The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-02-08

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titled to three members,) but 10 restrict
voters from giving their voices Cor more than
two Of the Representatives. OF courss,an-
dss this rule the majority would always hAvs
twa members, and tbs minority n hrss
enough to b respectable. the rsmaining
one. -
Now, II there were only . sufficient num-
Der the "three-corner'' constituencies, the
minority would be sure OF q fair representa-
ton. However, this scheme at best, rscog.
nises only two parties In the state, and gives
ne representation TO the minor interests and
opinions whleh exist in all free governments,
apart from the leading political orgsniss-
tons.
, Another scheme in England 10, 10 allow
the electors one vote as now, for every rep
resentative TO be chosen, but Ia addition, .
second vote for the candidate he most pre-
fers. The alteration from the system Of vo-
ting AZ It now exists, consists simply h a.
lowing each elector one additional vote which
he may give to bis favorite candidate. II he
favor only one candidate, be will give that
candisats both votes, and none to any Of the
others. II be wishes to split his vote be can
do 80, as freely As at present
The late election at large Of delegates to
We New York Sate couvention was an NJ
tempt in this direction, and the organization
Of the New York board Of supervisors Is
smother.
We Hcw propose to pass 10 the plan pro-
posed by Mr.. Thomas Hare, in q book pub.
lished in Londca, in 1883. According to
this plan the number Of votes is divided or
averaged by the number Of seats in the
House. Ever candidate having . sufficient
number OF the ties cast, would have q seat
AARsy sleetOr could TOte for the local candi-
date or for any other candidate In any part
Of the state or district, but not Tor more
than one.
The tickets may state FIRST and second
choice. II the first choice is not elected,
locally the second vote may be counted,
even in another dist riot He may even ex.
tend the list to more than two candidates for
the same seat. II the election of the frst
choice is certain without counting bis FIRST
vote, then his second vote will be counted
This may seem complex to the general read
trer, but it is merely to organize proper sys.
tenn Of counting votes at . central point ID
the district, state, or grand division, as or.
gained for voting purposes.
Thoas who wish 70 know how strongly
Mr.. John Stuart NIL endorses this scheme
win DO well to consult his Representative
Government" cha. VII, page l55 to l6s
he proclaims Mr. Hare's plan to be Of tran
scendant importance, and sees in II q cur,
for the most pronounced evils Of representa-
tive institutions There is no good reason
why members Of Congress and members o
the legislatures may not al be elected a
large by slight amendments to state consti
buttons, and in some states By merely
changing the election laws. There il
Eothing in the Constitution Of the UniteC
States 10 prevent il. Hon. Thomas Il. Bent
on, in s24, in speech in the United State
Senate, suggested that the Constitution o
the Tn ed States be so modified as to intro
duce the same principle in the election o
President. [See ''Thirty Years in the U. S
Senate, page 81 and SO.
1t is claimed that such system secures
!. Due representation to minoritiss, Civ
ing each interest a fair and proportional,
representation.
2. That it would revolutionize the conven
ton system, and rid US Of log-rollers an'
wire-pullsrs.
s. That it would fill our legislative hall
with men who care TOT the general rcputs
tion mo1- than for temporary popularit.
with few wire-pullers.
4. Men having marked and indepsDden
views, and being generally known, woul'
have the best chance for election.
5. 1t would not only increase the intel
lec.ual and moral power of our legislatiy
bodies, but would insure US the Rrst mind
Of the country in executive Offices.
/ 6. II Wosld bring home to each eletion
feeling Of actual personal responsibility
convert what are now bare msjorities int
unanimous constituencies, and demorslizinI
political contests into efforts Of honorabl
emulation between candidates.
\ We have here and there extracted, from
an able article on this subject, publishes
IN the July number Of the GALAXY magazine
There is another excellent article upon tn
same subject in the October number Of th
Westminster Revier, from which we quote
'fhe system of personal representation prs
vides the only real safeguard against thesriAn
gers, a., indeed, against shssse innrmities to
which democra.le l8.itutiOns are liable. II
combines the Advantages both of class repre-
! sentstlfr al representation Of numbers, for II
| secures, on lie one "a representation IN no
Berical proportion TO every division Of the con
@Itueneies In the country, and, on the oth eI
| bend the certain influence Of individual opinion
! And interest. Wherever any number Of electors
.equalling an average constituency, should hap
pea to be united together Independently OF the
purely fortunous circumstances Of residence By
community Of political views they would be
competent 70 join together to return q member
who would take the special part Of their spokes-
man and advocate, - that every citizen inclnd
sed in the electoral body would be able to give
bis vote for the candidate for whom, of all
others, be was most In agreemeak or upon whom
he looked as most lifted TO think and act on his
behalf Thus every shade Of doctrine would be
given an opportunity for systematic expression
and would be allowed It's due weight in the de-
alterations of the national council"
HeW long viii American mechanics con-
t!nue to serve as the tail Of the political kite
-sfrst failing on to one party add then to
asotherf
The census returns show that they ere 10
- minority in at least sysrv ssrs-
sSEssa ssAse, hence their true policy
is, to urge a system which will secure
fair representation Of mlnorities, that they