New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-12-26


Existing boVouahs with population of less than
| 600 cease 10 exist
ioroushs with population of 10000 return one
member oaoh,
| Boroughs having FROM 30, 900 to 10000 inhabi-
| tans return two members each land are not di-
vilod into dlstrctsl.
Boroughs having mora than 105000 inhabitants
are to have one additional member for each adj
diional $1,000 Of population.
Counties now undcr-rcpresented get moro meui-
bers on about the Same basis of population as the
boroughs.
England gets additional members Scotland,
II less than she IL entitled toy Wales and Ire
land, both of which ought to be reduced remain as
they are.
The American reader will probably think all this
complicated AMI perhaps puzzng. No doubt 1t ia,
and no doubt it would be far simpler to adopt the
American system of equal electoral districts. But
tho answer 10 that IT, as said above that no Min
istry could be got to propose IL and no House OF
Commons 10 adopt II. IL you read Mr.. Hlad-
stones speech you will find he lays stress
ON the continuity of the historical life
| of particular groups Of populations and he would
doubtless say ho only interfcres with them where he
must. Bat he and Lord Salisbury have mono the less
between them adopted aud put In practice two
very radical principles. Where they create now
electoral divisions, or where outside of certain d
| visions now existing they enlarge the representa-
| ton, they do adopt uniform rule based on the
ratio of population In other words, saving certain
treated really as cases of vested interests the
doctrine of equal electoral districts docs very
largely prevail Secondly, but not less important. is
the principle of single member TO each district,
with the exceptions above noted.
1t is on the second point that the strongest attack
seems likely to be made. Until the Reform Act of
1882 single member districts were unknown. They
may therefore easily be denounced as novelties, and
"A novelty Is always unacceptable to an.EngllShman.
| Apparently the large cities, which offer the most
striking illustrations of the application of this rule
likely to protest against II most strongly Lon
don. with 6S instead of It's present % members, eX
expression. Liverpool. with its nine members, Biz
mngham with seven, Manchester with six, Leeds
and Sheffield with five, all seem disposed to object
| TO the scheme by which they will be parcellcd out
into electoral districts. 1t Is the break-up, they
! exclaim IN chorus, of great historical boundaries
| Manchester will have 10 representatives,
only wards of Manchester will be represented.
Birmingham can no longer speak III future, rs II mas
spoken IN the past in Parliament, rs one community.
Inferior mon will be selected. The influence of the
| great towns and cities OF England which has been
| pretty steadily Liberal, will be wea lcned. These
are weghty criticisms, and II Is likely some altci.
| ton will have To be paid to them. But 1t Is LORD
Salisbury who, ii report be true, insisted on tins
| singlc-membcr principle. II cannot be abandoned
| by the Ministry without Lord salisbury consent
| fthc House of Commons should reject II, Mr. Glad
| stone stands pie lged to resign or dissolve ms.
| however is only one of the inconvenience or gov
/ prnmeut BY coalition. q, W, \.