The New York herald., 1872-11-26
NEGATIVE voTlNG-ANoTHER NOVELTY.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Which form OF voting will best secure honest
and capable representation and sequentially
maintain our republican form OF government Is a
question, at this time absorbing ana evolving con-
siderable thought.
1t Is not intended in this note to consider the OBJ
jectOns to the cumulative method or to review the
minority representation form, so ably presented
by the Mr.. Charles r. Buckalew, but TO briefly
present to public consideration a system which the
writer regards as superior to any in use or at
present suggested, and capable of almost perfect
application.
Negative voting, as the system IL styled by the
writer, will enable the voter to employ three
powers at every balloting; and these powers, con-
stitutiOnally protected constitute the system. The
powers are:-
Fast-A negative vote-that is, the power to
vote against any and every named or supposed
candidate, and II an equality or majority OF votes
is cast against any candidate he is not elected
Second-A positive vote--the power enabling the
voter to vote for any eligible candidate person.
and majority OF positive votes over the negative
votes elects the candidate.
gesting power, and, strictly considered is posi-
tive vote. Members OF any party or advocates Of
any principle nn might desire to to vote down candi.
could, by voting for such person persons In their
own party as they would be willing TO sustain,
mating power, to the advantage Of their party and
the public. Matters of general or local interest
eestors constituted an entire majority upon the
same suggestion 1t could take the positive form Of
an election or law.
1t is obvious that this system OF voting will re
quire negatved candidates to be ineligible by law
to the same character OF oiiice at the next mme-
The entire method OF depositing our voes-as to
duration OF the time tor bsll0ting, mode of collect
ing the votes and all details can advantageously
be changed to conform TO this negative system OF
voting.
The integrity, competency and stability of our
government are endangered by our people being fire.
quehtly forced under the present method ofp0ting,
to make at the polls choice OF evils. We are often
compelled toyote for bad men to prevent worse
ones being elected and are truly by this practice
giving popularity and power TO wee.
The objection may be presented TO this negative
system OF voting that II the opposition to dis
honest or incompetent candidates is sufficient to
defeat those presented by the major party aud no
that ballotlng no election would result.
Very true. Parties, however would be too
an election by making lad nominations 0'ise Tue
law could provide for the incumbent officers
to hold over until otherswere elected their IN.
term appointment by proper power. II Is not the
great desire OF the people that bad representatives.
and dishonest eustodians shal not be elected. This
delay would insure protection against many things
injurious 10 good government and facilitate others
OF advantage.
Negative voting wonld protect parties END prln
eiples; IL could he used IN primary and general
conventions to bring ont the best principles ana
representatives. IT, however, convention SHOULD
SAT- es'uu"'ee "v..' .'tioha',ie W u eDnsi'ef-
ai'le portion OF the members OF the parfy-Inen
who, they believed, would injure tie organization
and repress its principles-they co1d vote mega,
lively RS TO all Objectionable candidates OF their
own party and all candidates OF opposition parties
and could vote suEgestlvely as to such persons as
would be un0bjecti0nable TO their party This
would prevent party exfoliaton on the ground OF
'ad representatives and voters could stand by
n cir organizations, conscious that the cha would
,e .winnowed from the wheat and proper adapta-
i0If result, OF principles ana men,
Dem ag0gues and convention wing masters can
work n eater injury TO our for.m OF government
han the losence OF minority representation; and
alton OF mega tive voting. II would not only pu.
lily maorities. but mnoiIties, and could be blended
With any form oi representation.
2le IyQe parent ,that stimulated the author 10