In regard to the proper circumscription of the constituencies
which elect the local representative bodies; the principle which, when
applied as an exclusive and unbending rule to parliamentary
representation, is inappropriate, namely community of local interests,
is here the only just and applicable one. The very object of having
a local representation is in order that those who have any interest in
common, which they do not share with the general body of their
countrymen, may manage that joint interest by themselves: and the
purpose is contradicted if the distribution of the local
representation follows any other rule than the grouping of those joint
interests. There are local interests peculiar to every town, whether
great or small, and common to all its inhabitants: every town,
therefore, without distinction of size, ought to have its municipal
council. It is equally obvious that every town ought to have but
one. The different quarters of the same town have seldom or never
any material diversities of local interest; they all require to have
the same things done, the same expenses incurred; and, except as to
their churches, which it is probably desirable to leave under simply
parochial management, the same arrangements may be made to serve for
all. Paving, lighting, water supply, drainage, port and market
regulations, cannot without great waste and inconvenience be different
for different quarters of the same town.
Pages:
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318