ELECTORAL LAWS OF BELGIUM PROPOSED AS THE BASIS OF PARLIAMENTARY REFORM IN ENGLAND. TRANSLATED, WITH THE COMMENTARY OF M. J. B. BIVORT, SECRETARY OF THE CABINET OF THE BELGIAN MINISTER OF BY PHILIP EDWARD BARNES, ESQ., B.A., F. L. S. LONDON: LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMANS, PATERNOSTER-ROW. Dedication ΤΟ THE CONSERVATIVES OF ENGLAND. THE ranks of the English Conservatives contain but a very minute section who deny the existence of certain abuses, and the necessity of some reform. Indeed, the essential principle of Conservatism is the timely adoption of such improvements as will tend to consolidate the constitutional fabric. It is particularly then to the enlightened, honest-intentioned Conservatives of England, that the following pages are dedicated for upon their candour, their patriotism, and their proper conception of the real interests of the bulk of the party as wholly unconnected with the maintenance of the abuses of the few, and indeed mortally endangered by them upon these is it that the country will depend, when the case is fairly and distinctly made out for the adoption of those principles which have raised a neighbouring nation, though a comparatively small one, to so pre-eminently a secure and conservative position in these distracted times. THE following pages contain the whole of the Electoral Laws of Belgium, inclusive of the modifications lately introduced by the legislature during the past session. These important reforms which declare the incompatibility of the legislative trust with public functions, and which have, by reducing the census, so considerably widened the circle of electoral rights, completely ensure the independence of the representative system of the nation. The author has subjoined to the text of the laws so much of the able Commentary of M. Bivort as had an English interest, and tended to explain their working. And he cannot omit this opportunity of publicly expressing his thanks to that talented legist for the valuable information which he has been enabled through M. Bivort's assistance to add to the original work. |