Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1856-01-24


1t cannot well be denied that o uniform sys-
lem o fsingle Districts wilt bssts a prop.
er choice Of representatives,, aud their due
responsibility 10 The people, and q fair disirl-
button Of political power.
Where one Representatives, is chosen TO rep
resent me district, there will necessarily be
the most careful scrutiny OF Qualification; Tie
least liability 10 misinfomatioa and mistake;
the closest sympathy in opinion and purpose;
HE most vlgllant observation OF representative
action; and the ~iiveiiest sense OF representa-.
tive responsibility. Where more representa-
lives than one chosen from the same district,
all these securities are Sensibly impaired.-
Opportunity is afforded for unwauantab e com
binalion among aspiraats and their paftisansi
the people are disabled from informing tho.
roughly as 10 the character and qualifications
OF candidates; and the decisions Of the ma
iotity of a delegation, cohformed 10 the inte.
resls Of patty, are apt 10 be substituted, as
guides Of representative action, for the will OF
The constituency, determined by a true regard
for the interests Of the people.
In thu Con. ention which framed our present
State Constitution, the subject Of representa-
lion wos much discussed. BY many Of the
most enlightened and most respected members
Of that body, Of all political parties, the divi.
sion Of the State into single districts for the
choice of Senator'S and Representatives was
earnestly defended and sitenously urged. A
majority Of he Conyeotion, however, preierr-
ed and adopted the existing system.
1t will hardly be insisted thai This system
has proved satisfactory 10 the people.
1t is founded upon no consistent principle.
In much the largest part Of ihe States Il es-
snd n1,s.I al;s,,;c,s IN ~ ram.;n;no nar,s.-
For ihe .hoice of Senators. ths whole State
IL divided ;n,o s;aols. d;si ric,s excent. Hamil.
~ onnn,y Thas conniv l. male a mural
d;s,r;ct with ,b,es ssns,ols Far The choice
Of Reoyesenta,iyes. 6fty~ counties are orraisned
as simple districts of ne or more counties each.
lbiT,y conn;les are made siaple districts for
s,me and dnal districts for other rentese MIA !.
1 ,;ve ,srms. fouI co,n,irs are constituted per-
manent dual districts. Two counties are made
sometimes dnaI anal sometime nlu al districts.
and one county Hamilton Is constituted a per.
maneni nlnral d;siriol. with e;shi Represun;a.
lives for eocb Of The 6rst four Represeplatiye
terms. and seven ar the 6fIh.
While Tins defect;ve in nr;ncih,e. Inc svs.
tenn fails IN commend Itself INV nraeiicai one
ration.
Lei tbe largest n,utoi district. Hamilton
county. he eomnared. for exomn,e' with Nor.
row county. a single district. Hamilton couu-
tv has tigbt Reoresentative while Morrow
! county has hui me Eacb eieclor IN Hamilton
therefore. votes for. and i re- nresenied BIZ eight
/. delegates. Each elecior IN Marrow votes for.
and Is represented by but one. Each elec.or
Lin Hamilton county NAV appeal. as a constit.
uen.. 10 eight different members Of the House
of Renresentalives whjle each elec,or in Mo,-
row county can anpeal 10 ope alone. The
elecior - Hamilton Is Tins nrrferrel in polili
cal consideration. 10 The electors in Morrow.
tbe inequality is aggravated by The reflection
Thai the maioiiiy Nv which The eiebi Repte.
sentaiives from Hamillon are lectel NAV lie
less Than that which elects The sinele Renre.
sentative from Moray.
lei the same nlnraI d;s,,;ct I've comna,ed
also. with a larse number az single districts,
having the same Aggregate ,enreseniation ic
The more numerous branch Of the Genera
Assembly. UamiI,on connIy occnnies ,be
soutb. western mari oftbe slolr. FiItern coun.
tirs in The North western mari NJ ibe State.
Constitute eiyht sin lie dislric,s. s.naraiel,
elected and senora,ely reSposIi,,e. are oCen
divided. while ihe Renresen,s,iyes from Ham.
!, tnn. electeI iogetbe,. and comnaratively IRE.
snonsihie act together and in cnnreyt Will.
tLerefore' in he choice of a Senalor of tbe
United States. and upon many other questions
Hamilton county, with her undivided repre-
) seniation, will have, practically, eight votes
the fifteen north western counties, lheir Rep
Iesen,atiyes being equally divided. may have
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