48 Proportional Representation. 



But, further, in the instance just given, suppose that some 

 of the electors voted for C, as well as for A and B, then it is 

 plain that the votes are not necessarily lost ; if Cl be less 

 than the quota, such votes may be transferred to C, and 

 thus C will again have a surplus, some or all of which can 

 be transferred to not-elected candidates. Thus, suppose we 

 have, writing down only the names of the candidates voted 

 for, 120 papers A B, 100 papers B C, 100 papers C P, the 

 quota being 100, and P not elected, then the case in question 

 occurs; but A's surplus of 20 is not lost, for although we 

 cannot transfer any papers from A to not-elected candidates, 

 yet we can transfer 20 from A to B, then 20 from B to C, 

 and then 20 from C to P. 



I proceed then to describe a systematic process for detecting 

 and allowing for all such cases so as to obtain as near 

 an approach to proportional representation as the nature of 

 the votes polled will allow of. 



It is obvious, by considering extreme cases, that in a given 

 election we may fall far short of proportional representa- 

 tion ; but if such an event occurs, it is due entirely to the 

 fact that the electors have not given a sufficient number of 

 contingent votes. This, no doubt, may occur the first time 

 the method is tried on a large scale, but the electors them- 

 selves will soon see and apply the remedy. 



After distributing surplus as far as possible by the rule 

 already given, let us suppose that we have Al, Bl, Cl, &c, 

 greater than the quota, but II, Jl, Kl, &c, less than the 

 quota. 



We must now seek to distribute the surplus of A, B, C, 

 &c, amongst I, J, K, &c. This can be done by the process 

 already described, substituting the elected candidates, I, J, 

 K, &c.,for the unelected candidates, P,Q, B.,&c.,in the former 

 process. After completing this process, we distribute the 

 newly created surplus of I, J, K, &c, by the former process 

 amongst the unelected candidates, P, Q, &c. 



If this process fails to completely distribute the surplus of 

 A, B, C, &c, one or other of two events must occur, viz.: 



(1.) We may find Al, Bl,Cl,&c, still each greater than the 

 quota. Under these circumstances the votes now credited to 

 each of the candidates A, B, C, &c, in excess of the quota 

 are absolutely useless and lost ; so that A, B, C, &c, may be 

 withdrawn from the election with their quotas and lost 

 papers, and a new quota be determined and a fresh start 

 be made. 



