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.