The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1873-01-24

can not avoid reference TO soInc SUD
jects of special interest and importance.
Equal and just representation, and
The integrity of the popular vote lie at
tile foundation OF public authority ana
the perversion of the one, or the corrlip-
ton Of the other, tends TO the destruc-
,tion Of republican and free institutions.
The preservation of both is among the
sacred obligations of the legislator
The laws regulating our elections re-
'quire Your special attention. They DO
not restrain the corrupt, nor protect the
votes of tho people. Our elections must
not become a rcproach. Their result
'mut express the will of the people. -
Our system must he made so efficient as
Ito guarantee purity in the conduct and
management of the elections. and also
10 inspire aud establish public conf
dencc. When tie people know that Il
politcal result has been fairly brought
about. ali discomfort disappears; they
acquiesc, and yield entire
.obcdiance 10 the authority thereby es-
-lablishc1 | can not now attempt TO
suggest all the provisions that may be
cs ,cniial 10 an efficient system, but with
ilout The ing, no system Will prob
ably prove efficient:
! /. a fair and real representation upon
1.-The board Of election officers Of all po-
illi.ica parties LSying candidates to be
Tlvoied Tor.
n =. Voting places so numerous, and the
>lprecncts so small. IN respect To The vof-
l;ng population, that all who offer TO
vote may be known by the people OF
: the ncig.iborhood, as well as by the
: Officers.
4 3. A reasonable period of residence
e OF the election precinct a. a qnaiiilca-
ton to-vote. 30 that persons may not
-p.'cteud !. residence not real, in fraud OF
t;ic law.
1 You will end an amendment OF the
e'sccCAa article Of the constitution neccs-
!. lsarv. 20 enable the Legislature 10 pre-
scribe suel, period OF residence The
Constitution " iseiy provides for ITS o" \
,iLlne@dment, by \ convenient and econ
-lcnical proceeiiMg. which renders il un-
Unnecessary TO throw uron the people the
i..xncilse oi 4 convention, and avoids tho
/, pnssil,i.iiy OF changes not desired b!
lhen.
III 4 r'he exclusion of money, IS an in
/, fne!cc ana power. ficm the elections. =
re'it ~ the contests 'or tie people, vs.
i will huy. Tie worst government posi-
I. L!e. !. will be 4 rcrrracll 10 ~ All, when
: i,I ca.ih ran bay what tiie ioi,icst talent
i land The rurcsi virtue eau not attain.
a in il.is connection | wish 10 call ai
I, ,iou 10 the subject Of representiyc re
!, torn, whcl, during the last ten years
D. iia- been advocated by some OF me Oesi
= minds. both ia Europe and in this coun
\. .itr.v. aud Is now undergoing the test o
desire 10 make this In
erinore emphatic. because in ihis >iate
4 seems vet 10 be regarded as right an'
I, proper, tor tie iuai"riiy TO deny TO In.
!, r,il.vii., eYen thai reirS:eita' on: Ml,c!
,e'an ap,,6. ionmeni ..sod upon iopai..
,ytiou, and contiguity of counties woui'
b. give. Representative reform rests upo'
The proposition that minurltics of con
sol stituencics should have representation
AS nearly in proportion TO numbers
.r-lmay be practicable. All the citizen
h. contribute To tie burdens OF govern
Inc neut. and should yield obedience TO TN
he laws. and il il just, equal. and fair that Il
X should he represented. One Oh the aDle'
q. o, English statesmen. in the debate j
n the House of Lords, on the reform bi
de of le67, suggested this Illustration
of i,uppose a representative district has te
of thousand voters, and six thousand al
e, of one side in politics. ana four tho,
n sand OF the other. would that dlsiri.
n mot lie better represented it both Inc 81
and the four thou sanu wei
than il the votes OF ellie
,crbe wholly rejected, and without infi'
or power. lie added: Il can VIC
nj understand men who are extremely u
d. tolerant and exclusive in politics. o
~. jeciing to give any voice 10 those who
al, political views are distateiul To then
,tc but can not understand such an ohje
ntion being urged by th,sc who are
he favor. of having public opinion lair
toreprcsenied."
The advantages Of ais reform arc o
Obvious. Political as'Jerities would
rn- modified local sati' faction would
reproduced: the tenll, alton 10 corrupti
,enand bribery at elcci .ons would he grc'
'lly removed: and security and perE
rcsinencv would be given TO the infuen
cg-and power OF the minority. thus seci
ofirg check upon the majority, shoule
$ lhecome arrogant or unscrupulous,
on THAT LEGISLATION would proceed more
re- the people aud sss for party.
ure This constituted q striking feature
ors the great reform measure OF 1851
on. England. m'ssure which greatly
progressed the powers and fortified
ON rights OF the industria, classes in q
YOU country; it WAS partially adopted IN
|. II, selection Of delegates to the Consti
,hc,ionAl Convention Of ls6s. In =
York: il il recognized in the select
thisof jury commissioners and election
: officers in Pennsylvania and is an imp
I;nutaut nrovisicn in the new Eonetitut