The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-29
al Needed Refnrm.


Mr.. MALLORY, the member from Oregon, has
introduced into the House of Representatives
a bill which provides for uniformity in the
time Of holding elections for Representatives
and Delegates. 1t met the fate of all bills
touching upon this subjeot-a reference to the
Committee on Elections. But we hope it will
not there be lost sight Of, legislation on this
matter being imperatively demanded, espeCi-
ally since the passage of the law which pro-
vides for a session of Congress on the 4th of
March of every alternate year, when the
: terms of the members begin. Under the pre-
sent system, several States, including Con-
necticut, Tennessee, and California, do not
hold their Congressional elections until after
this date, and in consequence they are with
out representation during the first session Of
each Congress. By Section d. Article /, of the
Constitution, it is provided that
''The times places, and manner of holding
elections for Senators and Representatives shall
he prescribed in each State by the Legislature
law make or alter such regulations except as TO
the place of choosing Senator'S"
Congress has already interfered to secure a
uniform manner for the selection of Senators,
and it is time that it should again assert its
power in this direction by prescribing like
uniformity in the election of members of the
lower House.
The fact that several States were without
representation during the spring and summer
sessions of the present Congress, is not the
only argument in behalf of this proposed legis-
lation. As it is now, the only occasion on
which elections are held on the same day
throughout the Union is when Electors for
President and Vice President are balloted for;
and as consequence, the political ferment
lasts throughout the year. A moderate share
of our time can doubtless be allotted to the
government of the country with profit but
when politics demand our attention every day
in the year, it is at the expense of other inte-
rests which are quite as important. The Con-
greSSiondL Globe bears at its head motto
something like this:-"The world is governed
too much;" and for startling proof of its
truthfulness, the reader has but to glance at
the long columns of legislative bombast which
follow. In a country where every citizen is
entrusted with as much political power as each
of his fellow citizens, an excess of activity and
rancor in political contests is necessary evil;
but surely something can be done to con6ne
the chickering's and backbitings and disputa-
tions to the few weeks Immediately preceding
the election throughout the country.
The purity of the ballot-box would likewise
be gamer by the proposed uniformity. Ac-
cording to the recent confessions of leading
Democratic politicians in New York city, the
immense majorities which are given in the
modern Babylon are, in great measure, owing
to the extensive importation of roughs from
Philadelphia and Baltimore, and the rowdy
element of New York has frequently been
kind enough to return the favor. A uniform
day for holding elections throughout the
Union would almost entirely do away with
this fearful source of corruption, as every legi-
innate and illegitimate voter would be needed
at home.
But even if Congress should provide for a
uniform day for holding all national elections,
there would still remain the evil of local con-
tests spread throughout the year. Over this
portion of the subject Congress has, unfor-
tunately, no jurisdiction; and we shall still be
subjected to the annoyance of never-ending
strife for petty State and municipal offices,
unless the good sense of the American people
| comes to its own rescue, and does away with
the nuisance by causing the State legislation
to conform to that which is proposed in the
national Congress.
| Cur Down THE FEEs.--We are glad to see
that a movement was made in Councils looking
towards a reform in that department of our