The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-28

Minority Representation.
The question Of minority representation
4. rn for discussion in West Virginia. The
Wheeling Register, Democratic journal
proposes that II shall be tired Ia that stale.
The Constitution provides for Its adoption
n the question be submitted TO the voters
and they decide in favor Of such representa-
ton.
When /, is tirst spoken OF In his hearing,
minority representation. or proporuonai
representation. Is very apt TO commend IT.
sell TO the average voter as good 'ni"g'
But further rejection sometimes convinces
the voter that Il Is theory which might In
practice result very differently from what
us advocates suppose II would. In so Tar
"a u would tend to secure fairer repre-
sen,ation of the sentiments and wishes OF
the people OF State, county, city, or
na,,ou. IL might be commended; but II 1t
tends at the same time 10 perpetua'e dis-
cords and divisions in the community, the
objections to It's adoption will more than
couaterbalance all its advantages.
The theory is that in city OF 1000 Vo-
tiers. 1900 Of whom belong TO one party ana
1900 OF whom belong to another party, II
is nothing more than fair that the minority
should be represented In all bodies TO which
such city elects representatives. To enao'e
this minority to elect one representative, II
Is only necessary 10 adopt for casting ana
counting tue vote one OF several dinerent
hAA fri
less success In Illinois and elsewhere. we
need not give any Of the details. Suffice 1t
10 say that the end desired is easily accom-
plished.
The objection to all schemes OF minority
representation or proportional representa-
ton is that they tend to divide the commu-
nity into factions which cannot easily be
broken up. Under our present system OF
voting party must grow until 1t can cast
majority OF the votes before 1t can elect any
OF It's candidates In any city or county. But
under the new system any society or CLASS
that knew il could control one third or one
fourth or one fifth OF the voters would be
tempted to band themselves together Tor the
purpose OF securing their share OF repre-
sentation; and though their views and pro-
jeets might be such as majority OF the
voters could never be brought to approve,
vet they would be independent OF the
rest OF the community, SO far as their
power TO elect their proportion OF
representatives was concerned, and might
thus defy their neighbors. Under the
system OF minority representation. any por-
ton OF the community may be given the
power TO elect representative, whether II
be a third, or fourth, or fifth. The STATE
is tlistricted, Of course, so as TO provide Ior
elecIing three, or four, or five, or more, re-
presentatiyes in one district as means OF
enabling the minority TO be represented
In Richmond, for illustration, the negroes
could elect a councilman or TWO IN every
ward. To have this power would render
them independent of the white element OF
the community altogether; for they need
never TO grow into majority in order to
have their share of the >councimen.
We cite the case OF the negroes for
illustration but Of course any other
class or section OF the voters might resort
to the same expedient. Even religious
bodies or secret societies, knowing their
own strength, might choose to exert it IN
this manner. Where one-sixth OF the voters
can elect, one-sixth will almost surely be
found in some society, class, or organiza-
ton ready to assert the right.
We repeat, then, that although theoietl'
cally proportional representation may be
unobjectionable, yet it would be well for
west Virginia and all other States to be
very cautious as to how far they shall go in
that direction. Let Us profit by the exam
pie Of others. The lamp OF experience may
enable us to see good reasons for adhering
10 the system of majority representation
which has so long prevailed all over our
country and the world.