The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-07-15
WisrfAa,,n.
CUMULATIVE VOTING.
Letter from MediiI, of Illinois,
: How IL Works. 81

... Z
Letter from Mediil, Of IIlInOis.-
!, How IL Works. .. q (
MAYoR's OFFICE, CHICAGO, May 81
Hon. s. f. Hunt, Ohio Constitutional .GonEen-
ton: l
DEAR SIR-You ask me whether the
system of minority representation
adopted in Illinois operates to the sat
isfaction Of our peoplet 1 unhesita
tingly reply in5he affirmative. Il proves
intprnctice to be just what was promised
and predicted Ia its behalf. The exper,
iment is conceded to be quite successful
and is regarded as q great improvement
on the old one-sided system of repre-
sentation. 1t is far more popular now
than it was year ago, before the first
election under, it. Then there were
doubts as to its practicability. Its op-
ponents said the people would not be
able to comprehend it, and that confu-
sion would result at the polls; that bad
men would slip into the Legislature by
its means; that it would enable the
minority to rule the majority, and that
the interests Of the people would be
harmed or sacrificed, etc. -.
Not one of those prognostications Of
evil have come to pass, The voters un-
derstood the new system without diff
Guilty or much explanation, and discoy-
cred nothing abstruse or Incompetent.
sible il it. They were quick to discern
that it gave them increased power and
liberty of action, and that the old and
arbitrary restrictions on the freedom of
the ballot we're removed, and they will
be slow to consent to yield back the
cumulative vote or totality representa-
ton.
I The new system commends itself as
more democratic than the Old The
whole mass of the people are now lep-
resented in the popular branch, instead
of mere majority, as formerly. Every
voter, whether Democrat or a repub.
lican. has now the man of bis choice in
the Assembly to represent him Neither
party is now unrepresented in any dis
trict The minority is no longer prac-
tically disfranchised, as was previously
the case. The. rule of the majority7is
not impaired or disturbed, The stron-
ger party at the polls have control OF
the House, hut the weaker one is repre-
sented in proportion to its strength =
The unjust monopoly of representation
is broken Every Democratic district
elected two Democrats and one Repub
lican, and every Republican district two
Republicans and one Democrat to the
House The exceptions to this rule
only occurred wheu candidate of the
stronger party was unpopular, OIL. that
of the weaker party the filter man te
such degree as to constrain enough oi
his opponents to vote for him to elecI
him. No party advantage was gained
from those exceptional cases, because
they were as numerous on one side as
the other-gains and losses balancing
each other. tas..s
1t was noticeable fact that, taken as
whole, the so-called "minority mem
bers" were the ahlest men. Several Q.
the strongest and most conspicuous
members were sent to the Assembly by
the '.plnmping'' votes of the minority
showing that the weaker party,as a rule
were more careful and conscientious il
making selection of Representative
than the majority side. This result wal
predicted by the friends of the new sys
tenn when advocating its adoption be
fore the people, but was hooted at a.
wholly improbable by its opponents
who now confess their error and admi
| it's yeri6catioh. 7oa,t ~ 9a
Minority representation 10 Illinois
has been demonstrated to be an actua
reform not change merely, but an i'm
provement in the science of popula
government, and the people are pleased
with the operation of the experiment
and intend to give it a fair and thorough
trial. At first many were hostile to it
adoption, but few of them would nov
vote for its abrogation. Those VIII,
were at the outset in doubt as to ii
wisdom, are now Its Supporters. or will
ing to await future Developments Tn
only opposers of the new system al
of the Bourbon breed, who forget moth
ing and learn nothing, or the class Q
court house partisans who believe i
disfranchising their political opponent
from motives Of unscrupulous selfish
|ness and narrow minded ilhber,iity. q
1t is to be hoped that your CONVEX
ton will at least submit this electors
and representative reform as a separat
proposition to popular ratification o
rejection, and let the people decide 70
themselves whether they want it. Obi
has generally been in the lead and neve
in the rear of the column of progress
/ Very Respectfully.
p JOSEPH MED1LL.