We learn from a letter of Mr. Walter Morison, M.P.,
to the Times of Monday, that the experiment of Proportional Representa- tion just tried in Illinois has -worked admirably, and has worked admirably in the opinion of the Chicago Tribune, a very able and liberal authority. There are 158 members of the House of Repre- sentatives in Illinois ; and the Presidential election showed that, of the electors in Illinois, deneral Grant had 240,000 supporters and Mr. Greeley 133,000. This proportion would give the Repub- licans 87 members, and the Democrats 66 ; and the actual numbers returned were 88 Republicans and 65 Democrats. On the old system, the Republicans would have had 99 representatives and the Democrats 54, so that, as might be expected, proportional representation reduces that apparent exag- geration of the numbers of the popular party to which our system
leads. That may be thought dangerous. But it is, at all events, only fair, and there is one new influence introduced which modifies its effect. The proportional system gives great facilities for,the selection of much better individual representatives, men of a higher type of character ; and it must be remembered, more- over, that a majority like that of 88 to 65 is often better than such a majority as 99 to 54. The narrower margin makes the stronger party far more scrupulous and considerate in using its power. We shall have before long, to some extent at least, to imitate Illinois.
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