The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-03
ina Electoral System.

~ sa.xstors of President aud Vice-fres'oeh'
- ~, Tfn,ted states by electoral districts;
Ssr az congressional districts as to th'rty-
marco O. then and by the Legislature as 10
che other two. We have ourselves oeen OF
xbe decided opiuion that such scoeme
cosld no, command uaiorty OF the votes
of the members Of the New Serk Legisia.
ture. even u Il should receive the votes OF
n mad ority Of the Republican members
We have supposed that there would vote
with the Democrats Republicans enough 20
Oefeat any proposition 10 deprive the voters
nj the Cnfpire state OF their privilege OF
xo,;.p for President Of the United states.
But II does not seem 10 be absolutely settled
tb,, The scheme viii not be success, II we
NAV credit what "a veteran Repubican
po,i,jcian I. said few DAYS ago TO reporter
for the New York Herald. lie said:
"Tbere is no doubt that the Legislature
will make the change, as 1t has the right 10
do. and goodbye TO the Democratic parry
when the change Is made. Had the system
heen I'm vogue in 1876 the election Of Hayes
would have been unquestioned, as bis ma.
iority would have been about score OF
votes clear"
"But don't you think Il would be viewed
in the hight OF sharp practice oy goOd
many people?" u... Ooo
"Ob, ALPS fair In war and politics. zee
what the Democrats have done IN Maine.
PERHAPS " they hadn't perpetrated tbat
great crime we might have besltateo apout
committing ourselves 10 upsetting an oId-
time custom, but the law OF Ter tdttohlS Is
too strong for human nature, and the thing
a. poyy bound 10 be done in spite OF all pro-
testations."
"Do Won anticipate unity OF action in the
party on this question:!
"Of course not. When you take bun
by the horns there are always people 10 ad'
wise taking him by the tail. No, we don't
expect entire harmony; but we know the
vast majority OF the Republican party IN
this State, who have been smarting LOT
years under the irresponsible rule OF the
swarming vote rolled up by New YORK gut
ter snipes, will hail the change with Joy,
and that the true voice OF the country VIII
endorse IT,"
The interviewer says that the Republicans
talk this matter over with keen but quiet
relish, and seem to feel like the man with
the rat trap that they have the Democratic
party where they want 1T.
that The question is not settled; but we still
very greatly doubt whether the Republicans
will dare TO fy IN the face OF public opinion
at home and abroad. There are many con-
sideratons TO be pondered in making up
their minds on such proposition. Inc
thirty-fiye votes Of New York would be
enough to insure the election OF The Repub-
lican candidate for President il it could be
ascertaned beforehand that there would not
be revolt in Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts,
New jersey, Come ciicUt, and Pennsylva-
mia, or In enough OF those States to secure
the election OF the Democratic candidate.
IL il were the custom for the Legislatures
OF The several States, as 1t is their dnd0uDt-
ed right under the Federal Constitution, to
choose the electors OF President aud Vice.
President, 1t would be Il much better
plan OF performing that duty than the
present one. IL would obviate the obiec-
tion that the business OF the country Is par
alyzed once in every four yeats by prcsl-
dental elections. There would cease to be
any reason for extending the term OF Of
fee Of the Pres dent TO SIX years. The States
would have n new dignity added to them;
and their reserved rights would have new
guarantee for their preservation. Della
ware, Rhode Island, and Colorado, and the
rest Of the little States, would stralghien
themselves up once in every four years,
and bear themselves " like little men," No
Federal supervisor or deputy marshal
weuld dare to show his head in Legisa-
ture engaged in clecting President OF the
United States. The hundreds OF thousands
OF dollars quadrennially expended in the
various methods in which money may be
employed in presidential election would
be saved to the men who contribute the
funds for that purpose whilst still larger
sum would be made by men who under
the present system lose days, weeks, and
months OF time in making speeches, attend
ing public meetings, "treating," and in
the innumerable other ways in which money
or time may be wasted by people who de-
vote too much OF either to politics.
We say that if il were the custom, the
plan we speak Of would be a better one.
The people could, IL they chose, elect their
Legislatures with reference TO the choice of
electors Of President and V'cePresident, or
they might be willing TO trust the matter TO
the Legislature. But it is not the custom.
And therefore, instead OF minimizing the
excitement and the expenses and the toll,
trouble, and turmoil Of the presidential
election OF this year, the change OF the plan
OF choosing electors by the State OF New
York, and that alone, or in company with
two or three other States, would set the
country ablaze with indignation and excite
ment from Maine to California. 1t would
almost insure Ohio TO the Democrats. Ii
would rket Indiana TO that party. 1t would
secure New Jersey and Connecticut, and
cause Massachusetts Republicans to quake
in their shoes. II would produce such
change in the politics OF the country as has
net been witnessed since General AMBER
son aaued doSlR the flag Ct the Union at
Fort Sumter.
Thee considerations will be presented to
the Republican members OF the New York
Legislstnre, and mas and probably will in
huenoe them TO abstain from the adoption
OF the scheme we have been discussing
They wiz hardly dare 10 run the risk ID
volyed 10 what many people would regard
as revolutionary legislation.
But let the coming election be over, and
then al Of the States may well consider