The New York herald., 1879-12-17
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
Republicans Opposed to Changing the
Mode of Choosing Them.
But BAD POLICY.
Democratic Denunciaton of the Pro-
posed New Plan

1
posed New Plan
The rumored intention on the part Of republican
leaders in this State to have the next Legislature
change the method now employed in choosing Presi-
Dental electors has come to be the subject OF
discussion in political circles. The republi-
cans who were chosen at the last eiec-
! tion to represent various districts in this city
In the Senate or Assembly do not. for the most
| part. regard the scheme with favor. Democrats.
prominent and otherwise. denounce the alleged con-
| templated change in the strongest terms. HERALD
reporter yesterday interviewed . number of gentle
men belonging to both parties. and obtained quite
variety Of opinions the supposed republican rlan
| to capture New York State.
Lieutenant Governor Dorsheimer was first sp-
preached the subject In reply to the first ques-
tion of the reporter to whether he thought it
the intention of the republicans in the Legislature to
make the change. the Lieutenant Governor smiled
| and said II not in the republican councils"
"well. but what is said about it among democratic
leaders?"
"I have only heard the subject mentioned in o
general way"
"There is no doubt about their right and power to
do so I suppose?"
"I suppose not but 1t is question for the repub
lcan leaders to determine whether such course
would not be looked upon with disfavor by the
people"
.If the selection Of Presidential electors is taken
from tho people direct then New York IL secured for
the republican Presidential candidate
'Yes. but might they not in consequence lose other
States? While the exercise of legal right cannot be
characterized revolutionary still there is
tty about law long established and with which
fault has been found. and under circumstances
the changing of law might be regarded revolu-
tionary by the people, The immediate effect would
be to divide and destroy the influence Of New York
in the Electoral College and in future national con-
ventions to put New York on the footing with
q small State. On the whole. amstrongly inclined
to believe that If the law should changed at such
time it would ultimately result in great benefit to
| the democratic party.
WOULD BE GLAD TO SEE THEM DO 1T.
Senator John @. Jacobs. when asked whether he
| thought the republicans would attempt to make the
| to, although for one would be very glad to
| them; because l think il they did there would be
| such popular revusion against the stealing Of
State for special purpose that the democratic party
would be wonderfully benefited. The mere agitation
the electors chosen by Districts make
1t general in all the States OF the Union and the DEM
ocrats won't object. Otherwise New York would
and fifteen republican votes. while Massachusetts.
instance. would cast her entire strength for the
| republican candidate. No. don't think the repub-
licans will dare attempt 1t. for tho people Of the
country would resent the outrage; but say again.
if it is done the republicans will simply be stealing
the State and don't forget that Iemphasize the word
| steal"
| Mr. Hamilton Fish, Jr. when spoken to on the
subject ssd:-"I really don't know anything about
| it. l that havn't heard any Of our leading
but they will have to do something Of the kind il
the democrats keep doing ~ they have Maine"
"Then you do not think any definite plan OF action
has been agreed uponT'
"Oh. no. 1 am sure there has becn none"
REPUBLICAN SENATOR'S VIEW.
nate EnP~t W Nn vaS Nkodod n
republican. was found by HERALD reporter in his
of choosing electors is contemplatedr asked the
| reporter.
change. The present system works well enough.
Why Why change .. itr" IT, ,.. .u
THAT is accomplished already. Any man who
| imagines the contrary is . fool"
"But is it no. possible that the republicans may
be defeated next yeary
There i no possibility .bousit The democratic
"Then you don't think the Legislature will pass
| any law on the subjectY
81 certainly think 1t will not. or what use would
it be to the republicans? The party wouldn't be
| benefited by the change at least can see
Why make the change ir no benefit is to accrue? II
there any doubt OF the republicans carrying the
State in 1880 there might be some in all this
talk but when the democrats have lost their hold on
New York it would be very inadvlsable to support
proposition looking to making . change in the man.
ner OF choosing Presidential electors. That is my
| view of the matter"
'.Ir case such project were broached would you
oppose itg'.
any change in the present law unnecessary at the
present time. am of the opinion that any action
islature would be unwise and impolitic from party
standpoint. am not in favor of taking any power
think a change in the law. such as has been sue-
gested would have the effect Of taking from the peo
them. Aside from ali this. believe the republican
party should not be the hrst agitate this question
They now according to appearances have guAran-
the Law would have the effect of giving portion Of
| the electoral vote to the democracy"
| DESIRE ALTER.
| The reporter next called upon Assomblyman elect
Charles II. Duell. xho has long been prominent
Hsn % ' query asked ~hc.her he tSoSsS .ny
change in the law was contemplated by the republi
~ really cannot say" was the reply. although in
my opinion there is no desire on the part Of repub-
ent Presidential Electoral laws In my Judgment
thore will be nothing done. Certainly steps have
| yet been taken to my knowledge"
"Would you favor plan to change the present
lawY'
law has suited the people very well and would
deprecate any change would not think it proper
| ut this juncturc.
present law II made by the republican leaders in the
StateY'
| OF such scheme would very greatly iDjure the
publican party in the State in more ways than
| The people woulu not REGARD any IN the law
with favor. They would understand the motive that
in their opinion prompted it and would be very apt
to retaliate by becoming democrats Tho republican
party afford to lose any votes the State by
any act OF the New York State administration. IL
they insisted on changing the method now employed
for choosing the Presidential electors the democrats
would, in my Judgment. gain q good point In the
contest of 1880. They could say that the republicans
were afraid to face the issues raised by them aud
resorted to scheme TO obtain what they afraid
| to risk a square battle with their opponents
would you consider the proposed new method
fair oneY
'Eminently so. consider IL a much fairer method
| than that now employed. The people have guaran-
tee their will be represented In the Electo
raj College, will give you an instance. Under the
present law New York State chooses its electors
ticket at largo. IT, therefore. there two parties