The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-02-01
Minority Representation.
lLouisYills Courisr.Journal.l


louisville CourierJournaLl
The Ohio constitutional convention is
busily engaged in discussing the principle
81 and policy of minority representation.
on the subject, urging it's adoption in the
election of judges for the Court of Appeals.
Inc system has been put in operation in
Illinois, and inst before Mayor Medill, of
Chicago, left for Europe, Hon. s. F. Hunt
addressed him letter, inquiring into its
practical operation. The object of the
new system, as the reader is probably
aware, is to give the minority represen-
tation in the Legislature and in the judi
ciary, and thus restrain the majority, in
some degree, at least, from making a
tyrannical use of their power. In coun-
ty, for example, where three representa-
tives are to be elected to the Legislature,
the minority can, if they choose to do SO,
nominate but one candidate, and cast for
him as many votes as they would have been
entitled to cast for three candidates., the
provision of minority representation per-
mitting them to give triple vote for the
able the minority to obtain respectable
representation in the Legislature and in
other bodies, which they could not have
otherwise, it is q wholesome one for,
however Intelligent and patriotic a maj
orlty may be in the beginning of its exist
ence, its tendency is to lapse into partisan
.1rannr and excuses of all kinds. Poll
teal adventurers, who care for the spoils
only, and ambitious men, who love place
more than principle, will soon push the
upright and conscientious men ct ideas to
the rear and push themselves to the front.
Hence wise and salutary legislation do.
ponds very largely upon the restraining
vigilance of good minority, and, if any
scheme can be divised to keep q vigorous
opposition party in every legislative branch
in the country, beneficial results will fol-
low it's adoption.
In answer to the question whether the
system of minority representation was
giving satisfaction in Illinois, where it had
been recently adopted, Mr.. Medill unhesi-
tatingly answers in the Affirmative. He
says 1t proves in practice to be just what
was promised and predicted in its behalf.
The experiment is conceded to be quite
successful, and is regarded as great i'm
proTement on the old one-sided system of
representation. 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 oppo-
to comprehend It, and that confusion
would result at the polls, that bad men
would slip into the Legislature by it's
means, that it woald enable the minority
to rule the majority, and that the inter-
ests of the people would be harmed or
sacrificed.
Not one of these representations of evil
has come to pass. The voters understood
the new system without difficulty or much
explanation, and discovered nothing alb
struse or incomprehensible in it.
MIR. Medill further states that the "whole
mass of the people are now represented in
the popular branch, instead of mere mai
GRITTY as formerly. Every voter, whether
a Democrat or Republican, has now the
man of his choice in the Assembly to re-
present him. Neither party is now unre-
presented in any district. The minority
is no longer practically disfranchised, as
was previously the case. The vote of the
majority is not impaired OF disturbed.
The stronger party at the polls have con-
troll of the House, but the weaker one ia
represented in proportion to its strength.
The unjust monopoly of representation ia
broken. Every Democratic district elect
ed two Democrats and one Republican,
and every Republican district two Repub-
licans and one Democrat, to the House.
The exception to this rule only occurred
when candidate of the stronger party was
unpopular, or that of a weaker party the
filter man to such degree as to constrain
enough of his opponents to vote for him to
elect him. No party advantage was gained
from these exceptional cases, because they
were as numerous on one side as the other
-gainer OF loser balancing each other"