Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 190.djvu/263

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1911.]
Expectations of Electoral Reform.
257

be elected the number of persons going to the poll, and not the number of citizens inscribed on the electoral roll. By that ascending gradation, and with the constantly growing number of adhesions of persons who were at the outset the determined adversaries of the reform, the corrupt Scrutin d'Arrondissement is changed into the representation of minorities, and that representation of minorities is being transformed into proportional representation." In conclusion, after many other pertinent remarks, M. Charles Benoist says: "It no longer depends on any one whether the reform shall be effected or not, but it depends on all French citizens whether it be more or less complete and more or less equitable. Commenced by them, it is for them to achieve it. Towards the end of the summer recess we shall recommence our campaign. Every Sunday we shall hold several public meetings in the provinces, and every week at least one great meeting in Paris. Three-quarters of the work is done. What remains to be done is nothing." It is to be hoped this optimist view is justified, and in connection with it, it is important to note that the Parliamentary group for proportional representation, composed of Deputies belonging to all political parties, voted a resolution just before the beginning of the recess, once more affirming its determination to realise the reform without delay, and stating, "The group would consider any Ministry, whatever it might be, which should fail to give effectual and loyal support to the electoral reform as being in disaccord with the national will."

T. F. FARMAN.