The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-23

his own will; there must not he Il Nesiihg
mower in few principal persons Sin'n
minority of the adult citilens, cNriuulnS
from ali participation the great mullituue'
hut avoiding such departure from the es-
sential character Of a republic, there may
he such arrangement for the exercise oil po-
liiical power as the state chooses TO adoN'
To this standard authors all agree. de-
vise NAV be new and untrled, and yet not
anti.rppublican. IL may be something I'M
teari OF before. but IL will not he anti-repub-
lican il IL does not infringe an essential
feature Of republcanism.
Universal suffrage. general or unrestrlct-
cd suffrage. is not an essential oil repuDll-
canism. rs we have seen. Therefore. 10
obridee or restrict or limit suffrage j. not
auti-republicanism. Men may say 1t Is,
but assertion is neither proof nor argu-
ment.
II a state should couhne the right to vote
10 adult women il would not violate the
guaranty clause OF the Constitution: IL
might prescribe a property or educational
qualification with like IMMUNITY.
Plural voting, per Sc, is not antl-repupil.
can. 1t j. independent OF forms Of govern
meut. IL Is Il mere detail as tO the exercise
of political power, without relation to any
particular f0Im OF government. II might
apply equally 10 an elective monarchy an
arisiOcrdcY or a republic.
The question j.. not how but what effect
is produced That must be the criterion.
fla plan OF government, 10y whatever name
or form, ELECTS "A result destructive Of the
essential features of repubiicauism. il must
be condemned. for result Is th5sruc test.
What essential feature Of republican
government would Dee violated by allowing
every man 10 vote, because he is citizen
Of n certain age. and tO cast an additional
q j d tIHa nd am T.
tiOnar vote for each child; Il could not be
called aristocratic. or mOuarchical, or anti
republican. for 30 would hove no character
distinctiyelv applicable 90 any form Of gov
eminent. 10 might Ice never tried by any.
! or il might Doe by all. 1t j. peculiarto none.
| n is not form of government but a mere
device any may employ. without IN any
way affecting its distinctive character.
Were aStatc g. cntitle each voter to 1--WE
votes. instead of one, what objection could
| be- urged: Al having equal power 20 vote,
the result would Doe unchanged, in case of a
single candidate 90 Dee elected. except on
| the suppOsitiOn of some voters not casting
an their votes. on voting ON both sides ln
| unemlai numbers. bat where several per-
| sons were 90 De- elected. plural votes might.
| from the manner in which they were cast,
affect results: and yet. / am unable % per
cciye any constitutional difficulty IN the
/ way Of the adoption by state OF plural
voting. without any basis. on based on
family. property. or other condition To- Doe
prescribed. What provision If the tonsti-
! tuition would Doe violated in letter or spirit
! by this arrangement. lfthere was equality
! amOng all. ID could not Doe objected, that
! voters had the rlght 90 divide their votes
among different persons. 10 might DE
wise provision To enable each elcctor to
support different PERSONS, according 10 ms