Page:Thomas Hare - The Election of Representatives, parliamentary and municipal.djvu/181

 electoral existence to every university, college, inn of court, scientific association, or other body possessing especial advantages in point of instruction or knowledge, has been adverted to as an encouragement to such bodies to put forward and recommend their most highly qualified members. "Pour trouver et obtenir les hommes les plus capables, il faut obliger ceux qui croient ou qui prétendent l'être, à prouver leur capacite, à la faire reconnaitre et proclamer par les hommes qui, à leur tour, sont capables de porter un jugement sur ce fait-là, c'est-à-dire, sur la capacité individuelle de quiconque aspire à être député. Ainsi se constate le pouvoir légitime, et c'est ainsi que, dans le fait de l'élection philosophiquement considerée, ce pouvoir est pris par ceux qui le possèdent, et accepté par ceux qui le reconnaissent.

It is probable that to introductions by the smaller constituencies, especially where they are composed chiefly of highly instructed persons, many candidates would be indebted for their entrance into public life. There are great numbers in the country who would receive such testimony with respect. Many would act upon reconmiendations coming from bodies or single persons with whom they sympathize, and whom they could trust. This kind of information, although it originates in personal knowledge, is not, as to the electors to whom it is addressed, more than "hearsay," but as such they will, as all persons dealing with such evidence must do, attribute to it the degree of weight which they believe to be due to the quarter from whence it comes. Reliance on the advice or the testimony of others in whom the electors may confide is no improper guidance. Everything that contributes to establish a basis of political faith or trust, introduces a valuable element, and one which deserves to be cultivated rather than discouraged.

It is also material to observe on this point, that, whilst the present system induces a candidate—except in the case of a