The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-23
DEMOCRACY ENGLAND

UE EMOONANX IN l. NGAANO u
 Andrew Carnegie, in North Amer. Review
 The most interesting political problem
 which the world presents to-day is un
 doubtedly that now pressing for solution
 in England. For the first time in their
 history, the majority of her people have
 power. Henceforth England is demo-
 cratic. Cajoled, overruled, thwarted for
 generations by the aristocratic classes
 vho have doled out to them from time to
 time only such small measures of reform
 were necessary to prevent revolution,
 the people have never been fully heard. A climax was reached, however, last ses- don, when an act was forced upon the
 house of lords which at once transferred power from the privileged few to the masses. It is this fact which renders the situation there so interesting to the polit- ical student.
 To understand the position, it is need ful to look for a few moments at the scope of the great act just referred to. The electoral system of England was quite
 lair when established centuries ago. The centers of population then lay in the south ct England, and this district very prop ely sent to parliament maierity of rep resentatives. Those were the days when pretty little Bideferd in Devopshire was nquired to send sixteen sail against the Armada, while Liverpoops quota was but
 two. But as population shifted to the middle asd north of the island, the great cities like Birmingham, Leeds, Manches- ter and Glasgow, each sending but two representatives, were offset by the two members from some decaying village in the south. Seventy thousand electors, say in Birmingham or Glasgow, had no more weight than few hundred in Woodstock or Eye. To aggravate this Injustice, the aristocratic land-holders kept firm hold of the counties by restrict ng the right of voting to such as paid a rental sufficiently high to exclude all but the farmers, and traders who were vholly dependent upon them. All this has been changed. The bill of last year gave the suffrage to residents throughout the country districts. Even the hitherto despised farm laborers are now voters. The total electorate is in- oeased about forty per cent. The squires md parsons, who have for generations designated the county representatives, now find themselves powerless against the populace. The influence of this rev. olution is already seen in the character of the representatives whom they have Just returned. The old-fashioned coun- ny squire has been discarded, and ris- ng barrister, rich merchant, or large employer of labor has taken his place. Most significant was the remark of one ot the Liberal managers to me, that he lad on his hat thirteen titled gentlemen ieady to serve the state in parliament, nr whom no satisfactory constituencies could be found, their titles being re- garded as clements of weakness before the new voters.
 Even more important than the vast ad- olt1on of voters to the electorate, is the Redistribution of seats which the measure enacts. One hundred and sixty seven lave been taken from the smaller con- sotuencies and given to the great cities All constituencies less than ten thou and in number have been abolished. what England is and has been, under ne rule of privileged class chiefly in- ent upon preserving their privileges, and iestricted at every turn by feudai tradi- hons, is well known. What she is to be- eome under the rule of democracy, in Which no barriers exist between the pop- .i slar will and its prompt execution, is now Ae question.
 To this but one reply can be given. The people of England will proceed to sssimilate their political institutions to Hose of all other English speaking com :annities. The institutions will be rap diy colonialixed and Americanized shis process began some years ago, and as continued without cessation. And leH in proportion as the people have been able to influence their rulers, has the aovement been accelerated. The record | recent legislation shows only a copy ag of our institutions.
 The first, an l by far the most import .at step ever taken in this direction, was ae adoption some years ago of a system
 public education. Every child in the nd nov receives an education equal D that ve bestow. Small fees are still nuected from parents, but the local cA0ol boards have authority to pay these - should parents be unable to do %. Aaeudance is compulsory. The first
 nexztion of those who have benefited
 this system are now appearing upon = sage of action with the inevitable ant: they are radical. Education is
 sure destroyer of privilege. see boy who can read the Declar ation of
 dependence may hs trusted to feel its |rcs sooner or later. The doctrine of