[131a-002]

1818 March 25 + +

Parl Reform Answer to the Antiballotist

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Benthams Defence of the Ballot:

being an answer to certain arguments against the proposed use of the Ballot in the Election of Members of the Commons House, on the supposition of annuality of Election, and virtual universality of suffrage.

In the argument of the Antiballotists, + as contained in the very ingenious paper which lies before me, I find four and no more than four distinguishable considerations, employed in the character of reasons, or objections, against the use of the secret mode of voting + on the occasion here in question. I shall distinguish them by the leading terms which I find employed in designating them. These are,

Note +

+ In this paper, in preference to the word ballot, familiar as it is, I use for the most part the words secret modes (viz. of voting): because it presents to my mind a much clearer idea of the nature of the case, than does the word ballot, of which I do not know the origin; and because it matches so well with an appellative of the opposite mode /equally characteristic/, viz. the open mode, which, for the designation of it has not any such single word as the secret mode has in the word ballot.

The term Antiballotists is used here merely to save words. No such sentiment as that of blame is meant to be attached to it.

Comments on particular words and phrases would occupy to wide a space. My endeavour will be to collect the substance of the argument, and the fault will lie not in the will but in the understanding, if in any particular I fail of doing it justice.

End of the Note.