12 SEPTEMBER 1835, Page 15

THE REGISTRATION: TORY TRICKS AND ACTIVITY.

THE Reform Association has issued a circular containing instruc- tions to the Liberal electors on the subject of the registry. It is indeed of the first importance that the proceedings of the Tories should be counteracted by extraordinary vigilance and exertion. The tools and agents of the "hereditary tribunes of the poor " aim at effecting the wholesale disfranchisement of the Reform- ers. With this view, they are serving notices of objections by the thousand. We have not the least doubt, that in the Metropolitan districts, the Carlton Club people are the prime movers in this work, and that the Conservative Committee is an emanation from that body of worthies. Our readers will remem- ber, that three weeks ago we called attention to two notices signed "Charles Francis Adey " and "Richard Edward Arden," both of which were filled up in the same handwriting and were served on the same person, though pretending to come from different parties. We observe in the Post of Wednesday, a very indignant denial, from "a Member of the Conservative Com- mittee," of any notices being issued from that Committee signed Joseph ADEY, as asserted by Mr. COPPOCK at the Finsbury Re- form Club; but are these sensitive gentlemen as guiltless of the doings of Mr. Charles Francis ADEY, No. 6, Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn ? We suspect not. On the contrary, he and others have been employed for the purpose of giving annoyance to the owners of undoubted votes.

As a sample of the sort of work we may expect to see going on in the Registration Courts, we refer to a statement in the Edin- burgh Scotsman, of what took place at Leith last week, when the list of voters and claimants was undergoing revision. It appeared that in numerous instances, the Tories had lodged claims in behalf of persons who, being conscious of not possessing the requisite property, had not themselves made any effort to be placed on the roll of voters- " A claim was lodged for James Johnstone, publican and fisherman at New- haven. The property was known not to be nearly of sufficient value; but docu- ments making out something like a prima facie case were put in ; whereupon the objector called the wife of the claimant, he himself being absent. The witness declined giving evidence; but after leaving the box, she spontaneously exclaimed, 'It's just 71.,' and the old ruin at the back is not worth' twopence!"

A Sir JAMES BROUN, Baronet, made an unsuccessful attempt to foist his name among the Leith electors— "lie claimed to be enrolled on the ground that Miss Watson (now Lady 33roun) had occupied a house at Trinity, to Whitsunday last, at a rent of 141.; and that he, the Baronet, had occupied the said 14/. house since Whitsunday last. It was objected that he had no legal right to found on the occupancy of his safe's premises, prior to his marriage. The claim was withdrawn, amid general laughter."

Sir DAVID MILNE, an opponent of the Lord Advocate for the representation of the Leith district of voters, had the impudence to claim the right of voting in virtue of the ownership of a tumble- down tenement in " Tods-hole Close," Leith- " The purchase was made on the 18th of July, two days before giving in the claim ; and the price, as appeared from the disposition, was MI. It did not appear likely that property sold at such a price could yield 10/. a year ; but cer- tificates were lodged, stating it to be worth more than that suns; and this was supported on the ground that Sir David had, since lodging his claim, put sashes in the windows, altered a press in the lobby., and had the outside of the ruin Whitewashed. The tenantry were then brought forward on the part of the ob- jector; and it appeared, that out of this miserable property the sum of 71. 10s. Was annually obtained. This, however, was the full rent, notwithstanding the whitewashing. This claim was vehemently, not to say violently, supported. It 23 hardly necessary to state that it was rejected."

The Tories also endeavoured to put a French tailor, who had been rejected as an alien in 1832, on the register. In support of this claim, they quoted a treaty between France and England in the sixteenth century! Of course the tailor was rejected.

From these proceedings, we may perceive how thoroughgoing and persevering the Tories are in the work of registration. They will lose nothing for want of asking. We fully believe that thousands of their claims will be found as rotten as those of the Leith ba- ronets and the French tailor mentioned by the Scotsman : but unless they are scrutinized and opposed, they will nevertheless be passed as good. The Leeds Mercury states, that in the West Riding of York- shire the Tories have "laid their plans with double caution and with unsparing expense." " A system of combining minute attention to details, with efficient centra- lized effort, has been adopted, persevered in, and, unless resolutely met, will be brought to bear with tremendous effect on the materiel of our elective force."

The same journal truly says, that the Tories can only be dis- comfited by combined and individual exertion; and recommends,

" That in every district throughout the Riding, solicitors and agents ofgood local information may be retained, and immediately set to work, to sift, con. dense, and write out the information and evidence required to support our own votes, and enforce the objections which we have made. But especially by indi. vidual exertion let the attack be met. Let each man objected to attend for him- self, with his own deeds, the Registration Court. Let every such man ascertain beforehand the evidence that may be required to support his own vote. Let each man be ready to attend for his friend, who may be absent from sickness or pressing business. Let us all unite in defence of each I"

The West Riding Conservative Club has engaged an attorney from each of the following places—Leeds, Doncaster, Halifax, and Skipton—to go the whole circuit with the Revising Barrister, and aid in defence of Tory votes objected to. It is an excellent arrangement, and the Reform Associations in the separate dis- tricts cannot do better than take this leaf out of the Tory book.

It must never be lost sight of, that the stability of the Liberal Government depends upon the result of the next registration. Should the Tories find that they have a majority on the registers, be it ever so small, Lord MELBOURNE will again be turned out; the country will be convulsed by another general election; Tories, acting on Tory principles (for the claptrap scheme cannot be tried again), will seize the Government; and the result will be the violent overthrow, instead of the cautious reform, of existing in- stitutions. All who have any thing to lose, should, on selfish grounds alone, aid the earnest Reformers in placing a decided majority of Liberals on the register of voters.