votes. 3. The 
 front of the Ballot Box, with the 'lid up and sealed. 4. The Stand, with the 
 Ball running down. 5. The line of the partition which makes the two rooms. 
 
 N.B. We understand that a Ballot Box of this description, has been in- 
 tented by Mr. Benjamin Jolly, 19, York Street, Bath, and it is so constructed 
 more than one ball can ie put in at a time by any voter. 
 
1 /ry 
 
 A BRIEF SKETCH 
 
 OP THE 
 
 ORIGIN OF THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER, 
 
 1. The following brief sketch of the origin of the 
 People's Charter may not be void of interest at this 
 period, when that important document engrosses so large 
 a share of public attention. It had its origin with a 
 political society, entitled the " London Working Men's 
 Association," a body well known to the radical public 
 from the able addresses it put forth on various subjects. 
 At the first public meeting called by this Association, at 
 the Crown and Anchor, Strand, on the 28th of February, 
 1837, a very important petition to the House of Com- 
 mons was adopted and signed by 3,000 persons ; it was 
 drawn up by the Secretary of the Association, Mr. W. 
 Lovett, and the prayer of that petition was an abstract 
 of the document to which the name of the People's 
 Charter was subsequently given. Mr. Roebuck was 
 requested to present the petition to parliament, and he, 
 desiring to make a motion thereon, induced the Associa- 
 tion to call a meeting at the British Coffee House, Cock- 
 spur Street, in May following, of all those members of 
 the House of Commons, who by their speeches or writ- 
 ings, were supposed to be in favor of universal suffrage. 
 Several members attended Mr. Lovett was appointed 
 to introduce the subject on the part of the Association, 
 and after much interesting discussion, which lasted for 
 two evenings, four very important resolutions were agreed 
 to. One was a resolution for supporting Mr. Roebuck 
 on the motion he was to make on the petition ; one 
 agreeing to vote for a bill on all the principles of radical 
 representation ; one to vote for a bill for a reform of the 
 House of Lords ; and the other a resolution appointing 
 a committee for the drawing up of those bills. 
 
 2. These resolutions having been fairly written out, 
 were signed the following day by Daniel O'Connell, 
 Charles Hindley, W. S. Crawford, John Fielden, T. Wak- 
 ley, D. W. Harvey, T. P. Thompson, J. A. Roebuck, 
 and Dr. Bowring. The committee appointed for drawing 
 up the said bills were Messrs. O'Connell, Roebuck, 
 Leader, Hindley, Colonel Thompson, Crawford, Lovett, 
 
Hetherington, Vincent, Cleave, Watson, and Moore, 
 the last six being members of the Association. The 
 death of William IV. having led to a dissolution of 
 parliament, nothing could be done till the new one was 
 chosen ; and unfortunately for the motion on the petition, 
 Mr. Roebuck lost his seat as member for Bath. How- 
 ever, when the committee met, it was resolved to have 
 but one general act of parliament, and Messrs. Roebuck 
 and Lovett were appointed to prepare it, but the former 
 gentleman being much occupied at that period, the first 
 draft, was written by Mr. Lovett. This was subsequently 
 amended at the suggestion of the committee and other 
 political friends, and was finally printed and sent round 
 for the consideration of the Working Men's Associations 
 and Radical Associations of the kingdom, many of whom 
 sent suggestions respecting it. The first edition of the 
 Charter was published in 1838. It may be well to state 
 that such was the respect entertained by great numbers 
 of the middle classes in favor of the exertions of the 
 Working Men's Association in the great work of political 
 and social reform at that period, that the first meeting 
 called in London in support of the People's Charter was 
 called by requisition of the electors of Westminster, and 
 holden in Palace Yard, the High Bailiff presiding. We 
 regret, however, to state that all these growing promises 
 of good, tending to the union of the two clases in favor 
 of reform, were frustrated by the blustering and fighting 
 projects of the physical force party, who had hitherto 
 been engaged in the anti-poor-law warfare. These men 
 appealing to the violent feelings of society, soon disgusted 
 a great number of adherents, and ultimately by their 
 intolerance drove them altogether out of the ranks of 
 Chartism : and we are sorry to perceive that they are 
 still, by their mischievous conduct, trying to keep those 
 asunder who ought to be united against the common 
 enemy. We trust, however, that the efforts that are 
 now being made for a separation between the violence 
 and folly on the one hand, and just principles on the 
 other, will cause the middle classes to rally in support of 
 their peaceably-disposed working-class brethren, and 
 thus cause the just principles of representation contained 
 in the People's Charter to be triumphant for good. 
 
 London, April, 1848, 
 
THE WORKING MEN'S ASSOCIATION 
 
 TO THE 
 
 RADICAL REFORMERS OF GREAT BRITAIN 
 AND IRELAND. 
 
 FELLOW COUNTRYMEN, Having frequently stated 
 our reasons for zealously espousing the great principles 
 of reform, we have now endeavoured to set them forth 
 practically. We need not reiterate the facts and unre- 
 futed arguments which have so often been stated and 
 urged in their support. Suffice it to say, that we hold 
 it to be an axiom in politics, that self-government by 
 representation is the only just foundation of political 
 power the only true basis of constitutional rights the 
 only legitimate parent of good laws ; and we hold it as 
 an indubitable truth, that all government which is based 
 on any other foundation, has a perpetual tendency to 
 degenerate into anarchy or despotism, or to beget class 
 and wealth idolatry on the one hand, poverty and misery 
 on the other. 
 
 While, however, we contend for the principle of self- 
 government, we admit that laws will only be just in 
 proportion as the people are enlightened, on which, 
 socially and politically, the happiness of all must depend ; 
 but as self-interest, unaccompanied by virtue, seeks its 
 own exclusive benefit, so will the exclusive and privileged 
 classes of society ever seek to perpetuate their power, 
 and to proscribe the enlightenment of the people. 
 Hence we are induced to believe that the enlightenment 
 of all will sooner emanate from the exercise of political 
 power by all the people, than by their continuing to 
 trust to the selfish government of the few. 
 
 A strong conviction of these truths, coupled, as that 
 conviction is, with the belief that most of our political 
 and social evils can be traced to corrupt and exclusive 
 legislation and that the remedy will be found in ex- 
 tending to the people at large, the exercise of those 
 rights, now monopolized by a few, has induced us to 
 make some exertions towards embodying our principles 
 in the following Charter. 
 
