The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-11-14

tionaries called electors TO exercise delib-
crate and Independent choice from among
the public men of tho country for an oice
of so much dignity and authority
lie adds, also "It is quite certain that
one of the chief reasons for interposng a
body of electors. by whom theoflice of Pres
ident was to he filed. was to avoid in some
degree the dictation and control Of parties,
ard TO allow some scope for the voice of
minorties In tho Electoral College"
Mr.. Curtis shows how the Congressional
caucus aud then tho nominating convon-
tion gradually usurpod the functions of tho
Electoral College SO that in time tho latter
became what it now is, an inefficient
moutbpiece for the will Of tho people.
From being an independent body of men
who had an undisputed right to vote for
whomever they wished, they have bec)mo
pledged . nonentities who woa bo dis
graced were they to exercise their own
free will.
This usurpation by the nominating con-
vcntion Of tho functions Of the electors has
brought into our political system number
of evils, chief of which is what is known as
the personal campaign" a campaign such
as VIC have just passed through, one of
abuse and SANDER. In such q campaign
party principles and political issues are lost
sight of or for expediency are relegatod to
tho background. The most vulnerable
point in the character and record Of its op-
ponent becomes the aim Of each party. The
contest becomes just what the trainers Of
the Constitution. by instituting the Elec.
toral College. desired to prevent. They
designed that the contests between the two
parties, which they foresaw would come
should be contests between opposing princi-
pies and not struggles to put certain men at
the head of the Nation.
Mr. Curtis believes that the evils of the
present system have grown to be SO great
that il is time thoughtful and far-seeing
men seek change. He advises that the
change bo to tho old systom which carried
out the spirit of the Constitution.
He urges that all limitation be taken
from the body Of electors; that thoy be al
lowed to choose whomevor they wish, con-
flning their choice to men holding tho prin-
ciples onunciGted by the political party by
whom the electors are chosen. He advises
that an amendment be added to the Con-
stitution requiring the Electoral College to
meet in tho hall of the House Of Repre-
sentatives on the first Monday in February.
They shall be judges of the credentials Of
their own members. They shall proceed to
ballot for President aud Vice. President, and
If after certain number of days no one
receives majority of votes for either office,
the election of President shall devolve upon
the House of Representatives and that OF
tho Yice-President upon the Senate, as pro-
vided in the twelfth amendment to the
Constitution.
Could the people of the United States be
induced to accept Mr.. Curtis scheme and
forego voting for tho President, as they
virtually do now, no doubt many Of tho
evils Of our political system would be
abated. There is one objection to it, and
that is fatal. 1t is an objection which Mr..
Curtis himself sees. 1t can be mentioned
in his own words: "The people have been
so long accustomed to the exercise of q
power Of designating the man who is 10 be
President as absolutely as If they chose
him by direct vote that they will never
surrender the existing practice. The people
never surrendera any power which they have
once gained, least of all a power to make
their will felt directly in their govern
ment."
Mr.. Curtis assumes that this is the an
swer Of the astute politician who assumes
TO speak for the people. II is not. 1t is
the reply of one who has carefully studied
the disposition of the American people. 1t
is useless to ask that they shall surrender
this power. Abolish the nominating con-
vcntion If you will. Replace it by the
Electoral College and you will find that
the electors chosen are men pledged to the
support Of some particular man. The
people who desire to SEQ a certain man ele-
vated to the Presidency will see that the
electors whom they choose will execute
their will. It is vain to urge return tc
the old system. The people have tasted
the sweets Of power They will not give
them up.
What shall be done? 1t is evident that
the Electoral College, under the present sys
ten, has thwarted the will of the majority
and may do so again. Mr.. Curtis urge
that unless it can be restored to its norma
operation "it would be better to do ava.
with the electors entirely, and let tho peo
pie vote for President directly as they d
now in point of actual practice" He con
tinues, "Re-invigorate and renovate it o
put it to a civil DEATH"
Before overthrowing established institu
tions the wise man sees If he cannot moul
existing circumstances to gain his end.
What is the great defect in tho method {
choosing the President under the presen
electoral system? Undoubtedly, the fact tbs
at times the will Of tho majority can be d.
featcd and at other times the minority
not fairly represented. Mr.. Tilden, with
majority of the popular vote, was defeated
The candidate receiving u plurality of til
votes cast in New York State this year. q
though minority of tho whole vote cas-
receives the entire electoral vote of I'll
State. Was there ever more absurd sy
TEN
Minorities could be more fairly repr
sented, and majorities could always gal
their will II the electors in each State we
vsted for separately instead as a body.
the State of New York, for instance, Il
stead OF each voter casting an electors
ticket containing the names of thirty-s
I q