The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-06-16
TIE FREE VOTE.
Electoral Reform In Pennsylyania = How Minorlties
May be Represented.


May be Represented.
Correspondence Of the New York word.l
HARRISBURG, June 1.-The session of
the Pennsylvania Legislature which
closed last week, produced an important
act in relation to municipal government
which well deserves notice. 1t is en-
titled can act for the further regulation
of boroughs." Its third section applies
the free vote to the annual elections of
councilmen in all boroughs throughout
the State which have been or shall be
hereafter organized under general laws,
the same to be exercised in the manner
provided for in the Bloomsbury act of
4th of March, 1870.
In order to a clear understanding of
the reform intended and secured by this
act, it will be necessary to quote the
third section, and also the proper clause
of the prior statute to which it refers.
The third section is as follows:
SEC. 3. In elections for members of
town councils each voter may at his
option bestow his votes singly upon six
y
less number in the manner authorized
by the fourth section of the act to define
the limits and to organize the town of
bloomsbury, approved March 4, 1870;
and vacancies in any such council shall
he filled in the manner provided in the
fifth section of the same act.
The clause of the Bloomsbury act APP
plicable to the annual choice of six
councimen is as follows:
When six persons are to be chosen
each voter may give one vote to each of
six candidates, one vote and half to
each of four, two votes to each of three,
three votes to each of two, or six votes
to one.
In other words, each voter may dis
tribute his six votes among candidates
as be shall think fit giving an equal
support TO each), or concentrate them
upon one; the practical result being that
each party of any considerable magni.
tude in borough whether political or
local) can certainly obtain its due share
of councimen by its own votes.
This borough supplement underwent
thorough debate and received full con
sideration in each House of the Legis
lature, and its enactment is fully sus
tained by public opinion. Pending it
consideration in the House of Repre-
sentatives thefollowing interesting com
munication was read to the House b.
+ Mr.. Strang, an influential menlber VIII
was Speaker of the House at forme
, session. 1t is worthy of notice that tn
communication is signed by Judg
Elwell, one of the first jurists Of tn
State recently chosen umpire in the cos
5 troubles), and by the publishers of tn
5 two newspapers at bloomsbury whic
= represent both the political parties
3 Columbia county:
BLooMsBURG, May s, 1871.
Il Hon. B. B. Strang:
- DEAR SIR: Observing that on yo
l. motion the session of the House {
d Wednesday evening of this week is
IL be devoted to the consideration of Il
:. Borough Supplement bill, which amor
other useful changes provides for u
'r introduction to a certain extent of Il
d free vote into borough elections, we a
,r induced to address to you few earne
!, words recommendatory of the bill.
> our Judgment the passage of that b
IS will secure more of reform and il
e provement in boroughs than any 9th
O measure which the Legislature cou
~ enact, while it will familiariZe the pt
y :, ple with the new plan of voting, viii
u has been so successful and satisfactory
'e our recent Bloomsbury elections. Aft
al having carefully observed the work.
,s of the new plan when put into practit
~ operation, as it has been here at thr
IL elections, we are ready to approve
and to declare our opinion that it poss
10 ses great merit. 1t is readily comp
of hended by voters when they come
:, deposit ballots. 1t Is of complete &C
v venience in all cases, and it is just in
Il operation, giving to every consideral
lie interest representation according to
er relative strength. In addition to the
valuable qualities possessed by no ott
system ever adopted in this State,
OF tendency of the new plan is to check
at not wholly prevent, improper combil
,h tions and corrupt practices at electio
es and its certain effect must be to p
W duce reformed administration in mu
'h cipal affairs. These, with many otl
re considerations which have, no dOu
,t- suggested themselves To your mind,
duced us to hope TN, your efforts
procure the passage OF the bill throu
40 the House will be crowned with succ<
10 With great respect ours, DC.
WILLIAM ELwELL,
he President Judge
he ID. a. BECKLEY,
no o Editor RepuJlicn
hc IIY. l.. DIEFFENBACH,
ur Editor CotmJiU