 We are the more inclined to take some practicable step 
 in favor of reform, from the frequent disappointments 
 the cause has experienced. We have heard eloquent 
 
6 
 
 effusions in favor of political equality, from the hustings 
 and the senate house, suddenly change into prudent 
 reasonings on property privileges, at the winning smile 
 of the minister. We have seen depicted, in glowing 
 language, bright patriotic promises of the future, which 
 have left impressions on us more lasting than the perfidy 
 or apostacy of the writers. We have seen one zealous 
 Reformer after another desert us, as his party was tri- 
 umphant, or his interests served. We have perceived 
 the tone of those whom we have held as champions of 
 our cause, lowered to the accommodation of selfish 
 electors, or restrained by the slavish fear of losing their 
 seats. We have, therefore, resolved to test the sincerity 
 of the remainder, by proposing that something shall be 
 done in favor of those principles they profess to admire. 
 
 In June last, we called a general meeting of our mem 
 bers, and invited to attend that meeting all those mem- 
 bers of parliament, who, by their speeches and writings, 
 we were induced to believe were advocates of Universal 
 Suffrage. Several did attend, and after some discussion, 
 another meeting was proposed, at which several members 
 of parliament pledged themselves by resolutions signed 
 by their own hands, " that they would bring in and sup- 
 port a Bill for Universal Suffrage, Equal Representation, 
 Short Parliaments, the Ballot, <^c." They also passed 
 another resolution at that meeting, appointing persons 
 to draw up such Bill. 
 
 Many circumstances transpired to cause the great delay 
 that took place, but the following outline of an Act of 
 Parliament is the result of our exertions. As a Bill in 
 detail, embracing all the legal technicalities required, 
 would be very expensive in the printing, and but ill 
 adapted for the general reader, the present outline has 
 been preferred. 
 
 It has often been urged, that Universal Suffrage, as 
 well as all the other essentials to the free exercise of that 
 right, could not be reduced to practice. This is, there- 
 fore, an attempt to show the contrary ; and we think it 
 would be practically found to be a simpler, cheaper, and 
 better mode of securing to the whole people their elective 
 rights, than the present expensive machinery, by which 
 the rich and ambitious few are enabled to pauperize and 
 enslave the industrious many. 
 
 Although this may be a new form of putting forward 
 our claims, they are in themselves by no means new. 
 
In former times, parliaments were only sessional, and the 
 members received pay for their attendance. In the year 
 1780, the Duke of Richmond introduced a Bill into the 
 House of Lords, for the purpose of establishing Annual 
 Parliaments, and giving the right of voting to every man 
 not contaminated by crime nor incapacitated for want of 
 reason. Three years after this, in his celebrated letter 
 to Colonel Sharman, he says, " The subject of parlia- 
 mentary reform is that which, of all others, most deserves 
 the attention of the public, as I conceive it would include 
 every other advantage which a nation can wish ; and I 
 have no hesitation in saying, that from every considera- 
 tion which I have been able to give to this great ques- 
 tion, that for many years has occupied my mind, 
 and from every day's experience to the present hour, 
 I am more and more convinced that the RESTORING 
 the right of voting to every man universally, who is not 
 incapacitated by nature for want of reason, or by law 
 for the commission of crimes, together with annual elec- 
 tions, is the only reform that can be effectual and perma- 
 nent." 
 
 In 1780, the electors of Westminster, in public meet- 
 ing, appointed a committee, out of which a sub-committee 
 was appointed to take into consideration the election of 
 members of parliament. Charles James Fox, the leader 
 of the Whigs, and Thomas Brand Hollis, Esq., were the 
 chairmen of these committees. In their report to the 
 electors they recommended 
 
 1. Annual Parliaments. 
 
 2. Universal Suffrage. 
 
 3. Equal Voting Districts. 
 
 4. No Property Qualification, 
 
 5. Voting by Ballot. 
 
 6. Payment of Members. 
 
 The " Society of Friends of the People," was estab- 
 lished in 1792, by Chas. Grey, Esq., (now Earl Grey,) 
 the Hon. Thos. Erskiue, Mr. (afterwards Sir James) 
 Mackintosh, several noblemen and members of the 
 House of Commons. In 1795, they resolved to publish 
 a Declaration, in which the right of voting should be so 
 moderate that there should be no condition in life in which 
 it might not be acquired by labour, by industry, or 
 talent*. 
 
8 
 
 These are the doings of the Whigs of former times, 
 persons whose speeches on every other subject our modern 
 Whigs quote with ancestoral reverence, as texts from 
 hoi}' writ. Like every other irresponsible body, they 
 have, however, degenerated. The only remedy for 
 the evil, is to render Whig, Tory, and Radical legisla- 
 tors alike responsible to the people ; and to instruct the 
 people in a knowledge of their rights and duties. 
 
 We could wish it to be engraven on the memory of 
 every Reformer, " that the people must be free; in propor- 
 tion as they Will it," not by foolishly lending them- 
 selves to bigotry or party to become the instruments of 
 the conceited, or selfishly ambitious, as they have too 
 often done nor by violently overthrowing the empire of 
 title, the folly of privilege, or the dominion of wealth \ 
 for the experience of the past has clearly written for our 
 guidance, that a change of men is not always a reforma- 
 tion in principle ; and when a knowledge of their rights 
 and duties shall have taught the people that their own 
 vices and ignorance are the chief instruments by which 
 they are bowed to the dust, titles, privileges, and wealth 
 will lose their potency to enslave them. 
 
 Fellow-countrymen, the object we contemplated in the 
 drawing up of this Bill was to cause the Radicals of the 
 kingdom to form, if possible, a concentration of their 
 principles in a practical form, upon which they could be 
 brought to unite, and to which they might point, as a 
 CHARTER they are determined to obtain. 
 
 Copies of this outline were forwarded to most of the 
 Working Men's Associations and Radical Associations 
 in the kingdom, and it has met with general approbation. 
 It has been adopted at several large public meetings in 
 different parts of the country, and, among others, at the 
 great Birmingham meeting of the 6th of August, 1838, 
 v. here upwards of 200,000 persons were present. We also 
 received very valuable suggestions for its improvement 
 from a great number of societies, and this revision is 
 made (as far as our judgement deems it reasonable) to 
 accord with the wishes of the majority. We still court 
 suggestions for its improvement, our object being to 
 make the details as perfect as theory will enable us to 
 do, especially as we have the history of the Reform Bill, 
 and all its anomalies, fresh in our remembrance to profit 
 by. 
 
 The next Session of Parliament^ when the great 
 
9 
 
 NATIONAL PETITION is presented, individuals will be 
 selected to introduce this CHARTER to the Legislature, 
 and we anticipate that by that time a considerable number 
 will be added to the members who are now pledged to 
 support it. In the interim, we hope that electors and 
 non-electors will continue to make it the pledge of their 
 candidates ; will seek to extend its circulation ; talk over 
 its principles ; and resolve, that as public opinion forced 
 the Whig Reform Bill, so in like manner shall this Bill 
 eventually become the law of England. 
 
