date

1818 April 29 + Parl. Reform Bill
1818 April 29 +

Parl. Reform Bill

Dialogue

Prefat

Evils and Remedies

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The first thing to be considered is – the evils what are the evils – the evils of

all sorts – the existence /production/ /presence/ of which is incident to the

Election process.

These may in the first place be distinguished into the characteristic evils, and

those which are not characteristic.

Those which are characteristic are those which spring out of the process itself

insomuch that were it not for the process they could not have place.

Those which are not characteristic are those which require no such process in the

character of cause or instrument for the production of them: being such as though

liable to have place /take place/ and to be produced in the course of the process are

but /moreover/ too apt to have place where no such process has place.

Take for example, riots, tumults, and by whatsoever names disorder in this shape is

wont /apt/ to be called: species of misbehaviour which when analyzed will be found to

be resolvable into various offences belonging to the classes denominated Offences

against person and Offences against the property to which may incidentally be added

Offences against the reputation of determinate individuals.

Uncharacteristic as they are, offences of this description must not, on the present

occasion, pass wholly unregarded: since among the measures requisite to be employed

for the exclusion or removal of evil in all its shape, evil in these shapes will

along with the rest present its claim to notice.
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    Dialogue

    II. Election Evils

    26

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    Anti-Reformist. Though as was natural enough you have given to your /these same[?]/

    uncharacteristic evils of yours the last place, do in the first place have the

    goodness to tell me what they are /name them/. I wish to know what they are, that I

    may see at once what it is you thus propose to put aside.

    Reformist. They are neither more nor less than Offences offences /evils/ of all

    sorts by which individuals as such are liable to be made sufferers: evils by injuries

    to person, d o by d o to property, d o by d o to reputation. I might add perhaps

    /possibly have added/ evils by injuries to condition in life: but these will so

    rarely come in question, that we may /to save perplexity it may be better to/ lay

    this out of the question, which may be done with very little inconvenience /little if

    any loss/.

    Anti Reformist. A most formidable truce this! Why, have we already all the contents

    of Pandoras box. Pray in mercy, release me /my conception/ by the mention of a few

    particulars.

    Reformist – that I can do in a trice. You know what Election riots are: you know

    what Election lies are. As to riots, if you wish to vary the phrase, call them

    tumults, disturbances, disorders, annoyances fightings […?] breaches of the peace

    nuisances – what you

    Anti Reformist. Alack a day, we all know them but too well.

    Reformist. Well then, there is not a mischief imaginable either to person or

    property that is not liable to be produced by an Election riot: by a riot in any

    case, and therefore in that case. Then /So/ again as to reputation there is not that

    mischief to reputation that is not liable to be produced by an Election lie. You know

    M r Hunt[?] /the two Soccas[?]/. You remember the arm he fights

    with /they fight with/ in addition to the arm of flesh. For person and property

    gentlemen have /he has/ the arm of flesh; for reputation, the tongue and the hand

    that holds the pen
  • Title: [1818 Dec. r 25. Parl. Reform Bill]
    Description: 1818 Dec. r 25.

    Parl. Reform Bill

    Dialogue II

    Election Evils

    Summary Recapitulation

    44

    25

    as well as if I had done it myself.

    Anti-Reformist. Well, if you will have it so, hear me then say my lesson.

    Reformist. With pleasure.

    Anti-Reformist. By Election evils we mean all such evils as are liable to be

    produced by or in a word to have place by reason of the sort of Election by which the

    seats in the Commons House of Parliament are filled.

    These evils are called / appropriate or/ unappropriate {or

    appropriate}

    The unappropriate are either riots or lies.

    Riots are offences by which mischief is done either to person or property.

    By Election lies mischief is liable /apt/ to be done in various ways /shapes/ to

    individuals alone, to the public alone, or to both together

    The shape in which by Election lies mischief is most apt to be done to individuals,

    is that of mischief to reputation: to the reputation of the proposed Members

    principally, but incidentally to any persons who are or happen to be considered as

    their respective partizans.

    The shape in which by Election lies mischief is most apt to be done to the public,

    is that in which they are contributory or threaten to be contributory to

    Mis-election, Non-election or Null-election: of which further on.

    Whether by an Election lie mischief is done /is done or not done: and if done

    whether/ to an individual or individuals alone, to the public alone, or to both

    together is matter of accident.
  • Title: [1818 Dec. 22 Parl. Reform Bill]
    Description: 1818 Dec. 22

    Parl. Reform Bill

    Dialogue II

    Election Evils

    25

    6

    Anti-Reformist. Come then, set to work your exhaustion-pump: give us /produce/ your

    divisions: if they suit my taste /I like them/ they please me/ I will call them

    logical ones: if they do not suit my taste /I dont like them/ /they displease me/ I

    will call them metaphysical. Let us both be at liberty you produce what you please: I

    give what name to it I please.

    Reformist. Agreed: First then, these Election evils I divide them into

    characteristic and uncharacteristic or not characteristic.

    Anti-Reformist. What do you here mean by characteristic?

    Reformist. I mean such evils as have are not only liable to have place on the

    occasion of the sort /mode/ of Election in question, but could not have place without

    it.

    Anti-Reformist. Then by your uncharacteristic evils you mean such evils as are

    liable to have place on the occasion in question, but are moreover liable to have

    place on other occasions. {Well, your characteristic Election evils what are they.}

    {Reformist. Before I tell you what they are I must divide them in the first place

    into hurtful | | the mischief of which falls upon men in their public capacity alone,

    such the /injurious to the public alone, evils hurtful to individuals only and evils

    hurtful to the public and to individuals, both at the same time/. }

    Reformist. Exactly so. It is a real satisfaction /comfort/ to me, to see you thus

    beforehand /going before/ with me.