The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1880-12-11

necessity Tor importing NOJes,aS NOJes
from State having large majority
and to spare, into one more doubtful,
or from a State where the party is in
a hopeless and helpless minority into
doubtful one, because nothing can
be gained by SO doing, as such votes
will weigh just as much at home, as
elsewhere.
Then under this system no State
or section can be solid for any one
party, when opposed by party hay-
ing the least supposable merit. Then
we shall hear no more of a Solid
South or a Solid North.
Now, parties in hopeless or helpless
minorities have nothing to work for
in their State at such elections, as
they can accomplish nothing whatcv-
err. Under our plan they have as
much to work for and gain as the
same members Of the majority party,
as their exact weight is carried into
their general aggregate in the Elec-
toral College. Give the American
voter his just weight at home, and he
will not go abroad to vote. A man
like a commodity, may take himself
whore he will bring most. The best
way we know to avoid wrongs and
frauds is to remove the cause or oc-
casion for them.
In addition to all this, let Congress
provide a severe punishment by fine
and imprisonment for all manner of
fraud, intimidation and coercion at
such election,or by employers or 9th
ers, upon the voter, and we have
panacea for our complaints and griey-
ances touching the manner of elect
ing our Presidents, and we will there
by remove one of the greatest dan
gers to our form of government
Nor can we see anything partisan
in this plan, for it is alike just to
all. 1t will give all the same boon to
contend for, and the same evils and
wrongs to contend against.
One thing more remains for the
States to do, in order to insure a per-
fectly fair and meritorious Presiden-
tial election, and that is, to provide
for the holding of the several State
elections Of that year on the same
day that the Presidential elections
are held. BY this means their voters
will be kept at home, and the result
Of the State election can have no
influence On the Presidential election.
1t is quite as important that Presi-
dents should be elected on and for
their own merits, as that Governors
should be. AS it now is, the fall elec-
tions in the States, and especially in
what may be called pivotal States,
have powerful and controlling inhu-
ence on the Presidential elections.
To this end great, wicked and fla
grant frauds are committed in order
to carry certain States at the fall
elections, not half so much for their
own sake as for the influence it will
have on the Presidential election soon
to follow.
This cause, or rather occasion for
evil, should be abrogated by the
States. AS we before said, we should
do away with the cause and occasion
for fraud, abuse and wrong, and their
effect will cease.
Let US then hope that Congress, as
well as the several States, will now
actively engage in deyising proper
and just measures and laws to avert
these growing and threatening evils,
to not only a Republican form Of gov
eminent, but to our peace and pros
perity as people. Now is the time
for craftsmanship and patriotism to
rise above mere partisan intrigue,
and thus anchor our government and
people in the haven Of repose and
safety.