name neces- SELECT COMMITTEE ON FICTITIOUS VOTES, IRELAND. 23 ^ 255- Or that would render them at all desirable ?- I know nothing world to call for them. ® 256. Do not you think that, on the other hand, the circumstance of the remaining a length of time upon the register in Ireland, would render it neces- sary that m Ire and we should have more check upon the admission of persons than m England - I should think that a man that had a right to vote, ouo- ht not to be objected to because he is to remain on eight years. 257. But you would not diminish the checks in the case where the name being once upon the register is to remain on eight years ?— No ; it would be even more important to have a fair constituency. 258. Mr. O'Connell.] Is your own opinion in favour of an increase of the franchise, or a diminution of it ?— If the franchise was fairly carried into effect, I should be quite content; if the franchise was what I think the Legislature intended it to be. t 259. Is your own opinion in favour of an increase of the number of voters, or a lessening of them ?— I would not have the least objection to see them increased, provided they were increased by a constituency such as I consider that the Legislature desired. 260. Would you wish to increase by a new class of voters?— I should wish to know what sort of classes they were to be. If you will give me any particular class, I will state what my opinion would be. 261. To increase the classes you must lower the qualification?— I would be against that. 262. Mr. Serjeant Jackson.] Do you think that there is any class of persons at present excluded from the elective franchise in Ireland whom it would be desirable to have admitted ?— I do not. 263. Mr. Serjeant Ball.] You speak of your own locality?— Yes, of course. I have thought more of Cork than I have of any other place, and I know it better. 264. Mr. Beamish.] It is your opinion generally; is not it?— It is; and I ground that opinion upon my knowing a description of people who at present possess the franchise, and to whom I think it is of no advantage to possess the franchise, but often a serious injury. 265. Mr. Serjeant Ball.] The circumstance you mentioned, of 600 or 700 persons being upon the register in Cork that could not write their names, must have weighed with you in forming your opinion ?— My general knowledge of the persons; we have a large number of persons called 40 s. freeholders. 266. You do not apprehend that it is a common occurrence in Ireland, that there are 600 or 700 persons in a town that could not write their names?— I hope not. 267. Have you ever heard of anything amounting to that extent ?— I looked at the printed returns made to this Committee by some places, and I was surprised that there were so many in some places. 268. But nothing like that ?— I do not think there are so many elsewhere; but the constituency there is very large. 269. Mr. Serjeant Jackson.] That probably would not be the case with respect to the constituency of Cork, if the limits of the district were less than the county of the city of Cork. Is it not the rural population who have been let m, by extending the limits of the Parliamentary boundary, to whom that statement chiefly applies ?— I believe that many are of that class, but I believe a great many belong to the city. , 270. Mr. Beamish.] Do you know how many?— I could not state How many. 271. Mr. Serjeant Jackson.] Is it your opinion that there are many persons the elective franchise to whom it is in the Mr. J. c. Besnard. now enjoying of it. 274; raised ?- 0.46. - I would not seek to raise it. c 4 275. 7 February 1838^ no advantage ?— I am sure 272. Is it your opinion that there are a large number of persons that now have the franchise who do not possess intelligence, and are not 111 that condition of fife to fit them to possess the franchise?—' That is my opinion. 273. Then you do not think there are any persons now excluded hom toe franchise who possess that intelligence and that property which would fit ti. em for the enjoyment of it?— I think not. chnnld be Mr. Serjeant Ball] Is it your opinion that the qualification should be But