JB_127_284.xml

Title: [1818 Nov. 26 Parl Reform Bill]

Description: 1818 Nov. 26

Parl Reform Bill

Reasons

'.1 Seats & Districts

'.2 Electors Who

8

3. In each given case, which so ever were the right end /most apt of all the competitors/ by no consideration, the individual cases not being unknown, could it be ascertained, that the vote would not be given on that right side /in his favour/: and it is only in so far as the vote is given on otherwise than on this right side, that evil can in any shape be produced by it.

4. In the firstmentioned case, to wit that of persons insane, an exclusion in fact would for the most part have plan of course. By very shame, the guardian, whatsoever he were would be prevented /debarred/ from performing an operation /making an exhibition/ at once so scandalous and {of} affording so little promise of advantage in any shape to any person /individual/ concerned in it.

{4.} 1. In the case of criminals, to a certain extent the effect of exclusion might be, and would require to be produced by an arrangement not directly and exclusively or directly pointed at this object. No person lawfully detained in lawful custody by process of law shall for the purpose of his delivering his vote be either altogether liberated or brought up in custody to or towards the Polling Office. By an arrangement to this effect the exclusion would to a very considerable extent be extended /applied/ to the case /this case/ of persons regarded as rendered inapt by this moral taint.

JB_127_280.xml

Title: [1818 Nov 25 Parl Reform Bill]

Description: 1818 Nov 25

Parl Reform Bill

'.1. Seats & Districts

'.2. Electors Who

Universality Not[?] excluded

6

Question 9. On this plan are there no descriptions of persons left unexcluded {from the faculty /right/ of voting} whose inaptitude for the exercise of that right on just grounds is undeniable would universally or at least generally be recognised?

Answer. Yes several. But {howsoever paradoxical and almost self contradictory the notion may at first sight be apt to present itself,} this inaptitude will in this case in question be seen to afford no sufficient reason for {the} exclusion: on the contrary, the reasons in favour of non-exclusion - the reason why no clause for the express purpose of exclusion would be other than worse than useless, will it is believed be found conclusive.

The description of persons so circumstanced may be thus enumerated

1. Persons-[...?] of unsound mind: whether coming under one or other of the two old established legal division into idols and lunatics, or under any other.

2. Criminals, of various shapes

3. Foreigners: whether coming under the legal description of alien friends or even under that of alien enemies.

4. Members of the other House of Legislature.

JB_127_285.xml

Title: [1818 Nov. 26 Parl Reform Bill]

Description: 1818 Nov. 26

Parl Reform Bill

Reasons

'.1 Seats & Districts

'.2 Electors Who

9

To a clause to this effect might /would/ be given an extension /extent/ by which a variety of doubts relative to so /as/ many /divers/ other descriptions of persons might /would/ be excluded: to wit, persons confined for debt, and persons confined on mesne process whether on the score of delinquency or debt, and persons under sentence of outlawry on either of these two accounts.

A conceivable case is - that not only this or that individual but individuals in any numbers, might on the Election day, for the purpose of excluding their vote, be placed in a state of confinement. But when it is seen how numerous /great/, even in any Election District in which they are least so /it is least/, the number of the votes will in the preferred[?] place be, it will be seen how far this conceivable case is from being capable of being regarded as a probable one /an apprehendable one/. To the purpose of procuring the return of any other than the most apt of all proposed Members it will be seen how extremely small would be the utmost promise of success, and[?] it could afford of success, which the reproach attending it /such an artifice/ would be so manifest and so great. If contrary to law the arrest would of course stand exposed to punishment at the hands of law: and even though separately taken not contrary to law, it might be made contrary to law /punishable/ if a multitude of arrests which would /could/ not otherwise have been made, were at this one time, made for this one collateral and improper purpose.