According to the original plan the Federation was to be a true Liberal parliament outside the imperial legislature; and it was a far cry from that conception to a body voting, without amendment or real debate, ratifications of measures prearranged by a small committee, and found by previous inquiry to express the universal sentiment of the party.
"The Government of England (Vol. I)"
A. Lawrence Lowell
The elections came more and more under the control of the bureaucracy and were mere ratifications of selections made by the ministers.
"The South American Republics Part I of II"
Thomas C. Dawson
In October, 1795, he was directed by the Secretary of State to repair to England, and arriving there in November ensuing, he found he was appointed to exchange ratifications of Mr. Jay's treaty with the British government.
"Memoir of the Life of John Quincy Adams."
Josiah Quincy