AN HONEST CONFESSION.
Tim Tory candidate for Portsmouth has offended his party by an. flouncing the true reason why opposition to the retilection Of the new Chancellor of the Exchequer would be impolitic and unarsil. ing. "Mr. Baring," says Dr. QUARBIER, " from his station of Chancellor of the Exchequer, and from the confidence reposed in him by the Ministry, is more likely to benefit the towns of Ports. mouth and Portsea than I am."
Dr. QUARRIER is a person of experience. He knows how elec. tions are carried. The Member who can benefit the town most who can wield official influence to procure advantages of various kinds for the place he represents, and favours for individuals—he is the man for a Reformed constituency. Were we wrong in puttin,,s Portsmouth in the list of "Large Constituencies Jobbed?" - And it appears that Mr. Bmiuso's supporters are by no means affronted by Dr. QUARRIER'S imputation of motives not purely pit. triotic. On the contrary, they exult in the Tory confession of the superior strength of their party—though that superiority is derived from the larger means of corruption possessed by their candidate. The Tories are vexed that this advantage should be on the side of their opponents; but protests against the use of Treasury influence in Portsmouth, would be ridiculous from either side.
It is well to note these indications of the real state of political feeling among the constituencies. A close observation of the work. lug of the machinery by which elections are carried, suggests a principal cause of the degraded character of the present Parliament. Mr. BARING, for instance, knows perfectly well, that, vote how he will on general politics, his seat for Portsmouth is secure as longss be holds an influential office. The same means enable supporters of the Government to defy unbought and incorrupt public opinion. • See Spectator. August 3.
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