 In drawing it up we have found some difficulty in fixing 
 the requisite qualifications of electors, because of many of 
 the barbarous and unjust laws, which corrupt and selfish 
 legislators have enacted. While, for instance, we agree 
 with most reformers that felony should lead to the depri- 
 vation of political rights, we think the law which makes 
 it felony for a boy to" steal an apple, or to kill a wild 
 animal which crosses his path, is as cruel as it is unjust. 
 W r e also think that the present alien laws, which had 
 their origin in the bigoted and prejudiced feelings of 
 other days, should be so modified as to permit the right of 
 citizenship to those, who for some definite period, have 
 taken up their abode among us, and are willing to declare 
 their allegiance as citizens ; and thus break down those 
 barriers which kingcraft and priestcraft have erected to 
 divide man from his brother man. 
 
 Among the suggestions we received for improving this 
 Charter, is one for embracing women among the posses- 
 sion of the franchise. Against this reasonable proposi- 
 tion we have no just argument to adduce, but only to 
 express our fears of entertaining it, lest the false estimate 
 man entertains of this half of the human family may 
 cause his ignorance and prejudice to be enlisted to retard 
 the progress of his own freedom. 
 
 And, therefore, we deem it far better to lay down just 
 principles, and look forward to the rational improvement 
 of society, than to entertain propositions which may 
 retard the measure we wish to promote. 
 
 In conclusion, we think that no unprejudiced man 
 can reflect on the present unjust and exclusive state of 
 the franchise, where property, however unjustly ac- 
 quired, is possessed of rights, that knowledge the most 
 extensive, and conduct the most exemplary, fail to attain 
 can witness the demoralizing influence of wealth in 
 the legislature the bribery, perjury, tumults, and dis- 
 
10 
 
 orders attendant on the present mode of elections but 
 must admit that the object contemplated is worthy of the 
 task we have imposed upon ourselves, however we may 
 have fallen short in providing an efficient remedy. 
 
 We remain, fellow-countrymen, yours respectfully, the 
 members of the Working Men's Association. 
 
 Signed by the Committee, on their behalf, 
 
 JOHN JAFFRAY, Bookbinder. 
 WILLIAM SAVAGE, Warehouseman. 
 HENRY MITCHELL, Turner. 
 JOHN SKELTON, Shoemaker. 
 DANIEL BINYON, Labourer. 
 RICHARD CAMERON, Bracemaker. 
 JAMES LAWRANCE, Painter. 
 WILLIAM MOORE, Carver. 
 ARTHUR DYSON, Compositor. 
 JOHN ROGERS, Tailor. 
 WILLIAM ISAACS, Typefounder. 
 JAMES JENKINSON, Engraver. 
 EDWARD THOMAS, Warehouseman. 
 HENRY HETHERINGTON, Treasurer 
 
 WILLIAM LOVETT, Secretary 
 6, Upper North Place, Gray's Inn Road. 
 
 London, May 8, 1838.* 
 
 Date of the first edition previous to the great Birmingham meeting 
 
THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER; 
 
 BEING THE OUTLINE OF AN ACT 
 
 TO PROVIDE FOR THE 
 
 Just Representation of the People of Great Britain and Ireland 
 IN THE COMMONS' HOUSE OF PAELIAMENT, 
 
 EMBRACING THE PRINCIPLES OF 
 
 UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE, NO PROPERTY QUALIFICA- 
 TION, ANNUAL PARLIAMENTS, EQUAL REPRE- 
 SENTATION, PAYMENT OF MEMBERS, 
 AND VOTE BY BALLOT. 
 
 Prepared by a Committee of Twelve Persons, Six Members of Par- 
 liament and Six Members of the London Working Men's Associ- 
 ation, and addressed to the People of the United Kingdom. 
 
 t to insure, in as far as it is possible by 
 human forethought and wisdom, the just government of 
 the people, it is necessary to subject those who have the 
 power of making the laws to a wholesome and strict 
 responsibility to those whose duty it is to obey them 
 when made. 
 
 And whereas, this responsibility is best enforced through 
 the instrumentality of a body which emanates directly 
 from, and is itself immediately subject to, the whole 
 people, and which completely represents their feelings 
 and their interests ; 
 
 And, whereas, as the Commons' House of Parliament 
 now exercises, in the name, and on the supposed behalf 
 of the people, the power of making the laws, it ought, in 
 order to fulfil with wisdom and with honesty the great 
 duties imposed on it, to be made the most faithful and 
 accurate representation of the people's wishes, feelings, 
 and interests ; 
 
 Be it therefore enacted, That from and after the passing 
 of this Act, every male inhabitant of these realms be 
 entitled to vote for the election of a Member of Parlia- 
 ment ; subject, however, to the following conditions : 
 
 1. That he be a native of these realms, or a foreigner 
 who has lived in this country upwards of two years, and 
 been naturalized. 
 
12 
 
 2. That he be twenty-one years of age. 
 
 3. That he be not proved insane when the lists of 
 voters are revised. 
 
 4. That he be not undergoing the sentence of the law 
 at the time when called upon to exercise the electoral 
 right. 
 
 5. That his electoral rights be not suspended for 
 bribery at elections, or for personation, or for forgery of 
 election certificates, according to the penalties of this 
 Act. 
 
 ELECTORAL DISTRICTS. 
 
 Be it enacted, I. That for the purpose of obtaining an- 
 equal representation of the people in the Commons' 
 House of Parliament, the united kingdom be divided 
 into three hundred electoral districts** 
 
 II. That each such district contain, as nearly as may 
 be, an equal number of inhabitants. 
 
 III. That the number of inhabitants be taken from 
 the last census, and as soon as possible after the next 
 ensuing decennial census shall have been taken, the 
 electoral districts ba made to conform thereto. 
 
 IV. That each electoral district be named after the- 
 principal city or borough within its limits.. 
 
 V. That each electoral district return one representa- 
 tive to sit in the Commons' House of Parliament. 
 
 VI. That the Secretary of State, for the Home De- 
 partment, shall appoint three competent persons as com- 
 missioners, and as many sub-commissioners as may be 
 necessary for settling the boundaries of each of the 300 
 electoral districts, and so on from time to time, when- 
 ever a new decennial census of the people shall be taken. 
 
 VII. That the necessary expenses of the said com- 
 missioners, sub-commissioners, clerks, and other persons 
 employed by them in the performance of their duties, 
 be paid out of the public treasury. 
 
 REGISTRATION OFFICERS. 
 
 Be it enacted, That for the purpose of procuring an 
 accurate registration of voters for finally adjudicating 
 in all cases of objections made against persons claiming 
 to be registered for receiving the nominations of Mem- 
 bers of Parliament, and returning officers, and declaring 
 their election as well as for conducting and superin- 
 
 * There are, say 6,000,000 of men eligible to vote ; this number,, 
 divided by 300, gives 20,000 to each member. 
 
