The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-29
The Proposed Redistribution OF Seats
in the House of Commons.


Although the war in South Africa may be-
expected to overshadow all other questions
at the approaching session Of Parliament,
vet there are two measures 10 which the
Unionist party is so distinctly committed
that 1t can scarcely afford to Ignore them.
No refer to the Old Age Pension scheme, in
favor OF which the Select Committee,
headed by Mr.. CHAPLIN, has lately re-
ported and TO n redistribution Of seats in
the House OF Commons by which the glar-
ing inequality Of the present constituencies
may be at least diminished. Tho fiscal
burdens imposed by contest OF unexpected
magnitude and duration may render the
demand for old age pensions inopportune,
but there will be no such objection TO Il
mitigation OF conditions under which vote
cast in ono place has fifteen times more
value than vote cast in another.
The clamor for lone vote one value" was
started in tho campaign of 1895 as a
reioinder to the cry for "one man one
vote" The Liberals wanted universal suf-
frage, while the Unionists, on their part,
contended that the minor restrictions on
the franchise which still survive consti-
tute but an insignificant grievance COM
pared with the monstrous difference in size
between constituencies possessing equal
representation in Parliament. The original
purpose OF the Unonists was, undoubtedly,
TO weaken tho Home Rule party Mt st.
Stephens, because, II representation should
he exactly proportioned to population tho
number OF members allotted to Ireland
would be less by about thirty than IL is
now. With tho tremendous Unionlst
majority secured in 1898. the fear OF tho
Irish Nationalists died away, but, gradu-
ally, the Unionists arrived at the con-
clusion that, in Great Britain itself they
would have very much to gain by an
electoral reform based upon tho "onc vote
one value" principle. That is to say
q redistribution OF seats would inevitably
accrue to the advantage of the more popu-
lous counties like London and Lancashire
by London We refer to the large congerles OF
districts municipality governed by tho Lon
don County Councl-in which the Unionists
consider themselves strong. Consequently.
the agitation for Mt least an installmcnt Of
reform in this direction became active dur
ing the last session OF Parliament, and n
numerousy signed memorial, urging the
Government to give early attention To tho
subject was presented to the leaders Of tho
House OF Commons. The request is the
more certain to be renewed at tho coming
session because the belief is current that n
new general election which, in no event
would be likely to be deferred beyond 1901
may take place next year.
The glazing differences In the sizo of con.
stituencies in the United Kingdom would
not be tolerated for an hour in tho United
States. Some examples will seem hardly
credible TO American readers. In England
the county OF Rutland, with 4.l55 electors
has the same representation in the House
OF Commons as the Romford division Of
Essex county, which has 28,73l. The
borough OF Bury St. Edmunds has but
2.574 ELECTORS, yet it has the same weight
IN Parliament as the borough OF Chaplain,
which has 1855, or more than six times
as many, The city Of Durham has 2,57S
electors. while the Bordcsloy division of
birmingham has 1850, yet each controls
one seat IN the House of Commons. The
city OF Winchester has but $3.50 electors,
yet it has the same voice at Westminster
us the borough OF Huddersfeld, which
mas 1912, The borough OF Devonport,
with s,2oT electors, returns two mem.
osrs; Newsystle-ol-Tyne also returns two