, 1870-09-08
MINORITY REPRESENTATION
IN PENNSYLVANIA.
The Illinois System WARMLY Com-
pTlneutcu.

The Illinois System WARMLY Com-
pFlmentcd.
The Electoral Reform Convention held In
Reading, ra., on the Let instant, consisted of
Republican delegates from all the Democratic
counties, and Democratic delegates from some
OF tho Republican counties. The latter would
have all been represented lad the call inelud-
ed them but the friends Of minority repro
sentntion thought 1t best to initiate tbe move
mcnt By the Republicans Of Democratic ooun-
ties, as the control Of the State Government
and Legislature is In the bands Of tue Rspub-
Gcan party.
After days discussion and comparison Of
views, the following, among othez resolutions,
were adopted unsnimouslr:
Rksolrtd. That the practice, which mas grown
on IN me Legislature Of Pennsylvania, Of sub
elusive control OF local Representatives, has prac-
ttca5 placed the local, politlca and bustuess In
teIests Ut minority conautnences requiring lesis-
'ation at the nsEey oi majority losal Represents
WronEs and Of petty oppression az loudly calls .or
j" Ktso,red, That we can CONCEIVE Of no other
remedy for such wrong and oppression, except In
system which MI! secure to each local minority.
rs near as can be, is proportional share Of loca,
Mso{sed, That such minority representation
Will not only rcncdy the ;srcngs, Of which we
more especially complain, but Will aiso tend TO
nrr1n1,a gras,ar M nnrttr ~ ian,siat aao W
aRt.o,red. Tnat iii q ati pronoTtiopa,c % renrn.
bt Il in sccari vim tx. snrsi ~ aii onr S,atc ;uss
iiticsI s1sfenns WhIc1 nrnyp for - ,eesto e ~
legislators b districts ia order to pfn'ect tic nj
msjoitsy, as wei as to guaId the Interests q 10
caf.tles and which We propose now to supplement
hy placlng me .ocsi minority beyond the reach OF
ne nn!ass @ ~ t1 O. INC ,ocsl ~ ms1osa5.
n,esent ccn.us md thr spn,nsnhIn1 sgs,a,,r srn
fesrportionment Of The stase. We .ecsmrnenS
1atnre embod,lug the principles Of minority rep
IessDtat.on n rstsEencc 70 sac legislature b9alis
o. Goahw Sommsssonefs 'tt LII DIeesoFs o. tne Poor
a.nc1 nu nn3rss 0o'14'''' a. NEIL a. so"nSu'P ana
RssoiSfd. That We recommend the nassare of
an acs q assembly provt'tng ios a Constitutional
Convention. TO be composed Of members elected
On the minority principle an.t to such convention,
.sn,l5 dsmaade., for yes1s ge resRecin!ly re-
t,tian b. emnoii.t IN Ihe nav Tmnss{ tc1ia ~
our GommonT ss ea;ta.
Atsetsei, 1nat Me 1shaetonf e I hearty conUat-
sn sa,s,q ~ =, na ~ 'os tae gsat
ment, ~ adoRtanR nc rlan Of the free vote, for
tne e!et tinh OF representatives. IN their Legtala-
q IL as Il hes sae
ahd tnat We pledge To them cur best e1otts to e1-
tend MI wholesome reform which thc5 have be-
tend, 70 Fetscral. State, and municipal elections,
confident that thereby We shall promote the best
interests Of our whole people, Joined together In
- Rtsoff*d, That tho people Of Pennsylvania Of
ever! poHdca1 party, be Invited to unite In pro-
noting me important objects embodied IN the
Senator BucEalay. who ysss fnritad Ia .d
drnsA thn ronvention s.;3 thrt =. Tf,a sr.ts1.
Of e1ectnral refoan 1Sonli 1e,,nca t6e a's44 az.
Feosea u eleGAoua, ~ LAT ID tQe anount eI-