date

[129b-431] 16 April 1817 Plan
[129b-431]

16 April 1817

Plan Cat

2 o

Introd

§.16. Moderate Reform

II. Uselessness

III Representatives

12

2. As to impermanence

If, by any such impermanence given to the situation as would be effected by the substitution of triannuality to septennuality, the mischief or danger of dependence where undue viz. as towards C r general and thence of want of dependence where due viz. as towards constituents could be in an adequate degree done away, by no degree of the insufficiency on the part of the proposed partial exclusion considered in its application to the case of the mere corruption-hunting class of corruptionists could any peremptory objection to the plan of reform in question be constituted. But when in this point of view a comparison must be made between triannuality and annuality the truth of the opposite supposition will it is believed be rendered sufficiently apparent.
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  • Title: [[129b-432] 16 April 1817 Plan]
    Description: [129b-432]

    16 April 1817

    Plan Cat

    2 o

    Introd

    §.16. Moderate Reform

    II. Uselessness

    II Representatives

    13

    The question as between triannuality and annuality being supposed settled remains as the only topic /head of moderate reform remedy/ for consideration the advantage desirable on this ground /in this respect/ the advantage in respect of diminution /removal/ of dependencies on the part of Representatives as towards C-r General derivable from the arrangements having in view as above the diminution if not the entire removal of Election expences on the part of Candidates and the proposers of proposed Candidates.

    To these arrangements considered no otherwise than in respect of /with a view /an eye/ to/ the reduction of unnecessary expence, as well as in respect of the diminution or removal of disorder in all its forms approbation the most unqualified approbation can not /no degree of approbation can/ be refused.

    So likewise in the character of means contributing as far as they go to the reducing on the part of the population of the House taken in the aggregate, the probable quantum of relative /comparative/ indigence and in that respect of venality in the form of /and/ corruption-hunting. But although in the instance of every Member the security in so far as regards indigence through[?] expence the demand or supposed demand for which had been derived from the service in question were ever so compleat, still to any such purpose as that of taking away the appetite for the matter of corruption or doing away the corruptive effect of that appetite, extremely /altogether/ inadequate would it be found. For as hath already been observed and shewn, taking mankind in general by no degree of affluence whatever is it possible that the appetite for the matter of corruption should be extinguished, or even with any tolerable degree of certainty, so much as damped.
  • Title: [[129b-429] 16 April 1817 C]
    Description: [129b-429]

    16 April 1817 C

    Plan Cat

    2 o

    Introd

    §.10. Moderate Reform

    II. Uselessness

    II Representatives

    10

    Superseded the patent[?] in good means[?]

    {II. Next as to the situation of Representative.

    II. Now as to the three remaining ones, being those which in a more immediate way have regard to the situation of Representative.

    To produce the effect necessary to the accomplishment of the abovementioned grand and ultimate and above mentioned and by the supporters of moderate reform all along aimed at or professed to be aimed at viz. dependence of Representatives as towards Constituents and thence independence as towards C – r General a degree of inadequacy much /still/ /not less/ more nearly approaching to compleatness may be seen in the case of this situation than in the case of that of Elector.

    I For effecting /securing/ in an immediate way independence as towards C – r General and C o on the part of the House taken in the aggregate what has been proposed is diminution of the number of notorious corruption-eaters; diminution only not exclusion of a /exclusion of a/ part, and no more than a part leaving in a remnant /in such sort that a remnant of that […?] of unrighteousness/ shall be saved, a remnant viz. all those who shall be regarded as being “ in responsible situations”.}
  • Title: [[129b-430] 16 April 1817 Plan]
    Description: [129b-430]

    16 April 1817

    Plan Cat

    2 o

    Introd

    §.10. Moderate Reform

    II. Uselessness

    III Representatives

    11

    To this part of the plan of moderate reform of a moderate reform it can with propriety be said to belong the following observations present themselves

    1. That to the case of corruption-eaters actually feeding the application of it is but partial; leaving the disorder to an indefinite extent without remedy.

    2. That by leaving untracked it confirms and establishes that principle which in a preceding Section has been shewn to be in a state of irreconciliable opposition to probity and justice and common sense.

    3. That to the case of such corruptionists as are as yet but corruption hunters it has no immediate application: at the same time that to this same case is /will/ any adequate remedy applied /so formed/ by either of the two remaining heads of proposed arrangement as above mentioned.

    No application has it to the case of any one of the following classes of corruption-hunters, viz

    1. Peerage-hunters

    2. Baronetage-hunters

    3. Ribbon-hunters

    4 Corruption hunters in whose instance the object of choice is either money /pecuniary profit/ in the shape of office, pecuniary profit in any other of the infinitely miscellaneous various shapes in which from the source in question pecuniary profit may be derived: d o in whose instance in that shape or any of the /those/ three other shapes profit may be derived to and to the immediate benefit of relations, friends and dependants.

    Note (a)

    (a) Seats to which it has no application, besides those designated by the name /description/ of seats filled by persons in responsible situations as

    1 Officers in the Land branch of the Military service

    2 Officers in the Sea branch of the Military service

    3 Official persons belonging to the department of the Law, perhaps: - but this remains to be explained.