Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-06
Parliamentary Elections.

Some OF those unacquainted with the
election laws OF England wonder
what is done with the large sums OF money
which are being collected in this country
for the purpose of assisting IN the election
to Parliament OF home rule candidates.
The money is not being used cOrruptly.
There are quite large legitimate and
authorized election expenses which must
be met by the candidates. A great many
perhaps the majority-Of the home rule
candidates are poor men. Without pecu-
mary assistance their chances for being
elected will be considerably diminished.
There is no fixed day for holding Par
liamentary elections. Special elections
are being held pretty much all the time
TO nil vacancies, and general elections
may be ordered at any time; that is, Par
lament is liable to be dissolved at any
time. and under no circumstances can it
last longer than seven years.
The Speaker of the House Of Commons
fixes the day for holding elections in the
different counties. He sends a writ to
the sheriff OF county commanding him
to hold elections In the boroughs in the
county within twenty days, or within
whatever time be may decide upon, and
the rule is to hold the elections on the last
day permitted by the writ.
The fact that the Speaker fixes the date
Of the elections gives the government the
advantage OF being able to get the benefit
OF victories early in the campaign. He
can order as many of the constituencies
which are favorable to the government to
vote at the same time as he wants TO.
He can arrange the elections so that gov
eminent victories will be secured just
when they are most needed to excite en-
thusiasm or to overcome a feeling OF de-
spOndency.
On Dec. 81 OF each year the list OF those
entitled to vote for the coming year is
completed This list is made up with
great care. so as to prevent anything like
Illegal voting. On the register appears
the name, age, residence and amount of
property owned by each voter. The poll
ing places are so arranged that only one
voter can approach the ballot box at a
time. Before he is permitted to go near
the ballot box. however, he is asked
various questions, end his answers
must be in harmony with the description
of himself and his property in the regis
Ter. The answers being satisfactory, he
is permitted to approach a step nearer the
ballot box. He is given piece of voting
paper, on which he must write the name
Of the candidate Tor whom he desires to
cast mis- ballot. If he cannot write, an
officer, who is present for the purpose,
writes it for him. This officer is sworn
never to reveal how any elector votes.
The ballot having been written it is de-
posted by the voter in the ballot box.
The manner of voting is slow and formal,
but it is pretty well suited to prevent
frauds. The ballot boxes are open from
s O'clock a. m. to s O'Clock p. IN.
Candidates have mounting to do with
paying out money for election expenses
Election agents are provided by statute,
and when a man becomes candidate he
hires an election agent, who meets all ex-
penses, and after the election makes a
sworn statement showing every cent that
he has paid out on behalf of bis principal.
He is responsible to the government for
his expenditures.
The expenses are graded in accordance
with the number OF voters in a borough.
A limit is fixed beyond which an agent is
not permitted to 90 in spending money.
The aim is to prevent the bribing OF
voters. 1t is stated that the average nee
essary expenses of candidate for Par
lament is about $4,000. This sum does
not include few special expenses, which
may amount 10 $500 or $1,000 more.
Members of Parliament get no pay, and
those of the home rule candidates who
are poor men will have pretty hard time
of it il they do not get great deal of
help from this country.