The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-01-23

in the Legislature greater share Of
political power than is given to the del
egations of other parts of equal popula-
tion. fsse5
1t cannot we'll be denied that q uni
form system of single districts will best
secure a proper choice of representa-
tives, and their due responsibility to
the people, and fair distribut tion of po-
itical power.
Where one representative is chosen
to represent one district, there will me-
cessarily be the most careful scrutiny
of qualifications; ;~the least liability to
misinformation and mistake; the Gle.
sest sympathy in opinion and purpose |;
the most vigilant observation of repre-
sentave action; and the liveliest sense
of representative responsibility. Where
more representatives than one are cho-
sen from the same district, all these Sc.
curities are sensibly impaired. oppor-
tunity is afforded for unwarrantable
combination among aspirants and their
partizans; the people are disabled from
informing themselves thoroughly as to
the character and qualifications of can
didates; and the decision of the major
ity of delegation, conformed to the in
terests of party, are apt to be substitu-
ted, as guides of representative action,
for the will of the. constituency, deter
mined by true regard for the interest
of the people.
In the Convention which framed our
present State Constitution, the subject
of representation was much discussed.
By many of the most enlightened and
most respected members of that body,
of all political parties, the division of
the State into single districts for the
choice of Senators and Representatives
was earnestly defended and strenuously
urged. A majority of the Convention,
however, preferred and adopted the ex-
isting system.
It will hardly be insisted, that this
system has proved satisfactory to the
people.
It is founded upon no consistent prin-
ciple. In much the largest part of the
State it establishes single districts, while
it creates dual and plural districts in
the remaining parts. For the choice
of Senators, the whole State is divided
into single districts except Hamilton
county The county is made plural
district, with three Senators. For the
choice of Representatives, fifty counties
are arranged as single districts of one
or more counties each thirty counties
are made single districts for some, and
dual districts for other representative
terms; four counties are constituted
permanent dual districts; two counties
are made sometimes dual, and some
times plural districts; and one county,
Hamilton, is constituted a permanent
plural district. with eight Representa-
tives for each of the first four Represen-
tative terms, and seven for the fifth.
While thus defective in principle, the
system fails to commend itself by its
practical operation.
Let the largest plural district, Ham
ilton county, be compared, for example,
with Morrow county, single district.
Hamilton county has eight Representa-
tives, while Morrow county has but one.
Each elector in Hamilton, therefore,
votes for and is represented by eight
delegates. Each elector in Morrow
votes for and is represented by but one.
Each elector in Hamilton county may
appeal, as constituent to eight differ
ent members of the House of Represen-
tatiyes, while each elector iu Morrow
county can appeal to only one. The
elector In Hamilton is thus preferred,
il political consideration, to the elector
in Morrow. The inequality is isaggraya-
ted by the reflection that the majority
by which the eight Representatives from
Hamilton are elected may be less than
that which elects the single Represent.
ative from Morrow.
Let the same plura. district be CON-
pared also, with number of single dis
triets. having the same aggregate rep.
resentation in the more numerous
branch Of the General Assembly. Ham.
ilton county occupies the Southwestern
part of the State. Fifteen counties in
the Northwestern part of the State,
constitute eight single districts. The
Representatives of those districts, sep
arately elected and separately response.
BILE, are often divided; while the Rep.
resentatives from Hamilton, elected to-
gethsr, and comparatively irresponsible.
act together and in concert. While,
therefore, in the choice of Senator Of
the United States, and upon many 9th.
Eer questions, Hamilton county, with her
undivided representation, will have,
practically, eight votes, the fifteen
north-western counties, their represent.
atives being equally divided, may have,
practically, none.
For the sake of perspicuity I limit
ibis comparison to the arrsngement oi
the Representative Districts Your
own reflections will extend it to the az.
rangemsat Of districts for the choice Of
Senator's.
Itbardlv mazda to ba yan,arkad that