14 REVIEW. 



from whence the voters where ascertained, as the land-tax assess- 

 ments, the poor-rates, the entries of freemen, for which service 

 had been performed, or some expence for stamps or otherwise 

 had been incurred; — and a variety of considerations induced 

 those who made the lists to endeavour to form them as perfectly 

 as possible. On the other hand it was the immediate interest of 

 the person who was charged, not to incur the expence if he could 

 legally avoid it. But in the present mode it is not the interest of 

 any person to take care that the lists are correct — the time at 

 which they will be brought into action is uncertain — those who 

 formed them are totally indifferent to the subject, and have neither 

 inducement nor knowledge enough to make them complete or 

 systematic. 



On the other hand, in some particular places, when a tempo- 

 rary excitement happens to exist, an unusual effort is made by 

 partisans to crowd upon the register as many votes as can be 

 placed there, or to embarrass the inquiry with us many objections 

 ;is can be suggested — whilst in other places, the utmost indiffer- 

 ence prevailing, the omissions are numerous, and often of those 

 who would be most qualified to give a discriminating vote. 



In truth, after a short time, it is obvious that the lists will be 

 altogether under the control of active agents. 



To those who have had an opportunity of witnessing the oper- 

 ation of this system, it must be known, that more imperfect lists 

 of the voters have never been found than since it came into action. 



But it is not our province to suggest alterations or corrections 

 in this respect — it is sufficient to say, that it is not a system which 

 holds out any inducement to carry it further — but affords a strong 

 reason, as far as the municipal institutions are concerned, to look 

 for some better method of ascertaining the burgesses in the boroughs . 



The errors to be avoided are those of merely making a list of 

 burgesses, without the self-acting and correcting principle of 

 opposing interests, resulting from the possession of privileges, and 

 the imposition of burdens. And the other of making lists for any 

 temporary purpose, instead of framing them with the intention of 

 their being permanent and continual. Not only are these pi'in- 

 ciples clear, but, fortunately, the mode of carrying them into 

 ♦execution is distinctly pointed out by the law, and can be effected 

 in a form and manner particularly acceptable to the people ; for 

 by the old law the list of persons who were to enjoy the muni- 

 cipal privileges was made in the public court of the people, in 

 the presence of all the inhabitants, under the sanction of a sworn 

 judge, and regulated and corrected by the decision of a jury. 

 And the list so formed remained as the permanent record of the 

 burgesses of the place, entitled to all the privileges, but subject 

 to all the burdens, and liable to be called upon at at all times, as 

 well for the exercise of franchises, as for the discharge of duties. 



Such is the plain, simple, public, and inexpensive mode of 

 forming the lists which the law prescribes — reason sanctions — 



