The root of the evil.
In parliamentary, in county, and in borough council elections alike we trace the evils of defective electoral methods. These evils constitute a complete answer to Lord Morley's criticism of Mill, that the latter laid undue stress upon the efficiency of electoral machinery. Erected on a false basis, those democratic institutions, on which so many hopes have been built and on which our future still depends, are found full of shortcomings due not only to the imperfections of human nature but to the ill-working of a defective electoral system. The evils arising from the latter cause can at least be remedied, and in remedying them we may make it possible for the electors to put more intelligence and conscience into their votes. Since Mill was, as Lord Morley says, concerned with the important task of moulding and elevating popular character, he was rightly anxious that the electoral machinery should be such as to give due weight to those who desired to take an intelligent interest in the affairs of their country.
[Footnote 1: The Manchester Guardian, 12 February 1909.]
[Footnote 2: Annual Meeting, Proportional Representation Society, 9 May 1906.]
[Footnote 3: The Times, 8 January 1906.]
[Footnote 4: Human Nature in Politics, pp. 241 et seq.]
[Footnote 5: The Times, 22 August 1906.]
[Footnote 6: The Essentials of Self-Government, pp. 102 et seq.]
[Footnote 7: It is a matter for congratulation that in so many States there is now (1911) a movement of revolt against the domination of the "boss.">[
[Footnote 8: The Manchester Guardian, 21 April 1908.]