JB/091/049/001

Click Here To Edit

8 Novr 1806
Scotch Reform To the People

I will not for the purpose of any argument – or to gain
favour for any particular measure or with any set of men
countenance same so much by implication, much less advance any
doctrine so wicked or so absurd, as that novelty against in a measure
of legislation, novelty ought to be regarded as a peremptory
objection: as if in legislation experience were worth
nothing: as if in the most important concerns of life it were
matter either of duty or of prudence for experience to take receive the
line from inexperience, knowledge from ignorance, civilization from
barbarism.

At the same time and in the same spirit train of thought what I am no less ready to advance
than to admitt, is – that as in eery other line of practice, so in
legislation, experience of any institution itself accompanied
by experience if advantage flowing from it, and unaccompanied
with experience if any equivalent disadvantage issuing from it is a
very important recommendation: insomuch and that of two remedies,
alike presenting in other respects, the one tried the other untried
the former possesses has an indispensable claim title to preference.

In these sentiments I can take upon me to state it as
no mean presumption in favour of the arrangements I have
ventured to propose in the character of remedies, that there is
scarce a single one that does not come recommended by experience:
scarce a single one to which the term innovation
can with justice truth be applied.

Identifier: | JB/091/049/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 91.
Date_1	1806-11-08	Marginal Summary Numbering	1-3
Box	091	Main Headings	scotch reform
Folio number	049	Info in main headings field	scotch reform to the people
Image	001	Titles
Category	text sheet	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	c1
Penner	jeremy bentham	Watermarks	1800
Marginals	jeremy bentham	Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year	1800
Notes public		ID Number	29045
Box Contents