[2] The Whigs (S479) included two elements, one aristocratic and the other radical.  After the passage of the Reform Bill of 1832 they took the name of Liberals; and the Tories (S479), who found their old name unpopular, adopted that of Conservatives.

But though these acts wrought an immense change by transferring political power from the hands of the few to the greater part of the nation, further progress in this direction was destined to come soon.  Originally the government of the shires, or counties, was in the hands of the people; they gradually lost it, and the wealthy landed proprietors obtained control.  The Local Government, or County Councils, Act (1888) restored the power in great measure to those who had parted with it, by putting the management of county affairs under the direction of the County Councils elected by the householders of the counties or shires.  These Councils look after the highways, the sanitary condition of the towns, the education of children, and the care of the poor.

Six years later (1894) the principle of self-government was carried almost to the farthest point by the passage of the Parish Councils Bill.[1] This measure did for country villages and other small places what the Local Government Act did for the counties.  It gave back to the inhabitants of the parishes certain rights which they had once possessed, but which had gradually come under the control of the squire, the parson[2], and a few privileged families.

[1] Parish:  This name was given originally to a district assigned to a bishop or priest; at present it generally refers simply to the area which was formerly contained in such a district. [2] The squire was the chief landholder in a village or parish; the parson, the minister of the parish church.

Now every man and woman who has resided in the parish for a twelvemonth has the right not only to vote for the members of the Parish Council but to run as candidate for election to that body.  The village parliament discusses all questions which are of public interest to the parish.  It is in some respects more democratic even than a New England town meeting, since it gives women a voice, a vote, and opportunity to hold office.  Its work supplements that of the County Councils and of Parliament.

609.  Overthrow of the “Spoils System”; the Army; the “Secret Ballot,”
     1870-1872.

Meanwhile reforms not less important had been effected in the management of the civil service.  The ancient power of the Crown to give fat pensions to its favorites had been pared down to very modest proportions, but another great abuse still flourished like an evil weed in rich soil.

For generations, public offices had been regarded as public plunder, and the watchword of the politicians was, “Every man for himself, and the National Treasury for us all.”  Under this system of pillage the successful party in an election came down like a flock of vultures after a battle.  They secured all the “spoils,” form petty clerkships worth 100 pounds a year up to places worth thousands.