Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-04-04
THE BRITISH PARLIAndENT
How the Members Of the House Of Com
mons are Chosen.

mons are C0OSo0.
The House of Commons consists Of
six hundred and fifty two members. Oh
these, four hundred and eighty seven
represent England and Wales, sixty
Scotland, and one hundred and five Ire
land.
The constituencies are Of three kinds
-boroughs, (Which comprise the cities
as well as most of the large and some
small towns, } universities and counties
The boroughs are represented by three
hundred and sixty members, the coun.
ties by two hundred and eighty three
members, and the universities by nine
members.
A House of Commons, unless sooner
dissolved, lasts for period of sever
years. But the Cabinet can at any time
by so advising the Queen, cause dis
solution of the House, and a new
general election. AS matter of fact
the House, rarely lives longer than -four
or five years.
Every householder or ledger in an
English borough can vote for members
of the House. But in the counties nc
man can thus vote, unless he pays ar
annual poor rate tax of the value Of
twelve pounds, OF sixty dollars.
A candidate for the House need not
be a resident of the constituency which
he seeks to represent. Amy Englishmar
can contest any district in Great Britain
no matter where he lives.
Until recently, candidates for Parlia.
ment were not Nominated" at all
hey presented themselves, or We're
urged by their friends to come forward
or they were recommended by one Of
the London political clubs. But few
years ago form of the American eau
Gus system crept into some of the large
English boroughs, and is extending.
When general election of d House
Of Commons takes place, the voting
continues daily in different parts OF the
Kingdom for about two weeks. It il
not, as with us, all done ON the same
day. The election officers of each coun.
ty and borough appoint a day for thai
special locality.
All the voting is done, as with us, by
secret ballot; but the ballot, in England
is more carefully guarded, as to safety
and secrecy, than it is in the United
States.
The English ballot is furnished by
the election officers, and has the names
Of all the candidates printed in alpha
betical order. The voter makes cross
against the name of the person 70,
whom he wishes to vote.
Each ballot has number stamped or
the back, and attached to the ballet is 9
"counterfoil," which is what we call 8
"stub" or coupon" which bears the
same number.
"At the time OF voting" says the law,
"the ballot paper shall be marked on
both sides with an official mark, and de.
ivered to the voter within the polling
place; and the number of such voter
shall be marked on the counterfeit; and
the voter having secretly marked Ibis
vote on the paper, shall place it in q
closed box in the presence of the officer
after having shown to him the official
mark at the back"
The only qualification in England fo1
a member of Parliament is, that he shall
be twenty one years of age. A natur-
allied foreigner could formerly only be
admitted to seat in the house by vir.
tue of a special act of Parliament, but
since 1870 the restriction is removed.
But certain officials and classes are
excluded from the house of commons
Judges ;clergymen Of the English, Scotch
and Roman Catholic churches; govern
ment contractors, sheriffs, and election
officers for the localities for which they
act, are disqualified from being mem.
bers. III % S.,s j n; $Ss|.5. y, B s.*s
No English or Scotch peer can be {
member; but Irish peers are qualified
to sit in the house Of Commons.
Youths Companion.
Personal Paragraphs,
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