JB/109/083/001

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4th.

That right is exercised by the institution of ballot, and the Election
of Representatives Representatives to their National Convention,
the Congress, is for a term not exceeding two years. Yet this
Notwithstanding, falls short of that purity and perfection
which recommends Annual Parliaments And Universal Suffrage
extended to persons of a certain age and sound understanding.
What is the case in America? A gentleman was deputed by
thirty nine families, who had been driven by the Necessities of
the times to think of emigration; a melancholy proof of our
present condition; in his report they were to depend upon the
spirit of the country and the inducements it might hold out to
them. The Gentleman's name is Fearon. He has published
the Report which he made to these persons, and his book is
full of the most valuable information, and is distinguished by
the marks not only of an inquiring, observing, and intelligent
mind, but of the greatest fairness and impartiality. What
does Mr. Fearon say of the operation of the laws and of this
boasted Constitution? Ballot as we might know from
experience in certain cases in our own country, is not found
to exclude the means of influence in votes or unfairness in
collecting them. As a proof that improper proceedings are
suspected, it is sufficient to mention that there is a previous
struggle for the appointment of inspectors; the will of the
people is not left to its own free operation, but the votes are
directed by a body for which they have been obliged
to form a new appellation, that of "Caucus". Personal
favour and interest are more than suspected, as well as
jobs, peculation, and corruption. This is Fearon statement,
and I should observe to you that he is by no means a
willing witness on the subject, and has shown the strongest
attachment to popular freedom. But he cites an opinion
which is better than his own. The man he quotes is
no less a person than Mr Cobbett.

Identifier: | JB/109/083/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 109.
Date_1		Marginal Summary Numbering	8
Box	109	Main Headings	Parliamentary Reform
Folio number	083	Info in main headings field
Image	001	Titles	4th
Category	Collectanea	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering
Penner		Watermarks
Marginals	Jeremy Bentham	Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number	35738
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