date

1818 Sept. 1. Parl. Reform Bill
1818 Sept. 1.

Parl. Reform Bill

Reasons ult o

'.2. Electors Who

Universality

5

5

The persons by whom, that is to say on each occasion by the majority of whom, this virtually /potentially/ supreme power is exercised, are then the Members of the House of Commons. The exercise given to this power will on each occasion be conducive to the above indicated only proper end as object according to the degree of aptitude in which they respectively possess relation being had to the accomplishment of that end: according to their respective degrees of aptitude with relation to the execution of such their trust.

Of the aptitude the elements are reducible to three: to wit, 1. appropriate probity, or moral aptitude; 2. appropriate intellectual aptitude; 3. appropriate active talent. +

{The persons by whom, that is to say on each occasion, by the majority of whom in each Election District, and thence in the /by a/ majority in the several Election Districts} The right or power here in question - the right here is proposed to be exercised, is the right of determining on each occasion the individuals by the majority of whom that same virtually /potentially/ supreme power shall be exercised. On the question /occasion/ in whom /what persons/ this Election right shall be reposed the only proper object or end in view being still the same, the question with relation to that end is - who are the persons in whose instance /whom/ taken collectively the highest secondary degree of appropriate aptitude may reasonably be regarded as being possessed: of aptitude to wit relation being had in respect of the choice to be made of a set of functionaries /who taken in the aggregate shall be/ possessed in the aggregate of the primary sort of appropriate aptitude abovementioned.

Draughtsman's Note

+ See these elements explained and application made of them to the purpose here in question in the Catechism of Parliamentary Reform by the author of this Draught.
Similar Items
  • Title: [1818 Sept. 1. Parl. Reform Bill]
    Description: 1818 Sept. 1.

    Parl. Reform Bill

    Reasons ult o

    '. Electors Who

    6

    6

    Thus we have /may be seen/ two degrees as it were of appropriate aptitude with reference to the great end in view: 1. appropriate /primary or immediately operating/ aptitude, aptitude with reference to the exercise of this virtually supreme power; 2. appropriate aptitude, /secondary or unimmediate or instrumental aptitude,/ with reference to the choice of the persons by whom this same virtually supreme power shall be exercised.

    The primary or immediately operating appropriate aptitude has been found resolvable into three elements - appropriate probity or moral aptitude, appropriate intellectual aptitude, and appropriate active talent. The unimmediately operating appropriate aptitude may be conceived as resolved into the same three elements. But in the case of these possessors not each of them of a share in the virtually supreme power but of a share in the appointment of those by each of whom a share in that same virtually supreme power shall be exercised, one of the three elements viz. appropriate active talent will be found not to be needful: the /all/ demand for it will /may/ be seen to be excluded by the nature of the case - by the nature of the function to be exercised. A judgment will be to be formed and declared: but the declaration of that judgment and of the consequent will being to be declared, there is nothing further to be done.

    By this consideration the portion of appropriate aptitude necessary is in the case of this secondary species of aptitude reduced within bounds comparatively narrow: the facility and assurance of finding or creating it in sufficient quantity is proportionably encreased.
  • Title: [1818 Sept. 1 Parl. Reform Bill]
    Description: 1818 Sept. 1

    Parl. Reform Bill

    + '.2 B.

    Reasons ult

    '.2. Electors Who

    Universality

    2. Intellect

    9

    1

    9

    2. Of these elements with reference to the secondary situation in question comes secondly and lastly for consideration the element of appropriate intellectual aptitude "According to the best of his judgment" was accordingly a limitation necessary as above to be annexed.

    To a first glance /view/ what may at first sight occurr is that, forasmuch as the Members of the House of Commons possessors of the virtually supreme power have as such for their field of thought and action the whole field of government with all the details belonging to it, the Universal-suffrage men their proposed Electors, will in that quality, on the occasion of each Election have to act as judge of the conduct of these their delegates /deputs[?]/ and Representatives: and that for the exercise of their judgment which belong in that character it will in like manner be necessary for them to extend their observation and their judgment over that same unbounded field: and that if such appropriate intellectual aptitude as they possess falls short of being competent and sufficient for the performance of that task, it falls short of being adequate and that in such sort and to such a degree as to render it a matter of necessity to look out for /take/ some other hand or hands /person or persons/ at[?] need[?] for the hands by which /whom/ the function of choosing the possessors of this virtually supreme power shall be exercised.

    This being the case /These things considered/, the conclusion will naturally enough be 1. that it is not in the nature of their situation to furnish them with the means of attaining any relatively adequate portion of appropriate intellectual aptitude, nor therefore to admitt of their possessing it: 2. that even, supposing them to possess it, such is the habitual precipit[...?] and passion attached to their situation, as to preclude them from its free and calm pursuit of the dictate of their judgment even were those dictates themselves ever so strictly conformable to their interest; that is to the universal interest.
  • Title: [1822 Feb. 10 Constitutional Code]
    Description: 1822 Feb. 10

    Constitutional Code

    Supreme Constitutive who

    '2. Means of Government

    Thus it is that with reference to the appointment /choice/ of those by whom the powers of government shall be exercised among the elements of appropriate aptitude appropriate moral aptitude can not on the part of the greatest number /subject many/ be deficient: on the contrary in their instance as compared with all other individuals whatsoever, it is at its maximum.

    True it is that if on the part of any other individual or set of individuals were in existence in whose instance appropriate moral aptitude not being inferior, appropriate intellectual aptitude were superior, in such other individual or individuals would the maximum of the aggregate of appropriate aptitude with reference to the exercise of the power in question have place. But in vain would be the search for any other such individual or individuals.