13 
 
 tending all matters connected with registration, nomina- 
 tion, and elections, according to the provisions of this 
 Act the following officers be appointed : 
 
 1. Returning officers for each electoral district. 
 
 2. Deputy returning officers for each district. 
 
 3. A registration clerk for every parish containing 
 number of inhabitants, or for every two or more 
 parishes, if united for the purposes of this Act. 
 
 RETURNING OFFICER AND HIS DUTIES. 
 Be it enacted, I. That at the first general election after 
 the passing of this Act, a returning officer be elected for 
 every electoral district throughout the kingdom, and so 
 in like manner at the end of every year. 
 
 II. That, at the end of every such period, the return- 
 ing officer for each district be nominated in like manner, 
 and elected at the same time as the Member of Parlia- 
 ment for the district ; he shall be eligible to be re-elected. 
 
 III. That vacancies occasioned by the death, removal, 
 or resignation of the returning officer, shall in like man- 
 ner be filled up as vacancies for Members of Parliament, 
 for the unexpired term of one year. 
 
 IV. That every returning officer shall appoint a deputy 
 returning officer for the day of election, for every ballot- 
 ing place within his district, and in all cases be respon- 
 sible for the just fulfilment of the duties of such deputies. 
 
 V. That it be the duty of the returning officer to 
 appoint a registration clerk for every parish within his 
 district containing number of inhabitants, or for 
 every two or more parishes, if united for the purposes of 
 this Act ; and that in all cases he be responsible for the 
 just fulfilment of the duties of such clerks. 
 
 VI. That he also see that proper balloting places, and 
 such other erections as may be necessary, be provided 
 by each parish, (or any number that may be united) and 
 that the ballot boxes be made and provided according to 
 the provisions of this Act. 
 
 VII. That he receive the lists of voters from all the 
 parishes in his district, in which list shall be marked or 
 specified the names of the persons who have been ob- 
 jected to by the registration clerks, or any other persons. 
 
 VIII. That between the first of April and the first of 
 May in each year, he shall hold open courts of adjudica- 
 tion at such a number of places within his district as he 
 may deem necessary, of which courts (place and time of 
 meeting) he shall cause due notice to be given in each 
 
u 
 
 parish of the district, and at the same time invite all 
 persons who have made objections, and who have been 
 objected to. And after hearing the statements that may 
 be made by both parties, he shall finally adjudicate 
 whether the voter's name be placed on the register or 
 not. 
 
 IX. That the returning officer shall then cause to be 
 made out alphabetical lists of all the registered voters in 
 all the parishes within his district ; which lists, signed 
 and attested by himself, shall be used at all elections for 
 the district. Such lists to be sold to the public at rea- 
 sonably low prices. 
 
 X. That the returning officer receive all nominations 
 for the member of his district, as well as for the return- 
 ing officer of his district ; and shall give public notice of 
 the same according to the provisions of this Act; he 
 shall also receive from the Speaker of the House of 
 Commons the orders for any new election, in case of the 
 death or resignation of the Member of the district ; as 
 well as the orders to superintend and conduct the election 
 of any other district, in case of the death or resignation 
 of the returning officer of such district. 
 
 XT. That the returning officer shall also receive the 
 returns from all the parishes within his district on the 
 day of the election ; and on the day following the election 
 he shall proclaim the state of the ballot as directed by 
 this Act, and perform the several duties appertaining to 
 his office, as herein made and provided. 
 
 XII. That the returning officer be paid for fulfilling 
 the duties of his office the sum of per annum, a& 
 herein- after mentioned. 
 
 XIII. That upon a petition being presented to the 
 House of Commons, by at least one hundred qualified 
 electors of the district, against any returning officer, of 
 the same, complaining of corruption in the exercise of 
 his office, or of incapacity, such complaints shall be 
 enquired into by a committee of the House, consisting 
 of seven members ; and, on their report being read, the 
 members present shall then determine whether such 
 returning officer be or be not guilty, or be or be not in- 
 capacitated. 
 
 XIV. That, for conducting the first elections after the 
 passing of this Act, a returning officer for each district 
 lie tempararily appointed by the Secretary of State, to 
 perform the duties prescribed by this Act. He shall 
 
15 
 
 resign his office as soon as the new one is appointed, and 
 be paid as hereinafter mentioned. See Penalties. 
 
 DEPUTY RETURNING OFFICER AND HIS DUTIES. 
 
 Be it enacted, I. That a deputy returning officer 
 be appointed by the district returning officer, to pre- 
 side at each balloting place on the day of election ; 
 such deputy to be subject and responsible to his au- 
 thority, as well as to the provisions of this Act. 
 
 II. That it be the duty of the deputy returning officer 
 to provide a number of competent persons, not ex- 
 ceeding to aid him in taking the ballot, 
 and for performing the necessary business thereof. 
 
 III. That the deputy returning officer shall see that 
 proper registration lists are provided, and that the bal- 
 lot begin at six o'clock in the morning precisely, and 
 end at six o'clock in the afternoon of the same day. 
 
 IV. That the deputy returning officer, in the pre- 
 sence of the agents of the candidates, examine and seal 
 the balloting boxes previously to the commencement of 
 the balloting ; he shall, in like manner, declare the 
 number of votes for each candidate, and shall cause a 
 copy'o/ the same, signed by himself, to be forwarded to 
 the returning officer of the district, and another copy 
 to the registration clerk of the parish. 
 
 V. That the deputy returning officer be paid for hi* 
 services as hereinafter mentioned. See Penalties. 
 
 REGISTRATION CLERK, AND HIS DUTIES. 
 
 Be it enacted, I. That a registration clerk be ap- 
 pointed by the district returning officer for every parish 
 within his district containing inha- 
 
 bitants ; or for every two or more parishes that may 
 be united for the purposes of this Act ; such clerk to be 
 responsible to his authority, as well as to the provisions 
 of this Act. 
 
 II. That for the purpose of obtaining a correct regis- 
 tration of all the voters in each electoral district, the 
 registration clerk of every parish, as aforesaid, through- 
 out the kingdom, shall, on or before the first of Feb- 
 ruary in each year, take or cause to be taken round to 
 every dwelling house, poor house, or union workhouse in 
 his parish, a printed notice of the following form : 
 
 Mr. John Jones you are hereby required, within six days 
 from the date hereof, to Jill up this list with the names of all male 
 inhabitants of your house, q/"21 years of age and upwards, stat- 
 ing their respective ages, and the time they have resided with you ; 
 
16 
 
 or, in neglect thereof, to forfeit the sum of one pound for every 
 name omitted. 
 
