LETTERS TO THE EDITOR..
ELECTORAL ARBITRATIONS.
[TO THE EDITOR 011 THE SPECTAT0R:]
SIR,—I cordially agree in the objections stated in Mr. Maurice's letter, in your paper of last week, to arbitrations for determining what candidates shall continue or withdraw at elections. It con- verts, as he says, electors into party machines. It establishes the rule of what in America is known as the Caucus, and is destructive of true representative government. Such arbitrations are, more- over, even in party interests, wholly unnecessary, if those who- initiate legislation would take the pains to consider and substitute- a certain method of giving effect to the most carefully weighed opinions of the voter, instead of confining him to the present blind and fortuitous way. Such a plan was submitted to the House of Commons in the following amendment proposed by Mr. Morrison to the Ballot Bill, but was held not to be within the- powers of the Committee: "Clause 3, after sub-section 11, insert the following sub-section :- The elector may at his option give alternative votes for more candi- dates than he is entitled final:y to vote for, by placing the figure 1 opposite to the name of the candidate whom he prefers first ; the figure- 2 opposite to the name of the candidate whom he prefers in the second place; the figure 3 opposite to the name of the candidate whom he- prefers in the third place; and the figure 4 opposite to the name of the candidate whom he prefers in the fourth place, and so on; and in such case if the elector be entitled to vote for only one candidate, the ballot- paper shall be counted first for the candidate indicated by the figure 1; if the elector be entitled to vote for two candidates, it shall be counted first for the two candidates indicated by the figures 1 and 2; if the elector be entitled to vote for three candidates, it shall be counted first for the three candidates indicated by the figures 1, 2, and 3; and after the close of the poll, when the number of votes given for every candi- date shall have been ascertained, if it be found that any candidate or candidates for whom such alternative vote or votes has or have been counted has not votes enough to secure his or their election, the return- ing officer shall cancel all such alternative votes given for him or them, and count the ballot-papers for the candidate or candidates substituted thereon in the order of the preference indicated by the elector as aforesaid."e It is in no mere party interest, however, that this is suggested. It is part of the acceptance of a greater principle promoting moderation and tolerance for diverse opinions. In this manner many a Conservative would direct his vote, if ineffectual for the- candidate he would first choose, to be given to the Liberal cadidate for whose character and views he had most respect, and many a Liberal would, in the same circumstances, transfer his vote to the- Conservative candidate who stood highest in his estimation. In- stead of fostering a spirit which seeks to suppress or extinguish the elective force of those who differ from us, every elector would be stimulated and encouraged to do his beat, and to assist his fellow- electors also to exercise their most deliberate judgment in the choice of wise and honourable men.
It is answered that many electors are illiterate, and cannot place 1, 2, or 3, opposite the names of candidates to indicate their preference. If this were so, it would be strange to say that the- electoral capacity and power of selection must be for ever reduced to the standard of the moat ignorant, but there would in- truth scarcely be more difficulty in inserting the figure than the crosa—I am, Sir, &c.,
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