Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-07-19
REPRESENTATION of MINoRITIEs

In the New 0rk CONSTITUTIONAL CohNeH-
ton, few days ago, a motion ives made
introducing a proposition to adopt Hare
system of representation and election At
time when constitutional reform is loudly
called for in our own State, it will not be
inappropriate to call public attention to this
scheme for obtaining more just and pro
portionate representation of mlnorlties N
our legislative assemblies.
The theory known as Hare's is the out
growth of the reform movement IN Eng
land. Her nobility being greatly in the
minority, and affrigted at the rapid progress
of the reform movement and its apparently
irresistible tendency to Democracy, have
busted themselves in devising some availa-
bic method of securing for themselves, IN
the event of their worst fears being realized,
at least fair proportionate representation.
Though thus the offspring of a spirit hos
tile to Democracy, the scheme IS by no
means unworthy the consideration of Demo
cratic governments 1t was devised to res
train what the fears of British noblemen
called The Tyranny of the Majority, but
inasmuch as it is believed to be capable OF
securing a more equitable representation of
all shades of opinion, IL has received the ap-
proval of some Of the most eminent liberals
of England, among whom may be numbered
]. Stuart Mil, Thos. Hughes, &c The
system of electing representatives, whether
national or state, now in use throughout the
United States, is generally conceded, by
students of political philosophy, to be def
cient in many respects. Its shortcomings,
as declared by such authorities as De
Tocaueville, John Stuart Mil, and some
eminent American writer's on the subject,
are thus summed up by a writer in the July
number of The GALAXY
Ist. 1t leads to the separation of the
whole voting population into two great par
ties, compelling forced and unnatural uni
formity of views, intensifying partizan con-
ficts, and giving undue power to small ma
iorities.
ID. It has led in practice to the non
recognition of the rights of minorities, as
well as to their misrepresentation in our
legislative bodies.
3d. It condemns to private life the best,
wisest and most original minds in the. .coun-
try, and gives nearly all the prizes of high
public station to available mediocrities.
4th. 1t fills our legislative halls with pur-
ehasable representatives, who, IN spite OF
their known unWorthiness, are kept IN Off
eiaI nozition bv ignorant or Indifferent con-
stituencies.
5th. 1t has given birth to the Convention,
the Caucus, the Lobby, the Ring--irres-
popsible bodies, unknown to the Constitu-
tntion. vet oft-times more powerful in con-
trolling legislation than a wise public opin-
ion.
9Th. 1t incites to demagogism-that is,
to unwise and hurtful adulation of the peo-
pie, makes the majority intolerant and tyran-
nical, and eompels an unwholesome uni
formity Of view and action; at times when
debate and opposition are needful to form
correct public sentiment.
Though not prepared to acknowledge the
entire truthfulness Of the charges here pre-
sented, especially on the first two points, we
are nevertheless constrained to confess that
the charges are in the main approximately
true.
The scheme of Mr.. Thomas Hare, an
English barrister, as first given to the world
in book published in London in 1858, is
thus suecinctly stated by John Stuart Mil:
According to this plan, the unit of repre-
sentation, the quota of electors who would be
entitled to have a member for themselves,
would be ascertained by the ordinary process
Of taking averages, the number of voters be-
ing divided by the number of seats in the
House; and every candidate who obtained
that quota would be returned, from however
great auumber of local constituencies 1t might
be gathered. The votes would, as at present,
be given locally, but any elector would be at
liberty to vote for any candidate, in whatever
part OF the country he might otier himself.
Those electors, therefore, who did not wish
to be represented by any of the local candi-
dates, might aid, by their vote, in the return
of the person they liked best among all those
throughout the country who had expressed a
willingness to be chosen. This would so far
give reality to the electoral rights of the 9th
erwise virtually disfranchised minority. But
1t is important that not those alone who re-
fuse to vote for any of the local candidates,
but those also who vote for any of them and
are defeated, should be enabled to find else
where the representation which they had not
succeeded in obtaining in their own district.
II is therefore provided that an eIector may
deliver voting paper containing other names
IN addition to the one which stands foremost
IN his preference. His vote would only be
counted for one candidate; but if the object
OF his first choice failed to be returned, from
not having obtained the quota, his second,
perhaps, might be more fortunate He may
extend the list to be greater number in the
order Of his preference, so that if the names
which stand near the top of the list either
cannot make up the quota, or are able to
make it up without his vote may still be used
tor some one whom it may assist in returning
10 obtain the full number of members requir-
eo 80 complete the House, as well as to pre-
vent very popular candidates from engrossing
nearly an the suhrages, it is necessary, how
ever many votes candidate may obtain, that
no more OF them than the quota should be
counted for his return, the remainder of
those who voted for him would have their
votes counted for the next person on their re-
spective list who needed them, and could by
their aid complete the quota.
10 determine which of candidate votes
shoeid be counted for his return, and which
set nee tor others, several methods are pro
posed INTO which we shall not here enter.