The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-01

vote, for the election of Representatives In
their Legislature, and for the choice of direc-
tors and mans gers of all incorporated COM
psnies in their State; aud that we pledge to
them eur best efforts to extend this whole
some reform which they have begun, so far
as our power and influence may extend, to
Federal, State, and municipal elections con-
fdeht that thereby we shall promote the best
interests of our whole people, joined together
in a union of free institutions
Res0loed, That the people of Pennsylvania,
of every political party be invited to unite in
promoting the important objects embodied in
the foregoing resolutions.
ReS0lUed, That the chairman of this con-
ention shall appoint an Executive Commit
tee of twentyone persons, to serve during
the coming year, whose duty 1t shall be to
use all proper measures to promote the OBJ
iects and purposes of the above resolutions.
ReSolC6d, That committee of five be ap-
pointed who shall lay the proceedings of this
convention before the next Legislature, and
who shall be authorized. by means Of an ad-
dress, and by personal intercourse, to enforce
upon the members of the two houses the OBJ
iects contemplated in the resolutions passed
byithis convention.
These resolutions were unanimously passed
without debate.
REJECTED PROPOSITION.
Mr.. Bannan, of Schuylkill, after alluding
apply i'm mediately, presented a resolution
That, for immediate relief we earnestly re-
commend and demand that on the assembling
of the Legislature committee of five men,
bers be appointed from each house by the
dominant party, whose duty it shall be to take
charge of all political and other questions in
the minority counties of the State, aud pre-
sent them to the Legislature as such, after
said committees are satisfied from the testi-
mony that they are required in the minority
counties.
After full discussion the resolution was
voted down.
ADDRESS BY MIR BUCKALBw.
A committee was appointed to wait upon
| Messrs. McNIchael and Buckalew and invite
them to address the delegates. On returning
the committee reported that Mr.. McMichael
was too indsposed, and that Mr.. Buckalew
| was present
The distinguished gentleman was then in
troduced, and after applause sa d that he felt
a great interest in the great question of re-
| form; that reform which shall give to our
| political institutions new lease of power and
vigor. such reform cannot narrow itself to
any party or to any section of our population.
1t appeals to us as citizens, Americans and
| men, to improve as far as we can the institu-
tions under which we live, and thus promote
the we'll being and welfare of our fellow men.
The instrument by which this result is to
be accomplished is by the application of a
free vote enormously called here minority
representation. 1t should be known as pro-
portional representation-tha is, that every
interest in the political institutions should be
in proportion to its numbers. He then re-
viewed the course pursued in 1869 by the
Senate, when such q system was adopted so
as to apply to the election of Congressman
and the Electoral College. He then held
that, SO long as the element of disfranchise-
ment existed in the system of elections dis
turbances would be constant.
He then detailed the plan as adopted by his
town, and said that there was not man there
who would think of asking for its repeal
The cities needed-especlally needed-the
system. This curb was wanted upon the
ward politicians, and upon the political COM
mittees who levy contributions He pre-
dcted that if it was applied to the cities they
would have to have an arbitrary government,
or they will break down utterly into anarchy
and unutterable corruption. The echo comes
from every city in the land, and tells us that
these things are eating into and corroding the
political life
He then enumerated the advantages to be
derived from the system of proportional re-
presentation, prominent among which was
that it would do away with the corruption
which now surrounds the ballot-box. II
would reduce the amount expended for elec-
tion purposes by candidates and the State.
In 1868 there were 81, 500, 900 spent by the
two parties for Presidential purposes. Cor.
ruption existed then, and it would again ente,
into the next Presidential campaign unless
the proposed plan was instituted. The new
system would also establish that justice which
would give to every interest in the country
that share of political power to which it il
: entitled.
, Had this reform existed prior to the rebel
|
half a hundred million of dollars and hal
million of precious lives. That could mo-
now be prevented, but we could take securi
ties for the future. Again, this system would
tend to reduce the number of candidates fol
election The free vote also meant better
: men in public life. Men were not now chose1
, because they were the best men for the place
, but because they could get the most votes
because they belonged to some church o.
some nationality; because they had men sub
iect to them; or because they had plenty O
money. Under the free vote there was N,
reason why such men should be nominated
! At the last session of the Legislature seve
raj bills granting the free vote had beel
passed. but he hoped that general law woul
: be passed before long. Should one trial b
had and the people understand that they hav
an equal voice in the Government, and tina
their votes cannot be ostracised, they vii
stand by it. They will not yield it, havin
a asked it sincerely. When they know how goo
! it is they will stand by it, and the man VIII
I first proposes to repeal it will be ostracise
from public life.
He then concluded by referring to Illinois
/ where the people had already stormed tn
citadel of Injustice bY majority of owe