Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-08-16

regard to the consequences of electoral dis
tricts in many places. NY objection to
them is ola very simple and practical char
acter. 1t is two-fold. In the first place
electoral districts would involve a great deal
of unnecessary displacement and disturb
ance of traditions; but my second objection
is-and that | regard as very important
one--that do not believe that public opin-
ion at all requires the change, and doubt
whether it would warrantit Next, should
say that in 4
SOUND MEASURE OF REDISTRIBUTION,
The distinction being between town and
country, known to electoral law as borough
and shire, ought to be maintained. AL
though our franchise is nearly identical,
yet that is not the question the question is
whether there is not in the pursuits and as
sociations of the places, and in their social
circumstances Il difference between town
and country between borough and shire,
which it is expedient, becoming and useful
to maintain. Next, | would say | would
respect, within moderate limits, the indi
viduality of constituencies, and not attempt
TO place towns which have had representa-
ton for many generations precisely and
automatically on the level of towns which
have not. Here is another principle to
which / would call attention. | am GER
tainly disposed to admit that very large
and highly concentrated populations need
not, and perhaps ought not, to have quite so
high Il proportion OF share i'll the represen-
tatlon OF the country as rural and dispersed
populations because the action of the po-
litical power in these concentrated masses
is sharper, quicker, and more vehement
That consideration must apply mainly to
the metropolis Another proposition
would lay down is this would not reduce
the proportional share of representation &C
corded by the present law of Ireland.
IN THE CASE OF IRELAND
And other parts of the country, in my
opinion, some regard should be had to
relative nearneSs and distance. The nearest
point of Scotland is $50 miles off, and some
parts are six or seven hundred miles away.
1t is impossible to say that the numerical
representation there meets the Case-though
grant it is pretty we'll made by the Shrewd-
ness of the men whom Scotland sends to
represent her; but it is her virtue and for
tune which cause so excellent a choice.
But undoubtedly the representation is
exercised under greater difficulties, and it
is fair that those parts of the country
which, like Scotland and Ireland, are sep
arated by great distances, not emitting the
element of sea. should be more literally
considered in regard to the proportion of
representatives they send. There is one
other proposition | am disposed to lay
down. not without considerable hesitation,
and not giving 4 final opinion. Speaking
roughly, small boroughs, so many of which
are in the south of England, must in some
way yield seats for London and other great
towns, counties, for Scotland and for the
north of England, the two last being per-
haps, the most salient of all these claims
SOME OF THE RESULTS.
Such is Mr. Gladstones plan. 1t means
a great deal, and yet it is far from being
perfect. The acme of reform in this matter
would be to make one vote equal to an
other the country through. But this is not
dreamed of Such reform as this must
wait until Gladstone is buried and the Lib
eral hosts are led by some broader and
more aggressive spirit, like Joseph Cham
berlain. 1t is impossible, however, to not
admire Mr.. Gladstones liberality toward
Ireland. That country sends to Parliament
105 members, and the Premier pledges
himself that this representation shall not
be reduced. This, too, in face of the GER
tainty that when the new franchise bill
shall become law, at least 90 out of these
105 seats shall be occupied by Nationalists,
men whose avowed aim will be to so OBJ
struct legislation as to make it seem eXpe-
dent, if not necessary, for the best interests
of the Three Kingdoms to dispense with
theri Parliament of their own. 7.