Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1870-11-17
The Rights 81 Mlnorilles.


The late Convention at Reading,
in Pennsylvania, to consider the mi
nority system OF representation, is q
significant sign Of political progress
Illinois has just constitutionally pro-
vided tor the voice of the minority
in the election OF members OF the
l.. gislature and OF the managers OF
all incorporated companies in the
State; and the Pennsylvania Conven-
ton suggests to the next Legislature
of that State the adoption OF . slmi-
lar system tor The election OF various
officers, aud an act tor Constitution
Convention TO embody this and 9TH
er wise provisions in the fuDdament-
al law. The proposition in its sim
pIest form is, that, in community OF
Two thousand voters, the views of
nine hundred aud ninety-Dine shall
net be totally disregarded. but shall
have a positive aud authorized ex-
preston.
The opponents Of the scheme say,
indeed, that practically in the case
supposed the representative does not
disregard the opinions of the large
minority; that not only his general
intelligence, but his wish not 10 be-
come obnoxious in a community 10
evenly divided, makes him cautious
and moderate; that, in fine, the mi
nority really tempers his action,
which is all that minority can fairly
expect. But, although this seems
reasonable enough the fact is other
wise. In a country like ours, where
:he policy OF party necessarily pre-
walls, the members Of that party,
whether elected BY an almost unani-
nous vote or by one majority, equal
y support the same party measures.
1t would not be possible upon study.
ing the votes in Congress, for III
stance, to determine which represcn-
tativcs Of the dominant party were
elected by large and which b. small
maiorit,.s. Where the latter IS the
case the opinions OF the minority do
not in the least affect the representa-
tive's vote, and the minority is prac-
tlcally unrepresented.
Again, it is said by the opponents
of the system that it would lead to
the representation Of special interests
and classes, while it is desirable that
the general interest should control
legislation; and that the general inter-
est is hest expressed by the majority.
But this is only plausible objection.
For in fact, nine hundred and ninety
nine persons d, not represent epe-
cial interest any more than thousand
and one persons do. In both cases
the numbers represent those who
agree upon policy which is best for
the general interest. Probably all
intelligent people would admit that
representation OF special lnterests
would be- very undesirable aud sure.
" fatal to wise Iegislation. Indeed.
the vice Of much Of orr present legis-
lation is that it is dictated by certain
special interests.
The obvious advantage offered by
the minority representation Is that it
gives to the Legislators the relative
weight Of numbers aad opinions that
actually exists in the country. II it
be said that in critical emergencies
this is not advisable. because great
unauimity of sentiment and action is
then often Indispensable, and that It
could not be expected in an exact
representation Of differing opinions,
it must, on the other hand, be rem. M
bered that when great emergencies
arise, as now in France, there is vir-
tual unan,mity in the Legislature, and
that one OF the advantages Of MINOR
ity representation is that it d;min.
ishes the probabilities Of such emer.
gencies. 1t the anti-slavery senli-
ment ofthe country had been proper
tionatclv represented in Congress,
the insolent audacity Of the slavery
Democracy would have been checked.
1t is evidently subject which is
exciting the interest OF political
thinkers. It made its appearance in
our recent Constitutional Convention
upon. tho proposition of Mr.. Hale,
then of Essex; and it was in q Ger.
tain form adopted at the election OF
Judges of Appeals in the spring.
Nor has any change so radical ever
beeu received with more favor. Ex-
Senator Buckalew, of Pennsylvania,
has been one OF the most earnest al.
vocates OF the reform; and he very
truly says that it is in no sense a
partisan, but truly patriotic
movement -[Harper's Weekly.