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Phenix Gazette
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Report on Liverpool Bribery Committee's findings of widespread vote-buying in elections since 1820, with prices from 6 shillings to £80 per vote, over 2,661 freemen bribed, and recommendation for parliamentary bill to reform the borough's election system.
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The following extract from the London Spectator, giving the result of the enquiry into habitual bribery at the Liverpool elections, presents a precious picture truly:
The Liverpool Bribery Committee has made its report. It confirms the worst that has been stated respecting the corruption of the freemen of that borough. The Committee confined its inquiries into the circumstances attending elections which have taken place since the year 1820 excepting that of 1832, which had been made the subject of previous investigation. It seems that at the election for Mayor in 1827, the price of votes was as high as twenty pounds and as low as six shillings; that in 1830, at an election of a member of Parliament, the price began at £1. and reached £80 per vote; that at this election each candidate, or his friends, spent not less than 40,000. No fewer than 2,661 freemen were proved to have taken bribes--the better sort of tradesmen, as they are called as well as the poor men--at this contest. Of these, 1,880 are still on the register, entitled to vote. In this state of things, the Committee recommend the House of Commons "to introduce a bill to restrict the franchises, and to alter the whole system of elections in that borough, as well for members to sit in Parliament as for municipal officers."
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Liverpool
Event Date
Elections Since 1820, Specifically 1827 And 1830
Outcome
2,661 freemen proved to have taken bribes, with 1,880 still entitled to vote; committee recommends bill to restrict franchises and alter election system in the borough.
Event Details
The Liverpool Bribery Committee investigated elections since 1820 (except 1832), finding vote prices from six shillings to twenty pounds in 1827 mayoral election and from £1 to £80 in 1830 parliamentary election, with each candidate spending at least £40,000; corruption affected tradesmen and poor alike.