The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-03-23
Proportional Representation
(Thirteenth Article.)

servers of politics would find much of
value in the actual political conditions
which prevailed in populous country
like Belgium when fair and proper
system of representation was put In
operation. That is why | devoted the
space of the last two articles to 1t. And
the elections of May, 1900, were dealt
with, because, those being the first cleo
lions under proportional representa-
ton, the contrast between new and old
conditions would stand out sharply.
now conclude the Belgian part OF the
subject by some reference to subse-
quent events
In the spring of 1902, some political
rioting took place in Belgium. | wrote
to Count d'Alviella, asking the signifi-
canoe of these disturbances, and the
following is an extract from his reply:
"The recent agitation was directed
exclusively against the plurality OF
votes, viz: the second and third votes
attributed to the holders of certain
qualifications based on marriage, prop
erty, the payment of taxes, instruction.
ETC., thus giving certain classes OF yot-
ers two and three votes each.
when, in 1894, the Catholic party,
which had been in power for some
years, introduced universal suffrage,
thus increasing tenfold the number OF
electors (from $4,000 to about 1,500,-
OOO), the plurality of votes was added
as a restraint. But the opposition
parties liberals and socialists) have
gradually come to the conclusion that
this system, as it is carried on, has for
result not only to secure undue advan-
tage to the rural class and therefore
to clerical Influences but also to favor
the fraudulent distribution, by the par
ty in power, of the second and third
votes.
Hence an agitation for the aboli-
ton of the plural vote, in which the
liberal party showed itself willing 70
cooperate with the socialists under
these three conditions: Cd Inscription
of the principle of la representation
proportionnelle in the constitution; (2)
No female suffrage (which the liberals,
rightly or wrongly, believe to be tool
in the hands of the priests; I'D Re-
course to legal and pacific means only.
ssThe socialists assented to the first
two conditions, but not to the third,
and soon began revolutionary agita-
tion which was easily suppressed by
the government-the liberals keeping
aloof. The general election followed,
and. as might be expected under the
circumstances, showed an increase OF
the Catholic votes, especially at the
expense of the socialists. / belong my
self to, the liberal party, but have
tried to sum up the facts as impartially
and intelligibly as | can"
The reader ought to be reminded that
the plural voting referred to is no part
aforementioned representation and has
no necessary connection with it. The
beneficial results Of proportional repre-
sentation have been manifested in spite
of the existence of the vicious method
of plural voting.
This historical summary is continued
to the autumn, of. 1908, by another let
ter from Count d'A1yiella, who writes
from Court Saint Etienne, Belgium, in
September of that year. He says:
"The abnormal clerical majority re-
duced to twenty in 1900, has been
slightly increased by the elections Of
1902. have given you the reasons in
the letter where / explained to you
the causes of the riots and their re-
lation to- our electoral system. The
next general election Tin half the
country will take place in the sum-
mer of 1904 y I do not foresee a great
change in the relative strength of our
three parties. E, .9
sThe intervening or by-elections
were abolished in 1900. They were in
consistent, with the principle OF our
proportional system. Under the new
law the electors choose, at each general
election and by the same ballot, cor
responding number Of suppleants mem
bers, Who, in the case of an elected
member dying or giving his demission,
simply walk into his seat, by the order
of precedence You have all these de-
tails in the law, whose text, believe,
is in your hands.
seWhile the house of representatives
is entirely elected by proportional rep
resentation, as well as ninety-six mem
hers of the senate, out Of one hundred
ond +Untvn there are still tWentv-sfx