The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-09-05
Minority Representation.

The following are the resolutions
adopted by the State convention al
Reading. Pennsylvania, on August
3lst:
|. Resolved, That the practice which
has grown up in the Legislature OF
Pennsylvania of submitting all matters
Of local legislation to the exclusive con-
troll of local representatives has prac-
tically placed the local, political and
business interests of minority constitu-
encies requiring legislation, at the
mercy Of a majority Of local represerl-
tatives, and has afforded such contir-
uous series of wrongs and Of petty op-
preston as loudly calls for reform,
2. Resoived, That we can conceive Of
no other remedy for such wrong and
oppression except in a system which
will secure to each local minority, as
near as can be, its proportional share
of local representation
3. Resolved, That such minority
representation. will not only remedy the
wrongs OF which we more especially
complain, but will also tend to lessen
unjust and illiberal partisanship, and
to promote greater purity in legislation.
4. Resolved, That fair and proper
tionate representation Of minorities by
districts is not only just, but is in accord
with the spirit Of all our State political
systems, which will provide for the
election of legislators BY districts, in
order to protect the minority at large
from the unjust domination of the ma
jority, as well as guard the interests Of
localities, and which we propose now to
supplement by placing the local minor,
ity beyond the reach Of the unjust
domination OF the local majority.
5. Resolved, That in view ofthe taking
Of the present census and the approach
ing legislative reapportionment of the
State, we recommend the passage OF
acts of Assembly by the next Legisla-
ture embodying the principles of mi
nority representation in reference to the
Legislature, boards of county commits
sioners, directors of the poor and county
auditors; as well as township and other
officers.
6. Resolced, That we recommend the
passage of an act of Assembly provid-
ing for Constitutional Convention, to
be composed Of members elected on
the minority principle, and to such con-
vention in making the many constitu
tional reforms so loudly demanded for
years, we respectfully recommend that
the principle of minority representation
be embodied in the new constitution OF
our commonwealth.
7. Resolved, That we tender hearty
congratulations to the people Of Illinois
for their great and salutary advance in
the art Of selfgovernment, by adopting
the plan of the free vote for the election
of representatives in their Legislature,
aud for the choice. Of directors aud
managers of all incorporated companies
in their State; and that we pledge to
them our best efforts to extend this
wholesome reform, which they have
begun, 80 far as our power and infiu-
ence may extend TO federal state, and
municipal elections; confident that
thereby we shall promote the best inter
ests OF our whole people, joined together
in union of free institutions.
s. Resolced, That the people of
Pennsylvania. of every political party,
be invited to unite in promoting the
important objects in the foregoing reso-
luton.
9. Rasolced, That the chairman Of
the Convention ehall appoint an execu-
tive committee OF twenty-one persons to
serve during the coming year, whose
duty it shall be TO use all proper means
to promote the objects and purposes OF
the above resolutions.
10. ReSoired, That a committee Of
FIVE be appointed, who shall lay the
proceedings Of this Convention before
the next Legislature, and who shall be
authorized by means of an address,
and by personal intercourse, to enforce
upon the members Of the two Houses
the objects contemplated in the resolu
,inpc pasae1 by this Convention