The Evening Star FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1874

Evening Star, Issue 3450, 13 March 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1874

The month of March is rapidly procro (sing, but ample tims remains for tyeiy man entitled to a vote to see that his name is duly registered. We have no associations here, as at Home, to take the trouble off men’s hands. It requires individual attention, and sometimes interferes with labor through causing loss of time to look after the matter. The consequence is that many allow themselves to be disfranchised, not deeming the power of voting of sufficient importance to warrant the sacrifice. Precisely the same considerations prevent others from asserting their claim before the Court of Revision, and it is not uncommon for objections to be sustained because of the indifference of those objected to. This political apathy is, perhaps, natural enough at a time when all things seem to be going right, and there is no prospect of an election looming j but it is not the less a wrong to society. It is a voluntary relinquishment of that share of power to express opinion in the legislature, which is conferred upon those privileged to chose a representative. A member of the House of Representatives is supposed to be entrusted, by those who choose him, with the care of their interests, and to express their political ideas j and therefore no man who allows himself to neglect the means he may possess to give expression to his views in the Legislature, has any right whatever to find fault, if one is sent who votes as he thinks he should not vote, or supports measures opposed to the interests of the community. In public meetings and private conversation, he should be silent and self-condemned. He has no right to judge adversely a man in public, in whose return he tacitly aided by refusing the power to vote against him. When a political suicide of this class hears the sitting member explain to his constituents why he gave certain votes, tokens both of approbation and disapproval by him are out of place. He has no moral right to applaud one whom he refused to support, nor condemn one whom he refused to oppose. He has reduced himself to the position of a political cipher, and until lie has regained his status,by claiming the privileges accorded to him, he should hold his peace. Trifling as the influence of one man may appear when the number of electors is considered, it must not be forgotten that that number is made up of units; and if each said, “ It does not matter my registering, there are plenty to vote without me,” there would be no electoral roll whatever. Nor is p, single vote so small a matter, when it

is considered that on that vote may depend the election or rejection of an able and fitting member. So evenly are opinions sometimes balanced regarding political and social questions, or the comparative fitness of candidates, that elections are decided by a majority of one. In such cases that single vote determines the interests of a party. In these Colonies, where, happily, the ballot not only secures voters from coercion through undue influences, but renders all attempts at bribery a mockery, we are unable to measure the value of such a vote by a material standard. But it was not so in Great Britain until two or three years ago. In what some people imagine and call “ the good old times,” when open voting was practised and party spirit ran high, a certain class of electors used to make their votes a marketable commodity, and regulate the price according to the law of supply and demand. If the market was slack through one side being so outnumbered as to render hope of winning useless, they were willing to sell at the current rate of a sovereign, expenses paid, and haply a full skin of beer. But if parties were pretty equally balanced, and excitement ran high, no dodging nor diplomacy could excel that employed to secure the help of the cool, calculating voter. Deputations, flattery, and promises were resorted to on all sides. The smoothest words and phrases covered the secret contempt of the speakers. For an hour the venial arbiter of the election was courted by the great and noble. His wife and children were, if possible, made actors in the plot, and treated with consideration equal to that of any duchess and duchess’s family. The man knew his power, and how long it would endure, and played the tyrant accordingly. He knew that in an hour those who were so obsequious would curse him as an unprincipled scoundrel, forgetting that they tempted him to sin; and he felt justified in exacting a heavy price for enduring such political shame. Hundreds of pounds have been paid for a single vote under such circumstances; and, in some instances, where the artful dodger happened to be in a good position, appointmentsand other emoluments have been bargained for and given. The value of a vote was thus brought measurably to the mind of an elector, and, before the passing of the first Reform Bill, no man entitled to it neglected to have his name placed upon the borough list of freemen or voters. The temptation to corruption is, in these days, withdrawn ; but the real value of a vote is the same. Upon a single vote may hang the future good or evil legislation of a country for generations, Upon one vote may depend the progress or stagnation of a country; the bringing into prominence an able and upright public servant; or one who, like the freemen of our forefathers'days, seeks mainly how political advancement can bo made to subserve private interest. Ifor is it a slight consideration, that those entitled to vote owe a duty to a large and Intelligent class, at present deprived of that privilege. They thus not only have their own political and social interests to watch over, but those of the thousands who live in lodgings ; men of education, talent, and respectability. It is due to them that every one should register, in order that their interests shouldbecared for by those who have the power to decide upon the course of legislation. On every ground, therefore, it is the personal, social, and political duty of every qualified person to see that his name is placed on the register, for no one knows how soon he may be called upon to record his vote.