The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-04-11

analysis Of the constitutional lawyers in
the House and Senate. There can be no
doubt, however, that Il appeals very
strongly to the public judgment, princi-
pally because it looks to be not at all
complex in its operations and capable OF
correcting the detects In the loose Iegula-
lions under which we have been living.
Moreover, Il would render II forever i'm.
possible for 4 minority President to sitin
the Executive chair, and thus give that
effect TO the whole popular vote which is
q Fundamental theory in our political
system and traditions. Any intelligent
school-boy knows that In practice We
have already widely departed from the
ideas Of tho fathers when they set up The
Electoral College. They never intended
that Il should merely record the will OF
whatever party happened In q President
ial contest to carry the greater number
Of electoral votes. They contemplated
thatthe people should merely choose the
members Of the college, and that the lat
ter should elect the President and Vice
President by a majority vote, and With
out reference 10 any exterior pressure or
considerations. There were, 10 put 1t in
other words, TO be no Presidential candi'
dates at the polls, and the electors were
10 be entirely independent in casting their
ballots. how widely we have departed
from that hypothesis Of the Electoral Col
lege 10 perfectly we'll understood. 1t was
unrepublican and so could not live, but
while we have thrown it aside there has
been no complete and comprehensive
plan adopted in place OF 1t we nave
drifted into an endeayor to graft upon an
old plan a new practice followed b., COM
mon consent and having many .glaring
faults. Electors do nothing now but cast
pro iorma votes In obedience TO the ma
i~orities which sent them to the college,
and for seventy years there has been no
instance Of an elector breaking the party
bonds.
II any amendment to the Constitution
revising the electoral system Is to be ad.
opted In time TO take effectin the election
Of 1880 It must 20 through at this session
OF Congress. Il will require the assent
OF the Legislatures oil two.thirds Of all the
Sthtett anu IN ulalJ VI thS ASe
only meet ~biennially, it is evident that
there's no time to be spared. 1.-THE con-
stituents Of Congressmen could make
their voices heard at Washington they
would urge members 10 take up the sub;
ject with the smallest possible delay, and
not to adjourn until they had disposed Of
it. The prospect, or wen the possibility,
OF being plunged into another contention
like that Of 1877 Is something SO painful
to look forward TO that men Of all par
ties want 10 lay Introduction upon 1t: We
came nnpleasantly near then 10 Mexican:
izing our politics, all because national
legislators had for 30 many years been
observing a policy Of procrastination in
this respect. The proposed amendment
may not be the best that a be formula
ted-lhere may be objections to it suttici.
emit TO weigh 1t down, but Il Congress will
bring it up for action it will atleast serve
the valuable purpose Of introducing the
whole matter Of the electoral system to
legislation and paving the way for q per-
feet reform.