158 
structive abuses of the elective franchise 
at present prevaient. 
Person, not merely property, is the 
subject of representatzon; and that every 
mate inhabitant, not being a criminal, or 
infirm, or habitually a pauper, ought to 
“exercise the right of suffrage, and might 
on this score exereise it without any 
danger. 
The limitation to the choice of one 
representative in each subdivision, is to 
secure the most effective and decided 
choice to the electors. Atthe same time, 
it must be acknowledged, it diminishes 
the number of voters in each subdivision, 
by one half, and increases the subdivi- 
sions in the same proportion; and unless 
where population is very thinly scattered, 
this appears a material disadvantage, 
'for the extent of numbers, which form the 
elective bodies, is assuredly a great 
ohject. ; 
To the 3d article, I own I do object to 
the taking of the votes by parishes. It 
is an exceedingly unequal division. In 
some instances it would be much too ex- 
tensive, as in the great parishes of the 
metropolis; in others, it would be much 
too smali, and let in dangerous oppor- 
tunities of fraud and corruption. I think, 
the ancient constitutional division by 
hundreds, far preferable for this purpose ; 
dividing sometimes a very large hundred, 
and consolidating occasionally, two small 
contiguous hund: reds. 
‘The 4th article is a matter of arrange- 
ment, and depends on the 3d. If the 
sheritf’s court: were beld, as auciently, by 
adjournment, from three weeks to three 
weeks, throughout the county, and held, 
at an election for Partiament, by proper 
deputies, on the same day, in the differ- 
ent hundreds, the ordinary  sherift’s 
court might answer a purpose, which the 
late Sir George Nares, I know from him- 
self, had much at heart; that of trying 
the smaller felonies and misdeineanors, 
before the magistrates and jury of the 
district, and preventing the excessive 
grievance of long previous imprisonment. 
The 5th plan, for bringing back Par- 
liaments to their -constiutional duration, 
has my entire concurrence. By that, of 
course, is meant annual Parliaments. 
4t is obvious, that on this’ plan many 
great towns, which have comparatively 
few freeholders s, and have no otherwise 
auy share in the representation, would 
have an effectual and equal share in it. 
That the great represented cities, such 
as London, York, Norwich, &c.. wadid 
have their representation increased, and 
Plan for protecting the Independence of Election. 
{Sept. 1, 
the exercise of elective suffrage facili- 
tated. 
That boroughs of the second erie, 
having from one or two to four or five 
hundred votes, would still vote as in- 
cluded in their respective subdivisions, 
and thus exercise their suffrage, ina man- 
ner more free and independent than at 
present, because more cumprehensive 
and equal. 
That the close beroughs would be de- 
prived of that undue representation, 
which deforms and disorders the whole 
system; but the individuals would not be. 
disfranchised ; they would be real instead 
of nominal electors. 
Your’s, &c. Carpet Lorrr. 
Errata-—In our Number of August 7, 
under the head of ‘* Reform in Parliament 
of the Representation of the Commons,” 
page 22—_Dele ready, after ©* already”. —dele 
hundred, after ‘* 500.” 
a 
To the Editor of the Monthly y aotiahie. 
SIR, 
DVOCATES for Refi have Jong | 
directed our attention to the radi- is 
cal evil in borough influence and family 
counection, While this remains un- 
touched, esteemed sacred as our free~ 
holds, how can hberty guide our coun- 
eils? Could this influence be done 
away, we should have a chance of peace- 
able reform. I think we have hope, if - 
such men as ‘eonducted the election of - 
Sir Francis: Burdett, at Westminster, 
would patronize the plan, @-short time 
would prove of what stuff our country 
is made. f fear not, but on fair trial, we 
shall have every cause for triumph, 
Fhe plan is this—Raise a society fund, 
under the management of a London com- 
mittee, with rane het 4 in every county at 
least, whose declared object shal! be the 
protection of theindependence ofelection, 
and electors from undué infigence. The 
business of the committee must be pro- 
viding assistance to the persecuted ; and, . 
in case of ejectment from house or ‘land, 
to recommend the sufferers to. those of 
the society who may have an opportunity 
to put them in a sitaation to provide-for 
themselves and families. EI need not re- 
mind you that the fear of poverty and 
rum is the principal means by which 
borough returns ate regulated. ‘Surely 
it is of the first importance in society to. 
protect us in the exercise ef our free 
choice of counscllors; this effected, F 
confidently look forward ¢o the rapid im- 
provement of every part of administra- 
tion, which, by a | wise and economical 
arrangement, 
~S 
