SUPPLEMENT. I. BOROUGHS. Principle for Reducing the number of Boroughs in Ireland. In settling the scheme of Representation, it may be assumed : First, That the whole number of Representatives must not materially exceed, and ought, if possible, to be brought within 100. Second, That of these, 68 must be allotted to the Counties and two Cities, leaving only 32 to be apportioned among the 116 Boroughs. Third, That no election of Boroughs, or reduction of the value of Elective Privilege, can safely be proposed to any considerable extent, without a proportional pecuniary Compensation to those who now possess the benefit arising from such Privilege. Fourth, That with respect to what are termed close Boroughs, it is conceived this Compensation may be given to the individuals possessed of the commanding interests, without regard to any claim from the actual Electors, but that, with respect to the open Boroughs, no such compensation can be given directly, and no possible means exist of settling a Compensation by private arrangement, for more than a small proproportion of the persons possessing the interest in these Boroughs. Under these circumstances, an option is to be made between the two modes of distributing the choice of 32 Members, either in rotation, or by sets, among the 116 Bo roughs, or of extinguishing all the Boroughs but about 32, each of which might be allowed one member, and possibly in one or two instances one or two each: any intermediate plan, which would extinguish some of the Boroughs, and yet not afford to each of the remainder the separate right of choosing at least one Member, seems evidently liable at once to almost all the objections which would belong to either of the other plans separately. The chief considerations which operate against the first mode of classing Boroughs, and in favour of extinguishing all but about 32, are, first, that it would afford the means of allotting one Member each to all, if necessary, or at least to the greater part of the open Boroughs, to whom direct Compensation is stated to be inapplicable. Second, that it avoids the odium which it is conceived must arise from leaving any part of the Representation to be formed from places which had received Compensation for the surrender of part of their elective right, and where that right had therefore been publicly recognised as private property. The great and forcible objections which have been stated against the proposal of selecting a certain number of Boroughs and extinguishing the remainder are in substance First. That there seems to be no solid, or even plausible, principle for applying the selection. Second. That retaining the open Elections (which must be done in a great degree to make this scheme attain its object) preserves by preference what is the worst species of Representation. Third. That the principle of reduction and mode of applying it may be considered as applicable to English Representation. There is perhaps no suggestion, by which these weighty objections against the plan of selection can be entirely removed; but they seem to be capable of being considerably diminished, if the selection can be made to rest neither on any arbitrary preference of any individual Boroughs, nor on a preference of open Boroughs over close, but on some obvious and ostensible general principle impartially applied to all, according to the nature of the case. This might be effected by stating, as the basis of the plan, that, as the number of the Representatives for Boroughs must be reduced in Ireland, and as the extinction of some, with Compensation, seems a much simpler mode than any division among classes, it is proposed to select the 32 Towns, which are in themselves most considerable for wealth or population, without regard to what is the description of their right of Election. This principle would, in point of fact, include most but not all of the Boroughs. It would not exclude enough to form any material practical obstacle to the measure, and of the small number excluded, a large part would, in fact, consist of interests likely to be decidedly hostile. At the same time, it would hold out no principle fairly applicable to a Representation where, as in England, there is no absolute necessity for reduction of the numbers. It would afford an ostensible principle of selection reasonable and equitable in itself, but which nevertheless admits no preference as to modes of Election, and seems to give as little colour as possible to any theoretical notions of Reform; it certainly would retain a large proportion of objectionable open Boroughs, but it would give them no preference as such, or on account of the nature of the Election, but on account of the comparative weight and consideration of the place. The particular Boroughs which it is imagined would be selected on this principle are stated in the annexed list. It is of great importance to the character of the measure that the practical application of the principle should be strictly impartial, as it would operate unfavourably to some of the opposers of Government, a circumstance which, though the reverse of an objection, if the scheme be in itself a right one, ought clearly to be shown to be the result of a principle selected for its own sake, and not a secret motive for arbitrarily assuming one. Counties. Boroughs in Ireland at the time of the Union. Antrim Lisburne Randalstown Armagh Armagh Charlemont Carlow Carlow Leighlin Date of Charter. 17 Car. II., January 5, 1665. Carrickfergus 11 Eliz, March 20, 1568. Baltimore1 Cork City3 Kinsale No C., inrolled. July 1, 1614. 1st ent. 11 J. I., March 30, 1613. 8 J. I., November 15, 1610. 10 J. I., February 27, 1612. 11 J. I., March 25, 1613. 11 J. I., March 30, 1613. 26 Car. II., July 28, 1674. 23 Car. II., May 29, 1671. 11 J. I., May 5, 1613. 7 J. I, March 10, 1608. 31 Car. II., May 1, 1679. 5 Rich. II, January 28, 1381. 10 Jac. I., February 27, 1612. 22 Car. II., January 2, 1670. 33 Car. II., March 11, 1681. 5 Henry VI, May 12, 1427. 10 Jac. I., March 23, 1612. 10 Jac. I., February 27, 1612. 13 Jac. I,, December 14, 1615. 10 Jac. I., February 27, 1612. 16 Jac. I., August 6, 1618. 10 Jac. I., March 18, 1612. Downpatrick 5 Henry IV., January 28, 1403. 13 Car. II., December 19, 1662. Youghall Newry7 10 J. I., March 10, 1612. 10 J. I., February 27, 1612. 11 J. J., March 26, 1613. 3 & 4 Ph. & Mary, April 6, 1557. 38 Henry VIII., April 20, 1510. 11 Jac. I., May 12, 1613. 11 Jac. I., March 30, 1613. 21 Eliz, May 2, 1578. 10 J. I., February 27, 1612. 3 Edw. VI., November 8, 1549. 16 Eliz., July 8, 1574. 11 Jac. I., March 30, 1613. It should be 1596. Elizabeth became Queen in 1558. |