BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION AT THE LATE BRITISH ELECTION.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3761, 17 January 1881, Page 3

BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION AT THE LATE BRITISH ELECTION.

Scene T.—Tbe Political Arena. BEMISH PtJßlTC—Really, these election commissions make one blush for one's country. The seats were' regularly bought for gold. Treating, prevailed largely. Most abominable ! (Enter an ex-Prime Minister.) Hullo, here's an ex-Prime Mieister! • Ex-PaiME Minibtek—AV>, my rival is in power ! • 'But come day I ehall be in agfiin. British Public, I hope you will vote for my return to power. ' British Pbbitc—Ob, dear no; wo don'fe agree with your principles—wo are Liberal. Ex-Pbimb MiNisaEß—But listen. I will reduce the income lax; I will give the farmers something ; I will remove tbe publicans' increased burdens ; I will revive your trade, and cause foreign gold to flow into your pockets. Bbitibh Ptjbiio—Ah, well, if you'll, do that for us—ahem—well, you Bbufl have our TOtes .. , .. . . • - ' Tbttth (afar off) —No bribery or corruption there, anyhow. Sobwe ll.—The Social Circle. (Aristocrats - •'• enjoying thenwehSti^atall.) Fiaei. TSovs ' roßß^-How' scandalous fcbe?e election jpstitioTss ih»-J ;J v v " Second -Nobie Lobd -'Awrul! Tho3e , low fellow* who sell their vot?s ought to be •ent to gi&Y. 'EixZT Nobie I }BB—Ye'. Ah, by-the-by; I want to speak H yoi»; My brother-in-laW ' wants* berlb. There's the clerkship of tbe tjjnbijella Departraeab at. tbe Horse Guards . vacant. Now, if you could spek a word fo the Duke for him, eh ? .Second Noble Lobe—Well, you see, I've prbmisrl another candidate to use my influence for, him. < JTie'ltNgbhi I jbd—l'm so. A y for that. Byth;«by> haven't you a couVn in the Church ? SkcdKD Noblb I.oed—Yea, poor fellow! bat ha doesn't get on at all. Fiest Noble Lobd Vicarage is recant. ■ It's in my gift; would you like it for him ? Second Noble lobe—O, really, you are tci good. And if I can do anytbrng with the Duke for you, depend upon it I will. Tbtch—Ho -bribery arid corruption there ! Scene lll.—The City. ■ Enter several C'dy Com/pahies, with freedoms, •■' . t banquets, donations, fyc. : ; oitt (OMP/ITB3. —Ah, there are Lor is and Commons all together. Let us spcik to them •tonc?^': '-'-, lobds AN» ComjJone—Hullo, you City Companies,-what do you waat? Ciir .Companies—On^y to wish your honours good day, and, to hope you won't abolish us. loeds aid Commons.—O, but we must. You are bad lots. You squander money that might do much good. Citt Companies—We know that; bufc still, if you like you can burke the question. Lobd3 and Commons—But tbe public demand your' reform. We've pledged oureelves to reform you. Citx Companies—Here; let us s.hisper to „ you. Here are freedoms in gold boxea, one apiece j here are banquets at which you shall Hiak* speeoUes," and be honoured guests. Come ! (Oreat rush of Lords and . Commons to receive freedoms and eat banquets.) Loeds and Commons (clutching gold boxes and feaitiiig merrily) : Ah, well; the City Companies are jolly good fellows, after all. We cap leave 'em alone a bit longer, you know. ■■jfjt,. ' '--- Tbdth—No bribery and corruption there ! Soenb IV.—A Palace in an Island. (Sovereign on the Throns.) Sovibeign (to artful Prims Minister) No, ' really, I cannot con3ebt. Buoh notions are unconstitutional. =;'A.BTrtrii P.M.—Well your Majesty, they may bo, but.l assure you I could, manage without a fuss, and for the aggrandisement of your realm i% should be done. Sovereign—Wo; I am.sure my subjects would object. It is a brilliant scheme, but I cannot consent. Abtftti P.M* —By-the-by, Your Majesty, one of the first things to do to carry out this scheme would be to make you an Empress. SoVJtßEiair (hesitatingly)— -Beally! ABXIXTI P.M. —Yec ; I should do thafc at once. It is a Bplendid scheme. lam sure you. will consent if I can only show you the advantages. ' (aside)—An empress! What • glorious title! (aloud)— You have convinced me—l consent. I am sure the interests of my realm are safe in your hands. ' AiwTDli P.M.—A thousand thanks, your Imperial Mcjesty. - Tbtith—No bribery and conuption there ! It 58 evidently ooly. these horrible petty tradespeople and working men who are to be bribed and corrupted Terrible state of depravity; but, ihauk goodness, ib w oon« fined to the lower classes. . (Curtain) ■ ,- .