131a-027.xml

Title: [[131a-027] [mainly in copyist’s hand]

Description: [131a-027]

[mainly in copyist’s hand]

1818 Dec r 20

Parl. Reform Bill

Reasons

Ballot

1

From “A Comparative View of the Constitution” of the United States by W. Smith of South Carolina LL.D. Philadelphia 1796, “printed by John Thompson, and sold by all the Booksellers in the United States

pp. 18, 19, 20.

It has often been a disputed point, whether there is greater safety in viva voce or ballot elections. In most of the States, the elections by the people are by ballot. Maryland and Virginia pursue the old english custom of polling; every voter there goes up to the hustings, or place of election, and declares aloud the candidate for whom he votes. It is remarkable, in the Constitution of Maryland, that all elections for the House of Delegates, and for the Electors of the Senators, are to be viva voce, but the Electors are to vote for the Senators by ballot. If the balloting was considered the mode the most free from influence or undue bias, then it ought to prevail in the Elections generally; and vice versa, if open votes were considered the safest, then the electors of the Senators should pursue that mode. The Governor and the Council are elected by the joint ballot of the two Houses, and the Senate supply vacancies in their own body by the same mode: the Senators of the United States are also chosen by ballot. By the Constitution of New York, elections are directed to be viva voce; but the framers of it, doubting the expediency of that mode, inserted the following clause in their Constitution: (See 6 th) “And when as an opinion hath long prevailed among divers of the good people of this State, that voting at elections by ballot, would tend more to preserve the liberty and equal freedom of the people, than voting viva voce: To the end, therefore, that a fair experiment be made, which of those two methods of voting is to be preferred:

“Be it ordained, that as soon as may be after the termination of the present war between the United States of America and Great Britain, an act, or acts, be passed by the legislature of this State, for causing all elections, thereafter to be held in this state, for Senators and representatives in Assembly, to be by ballot, and directing the manner in which the same shall be conducted. And whereas it is possible, that after all the case of the legislature, in framing the said Act, or acts, certain inconveniences and mischiefs, unforeseen at this day, may be found to attend the said Mode of electing by ballot:

“It is further ordained, that if, after a full and fair experiment shall be made of voting by ballot aforesaid, the same shall be found less condusive to the safety or interest of the State, than the method of vothing viva voce, it shall be lawful and constitutional for the legislature to abolish the same, provided two thirds of the Members present, in each House respectively, shall concur therein; And further, that during the continuance of the present war, and until the legislature of this State shall provide for the election of Senators and Representatives in Assembly, by ballot, the said Elections shall be made viva voce.”

167_185.xml

Title: [1821. April 2 d. Rid Yourselves.]

Description: 1821. April 2 d.

Rid Yourselves.

Ultramarian Deputat n. none.

On this occasion, as before, recurrs the perplexity about the Election Districts: the difficulty of conceiving by what persons, and on other accounts by what means, and in what mode, they can be made. Look, on this occasion, to Art. 32. In each Province, it is supposed that somebody, no intimation is given who, placed /seated/ on some eminence from which the whole population of the province, called before him for that purpose, are stationed within his view, begins with dividing them into groups of 70,000 human beings of both sexes taken together, or of 70,000 human beings of the male sex, with the portion of females appertaining to them, and says to them, you shall constitute the population of one district, naming the district at the time or not naming it. This done, and the number of Election Districts thus determined, the whole surface of the province, land and water together, being, at this same time, under his view, and the view of the whole population thus assembled, he takes compasses in hand, and marking out the surface of the whole province into as many Election districts as he has constituted Election groups, he denominates the districts supposed by the letters of the alphabet giving, at the same time, correspondent denominations to the several groupes, and says to them - You /Ye/ of the groupe A, go into Election District A, to which you shall accordingly henceforward belong and give your votes: ye of the group B. go ye into Election District B, and so on, through as many letters as the allotment requires.

This sort of arrangement, how commodious soever, being unfortunately not a possible one, what other arrangement is there that the Code prescribes or admitts of? None such, I must acknowledge, have I been able to find.

As a ground for the formation of Election Districts within its Province, the provincial deputation, supposing it in existence, may proceed so far as to take or cause to be taken the census, i.e. the account of the population of the province: But, supposing this advance made, who it is that by means of this same Instrument Census, can proceed to determine the number of the Election Districts within that province, and to mask them out, either upon the ground, or upon a Map, this is what I have not been able to find.

