A SYNOPSIS OF VOTING, ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THE CATEGORIES OF “CANT.”

There hath been long wanting a full and perfect Synopsis of Voting, it being a science which hath become exceedingly complicated. It is necessary, therefore, to the full development of the art, that it be brought into such an exposition, as that it may be seen in a glance what are the modes of bribing and influencing in Elections. The briber, by this means, will be able to arrange his polling-books according to the different categories, and the bribed to see in what class he shall most advantageously place himself.

It is true that there be able and eloquent writers greatly experienced in this noble science, but none have yet been able so to express it as to bring it (as we hope to have done) within the range of the certain sciences. Henceforward, we trust it will form a part of the public education, and not be subject tot he barbarous modes pursued by illogical though earnest and zealous disciples; and that the great and glorious Constitution that has done so much to bring it to perfection, will, in its turn, be sustained and matured by the exercise of what is really in itself so ancient and beautiful a practice.

VOTING MAY BE CONSIDERED AS

1st. He that hath NOT A VOTE AND VOTETH; which may be considered,
- 1st. As to his CLAIM, which is divisible into
  - He that voteth for dead men.
  - He that voteth for empty tenements.
  - He that voteth for many men.
  - He that voteth for men in the country, and the like.
- 2nd. As to his MOTIVE, which is divisible into
  - Because he hath a bet that he will vote.
  - Because he loveth a lark.
  - Because he LOVETH HIS COUNTRY.
    - [Here also may be applied all the predicates under the subjects BRIBING, HUMBUG, and PRINCIPLE.]
2nd. He that hath A VOTE AND VOTETH NOT; which is divisible into
- 1st. He that is PREVENTED from voting, which is divisible into
  - He who is upset by a bribed coachman.
  - He who is incited into an assault, that he may be put into the cage.
  - He who is driven by a drunken coachman many miles the wrong way.
  - He who is hocussed.
  - He who is sent into the country for a holiday, and the like.
- 2nd. He that FORFEITETH his vote, which is divisible into
  - He who is too great a philosopher to care for his country.
  - He who has not been solicited.
  - He who drinketh so that he cannot go to the poll.
  - He who is too drunk to speak at the poll.
  - He who through over-zeal getteth his head broken.
  - He who stayeth to finish the bottle, and is too late, and the like.
3rd. He that hath A VOTE AND VOTETH; which is divisible into
- 1st. He that voteth INTENTIONALLY, which is divisible into
  - 1st. He that voteth CORRUPTLY, which is divisible into
    - 1st. He that is BRIBED, which is divisible into
    - 2nd. He that is INTIMIDATED, as
    - 3rd. He that is VOLUNTARILY CORRUPT, which may be considered as
  - 2nd. He that voteth CONSCIENTIOUSLY, which is divisible into
    - 1st. He that voteth according to HUMBUG, which is divisible into
    - 2nd. He that voteth according to PRINCIPLE, which is divisible into
2nd. He that voteth ACCIDENTALLY, which is divisible into
- 1st. He that voteth through the BLUNDERS OF HIMSELF, which may be considered as
  - He who is drunk, and forgetteth who gave him the bribe.
  - He who goeth to the wrong agent, who leadeth him astray.
  - He who is confused and giveth the wrong name.
  - He who is bashful, and assenteth to any name suggested.
  - He who promiseth both parties, and voteth for all the candidates, and the like.
- 2nd. He that voteth through the BLUNDERS OF OTHERS, which may be considered as
  - He who is mistaken for his servant when he is canvassed, and so incensed into voting the opposite way.
  - He who is attempted to be bribed before many people, and so outraged into honesty.
  - He who hath too much court paid by the canvasser to his wife, and so, out of jealousy, voteth for the opposite candidate.
  - He who is called down from dinner to be canvassed, and being enraged thereat, voteth against his conviction.
  - He who bringeth the fourth seat in a hackney-coach to him who keepeth a carriage and the like.

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