Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1867-04-24
TIE REFORM CONTEST IN ENG
rANn

SouC uOIuiuS, uuu uost ilScAeiig hbhsh
out on that line. Lord Derby and Mr..
Disreli would compromise on q Reform
measure so far as to increase the cleo
tors a few hundred thousand in a popu-
latiou Of more han Ave million of men;
and with this party Mr.. Gladstone, and,
probably, a large number Of the moder-
ate Liberals, will work in cooperation,
thinking they al thus save the country
from CONFUSION; while the Radical
party are bent now upon manhood suf-
frage, and prepared fully to oppose the
government. The principles at issue
are these: The Conservatives maintain
that the elective franchise should be
based on property and education. The
Radicals base it IN personal rights. His
torically, the Conservatists are so far
right a. this, that originally the House
Of Commons was based on the idea that
those men of property who paid the
chief taxes Of the country ought to give
their assent, through their representa-
tives, before they could be called upon
to pay them. The House Of Commons
was in fact originally a body Of men Of
influence, sometimes summoned person.
ally, and at others attending as repre-
sentatives Of cities, towns, boroughs or
counties, when the king saw fit to call
them together to assent to the collection
of taxes and the appropriation Of them
to specified objects. By degrees it be-
came law tina, all money bills should
| originate in that house. Where money
wa, needed, it was necessary that they
should give their assent, nor would they
do this until they were satisfied with all
| the measures before the country yet,
except when the want Of money COM
PEELED the king to summon them they had
no right or power to meet, and could be
and were dismissed at the kings pleas
ure, and their influence in the general
legislation Of the country only grew by
gradual degrees out Of the power of the
purse. Hence it was that those who
paid the taxes voted for representatives,
and their influence was intended to be
in proportion to property, as really as in
our joint stock companies.
In the formation Of our Constitution
the representation was based, not on
property, but on persons. Property had
far less influence in this country than in
Europe. After our long struggle for in
dependence, il was manhood that had
a thousand times more influence than
money, and all felt that those laws would
be be,, obeyed which commanded the
votes Of those who could and would sup
port their execution with the rifle, il
necessary. At this time, the contest
therefore, is between the original Eng
lish and the American systems. The
success Of our war Of independence pro-
ducsd the first French Revolution, and
the success Of our late war is now pro-
ducing the demand for manhood suffrage
in England. 1t is the proposal for a
| revolution and not n reform. The last
| Reform bill was the work Of the House
Of Commons itself; but the measure now
put forward by the English Reformers is
ar attempt of the unrepresented classes
to procure representation as men, and
not on account Of property. Whether,
in future, persons or property are to be
superior in Great Britain-that is the
contest.
Yet voting without education is a bar
rem sceptre anywhere. In this country
personal suffrage has been successful
because the people could read, and
therefore could not be deceived. But
i. may will be doubted if any system Of
universal suffrage without universal
education can long be preserved free.
Thirty years ago, when tho Reform bill
was passed, and a large number Of illit-
crate voters let in, it was soon found
that votes were bought, and the House
OF Commons remained as aristocratic as
ever in its feelings and tendencies. Dr..
Arnold, of Rugby, used to say that after
a man got to be forty he was not so
anxious for the popular voice to increase
in power a. that the people should be
better prepared to exert their power
wisely and honestly. If this is secured,
they will be certain to gain in power in
that very proportion, just as in England
the House of Commons has gained upon
the House of Lords. But without edu-
cation, wisdom and integrity, the rights
of the many will be absorbed by the few.
The franchise and thorough education
should 90 hand in hand.