his weight on the side of those who are endeavouring to put an end to electoral malpractices.[1]
Though this paper is written for, and published by a Liberal Association, the subject herein discussed has a great advantage over many other political matters, inasmuch as it is in no way a party question. All honest politicians are equally interested in effectual reform. Both sides have sinned deeply; neither can cast the first stone; and they may well coalesce in endeavouring to exorcise from our midst the only form of real corruption which still haunts the body politic.
It is not necessary in such a paper as this to take a retrospect of past corruption, and compare it with that which still clings to us; nor is it necessary to enlarge on the existing systems of bribery, corruption, and extravagance.
We can come at once to the remedies.
The question of electoral purity and economy naturally divides itself into two parts, though the connection between them is vital; and the remedies proposed may be discussed' under the heads of:—
Reforms which have for their object, the reduction of electoral expense and indirect bribery.
Reforms which have for their object the abolition or prevention of direct bribery and corruption.
The measures necessary for the curtailment of expense and prevention of indirect bribery have been placed first, for in reality they are of the greater importance, affecting as they do, in one way or another, every constituency in the kingdom, while direct bribery is confined to a comparatively small number of constituencies.
I. Expense and Indirect Bribery go hand-in-hand, inasmuch as
- ↑ Perhaps I may refer any readers who may be interested in the subject, to former articles in which I have endeavoured more thoroughly to discuss most of the points here raised, namely: "The Cost of Elections," Fortnightly Review, February, 1880; "Bribery and Corruption." Nineteenth Century, November, 1880; and "The Attorney-General's Corrupt Practices Bill," Contemporary Review, May, 1881. In this last article I have endeavoured to criticise the new Corrupt Practices Bill, and to point out wherein it ought, in my opinion, to be amended, if it is to be really efficacious in putting down bribery and curtailing expense.
