The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-11-15
REPRESENTATIVE REFORM.

WE are indebted to friend who has
been sojourning in Europe, for a copy OF
the London Times of Aug. 9Th. This
number was issued pending the consid-
Grafton of the Reform Bill in Parlia-
ment,and several articles In 1t are devot-
cd to the discussion Of that measure,
and particularly to the amendment pro,
posed by Lord Cairns, in the House OF
Lords, TO secure minority representa-
tion.
First, Is an elaborate letter from the
New York correspon dent of the Times
containing extracts from Mr.. Bucka-
LEWIS speech of 1lth of July ION Cumu-
lative Voting) and using the facts
therein to refute certain assertions made
by Mr.. Bright in regard to the practi-
cal working of the American represen-
tative system.
Next, is given an able article by M.
Provost Paradol Ia distinguished French
writer in review and commendation OF
the Cairns amendment.
Besides, the leading editorial article
is devoted to the Refofm Bill and to a
vigorous support of an amendment,
which, having been adopted by the
House of Lords was then pending in
the House of Commons. And the en-
pressions of opinion in America and
France in favor of the principle of the
amendment are referred to with much
of earnestness and satisfaction as sus-
tanning the position which hadbeen TAX
en- by the Times.
So much for the particular number of
this great paper which we have before
US. But this number does not measure
the extent Of support given by the
Times to this question of electoral re-
form. The London Spectator asserts
that the Times was more thoroughly in
earnest upon the occasion of the Cairns
amendment than it had been at any
time since the Crimean war, and the
articles which have been republished
from its columns in this country 60 far
to sustain this statement. Day after
day it directed vigorous logic and ex-
hortation to members of Parliament,
and to the public in behalf of the dis
franchised electors of England, and an
swered effectually the arguments of the
enemies of progress. And it had good
cause for exultation at the final result
reached upon the Sth Of August. AT
the evening session of that day the
House of Commons approved the
amendment by majority of 40 and
made it irrevocably part Of the Bill,
thus vindicating principle of justice
and sound policy in representative gov
ernnent which will, we doubt not,
hereafter obtain general acceptance.
The Cairns amendment is, SHAT al
q contested election for any county or
borough, represented 6y three members,
no person shall vote for more than taco
candidates." 1t was adopted by the
House of Lords, on Both of July, by a
vote of 142 to 81, and concurred in by
the House of Commons, Aug. sth, by a
vote of 253 to 2O4. Its effect will be to
give representation to minorities in
three-cornered constituencies that is,
the majority will elect two members
and the minority one. Thus as to tri-
angular districts, or districts electing
three members of Parliament, the same
result will be obtained that would be
obtained by cumulative voting. 1t is
not as perfect scheme as the latter,
but it accomplishes the same purpose
in the particular districts to which it is
applied.