It is curious to observe how the popular
line of argument in defence of existing systems veers round, according
to the nature of the attack made upon them. Not many years ago it
was the favourite argument in support of the then existing system of
representation, that under it all "interests" or "classes" were
represented. And certainly, all interests or classes of any importance
ought to be represented, that is, ought to have spokesmen, or
advocates, in Parliament. But from thence it was argued that a
system ought to be supported which gave to the partial interests not
advocates merely, but the tribunal itself. Now behold the change.
Mr. Hare's system makes it impossible for partial interests to have
the command of the tribunal, but it ensures them advocates, and for
doing even this it is reproached. Because it unites the good points of
class representation and the good points of numerical
representation, it is attacked from both sides at once.
But it is not such objections as these that are the real
difficulty in getting the system accepted; it is the exaggerated
notion entertained of its complexity, and the consequent doubt whether
it is capable of being carried into effect. The only complete answer
to this objection would be actual trial. When the merits of the plan
shall have become more generally known, and shall have gained for it a
wider support among impartial thinkers, an effort should be made to
obtain its introduction experimentally in some limited field, such
as the municipal election of some great town.
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