The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-11-22
TIE xLEcronAL ooLLEcE.

The kIESiDtsAh
Now that the electoral college Is
about 10 perform its qnsdrenniai duty,
it Is receiving is quadrenniai dose OF
abuse. Newspapers In various parts
Of the country ere declaring that our
mode Of eIecting president b all
wrong, and that the candidate who
receives a majority OF the popular
vote should be installed in the White
House. In short, Il Is proposed TO
abolish thu present election machinery
entirely and TO leave the selection OF
the nations chief executive directly 10
the people.
Itcannot be denied that there are
objections to the electoral system as 1t
now exists. II absolutely fails 10 do
that for which IL was established and
has become mere machine for rati-
Tying the decision OF the political party
which has secured majority OF its
members. it, faults are so plainly
apparent that there are few who are
willing to defend It or TO raise their
voice In opposition, when il Is pro-
bosed to abolish It. II has no ardent
admirers.
Al the same time. our present
method OF electing president is in
finitely preferable to direct vote OF
the people. The objections TO the lat
ter method, which il the only one sug.
gcsted by those who would abolish the
electoral college. are so numerous that
they far outnumbcr those which may
Justly be urged against the present
system. For instance, If the presiden.
we're elected by the direct vote of the
people. we would not yet know
whether Harrison or Cleveland had
been successful on the 9th day OF this
month. As it was, ii was definitely
known in all parts of the United States
as early as Ii O'Clock on the evening
OF election day that Harrison had
been elected; whereas there has not
since 1876 been an election at which IL
was ascertained within month OF the
DAY OF election on which side the ma
jority of the popular vote had been
east. The advantages of system
which admits of aquick and accurate
ascertainment OF the result are plainly
apparent. One, two. or three months
Of doubt, OF fuctuating hopes, OF al
ternate gains and losses TO each party,
would put strain upon our system
OF government far more severe than
any it is nov compelled to bear.
Nor Is this all. The incentive to
fraud during such period Of doubt
would be almost too strong TO be re-
sisted. When the result turned on a
few thousand votes each party would
be tempted 10 swell its majorilies by
unfair means In the districts in which
II had undispnsel sway. II Is not n
violent assumption to suppose that, if
the president " ere chosen By the pop
ular vote, Texas would always be
brought in at the last moment with a
sufficient majority 20 elect the Demo
cratic candidate, no matter how many
thousands might be required TO ac-
romplish that result. The present
majority OF 40. 600 in that state could
be expanded indefinitely and II can
not be doubted that the Texas Demo-
Gratis would be equal TO any emer-
gency.
There is another and an equally
weighty reason why at this period in
our country's history the Northern
states should cling TO the electoral
college. The suppression Of the Re
publican vote in the South is openly
charged by one political party, and tao.
lily acknowledged by the other. by
reason Of this suppression the South
has been kept solid for the Demoe-
racy. With all the power in their
hands. however. tho Southern Bour-
hons have been unable to give more
than the electoral votes OF the South
ern states 10 the Democratic party.
The people of the North have been
able 10 meet and overcome these votes
with the votes OF Northern states fair.
ly carried. II the popular vote were
decisive. however, the Republican
vote in the South would he suppressed
10 the point of extinction The Dem
ocratic majority in each state would
be limited only by the number of Votes
cast. er rather, by the number OF votes
counted. The people OF the North
would I've utterly powerless. The South
you'd rule, and il would rule with an
iron hand. Nothing but revolution
could curb its power or restore the
present system.
The electoral college has its faults,
as has been said. but the people will
cling to II until something better Is
offered in It's stead.