 A. B., Registration Clerk. 
 Dated 
 
 NAME. 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 AGE. 
 
 1 
 
 TIME OF 
 RESIDENCE. 
 
 John Jones. 
 
 6, Upper North Place. 
 
 21 Years. 
 
 3 Months. 
 
 JV.JB. This list will be called for at the expiration of six days 
 from this date. 
 
 III. That, at the expiration of six days, as aforesaid, 
 the registration clerk shall collect, or cause to be col- 
 lected, the aforesaid lists, and shall cause to be made 
 out from them an alphabetical list of all persons who 
 are of the proper age and residence to qualify them as 
 voters, according to the provisions of this Act. 
 
 IV. That if the registration clerk shall have any 
 just reasons to believe that the names, ages, or time of 
 residence of any person inserted in the aforesaid list 
 are falsely entered, or not in accordance with the pro- 
 visions of this Act, he shall not refuse to insert them 
 in his list of voters, but he shall write the words " ob- 
 jected to" opposite such names; and so in like manner 
 against the names of every other person he may have 
 just reason to consider ineligible according to the provi- 
 sions of this Act. 
 
 V. That on or before the 8th of March in each year, 
 the registration clerk shall cause the aforesaid alphabe- 
 tical lists of voters to be stuck against all church and 
 chapel doors, market-houses, town-halls, session-houses^ 
 poor-houses, and union work-houses, and such other con- 
 spicuous places as he may deem necessary, from the 8th 
 of March till the 22nd. He shall also cause a copy 
 of such list to lie at his office, to be perused by any 
 person, without a fee, at all reasonable hours; and 
 copies of the said list shall be sold to the public at a . 
 reasonably low price. 
 
 VI. That on or before the 25th of March the regis- 
 tration clerk shall take, or cause to be taken, a copy 
 of the aforesaid list of voters to the returning officer of 
 his district, which list shall be signed by himself, and be 
 presented as a just and impartial list, according to his 
 judgement, of all persons within his parish who are eligi- 
 
17 
 
 Lie according to their claims, as well as of those who* 
 have been objected to by himself or other persons. 
 
 VII. That the registration clerk shall attend the 
 court of adjudication, according to the notice he shall 
 receive from the returning officer, to revise his list, and 
 shall perform all the duties of his office as herein pro- 
 vided. 
 
 VIII. That the registration clerk be paid for his ser- 
 vices in the manner hereinafter mentioned. 
 
 ARRANGEMENT FOR REGISTRATION. 
 Be it enacted, I. That every householder, as well as 
 every person occupying or having charge of a dwelling- 
 house, poor-house, or union workhouse, who shall receive 
 a notice from the registration clerk as aforesaid, shall 
 cause the said notice to be correctly filled up with the 
 names, ages, and time of residence of every male in- 
 mate or inhabitant of his or her house, of twenty-one 
 years of age and upwards, within six days of the date 
 of such notice, and shall carefully preserve the same till 
 it is called for by the registration clerk, or his proper 
 officer. 
 
 II. That when the list of voters is made out from 
 these notices, and stuck on the church doors and places 
 as aforesaid, any person who finds his 'name not in- 
 serted in the list, and who believes he is duly qualified 
 as a voter, shall, on presenting to the registration clerk 
 a notice in the following form, have his name added to 
 the list of voters : 
 
 T, John Jones, carpenter, residing at , 
 
 in the district of , being twenty-one years of 
 
 age, and having resided at the above place during the last three 
 months, require to be placed on the list of voters, as a qualified 
 elector for the said district. 
 
 III. That any person who is qualified as a voter in 
 any electoral district, and shall have removed to any 
 other parish within the said district, on presenting to 
 the registration clerk of the parish he then resides in, 
 his voter's certificate as proof of this, or the written tes- 
 timony of any registration clerk who has previously re- 
 gistered him, he shall be entitled to be placed on the 
 list of voters as aforesaid. 
 
 IV. That if an elector of any parish in the district 
 have any just grounds for believing that any person 
 disqualified by this Act has been put upon any parish 
 register within the said district, he may, at any season- 
 
18 
 
 able hour, between the 1st and 20th day of March, 
 cause the following notices to be delivered : one at the 
 residence of the registration clerk, and the other at the 
 residence of the person objected to ; and the registration 
 clerk shall, in like manner, send notice of the grounds of 
 objection to all persons he may object to, as afore- 
 said : 
 
 TO THE REGISTRATION CLERK. 
 
 I, William Smith, elector of the parish of 
 in the district of object to A. B. being on the 
 
 register of voters, believing him to be disqualified. 
 Dated this day, fyc. 
 
 TO THE PERSON OBJECTED TO. 
 
 Mr. A. B. of , I, William Smith, elector of the 
 
 parish of , in the district of , 
 
 object to your name being on the register of voters, for the fol- 
 lowing reasons : (here state the reasons) and I will support 
 my objections by proofs before the returning officer of the district. 
 Dated this day, fyc. 
 
 V. That if the person thus objecting neglect to attend 
 the court of the returning officer at the proper time to 
 state his objections, he shall be fined ten shillings for 
 every such neglect, the same to be levied on his goods 
 and chattels, provided he is not prevented from attend- 
 ing by sickness or accident, in which case his medical 
 certificate, or a certificate signed by ten voters certify- 
 ing such fact, shall be forwarded to the returning officer, 
 who shall then determine whether the claim to be put 
 on the register be allowed or not. 
 
 VI. That if the person objected to fails to attend the 
 court of the returning officer at the proper time, to sub- 
 stantiate his claim, his name shall be erased from the 
 register ; provided he is not prevented by sickness or 
 accident, in which case a certificate shall be forwarded, 
 and the returning officer shall determine, as before 
 directed. 
 
 VII. That if it should be proved before the return- 
 ing officer, in his open court of adjudication, that_any 
 person has frivolously .or vexatiously objected to any ' 
 one being placed on the list of voters, such person ob- 
 jecting shall be fined twenty shillings and expenses, the 
 same to be levied on his goods and chattels, and paid 
 to the person objected to. 
 
 VIII. That as early as possible after the lists are 
 revised as aforesaid, the returning officer shall cause a 
 
19 
 
 copy of the same to be forwarded to every registration 
 clerk within his district. 
 
 IX. That the registration clerk of every parish shall 
 then correctly copy from such list the name, age, and 
 residence of every qualified elector within his parish 
 or parishes, into a book made for that purpose, and shall 
 place a number opposite each name. He shall then, 
 within days, take, or cause to be taken, to 
 all such electors, a voter's certificate of the following 
 form, the number on which shall correspond with the 
 number in the aforesaid book : 
 
 No. 123. This is to certify that James Jones, of 
 is eligible to vote for one person to be returned to Parliament (as 
 u'ell as for the returning officer) for the district of 
 for one year from the date hereof. 
 Dated 
 
 Registration Clerk. 
 
