The Express.
London, England, 1867-06-17 00:00:00

THE REDIRTRIBI'VON SCIIFUIt

The Time, continues to urge that the redistribu-
tion scheme of the government has been constructed
simply with a reference to the gains of party, and if
adopted, would he a standing provocation to fresh changes.
The enfranchisement of the towns selected is not justified
by their intrinsic importance, yet their transformation
into parliamentary boroughs would weed the county
constituencies of those liberal elements which serve to
turn the scale in elections. Upon the counties thus
carefully manipulated the Chancellor of the Exchequer
would bestow 'l5 out of 45 vacant seats. But without
dwelling further on the defects of the scheme, the Tines
addresses itself to an enforcement of its favourite argu-
ments for a cumulative vote. The adoption of household
suffrage is attributable to the passion for equality which is
the moat striking phenomena of modern society ; and this
passion having procured the enfranchiserneet of persons,
will proceed to demand that the same number of electors
shall under ell circumstances return the same number of
representatives. Mr. Disraeli's temporary arrangements
would favour the desire for this, and would infallibly lead
to equal electoral districts. Considering this, as shown
by the example of America, as a result to be avoided, the
Timis would have the equality of the elector preserved
in the constant multiplication of constituencies returning
three, or, if need be, more members, coupled with the
permission to each voter to accumulate or distribute his
votes among the candidates at his pleasure. Mr. Dudley
Baxter has a letter to-day pointing out the difficulties in
this mode of voting, but ho does not succeed in convincing
our contemporary, which remains persuaded that the real
obstacle lies in the sluggishness of temper, and the
indisposi-
tiss if not the incapacity, of the mama of ordinary men to
entertain a new suggestion.

We are reminded by the Daily News that if Mr. Laing's
amendment, which has precedence this evening, be carried
there will remain eight seat■ to be assigned, which must
be obtained either by additional disfranchisement, or by
grouping, or by diverting them from the boroughs or from
the counties among which Mr. Disraeli has divided his
45 disposable sesta. It is from the counties that the eight
should be taken. This ammgement, if combined with
those features of Mr. Disraeli's plan with which Mr.
Leine' amendment does not interfere, would give 27 of
the 45 vacant seats to boroughs, 17 to counties, and one to
a university constituency. Considering that all the 45
seats ace obtained from boroughs, by their partial or total
disfranchisement, there would, as dm net result of the
plan, be a dear addition of 17 members to the county
representstim. If the adoptian of cumulative voting were
logically or practically involved in the existence of three-
membered constituencies, it would be a serious objection
to their creation. But the Daily News points out that those
who vote with Mr. Laing may consistently vote for or
against Mr. Hughes.
Mr. Laing's motion, the Post contends, deserves the
support of those who desire that the redistribution of
sesta should be so settled as to remedy as thoroughly se
may be the acom►lies and injustice of the existing system.