JB_127_405.xml

Title: [[Copyist's hand] 1818 Aug. 19 '.3]

Description: [Copyist's hand]

1818 Aug. 19 '.3

Parl. Reform Bill

Reasons Note

'.3. Annuality, or

'.2. Electors Who

{Universality}

Annuality

Extract from the Morning Chronicle dated Aug st 18= 1818 -

'Dinner to Colonel Gore Langton and Mr Dickinson, Members for the County of Somerset

Bath Aug. 17 th. On Saturday last the Members for this County, by invitation, met their friends of this City and its vicinity, at the White hart; a most sumptuous and elegant dinner was provided, consisting of the choicest viands, accompanied by the best of fruits and wines; and, perhaps on no public occasion, was ever a more handsome display exhibited. The company assembled about 5 O Clock, and J De Burgh Esq was unanimously called to the Chair. Messrs Dickinson and Langton found themselves seated with near 140 freeholders of this City and the immediate Neighbourhood, who had given their support to their Election. After the Cloth was removed, the Chairman, in a neat prefatory Speech, proposed the health of 'Our beloved Sovereign' - 'The Prince Regent' 'The Queen and Royal Familly' - 'The Duke of York and Army' - 'The Duke of Clarence and Navy'.

Mr Langton then addressed the Meeting. The pleasure he felt in being again elected for this County, was more than words could express: he had the honor of sitting in Parliament for these 12 years, and had never in one instance deviated from that path which is congenial to the feelings of Englishmen; and he should invariably adhere to those principles which would gain him the affection and eulogium of his Countrymen. He animadverted on the party ebullition, attendant on popular Elections, and he very happily contrasted the peaceful manner in which the Freeholders of this County exercised their franchise rights, while other Counties were involved in commotion. He concluded by observing, that all his aim would be to promote the welfare of his Country, and to oppose every infringement on the liberties of the people; there was nothing more particularly to discuss, every thing that he could say dwelt in the hearts of those present, and all the Inhabitants, who were free from the bonds of prejudice were enabled to judge from their impartial sentiments.

M r Dickinson felt himself highly flattered with the truly respectable and numerous attendance on this occasion, and said his whole wish was to dwell in the hearts of his Countrymen, as a lover of freedom, and truth its offspring; if he gained their approbation (which he could only do if by a strict adherence to his Parliamentary Duties by advocating the good old Laws of our forefathers, and striving to the utmost of his power to retrieve our lost liberties, and to support those we now possess) his desires were fulfilled. He should always admire an unrestricted Representative, an unbiased line of conduct in the discharge of those duties, and a constant zeal for the welfare of those they represent. He had had the honor of a seat in the British senate for the last 23 years, and he could safely say, he has never acted but in a manner, which he always deemed satisfactory and advantageous to his Country. M r Dickinson then proposed 'The health of his worthy friend the President', which he was sure would be drank in a bumper of three times three.

M r De Burgh in returning thanks for so flattering a mark of approbation, said that his only regret was, their selecting so humble and individual, to fill the Situation. (cries of no, no). That while it was the greatest source of gratification he could enjoy, it recalled to his mind those homely feelings, which renovates each nerve to join in the active zeal for the success of our worthy Members, and the love of every sentiment, that would trample despotic dynasties under foot, and be the sole influence to promote the happiness of his Countrymen; and he could safely say, there was nothing but Britons dwelt throughout the Empire. Mr De Burgh then proposed the health of Sir H.B. Guise.

The worthy Baronet said he could not express the gratitude he felt for the respectable manner in which his health was drank; and in a very appropriate speech passed some high encomiums on the Integrity of character which his worthy friends, Messrs Dickson and Langton, had always maintained.

The Chairman then proposed the health of the Members for the County of Gloucester.

Mr Webb expressed his gratitude for the honor, and said he felt extremely anxious to attend this meeting: the independent principles of the Members for the County of Somerset, he was fully aware, would be congenial to the principles and good of the Country.

Mr De Burgh then proposed 'The health of the Independent Electors of the County of Somerset', and animadverted on the wisdom of the County in returning our old Members: he did not regard their flattery as the value of the hammer in his hand, but as regarded their just discrimination, in their happy selection. After which was drank 'The health of Oliver Langford Esq the Vice-President', who appropriately returned thanks, and expressed himself in terms of the highest approbation in the choice which the County had made.

The whole was enlivened by the vocal Talents of Messrs Loder, Cole, Cripps, &c; and the business of the evening was conducted with the utmost harmony and order, and confined to the purposed for which it was assembled; not an ill-timed or improper allusion was made; no party spirit evinced, or any subject introduced, tending to create animosity; but the whole began, continued, and ended in a true Style of Sociality and good humour.