The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-05-10
n. r,ac,or. and Their Districts.

The ELECTORS anu AhoA
Wa regret that the author Of the follow
ING letter did not give us permission to at
tacb his name to It.. His post-ofiice adj
sYress shows at least that he resides In q
county souudIy Democratic and which can
bosxt Of true and able Democrats. weare
mot sure that his plan will give universal
satisfaction. but we are sure that 1t is
worthy OF attentive consideration:
wARREvrox, Va. May 8, 1884.
10 the Editor Of the Dispatch:
NV attention has recently been called to
the fact that the Legislature last winter
failed to provide for the electoral districts,
and the question has been asked, What
ANAL be done under the circumstances
Our State law, section OF chapter D.
proy,des that "each voter may vote for one
elsctor from each electoral district"
II may be held that we must elect next
fall. II the law remains as IL Is, nine cleo
tors, who live in the nine old districts,
and that the twelfth elector may DE elected
from the state at large, which would this
time give three electors at large.
II the law had not used the language,
~yote for one elector from each electoral
district there would be no question that
all the nine electors might live In one
county and yet be voted for as electors
for we must bear in mind that the electors
are voted for on one ticket and are chosen
by the whole vote OF the State.
In the absence Of any new electoral dis
tricts IL would be wise to elect nine living
IN the old districts, and the tenth can come
from any section OF the State.
We can select our electors from the ten
new congressional districts under plan
I will hereafter explain. and carry out
the law as to the old districts.
Let each district, Except the Tenth, IN
choosing an elector take care that he live
in a county that vas or is part OF the
electoral district, and the object sought
for viii be accomplished. 80,
This can easily be arranged, and will
Give little or no trouble. only working TO
the prejudice OF certain counties, which
have by the new apporfionment been taken
out OF the old districts.
The adoption of this plan is best for two
reasous--frst. il Is very desirable to have
an elector for each congressional district !;
IL makes the canvass simpler and avoids
confusion; secondly, should there be an
extra session OF the Legislature, then we
electoral district, as has been at all times,
will be the same as the congressional dis
tricts. and we will not be called upon to
make any changes In the electors we may
nominate at our Convention.
These are to me conclusive reasons why
we should select, as / said, an elector for
each of the ten new congressional districts.
And TO carry this out:
The First district will elect an elcctor.
except he shall not live in Caroline coun-
ty: the Second viii select from any coun-
ty the Third will select one from Rich
mond city, or Henrico, Chesterfield, or
Hanover county; the Fourth will select
one, except he shall not live in Sussex or
Prince George; the Fifth will select from
any county: the Sixth will select one from
Lynchburg city, Campbell. Bedford, or
Botetourt; the Seventh will select one, eX-
cept he must not live in Frederick, Clarke,
Warren, Madison, or Rsppahannock; the
Eighth will select one, except he must not
be taken from King George, Stafford,
Prince William, or Louisa; the Ninth Will
select one from any county, and the Tenth
will do likewise.
Some may object to this plan because 1t
will deprive certain counties OF the right
to compete for the nomination Of an elector.
While this is true, yet is it not better to
make this sacrifice than TO select from the
old districts and choose one from the State
at large, and have canvass with nineteen
districts in the State to be canvassed and
looked after, nine by electors and ten by
candidates for Congress; and that should
an extra session be called and electoral
districts be made, have our work IN select
ing electors all to go over!
From my experience in conventions 1t
has always been quite difficult to get gen.
tlemcn to accept Of the position OF elector.
and for that reason | doubt very much II
any county will complain OF being de-
prived Of this privilege.
II this suggestion OF mine be adopted,
each congressional district meeting can be
furnished with list Of the counties from
which they must confine their selection.