254 
For the Monthly Magazine. 
HISTORY Of PLANS fur REFORM im the RE- 
PRESENTATION. of the commons in 
PARLIAMENT, chronologically arrang- 
ed. LE ES a 
id era merits of the several Plans 
. of Reform in the Representation 
may be known, it is,requisite that they 
be compared. I have therefore resolved 
_to draw up a history. of them, in the 
order of “time in which they were pro- 
posed, I believe this can scarcely be done 
so extensively as in your Magazine. 
I mean hereafter to offer my remarks 
on each plan. But it appears tome 
fairest and most convenient for the in- 
vestigation, te state in the subject, sim- 
ply and historically, the plan itself, with- 
out any of the reasons for or against it. 
The first was proposed by John Cart- 
wright, esq. Major in the Nottingham- 
shire Militia; I take it from his ‘“ Legis- 
lative Rights,of the Commonalty Vindi- 
eated,”* 
Sketch of Provisions to be made by Par- 
liament, for securing an equal Repre- 
sentation, and an annual Parliament 
Jor all times to come. 
Art. I. Divide each county in ex- 
act proportions to the number of males- 
ef the age of 18. 
Art. Ii. The city of London to be 
g#onsidered as a county, 
Art. IIT, Every other city and town 
to be allowed, out of the number of 
Blembers returnable by the county of 
which it made a part, to elect its own 
roportion; which, supposing the popu- 
ation to be 6,000,000, and 1,500,000 of 
these to be competent to vote, would be 
2,924 to one Representative. All frac- 
tions beyond to be in favour of the 
county. 
Art. IV. Any city or town to attain or 
lose its privilege of electing separately, 
. by an increase or diminution of its inha- 
_ bitants. ; 
Art. V. Inevery-parish throughout each 
<ounty, there should be kept, by proper 
a Seip under the cheque of the 
inister, a correct roll of the names of 
all the men competent to vote. 
This roll to be completed afresh, be- 
fore the ist day of May in-every year, 
Each person to be entitled to a cer- 
tificate of his enrollment. The right to 
vote in the parish to be determined by 
these rolls and certificates. 
Art. VI. From these rolls the Sheriff to 
= ae 
¥ London, 4777. Almon. 2d. edit. 
History of Plans for a Reform of Parliament. [Oct. tf, 
make out a county roll, completing it 
annually before the 1st day of June. 
Art. VIL. The whole House of Com- 
mons to be chosen the ist day ef June in 
every year; except when it happens 
on a. Saturday or Sunday; and then on 
the Monday following. 
Art. VILE. The votes to be taken by 
-parishes; but which might, where too 
small, be consolidated. 
Art. IX. The parish returns to be de. 
livered to the Sheriff of the county, as- 
sisted by a Bench of Justices, not fewer 
than five, at such day and place, within 
the county, as the Sheriff should appoint, 
not later than the last day of June. ~ 
Art. X. From the parish returns, the’ 
Sheriff ta make out his general county re- 
turn ; not only distinguishing those can- 
didates. who appeared to be duly elected, 
but the names and number of lawful 
votes for the other candidates. 
Art. XI. In cities and towns, the 
Chief Magistrate to act as Sheriff, ase 
sisted by other Magistrates. 
Art. XID. All the general returns to 
be. transmitted to the Clerk of the Crown, 
on or before the 14th of Fuly. 
Art. XIII. Each candidate to signify - 
his intention, after a prescribed form in 
writing, of becoming such, a month be- 
fore the election ; at the same time 
transmitting an affidavit of his qualifica- 
tion; which, for counties, might be 
400l. per ann.; or 12,0001. personal pro- 
perty for London; for other cities and 
towns, 300]. per ann. or 90001. personal 
property. Ifthe payment of wages ta 
Members, by their constituents, should 
be revived, perhaps all qualifications of | 
property would be unnecessary and im- 
proper. . 
Art. XIV. The names of the Caniia 
dates to be published, by the Sheriff and 
Chief Magistrates, in all their districts ; 
and alist also to be delivered to the. 
constable of every parish, on or before 
the 20th of May. 
Art. XV. The poll to -be taken by bal- 
lot. Three vessels to be inscribed in- 
large and fair characters—1. A white, 
“* Candidate to be elected.” —2. Red,. 
“ Non-elected.”—3. Black, “ Rejected.” 
The names and suffrages in the white 
and red lists to be read audibly to the 
electors; those in the black to be burnt, 
unopened, ¥. ; 
Art. XVI, The Sheriffs and Chief Ma- 
gistrates to make their Reports of the 
Non-elected Candidates, and the number _ 
ef vetes in favour of each. ag 
3. 
