The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-09-15
rooMANY PROMISES.
Both Parties in England uaAbls to Fulail
Their Agreemnnts.

EnST AkrEetuHnNs
LoSDoS, Sept. 14.-England to-day Is q
political land of promise. The Liberals
are promising more than they can give,
and the Conservatives more than they in
tend to give. Il is Interesting, therefore,
to examine the voting machinery by
which, under the engineering Of
the revising barristers and peers,
the plowman and his city cousin,
the Algernon eounter-jumpets, are re-
ceiyins the slender results Of past politi-
cal promises. As to the enfranchise-
ment, great as has been the excite
ment among all English classes at
the vastly increased number OF igno-
rant voters, which It wAssupposed the re
VolusionRry" franchise bill last season
would place upon the voting lists, yet,
technically, the "citY" Of London, which
last year had 5000 registered voters,
will this year have little over 1900
names on its List. The result Is not, how
ever, due TO . lack Of applicants for en-
franchisement, for In a single building
200 clerks were last week refused regis.
tration.
In England at large stupidity worded
or else adroitly worded section Of the
franchise act is likely to reduce the mum.
Der OF new voters from the expected two
million and halt to about a million.
Expert erection judges now claim that
not more than $4,000 new
names will ultimately appear on
the new lists. These will more
over come mainly from the agricultural
districts because Of the extension to the
country at large OF the lodger franchise.
This will be OF real value to the country,
while the cities and towns benefit only
slightly by it. Take the city OF London
as an example OF the English method Of
registration.
In the south courtroom of the fine old
Guildhall, 0ctayius John Williamson,
barrister, sits daily in the full judicial
glory Of 4 wig aud gown. The two peWs
before 0ttavius are 6llsd by lawyers paid
by Liberal and Conservative organiza-
tons. Tney know the political faith |
Of each applicant for franchise, aud
obstruct or hurry along his claim accord.
ingiy. The usual jury boxes are filed
with the oldest residents aud other stand |
ard authorities on parish affairs, The
dock, usually reserved forcriminais, ia now
vacant and kept, It is presumed, from the |
various remarks OF defeated applicants for
tho man who drafted the service franchise
bill. The list OF applicants for registration
has been printed ia each parish. Copies |
OF this List lie before each lawyer and 0e-
tavius. A name is called, when quail
fcatious or objections are stated and
argued. octRyi1s thea sImuRrily de-
cides whether to retain or erase,
and another name Is taken up. The
would.be voters ssldon appear in person,
but send friend, who states their cas- ac-
cordiugto the advice from hisparty lawyer.
Such man may represent several hun
dred men Of the farming class similarly |
situated, and accordingly the barrister's
decision makes test case.
For instance, two hundred clerks in |
great city wholesale house sleep in tha
barracks owned by the firm. They ap-
piled for registration through one of their
number. Ii happened that a member
OF the firm lived outside of Lon
don, and for convenience has a bed
room in these barracks, although |
only once or twice used by him. The ex-
istence Of this bedroom on the premises |
occupied by the employees Of the firm re-
duces all the two hundred clerks in the |
laws eyes to the position OF domestic ser
yants. They were, therefore, refused per
mission TO vote. Five servants OF the Lord |
Mayor applied for registration. Three
sleep in the Mansion House. They were,
therefore, refused. The votes of the two
that slept elsewhere areallowed. Thetwo !
who register are comparatively ignorant,
while the three who cannot vote |
are better educated. About 90 per
cent OF the applicants for Iegistra-
ton are refused votes because Of
similar technicalities. Among the other
classes excluded from registration by the
new bill are resident managers and
attendants Of all asylums, while curious
enough the officers and men residing in
the military barracks are given votes. One
schoolmAster registers by virtue Of his
residencs in the schoolroom.