Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-30
method of getting living, to say nothing of the
bad reputation which the business generally gives
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

method OF getting living, 10 say uotuins Vi tue
bad reputation which the business generally gives
one.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
There seems to be decided disposition on the
part of Senators and Representatives to join in
effort to reform the method CT electing President
and Vice President. Senator Edmund's Bill in
troduced Wednesday providing for the appoint
ment of seven Senators to confer with commit
tee on the part of the House, and to consider
this subject in all its bearings, was met by q
prompt response on the part of the House.
Several methods have already been proposed
one, the election by the people en- mssse; which
however plausible it may seem at first sight, has
serious objections secondly, by State msjorities
leaving out the electoral principle which, too, has
serious defects; and another, which seems most
reasonable and best of al-the Morton idea of
election by district msjorities, (which, it would
seem more nearly expresses the will of the peope)
or somewhat after the manner of the election of
our Repre- sentatives.
Certainly the present Electoral system, aside
from the fact that it has grown out of its original
design, (Which seemed to be a convocation. by au-
thory of the federated states, of the best or wis.,
taken as the will of the people, does not. in any
fair degree, fulfill its later assumption-that, of
represen ing the majority of the votes of the peo
pie.
If your readers will pardon me for my lengthi
ness on this subject will here insert statement
of the result of the electoral system in the differ
ent presidential elections held, in order to show
lis sbsurdity, and to establish the truth Of the
serton that reform is Immediately and absolute
" necessary, by reason of its defects, and the
dangers which 1t has already threatened and like
ly at any time to threaten.
10 1874 Mr.. Polk received not quite 50 per cent.
of the popular vote and yet he received 62 per
cent of the electoral vote.
10 1913 General Taylor received a per cent. of
the popular vote and Sc per cent. of the electoral
vote-vsn Buren, receiving 10 per cent. of the pop
ulsr vote anu no electoral votes.
In 1852 Pierce received 81 per cent Of the pop
ulsr vote and IS per cent. of the electoral vote.
In 1856 Buchanan received only 40 per cent of
the popular vote and SO per cent of the electoral.
MIR. Fillmore receiving 25 per cent. of the popu-
lar vote and only per cent. of the electoral vote.
Ia 1860 Lincoln received only 40 per cent. of
vote in 1864. So per cent popular vote and 81 per
cent. electoral vote.
In 1868 Grant received so per cent. of the pop
ular vote and 70 per cent. of the electoral vote /;
and in 1872, 55 per cent, popular vote and 81 per
cent. electoral vote.
1t will thus be seen that in all these elections
the candidates placed in the Presidential chair
while about averaging, or falling short of SO per
cent. of the popular vote, as cast for them, have
received as high as 81 per cent. of the electoral
vote; showing conclusvely, that this method,
aside from its anomalous and cumbrous construc-
ton is not the proper representation of the popu-
lar will.
The Mission TO ENGLAND.
1t is extremely doubtful if Elk Senator Came
ron's name will be sent to the Senate, and if it
was. it is very doubtful if he would accept, owing
to his extreme age-beng now 80 years of age.
Hon. Wayne Mcveigh is more likely to be the
fortunate man. E. j. b.