Let us shortly recapitulate our views with regard to Scottish Reform.
We would give to ten counties, the constituency of each of which is at present above 2000, an additional member each.
We would give to three burghs, with the same amount of constituency, an additional member each.
We would erect a new group of burghs, with the privilege of returning one member.
We would give the Scottish universities the right of returning two members.
This would imply an addition of sixteen members to Scotland; but there are three counties which, from their proximity to others, and the smallness of their constituencies, might well be amalgamated, just as Ross is at present with Cromarty, Clackmannan with Kinross, and Elgin with Nairn. The numbers of the amalgamated constituencies would stand as follows:—
| Dumbarton and Bute, | 1805 |
| Caithness and Sutherland | 49 |
| Peebles and Selkirk, | 905 |
with some slight deduction in the latter case for the small towns separated from the counties, and erected into a group of burghs along with Hawick.
Thus, only thirteen new members would be required for Scotland; and surely, when we limit our demand so far as to desire no additional representation for any existing constituency which does not exceed 2000, we cannot be charged with extravagance. Lord John Russell, if he must needs unsettle his own handiwork, and assume, for the future, the part of a mere political cobbler, can very easily spare us the required number: at all events, if he does not, his bills should be summarily rejected. Hitherto we have not asked for reform, or for any increase in the number of our national representatives. We were contented to leave matters as they were, so long as no change was proposed. But now that the proposal for a change has been made, and made on the part of Ministers, the people of Scotland will be strangely wanting in duty to themselves, and in fidelity to their country, if they do not insist upon a fair measure of justice. And they must do it early. Upon the arrangement made with regard to the English boroughs, depends our sole chance of increased Scottish representation. If we wait until the English bill has passed into a law, we need not hope to extort from the ministry the concession of a single member.