The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-12-18
DOMINION CORRESPONDENCE OFF
VERMONT JoURNAL

The present seems fitting occasion
for calling attention to the-in some
espects-superiOrity of the English
system of representative government to
that of the American, although it has
been pointed out in former letters.
allude particularly now to the great
readiness with which legislation con-
forms to the public will, as conducted
in accordance with the English form of
procedure. Take, for example, the very
great change that has lately taken place
in the minds of the majority of those
who voted for congressional representa-
tives, as manifested by the elections that
were made on the fourth ult. l set
aside at once the merits of the tariff
question then decided, and refer solely
to the bare facts about which there is no
dispute, as they transpired in that cleo
ton. The political party now having
reasonable majority in the lower House
of Congress will find itself outnumbered
by a four times as great majority
that will assemble by virtue of the late
election.
But it is not necessary to say here that
the great change in public opinion, as
manifested on that occasion, will have
but little to say of the legislation of the
country for nearly two years at least, as
the old members will continue in Office
during the next session of the Legisla-
ture, while the political composition of
the Senate may not be materially
changed for couple of years, and the
president and his cabinet will remain
the same for nearly two years.
| In sharp contrast to this, let us see
what would take place in similar circum-
stances under the English method of
working a representative government
In the first those representatives lately
elected would compose the first House
that should meet after the election. In
the next place he who had been the
prime minister and director of the legis-
latiOn in the last House-backed, of
course, by the majority of its members
would have TO resign, taking with HIM
all his cabinet. In the third place our
sovereign, or her deputy, is supposed to
have no pOlics and would count for
nothing, in so far as past or future leg
islation is concerned. The political
arena is now free for the work of the
new House of Representatives, just fresh
from their constituents, imbued with
their political desires and able to carry
them out by their legislation. The SOW
ereign or deputy now calls in as chief
adviser the feader of the majority Of
this newly assembled House, and he
selects his cabinet from the same polit-
ical party.
At once legislation may commence in
accordance with the lately expressed
wish of the electors. 1t must be evident
to every intelligent mind, it appears to
me, that a representative government il
much more representative, worked as
briefly set forth above, than when two
! or three years may be required nndel
certain circumstances before the will Of
. the people can have its legitimate effect
,, upon the legislation. Granted that il
, this particular instance under a consid
, Grafton a certain number may be very
! much pleased that the contemplated
change can not be brought about at once
it in no wise changes the great principle
, contended for, as under other conditions
, they might be very impatient for thu
! desired legislation.