[BouriNoT] A STUDY IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS 21 
as the union works itself out. On the face of it, however, there is a 
latent peril in asingle chamber, elected under most democratic conditions, 
liable to fluctuation with every demonstration of the popular will, and 
left without that opportunity for calm, deliberate second thought that a 
second chamber of high character would give at those critical times 
which must occur in the history of every people. 
NE 
In the constitution of the dominion government, however, the British 
North America Act has adhered to the lines of the British system, since it 
provides for an advisory council of the governor-general, chosen from 
those members of the privy council of Canada who have the confidence of 
the house of commons ; for a senate of nearly eighty members, appointed 
by the crown from the different provinces; for a house of commons of 
two hundred and fifteen members, elected by the people of the different 
sections on a basis of population, and on the condition that the number of 
members given to Quebec by the constitutional act shall not be disturbed. 
The growth of democratic principles is seen in the very liberal dominion 
franchise, on the very threshold of manhood suffrage, with limitations of 
citizenship and residence. The members of the senate must have a very 
. small qualification of personal and real property, and are appointed for 
life. The remarkably long tenure of power enjoyed by the Conservative 
party—twenty-four years since 1867—has enabled it to fill the upper house 
with a very large numerical majority of its own friends; and this fact, 
taken in connection with certain elements of weakness inherent in a cham- 
ber which has none of the ancient privileges or prestige of a house of lords, 
long associated with the names of great statesmen and the memorable 
events of English history, has in the course of years created an agitation 
among the Liberal party for radical changes. in its constitution which will 
bring it more in harmony with the people, and give it a more represent- 
ative character, and at the same time increase its usefulness. This agitation 
has even proceeded so far as to demand the abolition of the house, but it is 
questionable if this movement is sustained to any great extent by the intel- 
ligence of the country. On the contrary, public opinion, so far as it has 
manifested itself, favours the continuation of the second chamber, on con- 
ditions of a larger usefulness, in preference to giving complete freedom to 
the democratic tendencies of an elective body—tendencies not so apparent 
at present, but likely to show themselves with the influx of a large foreign 
population and the adoption of universal suffrage, which is looming up in 
the near future. The senate, as at present composed, contains many men 
of ability, and cannot be said to display a spirit of faction, despite its pre- 
ponderance of one party, while for two years back its leaders have seen 
the necessity for initiating in this chamber a large number of important 
