THE ELECTION OF PARLIAMENT 195

Members die, or are created Peers, or appointed to judgeships,
and other public offices. The Whips of the party concerned,
or the Speaker, then see that a writ is issued ordering a by-election.
There may be a score of these each year, and they give Govern-
ment and Opposition a useful indication of the movement of
opinion in the country.

In conclusion, it should be noticed that membership of the
Commons is an honourable and respected occupation. This fact
impresses American observers who contrast it with the general
attitude to politicians in their own country. The ancient traditions
of the Constitution and its connection with the Kingship shed
a certain dignity on everyone connected with Government.
The control of finance, and the character of the Civil Service,
make it impossible for the politician to enrich himself out of
public funds. The acceptance of bribes from outside, and the
subtler forms of corruption cannot flourish, for the highly
organised party system makes it difficult for the Member to
sell his allegiance elsewhere. Above all, there is the knowledge
that the public will not greet an exposure of corruption, even
on a small scale, with a shrug of the shoulders, but with execration.
So, though a few, scoundrels have had Parliamentary careers,
there is no natural attractiou of scoundrels into the House;
there are more profitable openings for them elsewhere. Nor
will the man who wants a comfortable income find that Member-
ship of the Commons is the easiest road. A high standard is
set by the conscientious Member whom his constituents can
call in the fullest sense "our Member"—the link between them
and their Government, the person through whom they can
exercise no small part of their rights as citizens.

BOOKS:

*MASTERMAN. How England is Governed.
HUMPHREYS. Practical Aspects of Electoral Reform.