Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-03-21

tion VI ah1 Sauutuato, ANY cftiZen OF Inc
State obtaining that number of votes shall
be considered elected. and his vote. NAV
be derived from any of the qualified citi-
zens OF the State wherever lhey may reside
within its limits. The regulation of details
Inc Time, place, and manner of voIing, The
formal returns OF voting, and verificssion Of
lesniis,and the provisions by which surplus
votes 70 candidate will be avoided, and by
"nicn me hiliDg of every seat in Congress
"hlcn belongs 10 State shall be secured,
2. nst, OF course, follow, and must be made
clear and convenient of execution. Thus
any number of voters in a State equal 10 the
number required Tor The election OF mem
Der 10 Congress can unite their sutfrases
upon the candidate of their choice aud elect
him, not as the antagonist of another candi-
CaIe of lheif choice but simply as me
recipient of their votes. And The
practical result will be that vo;es will
be cast only for candidates who will be
elected, and who will represent truly and
inlly the people of The State. Each interest
in The SSate, whether political, local, econ
omical, or social if il be oil any considera-
Bile magnitude, can have its appropriate
representation 10y having its votes counted
efsctuaIly for the purpose for which they
were given. Modes Tor concentrating The
necessary number of voes upon a candi-
dale can be established by State laws, aud
by The Voluutary action Of the people hem
selves. do not at this time propose to go
through the inquiry oil the application of the
Ian in the States, but simply 10 indicate
ils general character and its immense su-
perieri,y over the existing plan, by which
partial representa- only is secured.
The advantages of personal representa-
lion are TOO obvious for denial or question
when they come 10 be understood. Among
them shall select but TWO or three for pres
eatnolice.
1. Personal representation would coriin-
ue men OF ability and distinction Tor long
periods OF lime in Congress. Such men
would no, hold their seats subject TO The
changes OF parry majoffties in their own
neigh borhood, or TO the uncertainties and
inlrigues OF nominating conventions al pres
eni. So long as a number Of men in Stale
requisite 10 The election OF a member desired
a members continuance in public service
be wonld be continued, and no intrigue or
combination OF hostile interests could de-
feat him. The consequence would be, in
stead OF lwo-year and four-year men in the
House Of epfesentalives-alwav Just be-
ginning TO learn and never fully Instructed
in public bus:ness-we would have ten,
twenty, and Ihirty-year men, trained and
confer character upon The House, and give
stability, consistency, and wisdom to the
laws. A: the same, time, the expiration Of
mem bership al the end OF every two years
would retain fully the power of popular
control overdhe House.
g Personal representation would give TO
each important inlepest~in the country
weight or power in lie House, exactly pro-
portionel 10 It's number OF electors. In
short, The opinions of the country would be
thoroughly and truly represented by the
House, resulting in wise Legislation and
more general contenlmenl and acquiescense
in The proceedings OF Government than We
now have.
3. A still more notable advantage would
be the abatement of party violence, and
consequently of corruption in congressional al
elections. This will become evident TO any
one familiar with our present electoral sys'
tenn who will carefully consider the Propo-
sed plan and trace out its inevitable results.
A fierce Struggle for a small majority OF
volss for one candidate over another, now
so familiar case, would rarely, j! ever be
known. You woult get real just, entire,
and complete representation OF The people,
without turbulence and with little OF contest
and the evils which now flow from partisan
contests would be greatly checked and re-
duced.
For the introduction of personal repre-
seEta!ion into our system of government no
Amendments of the Constitution of the Uni
ted States would be necessary. So far as
can perceive il can be established, or au-
lhorized, by an act OF Congress, The existing
statue relating TO State representation in The
House beins repealed.
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