 X. That if any person lose his voter's certificate by 
 fire, or any other accident, he shall not have anew cer- 
 tificate till the next registration ; but on the day of any 
 election, if he can establish his identity, on the testi- 
 mony of two witnesses, to the satisfaction of the registra- 
 tion clerk, as being the qualified voter described in the 
 registration book, he shall be allowed to vote. 
 
 XI. That the returning officer is hereby authorized 
 and commanded to attach any small parishes to any 
 adjacent parish within his district, for the purposes of this 
 Act, and not otherwise ; and in like manner to unite all 
 extra-parochial places to some adjacent parish. See 
 Penalties. 
 
 ARRANGEMENT FOR NOMINATIONS. 
 
 Be it enacted, I. That for the purpose of guarding 
 against too great a number, who might otherwise be 
 heedlessly proposed, as well as for giving time for the 
 electors to inquire into the merits of the persons who 
 may be nominated for Members of Parliament, as well 
 as for returning officers, that all nominations be taken, 
 as hereinafter directed. 
 
 II. That for all general elections of Members of Parli- 
 ament a requisition of the following form, signed by 
 at least one hundred qualified electors of the district, 
 be delivered to the returning officer of the district, be- 
 tween the 1st and 10th day of May in each year; and 
 that such requisition constitute the nomination of suck 
 person as a candidate for the district : 
 
20 
 
 We, the undersigned electors of the district of , 
 
 recommend A. B-, of , as a fit and proper person 
 
 to represent the people of this district in the Commons' House of 
 Parliament, the said A. B. leing qualified to be an elector ac- 
 cording to the provisions of this Act. 
 
 Dated, tyc. 
 
 III. That the returning officer of every electoral 
 district shall, on or before the 13th of May in each year, 
 cause a list of all the candidates thus nominated to be 
 stuck up against all church and chapel doors, market- 
 houses, town-halls, session-houses, poor-houses and 
 union workhouses, and 'such other conspicuous places 
 within his district as he may deem necessary. 
 
 IV. That whenever a vacancy is occasioned in any 
 district, by the death, resignation, or other cause, of the 
 Member of Parliament, the returning officer of that dis- 
 trict shall, within three days after the receipt'of his orders 
 from the Speaker of the House of Commons, give 
 notice thereof in all the parishes of his district, in the 
 manner described for giving notices, and he shall at the 
 same time request all nominations to be made as afore- 
 said within ten days from the receipt of his order, and 
 shall also appoint the day of election within eighteen days 
 from the receipt of such order from the Speaker of the 
 House of Commons. 
 
 V. That if from any circumstance no person has been 
 nominated as a Candidate for the district on or before the 
 1 Oth of May, persons may then be nominated in the 
 manner described as aforesaid, at any time previous to 
 the 20th day of May, but not after that date. 
 
 VI. That at the first election, after the passing of this 
 Act, and at the expiration of every year, the nomina- 
 tion of candidates for the returning officer be made in 
 the same manner as for Members of Parliament,^ and 
 nominations for vacancies that may occur in like manner. 
 
 VII. That if two or more persons are nominated as 
 aforesaid for members to serve in Parliament for the 
 district, the returning officer shall, at any time between 
 the 15th and 31st of May, (Sundays excepted), appoint 
 such times and places (not exceeding ) as 
 he shall think most convenient to the electors of the dis- 
 trict for the candidates to appear before them, then and 
 there to explain their views and solicit the suffrage of 
 the electors. 
 
21 
 
 VIII. That the returning officer see that the places 
 above described be convenient for the purpose, and that 
 as many such erections be put up as'may be necessary ; 
 the same to be paid for by the returning officer, and 
 charged in his account as hereinafter mentioned. 
 
 XI. That for the purpose of keeping good order and 
 public decorum, the returning officer either take the 
 chair at such meetings himself, or appoint a deputy 
 for that purpose. 
 
 X. That provided only one candidate be proposed 
 for a Member of Parliament for the district by the time 
 hereinbefore mentioned, the returning officer shall cause 
 notice to be given as hereinafter mentioned, that such 
 candidate is elected a member for the district, and if 
 only one candidate be proposed for the returning officer, 
 he shall in like manner be declared duly elected. 
 
 XI. That no other qualification shall be required 
 than the choice of electors, according to the provisions 
 of this Act, providing that no persons, (excepting the 
 Cabinet Ministers), be eligible to serve in the Com- 
 mons' House of Parliament, who are in the receipt of 
 any emolument derivable from any place or places held 
 under government, or of retired allowances arising there- 
 from. See Penalties. 
 
 ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTIONS. 
 Be it enacted, I. That a general election of Mem- 
 bers of Parliament for all the electoral districts of the 
 United Kingdom take place on the first Monday in 
 June in each year ; and that all vacancies by death 
 or otherwise, shall be filled up as nearly as possible 
 within eighteen days after they occur, 
 
 II. That a general election of returning officers for 
 all the districts take place at the expiration of every 
 year, on the first Monday in June, and at the same 
 time Members of Parliament are to be elected ; and 
 all vacancies be filled up, as nearly as possible, within, 
 eighteen days after they occur. 
 
 III. That every person who has been registered as 
 aforesaid, and who has a voter's certificate, shall have the 
 right of voting in the district in which he has been regis- 
 tered, and in that only, and of voting for the Members 
 of Parliament for that district, and the returning officer 
 for the district, and for those only. 
 
 IV. That for the purpose of taking the votes of the 
 qualified electors, the parish officer in every pari&h of 
 
22 
 
 the district, (or in every two or more parishes if united 
 for that purpose), shall cause proper places to be pro- 
 vided, so as to admit of the arrangements described in 
 Schedule A ; and so constructed (either permanently or 
 temporarily as they may think proper) that the votes 
 may be taken with due despatch, and so as to secure the 
 elector while voting from being inspected by any other 
 person. 
 
 V. That the parish officers of every parish in this dis- 
 trict provide a sufficient number of balloting boxes, 
 made after a model described in Schedule B, (or made 
 on one plan by persons appointed to make them, as was 
 the case with weights and measures,) and none but such 
 boxes, duly certified, shall be used. 
 
 VI. That immediately preceding the commencement 
 of the balloting, each ballot-box shall be opened by the 
 deputy returning officer, (or otherwise examined as [the 
 case may be), in the presence of an agent appointed by 
 each candidate, and shall then be sealed by him and by 
 the agents of the candidates, and not again be opened 
 until the balloting is finally closed, when notice shall 
 be given to such of the agents of the candidates as may 
 then be present to attend the opening of the boxes,[and 
 ascertaining the number of votes for each candidate. 
 
