Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-01
Controlling Southern Elections.

In his article In the May NO. OF Tue fo-
rum MIR. +. l.. GoDKN discusses the negro
problem IN a candid aod comparatively fair
manner. He has studied the subject. 1t is
q problem not easy OF solution. aud he re-
cognizes this fact. The ignorance OF the
negroes sud their total unftncss to be voters
are not denied by Mr.. GODKIN. Altogether
the article is good one, and we'll worthy
OF being read by all the people OF the United
States, North and South He cites we'll
known decisions Of the Uai,ed States Su,
prcme Court to prove, first, that Congress
has the right 10 take charge OF the elections
for members OF the national House OF Repre-
seniatiyes; and, second, that the fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments operate only upon
States.
To these citations OF authority we make
no objection. but we must express-our sur-
prise to find Mr.. GoDKIN admitting that Con-
gress has the right 10 take charge OF the cleo
tiors for President OF the United States, or
as he more correctly phrases It. for the
electoral colleges. We do not understand
upon what ground any intelligent man can
base such an opinion. The Federal Con-
stitution plainly says:
each Stale shall appoint in such manner
n the Legislature thereof may direct mum.
Der OF electors equal 10 the whole number
Of Senators and Re representatives. TO which the
State may be entitled in Congress; but no
Senator or Representative or person hold.
IN office OF profit or trust under the United
Ststes shall Ire appointed an elector."
MIR. GODKIN assumes that presidential cleo
tons are elections for Federal officers. But
this Is exactly what they are not. II they
were there might be some plausibility In his
other contention, though even then it would
have to be forced construction OF the Con-
stifution which could lead 10 such conclus
SION. The elections called presidential cleo.
tions are NOT elections for Presidents OF the
United States, but for electors OF Presidents
Of the United States. These electors when
chosen are State officers. Ii was not the in
tention OF the trainers OF the Constitution
that the people should have any direct con-
troll over the election OF President OF the
United States. This was to he done by cleo
tors chosen by the people, but chosen
by them without any knowledge as to
the man whom the electors Intended to sup
port for President; Just as United States
senators are chosen by members OF the State
Legislature who are elected to the Legisla.
ture by the people without any knowledge
as 10 the men whom they intend to support
as United States senator's. So intent were
the fathers OF the republic upon making the
presidential electors State officers that, as
appears from the section above quoted,
they would not allow any congressman in
either house or any person holding an Office
OF profit or trust under the United States TO
be appointed an eleetor Of President OF the
United States.
We are not theorizing. We are only
stating facts which ought 10 be known 10 all
such men as Mr. GoDKIN. His ignorance OF
them, or ignoring Of them, is unaccountabe.
He must know that up to the year 1851 the
South Carolina Legislature always met in
session on the day Of the presidential election
rs il is called and chose the electors OF that
State for President and Yice-President Of the
United States. Every State in the Union
still possesses the right 10 choose its electors
under laws OF its own making. The only
constitutional limitations upon this power
are the requirements that the electors OF
President AID Vice President shall be chosen
IN all the States upon the same day, and that
Congress may determine the day on which
the electors shall vote for President and
Vice-President OF the United States.
IT can hardly be doubted that IL they bad
the power the Republicans In Congress,
backed by President HARRISON, would pass
law districting ali the southern States for
the election Of congressman, and placing sll
congressional elections under the control OF
Federal slec,ion.oficers. When the fouRds-
tons OF the republic shall thus have been
removed, II will matter little whether
presidential electors shall thereafter be
chosen by the States or by the central despo-
tlsm, as such elections will be mere for
mality-a mockery Of the people, who, II
they are such fools rs TO intrust power to
party which would thus destroy our free
institutions. will hsve merted the con-
tempt with which they will ever afterwards
be regarded by the whole civilized world.