A History of Parliamentary Elections and Electioneering 18

A History of Parliamentary Elections and Electioneering 18

“The Nobles threw th’ Impeachment out[29]

Because, no doubt, they saw

’Twas best to bring his cause about,

But not to th’ _Commons Law_.

 

“But hence ’twas plaguily suspected,

Nay, ’tis resolv’d by vote,

That th’ Lords are popishly affected,

And stiflers of the plot.

 

“The Commons’ courage can’t endure

To be affronted thus:

So, for the future to be sure,

They’ll be the Upper House.

 

“But by such feverish malady,

Their strength so soon was spent

That punning wits no doubt will cry--

_Oh, Weeked Parliament_!”

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER III.

 

PARLIAMENTS AND ELECTIONEERING UNDER JAMES II., WILLIAM III., AND QUEEN

ANNE.

 

 

With the accession of James II. a fresh era of parliament commences. It

was the first object of the newly proclaimed king to secure a liberal

allowance, settled for life, such as would make him independent of

“his faithful Commons.” His late brother having attempted to govern

without that section of the legislature in which is vested the control

of supplies, was, towards the close of his reign, getting to the end

of his resources, derived from foreign pensions for the most part.

Evelyn records that within a month of Charles’s death a parliament was

summoned, and “great industry used to obtain elections which might

promote the Court interest, most of the Corporations being now, by

their new charters, empowered to make what return they pleased.” These

liberties were, however, restored in the nature of bribes, the new

charters granted by the Court being held as considerations for the

election of such as were reckoned in the interests of that faction.

Evelyn himself discloses this damaging fact: “It was reported that

Lord Bath carried down with him into Cornwall no fewer than fifteen

charters, so that some called him the ‘Prince Elector.’” This was

an “electioneering job” on a gigantic scale, and the new parliament

seems to have been returned on these corrupt principles where it was

possible. On the same authority, we are enlightened concerning another

piece of electioneering strategy, which proves that, as Praed has

wittily told in verse, expediency has ever been proved the ruling

policy on both sides. Under the 8th of April, 1685, the diary records--

 

“This day my brother of Wotton and Mr. Onslow were candidates

for Surrey against Sir Adam Brown and my cousin Sir Edward

Evelyn, and were circumvented in their election by a trick of

the Sheriff’s,[30] taking advantage of my brother’s party going

out of the small village of Leatherhead to seek shelter and

lodging, the afternoon being tempestuous, proceeding to the

election when they were gone, they expecting the next morning;

whereas before and then they exceeded the other party by many

hundreds, as I am assured. The Duke of Norfolk led Sir Edward

Evelyn’s and Sir Adam Brown’s party. For this Parliament very

mean and slight persons (some of them gentlemen’s servants,

clerks, and persons neither of reputation nor interest) were

set up; but the country would choose my brother whether he

would or no, and he missed it by the trick above-mentioned. Sir

Adam Brown was so deaf that he could not hear one word. Sir

Edward Evelyn[31] was an honest gentleman, much in favour with

his majesty.”

 

On the 22nd of May, 1685, the new king met his parliament (with his

crown on his head), and the Commons being introduced to the House

of Lords, read his speech, to the effect that he resolved to call a

parliament from the moment of his brother’s decease, as the best means

to settle all the concerns of the nation; that as he would invade no

man’s property, so he would never depart from his own prerogative; and

that as he would take care of _their_ religion and property,--

 

“so he doubted not of suitable returns of his subjects’ duty

and kindness, especially as to settling his revenues for life,

for the many weighty necessities of government, which he

would not suffer to be precarious; that some might possibly

suggest that it were better to feed and supply him from time to

time only, out of their inclination to frequent parliaments;

but that that would be a very improper method to take with

him, since the best way to engage him to meet oftener would

be always to use him well, and therefore he expected their

compliance speedily, that this session being but short, they

might meet again to satisfaction;”

 

a speech which, in spite of its palpable duplicity, was received with

acclamation by the House. “So soon as the Commons were returned, and

had put themselves into a Grand Committee, they immediately put the

question, and unanimously voted the revenue to his Majesty for life.”

This ready subserviency is explained, as it transpires, from Evelyn’s

account, that the new members were not all that could be desired:--

 

“Mr. Seymour made a bold speech against many of the elections;

and would have had those members who (he pretended) were

obnoxious, to withdraw, till they had cleared the matter of

their being legally returned: but no one seconded him. The

truth is, there were many of the new members whose elections

and returns were universally censured, many of them being

persons of no condition, or interest in the nation, or places

for which they served, especially in Devon, Cornwall, Norfolk,

etc., said to have been recommended by the Court, and from the

effect of the new charters changing the electors, as in Lord

Bath’s famous western tour, when that nobleman is said to have

quietly put down the names of all the officers of the Guards

into the charters of the Cornwall boroughs; whence Seymour told

the House in his speech that if this was digested, they might

introduce what religion and laws they pleased, and that though

he never gave heed to the fears and jealousies of the people

before, he was now really apprehensive of Popery.

 

“By the printed list of members, of 505 there did not appear

to be above 135 who had been in former Parliaments, especially

that lately held at Oxford.”

 

Under the same date, 1685, Burnet mentions that complaints came up from

all parts of England of the injustice and violence used in elections.

 

James II. got on no better with his parliaments than his predecessor;

on his abdication at the Revolution, a convention parliament was

assembled, which ratified the late changes, and offered the sovereignty

to William of Orange and Mary his consort. The political squibs upon

this topic are not wanting in point:--

 

 

“ON THE CALLING OF A FREE PARLIAMENT.

 

JANUARY 15, 1668-9.

 

“A Parliament with one consent

Is all the cry o’ th’ nation,

Which now may be, since Popery

Is growing out of fashion.

The Belgic troops approach to Town,

The Oranges come pouring,

And all the Lords agree as one

To send the papists scouring.”

 

The Whigs, who had effected the Revolution which placed William III.

on the throne, were now in the enjoyment of place and power, to the

mortification of the discomfited Tories, whose vexation on the aspect

of affairs, which gave them no prospect of a return to office, found

__EXPRESSION__ in satirical attacks upon their more successful adversaries.

 

 

“THE WHIGS’ ADDRESS TO HIS MAJESTY.

 

“We who were never yet at quiet,

Lovers of Change, Disorder, Riot,

_Old Sticklers_ for a Common-wealth,

(If you believe us) wish you Health,

A long, a safe, a prosperous Reign.

(The wicked _Tories_ think we feign.)

We, who all Monarchy despise,

Hope to find favour in your eyes;

Think you a Protestant so hearty

As not to disoblige our Party,

And humbly beg, at any rate

To be Chief Ministers of State,

Or else your person we shall hate;

For tho’ _Religion_ bears the name,

It’s GOVERNMENT is all our aim.

We’ll be as faithful and as just

As to Your Uncle, Charles the First;

Grant this request, your Cause we’ll own,

And ease the burden of the Crown;

Make it the easiest e’er was worn,

You’ll scarcely know you’ve any on.

But if (Great Sir) we find you slight us,