 VII. That the deputy returning officer preside in 
 the front of the ballot-box, and see that the balloting is 
 conducted with strict impartiality and justice ; and that 
 the various clerks, assistants, and parish constables pro- 
 perly perform their respective duties, and that strict 
 order and decorum be preserved among the friends of 
 the candidates, as well as among all persons employed 
 in conducting the election ; and he is hereby authorized 
 and empowered to cause all persons to be taken into 
 custody who interrupt the proceedings of the election, 
 seek to contravene the provisions of this Act, or fail to 
 obey his lawful authority. 
 
 VIII. That during the time the balloting is going 
 on, two agents of each candidate may be in the space 
 fronting the ballot-box, and immediately behind the 
 deputy returning officer, in order that they may see 
 that the election is fairly conducted ; such persons to be 
 provided by the deputy returning officer with cards of 
 admission, and to pass in and out by the entrance as- 
 signed them. 
 
 IX. That the registration clerk of every parish in 
 
23 
 
 the district, who has been appointed for the purposes 
 of registration, be at the balloting place, in the station 
 assigned him, previously to the commencement of the 
 balloting and see that no person pass on to the balloting 
 place till he has examined his certificate, and seen that 
 it corresponds with the registration list. 
 
 X. That the parish constables and the officers sta- 
 tioned at the entrance of the balloting place, shall not 
 permit any person to enter unless he shews his voter's 
 certificate, except the persons employed in conducting 
 the election ; or those persons who have proved the 
 loss of their voter's certificate. 
 
 XL That at the end of every year, or whenever the 
 returning officer is elected at the same time as the mem- 
 ber for the district, a division shall be made in the bal- 
 loting place, and the boxes and balloting so arranged 
 as to ensure the candidates the strictest impartiality and 
 justice, by preventing the voter from giving two votes 
 for either of the candidates. 
 
 XII. That on the day of election, the balloting com- 
 mence at six o'clock in the forenoon, and terminate at 
 six o'clock in the afternoon of the same day. 
 
 XIII. That when any voter's certificate is examined 
 byjthe registration clerk and found to be correct, he shall 
 be allowed to pass on to the next barrier, where a 
 balloting ball shall be given him by the person ap- 
 pointed for that purpose ; he shall then pass on to the 
 balloting box, and with all due despatch, shall put the 
 balloting ball into the aperture opposite the name of 
 the candidate he wishes to vote for, after which he shall 
 without delay, leave the room by the door assigned for 
 the purpose. See Schedules A and B. 
 
 XIV. That at the close of the balloting, the deputy 
 returning officer, in the presence of the agents of the 
 candidates and other persons present, shall break open 
 the seals of the balloting box, and ascertain the number 
 for each candidate : he shall then cause copies of the same 
 to be publicly posted outside the balloting place, and 
 immediately forward (by a trusty messenger) a copy 
 of the same, signed by himself and the agents present, 
 to the returning officer of the district; .he shall then 
 deliver a similar copy to the registration clerk, who shall 
 carefully preserve the same, and produce it if necessary. 
 
 XV. That the persons employed as assistants for in- 
 
24 
 
 specting the certificates, and attending on the balloting, 
 be paid as hereafter mentioned. 
 
 XVI. That all the expenses of registration, nomina- 
 tion, and election, as aforesaid, together with the sala- 
 ries of the returning officers, registration clerks, assist- 
 ants, constables, and such other persons as may be neces- 
 sary, as well as the expenses of all balloting places, 
 balloting boxes, hustings, and other necessaries for the 
 purposes of this Act, be paid out of an equitable dis- 
 trict-rate, which a District Board, composed of one pa- 
 rochial officer chosen by each of the parishes in the dis- 
 trict, orfor any two or more parishes, if united for the 
 purposes of this Act, are hereby empowered and com- 
 manded to levy on all householders within the dis- 
 trict. 
 
 XVII. That all expenses necessary for 'the purposes 
 of this Act incurred within the district, be paid by the 
 District Board as aforesaid, or their treasurer ; that the 
 salaries of all officers and assistants required for the pur- 
 poses of this Act be fixed and paid by the said Board 
 according to the expenses and duties of the various 
 localities.* 
 
 XVIII. That all accounts of receipts and expendi- 
 ture for electoral purposes shall be kept distinct, and 
 be audited by auditors appointed by the District Board 
 as aforesaid ; copies of which accounts shall be printed 
 for the use of the respective parishes in the district. 
 
 XIX. That all canvassing for Members of Parli- 
 ament, as well as for returning officers, is hereby declared 
 to be illegal, and meetings for that purpose during the 
 balloting on the day of election, are hereby also declared 
 to be illegal. See Penalties. 
 
 DURATION OF PARLIAMENT. 
 
 Be it enacted, I. That the Members of the House of 
 Commons chosen as aforesaid, shall meet on the first 
 Monday in June in each year, and continue their sit- 
 tings from time to time as they may deem it convenient, 
 
 * The Committee having considered that, as the duties and expenses 
 of all these various offices will greatly vary, according to their loca- 
 lities, it will be unwise to have a sum fixed by Parliament, and paid 
 out of the treasury. Believing, moreover, that a just system of repre- 
 sentation will soon purify the local corruptions that exist, they think 
 that the united expenditure will be much less under the immediate 
 superintendence of the local authorities, when responsible to the peo- 
 ple, than under the management of Government and their subordinate 
 agents. 
 
25 
 
 till the first Monday in June following, when the next 
 new Parliament shall be chosen ; they shall be eligible 
 to be re-elected. 
 
 II. That during an adjournment they be liable to be 
 called together by the Executive in case of emergency. 
 
 III. That a register be kept of the daily attendance 
 of each Member, which, at the close of the session shall 
 be printed as a sessional paper, showing how the Mem- 
 bers have attended. 
 
 PAYMENT OF MEMBERS. 
 
 Be it enacted, I. That every Member of the House of 
 Commons be entitled, at the close of the session, to a 
 writ of expenses on the Treasury, for his legislative du- 
 ties in the public service ; and shall be paid 
 per annum.* 
 
 RESIGNATIONS AND DEATHS. 
 
 I. That any Member of the House of Commons who 
 may wish to resign his seat, shall notify the same to the 
 Speaker, who is hereby authorised and commanded, with- 
 out delay, to cause the said notice to be delivered to 
 the district returning officer for a new election accord- 
 ing to the provisions of this Act. 
 
