A controversy has been raging all the week between Mr.
Gresham, High Bailiff of Southwark, and Mr. Odger, candidate for that borough, the pith of which appears to be this :—Mr. Gresham is responsible for the expense of polling-places, and by an old and bad custom is entitled to fix his own charge and to divide it among the candidates. The amount this time is £000, to be paid by Mr. Odder, Mr. Beresford, and Sir S. Waterlow. The two latter paid, but Mr. Odger protested and only paid half the money, though holding himself responsible for any further legal demand. Upou this Mr. Gresham said he should not admit Mr. Odger's check clerks; Mr. Odger petitioned Parliament, but the High Bailiff was firm, and the money was ultimately paid under protest. The arrangement is an extraordinarily oppressive one, as the hire of the timber required for the booths for one day ought not to cost £20, and that ought to be paid by the borough ; but precedent is clearly with Mr. Gresham, who need not, how- ever, have betrayed a feeling that a workman candidate was not entitled to respect. The incident will help to abolish the present system of conducting elections, which seems almost intended to create both riot and expense.
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