The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-04-08
C0NVE N Ito N.
Debate on Proportional Repre-
sentation.
To be Referred to the People in
1876.
Democratic Tolerance and Mag
nanimity.

vention last Saturday morning on the
subject o. proportional representation
was OF too much importance to be passed
over with merely the bald record that
appears in the Journal. The subject
was, TO most of the members OF the
Convention, comparatively new and
there was disposition to conJure ny
AID coutriye the details OF scheme OF
Proportional representation and see
what its effect would be, rather than 10
look ouly Al the principle involved.
Some thought it was reversal OF the
IA that the majority should govern ;
q / nearly all who opposed The adOp-
TN of the v-rv meek aud modest re,o-
lu.ion ofte-ed by Mr. Wilson seemed TO
| t.. laboring uader the opinion that It
C., ilainei an insiiious plan tor putting
:, . bottom rail on the top; investing
minority with power 70 govern the
II .jc-.ty: and generally upsetting the
l,.g established order o. things.
F rther investigation and acquaintance
w:th what the principle OF proportional
representation really i will dispel these
It tons.
"a n >lTnrl1H
Journal containing the language Of
Nr. Wilson resolution, the amend
ulents made thereto, the ayes and noes
upon the various propositions, and the
hual action of the Convention.
In introducing the subject Mr.. Will
son said that proportional representa-
tion had everywhere received Demo
cratic endorsement aud support. 1t
might almost be considered in this
country and certainly in this State as
8 Democratic measure. It's chief ad'
voca,es here and elsewhere were men,
bers Of the Democratic party. Ex-
Senator Buckalew, OF Pennsylvania,
Distinguished member OF that party,
had been devoting much energy, learn
ing, aud ability to the advocacy OF the
principle during a number OF years
past AMI wherever it had been adopted
lts success was mainly due - Demo-
cratic support. Ia West Virginia it
had received the sanction OF the lead
ing Democratic newspa pers IN the State;
the Democratic Executive Committee
had given it their endorsement in an
address Issued during the tendency OF
the call of this Convention and many OF
the members Of this Convention bad
publicly DISCUSSED the subject during
the campaign and made pledges to the
people in relation thereto. He hoped
therefore that it would be the pleasure
Of the Convention to adopt the section
De had proposed looking to the adop-
ton Of this principle in the legislative
department Of the State, il the people
OF the State expressed their approval Of
the same.
Mr. Faulkner thought that the year
1874 proposed as the time when this
question should be submitted TO the
people was too soon. He avowed him
self friend OF the principle which Eas
sought to be Incorporated in the legis
latiye department OF the State, bat
thought that the people would not be
ready to vote intelligeutly upon il at the
time indicated Desiring Is adoption,
he thought it would be wise 10 postpone
the matter until 1876, and moved to
amend the section in that respect.
Mr.. Fiuhugh very warmly COM
mended the object sought to be accom-
p,ished He considered the Democratic
party OF the State actually pledged to
the adoption OF the principle of proper
tional representation. He believed it
to be just and right, and that it en-
bodied in fuller degree than had been
heretofore practicei the true theory OF
Republican government He preferred
% have it submitted in 1874 and had no
fear OF its rejection BY the people when
properly expiaiued and understood; he
therefore opposed Mr.. Faulkner's
amendment.
Mr.. Wheat favored the postponement
OF the vote upon proportional, or
! minority, representation. He said he
was something OF an old iogy and he
believed in the correctness of the old
rule that the majority should govern.
He thought thar the proposition offered
BY Mr.. Wilson contemplated q revoiu'
ton OF the whole system OF Republican
government, and, al least until he had
a different understanding OF the subject,
be would vote against its adoption.
Mr.. Peude,on thought this sub
ject upon which not much time was
needed for popular consideration IN or"
der to arrive at 8 proper determination:
Its inherent fairness and justice would
at once commend themselves to the
approval of all who appreciated cor
.ectly the eud it had in view. He in
sisted that it was not designed TO aud
could not set aside the doctrine that
the majority should rule; the majority
would still retain its power to control
the government in accordance with It's
will. 1t merely provided that minori-
ties should have hearing not thai
they should overcome the votes OF the
greater number. He argued that ii
would strengthen and secure the power
OF the political party adopting 1t
When minorities have no means o.
making themselves heard, the domi-
uant party is likely, in the excess OF III
fancled eecuritY to be hetraYed into