 II. That on the death of any Member of Parliament or 
 returning officer, the registrar of deaths, whose duty it 
 is to record the same, shall within three days after he 
 has received such notice, forward an account of such 
 death to the Speaker of the House of Commons, who is 
 hereby authorised and commanded to give his orders as 
 aforesaid ; provided always, that if such Members or 
 returning officers should have died abroad, the next of 
 kin of such deceased person shall give notice as aforesaid 
 as early as possible after such death. 
 
 PENALTIES. 
 
 Be it enacted, I. That if any person cause himself 
 to be registered in more than one electoral district, and 
 vote in more than one such district, upon conviction 
 thereof before any two justices of the peace in either 
 of such districts, he shall incur for the first offence, the 
 
 * The Committee understand that the DAILY payment of Members 
 of Parliament has operated beneficially in Canada : but they fear that 
 such mode of payment holds out a motive for lengthening the sessions 
 unnecessarily : and if the time of sitting is limited by law, it may lead 
 to too hasty legislation, both of which evils are obviated by an annual 
 payment. 
 
26 
 
 penalty of three months' imprisonment, and for the 
 second offence twelve months' im prisonment. 
 
 II. That any person who shall be convicted as afore- 
 said of wilfully neglecting to fill up his or her notice 
 within the proper time, or of leaving out the name of 
 any inmate in his or her notice, shall for the first offence 
 incur the penalty of one pound for every name omitted: 
 and for the second offence incur the penalty of three 
 months' imprisonment, and be deprived of his elective 
 rights for three years. 
 
 III. That any person who shall be convicted as afore- 
 said of forging any name, age, or time of residence on 
 any notice, shall for the first offence incur the penalty 
 of thiee months' imprisonment, and for the scond of- 
 fence three months' imprisonment, and be deprived of his 
 elective rights for three years. 
 
 IV. That any person who shall be convicted as afore- 
 said of having in any manner obtained the certificate of 
 an elector other than his own, and of having voted or 
 attempted to vote by means of such false certificate, 
 shall for the first offence incur the penalty of three 
 months' imprisonment, and for the second offence three 
 months' imprisonment and be deprived of his elective 
 rights for three years. 
 
 V. That any person who shall be convicted as afore- 
 said of having forged a voter's certificate, or of having 
 forged the name of any person to any certificate ; or of 
 having voted or attempted to vote on such forged cer- 
 tificate, knowing such to have been forged, shall for 
 the first offence incur the penalty of three months' impri- 
 sonment, and for the second offence three months' im- 
 prisonment and be deprived of his elective rights for three 
 years. 
 
 VI. That any person who shall be convicted as afore- 
 said of having forged, or caused to be forged, the names 
 of any voters to a requisition nominating a Member of 
 Parliament or returning officer, shall for the first of- 
 fence incur the penalty of three months' imprisonment, 
 and for the second offence three months' imprisonment, 
 and be deprived of his elective rights for three years. 
 
 VII. That any person who shall be convicted as afore- 
 said of bribery, in order to secure his election, shall for 
 the first offence incur the penalty of two years' impri- 
 sonment, and for the second offence shall be imprisoned 
 two years, and be deprived of his elective rights for five 
 years. 
 
VIII. That any agent of any candidate, or any other 
 person, who shall be convicted as aforesaid of bribery 
 at any election, shall for the first offence incur the 
 penalty of twelve months' imprisonment, and for the 
 second offence twelve months' imprisonment and be 
 deprived of his elective rights for five years. 
 
 IX. That any person who shall be convicted as afore- 
 said of going from house to house, or place to place, to 
 solicit in any way votes in favour of any Candidate for 
 Parliament or returning officer, after the nomination as 
 aforesaid, shall for the first offence incur the penalty of 
 one month's imprisonment, and for the second offence 
 two months'. 
 
 X. That any person who shall be convicted as afore- 
 said of calling together, or causing an election meet- 
 ing to be held in any district during the day of election, 
 shall for the first offence incur the penalty of three 
 months' imprisonment, and for the second offence six 
 months'. 
 
 XI. That any person who shall be convicted as afore- 
 said of interrupting the balloting, or the business of 
 the election, shall incur the penalty of three months' 
 imprisonment for the first offence, and six months' for 
 the second. 
 
 XII. That if any messenger who may be sent with 
 the state of the ballot to the returning officer, or with 
 any other notice, shall wilfully delay the same, or in 
 any way by his consent or conduct cause the same to 
 be delayed, on conviction as aforesaid shall incur the 
 penalty of six months' imprisonment. 
 
 XIII. That any returning officer who shall be con- 
 victed as aforesaid of having neglected to appoint pro- 
 per officers as directed by this Act, to see that proper 
 balloting places and balloting boxes are provided, and 
 to give the notices and perform the duties herein required 
 of him, he shall forfeit for each case of neglect the sum 
 of 20. 
 
 XIV. That if any returning officer be found guilty of 
 bribery or corrupt practices in the execution of any of 
 the duties herein assigned to him, he shall incur the pen- 
 alty of twelve. months' imprisonment, and be deprived 
 of his elective rights for five years. 
 
 XV. That if any deputy returning officer be convicted 
 as aforesaid of. having neglected to perform any of the 
 duties herein assigned him, he shall forfeit for such 
 neglect three pounds. 
 
28 
 
 XVI. That if any deputy returning officer be convicted 
 as aforesaid of bribery or corrupt practices in the execu- 
 tion of the duties of his office, he shall incur the penalty 
 of six months' imprisonment and the deprivation of his 
 elective rights for three years. 
 
 XVII. That if any registration clerk be convicted 
 as aforesaid of having neglected to perform any of the 
 duties herein assigned him, he shall forfeit for each such 
 case of neglect five pounds. 
 
 XVIII. That if any registration clerk be convicted as 
 aforesaid of bribery or corrupt practices in the execu- 
 tion of the duties of his office, he shall incur the penalty 
 of six months' imprisonment, and the deprivation of his 
 elective rights for three years. 
 
 XIX. That if the parochial officers in any parish ne- 
 glect or refuse to comply with any of the provisions of 
 this Act, they shall forfeit for every such neglect or non- 
 compliance with the provisions of this Act the sum of fifty 
 pounds, or in default of payment, twelve months' im- 
 prisonment. 
 
 XX. That all fines and penalties incurred under the 
 provisions of this Act be recoverable before any two jus- 
 tices of the peace, within the district where the offence 
 shall have been committed, and in default of payment 
 the said justices shall issue their warrant of distress 
 against the goods and chattels of the offender ; or in de- 
 fault of sufficient distress, he shall be imprisoned, ac- 
 cording to the provisions of this Act. 
 
 That all Acts and parts of Acts relating to registra- 
 tion, nominations, or elections of Members of Parlia- 
 ment as well as duration of Parliament and sitting of 
 Members, are hereby repealed. 
 
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