Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-09-04
The poets thought
The bark by tempest vainly tost
May founder III the calm.
And he Who brayed tie polar frost
Paint BY the isles of hahn y,

L.
That officer entered the navy in 1915, and in the
service OF his country he had sailed all seas brved
III climates and buffeted the widest OF storms I'M
narmed; yet, after his active career was ended
and all the dangers of life apparently passed he
met his fate by drowning miserably In compare
uvely still and shoal waters, and almost within
sight OF the home he had chosen for serene old
age. OF a verify the ways of Providence un-
searehable and past flnslinC out!
The Idea that England has a represent alive
form OF government is a mistaken one The house
OF parliament, commonly supposed to represent
the people, Is composed Of members who are
elected by the county voters TO be sure but these
county constituencies are controlled by an OIL
garcly OF aristocrats. The landlord power pre-
vents the tenant farmers from being free In the
casting OF their votes Yet il they had entire
freedom In this respect, they are but fractional
part OF the rural population. The bulk and body
nave no vote at all. and, although most OF them
are quite as capable OF making a rational and
beneficial exercise OF the franchise as tao5e who
are endowed with it, their only con-
nectioa with the making or the admin
istration OF law is in paying what It costs Those
VINO dwell in towns are no better of in this re-
spect, for the basis OF the borough franchise ex-
cludes the bulk OF the population from the exercise
OF It The English seem wholly ignorant OF the
importance OF an equally proportioned franchise.
The fact OF a member from a small borough,
elected, perhaps, by the votes OF 10 men only
having an equal voice in parliament with him who
represents 1900 votes, would seem to be directly
opposed to any idea OF representative government.
let, such is frequently the case. Again, these
small borough constituencies are controlled by the
beck and nod OF territorial grandee, who has the
power OF seating himself, or whomsoeyer
ne chooses candidate for parliament
Is not required to give any proof OF his fitness for
parliamentary duties The man of money feels as
certain OF entering parliament, IL he will ONLY nav
the price, as he would OF entering an opera box nv
purchasing ticket He may be a total stranger
and MS introduction TO his constituents made ONLY
. Few days before the election. yet IL they have
previously been made acquainted with the Jingle
Oh MS gold Oy the elecuoneering agent the game Is
rs good as won man without money never
tninhs or attempting 10 enter parliament unRss
MS rich friends are willing to stand Sponsors for
him
Then, again, the English parliament even allow
ing IL TO be fair representation OF the people
instead or feeble one, is intruSted with
Dut small portion OF the law making
The privy council, backed by the crown Is the au-
tnofity with the three powers OF government
judicial and executive, as well as legislative The
DEGREES and edctS issued by this council are sun
posed 10 need the endorsement of parliament be-
lore becoming law. There is a very loose con-
structon placed upon this approval, however and
osehiti iorestaIed,a and usually taken for granted:
whie the people, used TO being ruled by somebody
aooSe them, never call these DEGREES in question
Inc ihdiHefence OF the English people TO exercis-
Ans Tue franchise is result OF all this For what
Aueeicse can man nave IN voting, with the con-
slctioh tnat MS vote Is not worth the castInp9