, 1870-06-23

The new constitution contains Z clause
which is designed to secure to the voter an IN.
restricted exercise Of his right OF suffrage,
and while it cannotin any way change or en-
~ cases, yet it will, II adopted, give to tbs
minority voice in making the laws which all
u9at obey. -"
Under the present system Of voting tho
minority, however large, or however
elsss, %ssSa1 a1s entyzey ehfy az dzres.s 1s The,
might - well not exist. Under the proposed
scheme the minority Will always be REPRESENT
ed They Will always be ready to defect and
expose any orrors OF excuses OF the majority.
We do not IN this article propose to go into
an argument as to tho merits or demerits Of
the system. only to state aa correctly AZ We
are able the practicable operation Of the plan.
Peoria County will contain ut the nezt cleo:
ton about ten thousand rokas and will, under
the new constitution, be entitled to three Rep
resautatises and one Senator. Under the prea-
ent system each voter may cast one vote for
each Of the three candidates, but il for any
reason he does not choose to vote in that
wsy, he must vote for political opponent OF
lose his vote,-that is, he must vote the ticket
or consent to be disfranchised to the extent la
refuses to support it. Under the new system
he msy cast three solid yotes 1or the man of
his choice, o. may caat two votes for one and
one for another, or may cast one oo.e and a
half for each Of two candidates. thus giving
the voter the largest liberty in disposinR Of
his vote. Instead Of compelling him to vots
for tho nominee Of any caucus, under the pen-
atty Of being disfranchised, he il armed with
full power to vote as he sees fit.
Peoria County, under any System, will have
three Representatives. The political parties in
this county are nearly equal in numbers. Sup
pose there are $3.50 Republicans md 1850
Democrats; each party feds confident that it
can elect two Of the three Representatives,
and is willing to concede the other to its oppo-
nents.
The result is, each party nominates two can
didates, and, if all the voters divide their bal
lots exactly equal, the two Republican cautii-
dates will each have 1876 votes, and will both
be elected while each OF the Democratic can
didates will lave :, 425 votes each, and will be
compelled to cast lots as to which will go.
Practically. there is no danger Of tie. Each
candidate will always induce some ten or more
OF his friends to cast three cold votes for him,
and 80 the probabilities Of tie vote, in any
case, ere very remote. But it is absolutely.
certain that the party having tho most votes
can elect two ont Of three members, and the
party in the minority will elect one.
The adoption Of this section will have no
other effect than to place the majority Of the
House Of Representatives always under the
eye Of vigi1ant and active minority. There
il nothing which contributes so much to de-
mozalize . legislative body, to breed corruption
aA0 tklAG4Dus 1eSIdAAuOu. A6 . large, u1R-
sponsible majority. No matter whst party
holds the reins Of power, they will il un-
checked, run into e1cesges which can be pro-
ductive OF no good, and may do much positive
damage, and no influence is 80 potent to pre-
vent these abuses as the presence OF an ever
watchful minority, who viii always be ready
and glad to expose 10 the people Ill the errors
and follies Of which the majority may be
guilty.
While the adoption Of this section viii Sc
cure the election Of some Democrats in the
northern part Of the State from sections that
have always sent Republican Representatives,
aend active Republicans enough to overbalance
them, and so, whatever may be the political
questions that divide tho public, the minority
will always be heard.
The political issues Of the present day will.
Boon disappear. Other issues will Arise to d.
vide the people. This clsnse is not designed
to affect this or the next election, but after
1872, but we hope that il will forever stand as
one Of the fundamental principles Of our
State Government. and forever secure to tho
minority fair proportion Of representation,
ind to the individual the largest liberty in the
exercise of his right Of suffrage.