1819 Jan y

Parl. Reform Bill

Dialogue

Preliminary View

Corruptibility

Annuality

11

2

53

{34}

Anti-Reformist continued. But /let then/ suppose them thus bought – how, after all

your pains to secure the most apt Election what after all have you but Miselection.

For being thus corrupt after they are bought, what they were before they were bought

is matter of indifference.

Reformist. Monarch ready to buy. Representatives ready to be bought. Very well.

Readiness of this sort, readiness, on both sides, as perfect as you please. But here

then, comes in our remedy, annuality of election on the part of the whole body of

Electors speedy removal /cutting off/ of the corrupt and offending number.

Anti-Reformist. Oh yes: when the mischief is done, then are you ready with your

preventive remedy. When the needless millions have been voted, and the act passed,

then are you ready to turn out those by whom they have been voted. Then, in come

another set, who being bought, vote and are turned out: and so things go on after

your reform as according to you they do now without it.

Reformist. {Smart enough: but rather too lively.}