Suggestions for a conservative and popular reform in the Commons House of Parliament / by Augustus G. Stapleton.

  • Stapleton, Augustus Granville, 1800-1880.
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Suggestions for a conservative and popular reform in the Commons House of Parliament / by Augustus G. Stapleton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    the polls would be taken, the value of votes could not be enhanced as the day closed in. The representation of all places, which it would not be necessary to amalgamate, might remain as it is, save that county qualifications in borough towns, ought to be merged in the borough votes, and ought not to be allowed to swamp the counties, with what are called faggot voters. It is believed that were this scheme, of which an imperfect outline has here been given, adopted, the British Consti- tution would have a greater chance of permanency, than that which it now possesses. During the last few years Democracy has made rapid strides. In a new half-peopled country, like the United States of America, almost bound- less in extent, and luxuriant in fertility, where back settlements are opened to the ruined, the restless, and the discontented, a Democratick form of government may for a time endure; but in an over-peopled country, like Great Britain, limited in extent, with, as it were, all nature reduced to an artificial state, replete with deeply- rooted prejudices, and long-established habits, with the whole fabrick of society depending on confidence for its stability, nothing can be more sure than that such a country cannot be ruled by such a fickle power, as De- mocracy has always proved itself, without soon falling into ruin and confusion. The plan here submitted is, doubtless, open to some not unfair, and many plausible, objections ; but in every question, which mortals have to decide in this world of trial, objections and difficulties are sure to present them- selves. At best we have but a choice of evils. What we have to decide is, whether ills of the most appalling kind do not await us, if we still continue our downward course : and whether some scheme, similar to the one here propounded, does not olfer from them a fair prospect of escape.