New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-21

under an overwhelming adverse majority, tho
Democrats of Lancaster, the Republicans of
Berks, still live n but, so far US the Legis-
lature is concerned. has no further efficacy or
value.
That many should spare themselves the
trouble of going three or four miles to vote
under such depressing conditions, is very
natural. And the majority suffer along with
the minority. Az whoever gets-no matter
how-a place on the ticket of the dominant
party is morally certain Of election, however
incompetent or unfit, there is IN indecent
scramble for nominations and all manner OF
"log-rolling," not to speak of outright cor
rIption, to secure them. One result is the
average representation of those great Counties
by weaker and worse men than either party
wOnld venture TO nominate il they were as
evenly balanced in politics az Franklin or
Mercer ia. And stree most of the PennSyl-
vania counties have a fixed political character,
the evil here indicated is a very grave one.
Minority or Complete Representation would
simply allow each v0tcr in every County or
other Assembly district to cumuIate his vote on
ono or more candidates, and have it counted
accordingly. Thus, If Lancaster and Borks
each choose three representatives. the Demo
crats of the former, the Republicans OF the
latter, would unite on single candidate, print
his name thrice on each ballot, and t.us elect
Kim beyond contingency; as, at the worst, TIE
poll in Bcrks would sland-(allowing that
county to have 1900 Democratic to 6,O0o he
publican voters,)-18,o00 for the single RepuD-
lican candidate, while it would not be prac-
ticable to apYor.ion the Democratic vote so
nicely between two candidates "a TO give each
Of them 1900 OF over. And so with Lancaster
on the other side.
The two Counties would thus elect jusS as
many representatives Of each party as they
now do but with these differences:
/. Every voter in each County would have a
voice in choosing them, substantial reason
for voting, and be represented by man OF
his choice in the Legislature;
2. The power OF the Courthouse clique
Of managing politicians in either county would
be considerably abridged; and
8. The system OF cumulatiOn would incite
and accustom tho voters TO greater freedom of
action and independence Of party drill. II the
dominant party nominated a full ticket it
would be certain that one OF the three would
be defeated, and voters would 30 encouraged
to indicate Icy their ballots which one it
should be- An obnoxious or manifcstly unfit
person, who is carried through, under the
present system, by the dead weight of his
party's majority, would be sure OF defeat I'M
der the new rule and would. after a few dis
astrous experiments, be adm0nishcd to keep
out OF haru's way.
Such arc some Of the reasons which impel
Us to advocate what is known as Minority
Representation. We believe the legislation Of
our own State would be puIcr and more be-
neioent il the Republicans of this end, the
Democrats Of the rural districts, were moro
fully and fairly represented than they are or
can DO under tho present system.
A Mr.. Edward Stanwood labors zeal0usly in
the last North american Rcgicr, TO make the
worse appear the better reason on this sub
ject. lie dlatos upon the recent choice Of g
School Board in London as proving cumulative
voting unfair; but we judge d CT ntly. An
excellent Board was chosen, wherein all SUD-
stantia interests are fairly represented. The
Roman Catholics, for example, would have had
no chance of an election in Mary-le-BOne I'M
der the majority system; yet they cunulatcd
their votes on single candidate and elected
him. SO the Established Church, the Presby-
terians, and the Radicals, each cumulated on
single candidate and elected him. Neither
Of these interests control the Board; each has
voice in it, and can see that 10 other takes
undue advantage. Wo can imagine no iairer
or more promising result.
The fact that a minority of the voters may
sometimes choose n majority of the represent
ativcs under the cumulative system is urged
by B,r. Stanwood as fatal, when We all know
thai the objection applies to our present sys-
TEN as wcll. The probability Of such result
seems to Us greatly le5,ened by the cumulative
system.
Illinois has adopted this plan, after full dis
cuasion, by direct popular vote. Our own
State chose her present Court of Appeals in
such manner as 10 accord two of the seven
judges to the weaker party. Pennsylvania
has accepted it in certain municipal elections,
where it has worked 50 well that she is evil
IDENTITY incliling to give it further trial. We
shall be disappointed if her next COnstitu
tional Convention (Which cannot be postponed
many years. does not adopt it for the choice
of both Houses Of her Legislature. It's pro-
grcss may be slow; but that Complete Repre-
sentation is destined to become the rule rather
than The exception, we cherish a JOYFUL hope.