The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-11-12
Cumulative Voting.

In several OF the Northern States move.
ments are on foot, backed by the great
body Of the respectable citizens, looking to
a reform in the fundamental law so as to
check the widespread and universal corrup-
ton that is admitted to exist in almost all
branches of the government Correlative
with this subject, as applicable to both
State and National elections, is the question
OF cumulative voting, by which the rights
of the minority are to be fully protected.
The cumulative vote may be applied to all
elections whenever two or more persons are
to be chosen together for the same Office and
for the same term of service, and it consists
in allowing the voter to distribute his votes
among candidates as he shall think fit, or
concentrate them upon one. 1t is here as
sumed that the voter shall have number OF
votes represented by the number OF persons
to be chosen, and that the candidates highest
in vote shall be declared elected.
Ex-senator Buckalew, OF Pennsylvania,
who has given much attention to this impor-
tant subject. in a recent address, thus
states the objects sought to be accomplish
eddy the free vote considered as an instru-
ment of reform: 'First, the just represen-
"tation OF the people in government, and,
second, the publication Of popular elec-
stions. How to secure the proportional
representation of political parties or in
ssterests in government is certainly a
'squestion of high importance, and we
s'have reason to rejoice that it is now re-
"ceiving earnest attention in our country and
s.in Europe. We must all agree that the
"majority vote-as shall cali the old plan to
(which We have been accustomed-is both in
s'sufficient and unjust in the case OF many
s'elections to which it is implied, and that in
unchecked operation it is positively perni-
s'cious and hurtful. Observe, am not speak
sing of the majority or plurality rule of elec-
''tions which, in its proper application
ito returns, is necessity, but OF the ma
'jority vote, Of that instrument OF oppres-
.sion by which government is made unsatis-
sfactory because it is made unjust. The law
'shas said to the citizen: You shall dis
' tribute your votes singly among candl.
dates, although by doing so you will lose
&c them all, and stand deprived Of all voice
" 'in the government. You and your neigh
{. sbor shall be made to struggle constantly,
&C each to deprive the other OF his equitable
T" right in the very attempt to maintain his
!" own. And if you shall not choose to vote
/" in this exact manner, and to grasp at
"l'more than belongs to you, you shall not
tti vote at all; you shall stand aside disfran-
&c 'chised and ignored No wonder that
'"our people, instructed by experience and
"scourged by many evils, are beginning to
'complain of the law, and to inquire wheth-
ser there is not some possible remedy for
electoral injusiice-some plan of amend
-s:ment by which all the people can have
''tLeir votes counted, and obtain by them
appropriate power and influence in the
government. Yes, there are remedies for
ssthis injustice and one Of them advocate
''to-night-a remedy convenient Of applica-
stion and edectual for all our purposes Of
''reform." +"
He also claims that this mode Of voting
will accomplish another great desideratum.
He says: "The second great object of re-
formed voting-the publication of elec.
sstions Invites to more elaborate exposi-
''tion of an existing evil and Of the remedial
character of the new plan than my space
sand time will permit; but cannot pass it
"wholly unnoticed. Certainly when you shall
"cheapen elections by taking away the
''motive or the main motive for spending
money upon them, you will purify them
''alse. They will be cleansed and elevated in
''characteR by being made cheap and mex
'pensive to parties and candidates who are
snow compelled to spend money upon them
'proiusely as the Indispensable condition Of
success"
Mr.. Buckalew concludes his speech thus ::
"But am quite certain that when the free