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.