1818 Sept. 19. {§.4} ┴ E §.3

Parl. Reform Bill.

Postpone

Reasons ult o

§.3 Eligible Who

Question. Why exclude from the function of Representative of the people the whole female sex?

Answer 1. {Because,} though the election of a Majority of this sex is a result too improbable to be prevised[?] for, yet the election of some small number might not be altogether so. A person of the female sex, selected for beauty and accomplishment, might be to an incalculable degree of efficiency an instrument of fascination and seduction in the hands of the Executive, on the supposition that in here and there an instance, spite of all precautions to the contrary it might not be impossible for that branch of the sovereignty, to succeed in procuring the nomination of Member to officiate in the /serve in this/ other.

Answer 2. Because, independently of all such danger, by the presence of persons of that sex in an assembly composed chiefly of males, distraction and obstruction would in various ways be likely /sure/ to be produced. On all subjects on which the difference between sex and sex came in question regard for decorum would cramp the freedom of debate: merriment, excited by the most trivial causes, would be continually diverting the attention from rational argument, and so long as it lasted would be occupying the place of serious debate /discussion/.

Answer 3. To the interests of the female sex, considered in contradistinction and opposition to those of the male, no advantage could by any such mixture be produced. That, in a number approaching in any degree to a majority, persons of this sex should become the object of choice, is a result far too improbable to be supposed.