The National Register.
London, England, 1809-05-07 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

The public mind is now so strongly set upon this subject,
that it will be impossible to elude the necessity of it much
longer. For a long succession of years—for year after
year, the public have been told, that however necessary
Reform was, this was not the due season, that there were
some circumstances, and a certain state of things, which at
that precise time rendered the attempt of Reform pecu-
liarly perilous. In this manner, we say, for year after
year, has the popular cry been eluded, and if we have to
wait till Government shall bring themselves to acknowledge
that Reform is not only necessary but seasonable, it is evi-
dent that Reform will never take place. The advocates of
the old system chiefly stand upon two grounds; in the first
place, that Reform under existing circumstances would be
perilous in the extreme—and secondly, that though there
e notoriously many old abuses and inveterate evils, it is
still better to bear the ills which we have and which we
know, than in the effort to remedy them to incur others,
which are of a more uncertain, and therefore perhaps of a
more mischievous nature. Every Minister, whenever Re-
form has been mentioned, has been read). with his pe-
culiar scarecrow t it would not do altogethet, to oppose it,
the neuter way was to elude it. The Minisier of the day,
therefore, never heiitated to acknowledde that things
were not as they should be, and that the nation and the Par-
liamentary Representation stood in • need of Reform.—
This was willingly granted on all sides, because in point of
fact it was too notorious to be denied. The only doubt
was whether this was the proper season.—Will you reform,
said one mans whilst every thing about you is in confusion,
when you see around you on all sides such effects of innova-
tion, will you ventnre in the effort to reform to incur the
peril of utter ruin ? The people are not in a condition to
receive this public benefit. Reform in the present moment
would be but the commencement of an sera of disorder.
It will be easy to let the spirit loose, but who shalt recal it,
if they should find it to trespass beyond its due bounds ?
Under these and similar suggestions, though the propo-
sal of a Reform in Parliament is almost as old as Parlia-
ment itself, the matter remains at present in pi ecisely the
same state as nearly a century ago. It is at least fifty years
since the Earl of C*ATUAM declared, with a reference to
:Ministerial ascendancy in Parliament, that the influence of
the Crown had increased, was increasing, and ought to be
diminished. Yet this hereditary and pernicious influence
still continues in a progressive state, and though every Pa-
triot and every Opposition have invariably declaimed in the
sa:ne language, every thing yet remains in the same state.
Reform, whenever it does take place, must originate with
the peo;)le, or with the Government. Woe be to the Go-
vernment, says Montesquieu, vvhicii, selfishly blind to its
own interests, neglectt the performance of its duty, till it
V. Lei' .L

The best argument for the necessity of Reform is cer.'
tainly on the actual state of the Representation. Now,
will any one give attention to the actual state of represent-
ation in this kingdom, and afterwards venture to assert,
that the Parliamentary Representation does not stand iu
need of a vital, a fundamental reformation.
From the returns which were laid before the House of
Parliament, in the year 1793, it apPcarcd that the English
part of the House of Commons consisted of 510 member?,
of which number 327 were corruptly returned—Such is the
majority of the House of Commons ! that majority, the
province of which it is to decree the laws for the commu-
nity. We of course do not speak of the existing House of
Commons, because the laws of the land require, that our
sentiments should be applied to the past and not to the
present. All that we asssert is, that the kingdom cannot
he duty represented, when the majority of the House of
Corn mous is returned lq the interest and direct • lumina.

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when you see around you on all sides such effects of innova- far discussion, or even casual conversation, there is but one i- I',
fion, will you venture in the effort to reform to incur the opinion, but one voice, generally current, and this opinioo 4 -i,k.
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peril of utter ruin ? The people are not in a condition to is, that the nation has reached that point, in which it has to , ' ,-
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receive this public benefit. Reform in the present moment make its choice between Reform or ruin.
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would be but the commencement of an sera of disorder. The best argument for the necessity of Reform is cers'
It will be easy to let the spirit loose, but who shalt recal it, ; i
1 tainly on the actual state of the Representation. Now,
if they should find it to trespass beyond its due hounds ? 'I will any one give attention to the actual state of represent-
,! ,
Under these and similar suggestions, though the propo- ation in this kingdom, and afterwards venture to assert,
sal of a Reform in Parliament is almost as old as Podia- that the Parliamentary Representation does not stand iia •
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merit itself, the matter remains at present in precisely the need of a vital, a fundamental reformation. 4:1
same state as nearly a century ago. It is at least fifty ',ears From the returns which were laid before the House of
since the Earl of C*ATUAM declared, with a reference to Parliament, in the year 1'793, it appeared that the English ! ...
:Ministerial ascendancy in Parliament, that the influence of part of the House of Commons consisted of 510 meniberh
the Crown had increased, was increasing, and ought to be of which number 327 were corruptly returned—Such is the ... • • .
diminished. Yet this hereditary and pernicious influence majority of the Roust! of Commons ! that majority, the .., -- . .
still continues in a progressive state, and though every Pa- province of which it is to decree the laws for the commu-
triot and every Opposition have invariably declaimed in the nity. We of course do not speak of the' existing House of iI ',
aa:'ie Ling:usage, every thing yet remains in the same state. Commons, because the laws of the land require, that our li ','
Reform, whenever it does take place, must originate with sentiments should be applied to the past and not to the
the peo?le, or with the Government. Woe be to the Go- present. All that we asssert is, that the kingdom cannot ,li,
,
veronica, says Montesquieu, wbicii, selfishly blind to its be duty represented, when the majority of the House of ...
own interests, neglectt the performance of its duty, till it Commons is returned lq the interest and direct • uannivas , - ,
Vi'. 1 I.— .1. o. L Xit I . A
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