Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-08-07
n,,oR,rY REPRESENTATION.


Ever since our elective system OF gov
eminent became established, it has been
felt by many, that it failed to 90 lnat
exact Justice to minorities that ought 10
be done. Under the prevalent mode OF
conducting elections, if any party can
obtain a bare majority of votes in any
precinct, they can wholly exclude those
of a different opinion from any partlcl-
nation IN the administration of the gov
crnment, or from having any voice IN
directing policy. Now this is manifest
injustice, and is responsible, in a great
measure, for the bad state of our poll
tics, and the disreputable character that
attaches to professional politicians
There is no doubt but what The man who
honestly spends his time in forming
lofty public sentiment, upon questions OF
government and politics, is a public
benefactor. The highest patriotism IS
exhibited in the political leader who
studies and works for the wants of the
country, and who seeks the highest good
of the greatest number of his fellow
citizens. This dirty, disreputable name
attached to politicians, arises from
subordination of everything to success
of party and a scramble for office.
Many plans have of late years been
devised, and in few instances have
been put into execution, to cure this evil
by what is known as proportional vot-
ing" or minority representation, the
latest scheme, being that reported to the
Constitutional Convention of Ohio, by
majority of the Committee on Appor-
tionment and Representation. 1t is that
the State be divided into ten senatorial
districts, in each of which three senators
are to be elected and that in voting for
them, or for representatives in counties
having more than two representatives.,
each voter may cast as many votes as
there are senators or representatives to
be voted for, and he may concentrate
his votes upon one candidate, or dis
tribute them as he chooses, and the can
ddates having the highest number of
votes shall be elected.
This is substantially the same provis-
ion as is incorporated in the Illinois con-
stitutlon, where it works WELL and it
appears to us to have its origin in the
very nature of democratic institutions,
where the design is to have the people
represented in the administration of the
government. This provision is probably
the most perfect that has been yet de-
vised, as by concentrating the votes of
the minority on one candidate they can
always elect a minority of the candi-
dates, if that minority bears sufficient
ly large proportion to entitle its whole
number of votes to outnumber division
of the dominant party.
But we have another reason
for favoring this scheme of minority
representation, as we believe it will slim
ulate parties to put in nomination their
best men-those who can secure con-
centration Of Yotes-so that while a
dominant party will not be precluded
from entirely putting up inefficient can
didates, we shall always find a strong
man in the field to concentrate the votes
of the minority.
We are still more in favor of this new
movement, because we think we see in
it the elements of reform for the prima-
ries, which are usually manipulated by
the shysters and managers of party.
We appreciate the value of the caucus
for organization, and for preparation,
but it needs purifying and renovating,
from the control of managers, and
it looks as though this power of voters,
to concentrate a number of votes upon
one candidate, will have a tendency to
restrain the directors of primaries, to
measures and nominations that are not
very odious to any respectable minority
of the people. We shall earnestly watch
the progress of this Ohio amendment,
and if adopted there, and it works as we'll
as expected, we shall hope to see the
next constitutional convention of Yer
mont considering a similar proposition.