The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1891-12-17
MORE OF THE MESSAGE.
Election Reforms Discussed.
The presidents message contains the fol
lowing sections:

lowing sections:
ELECTION REFORMS.
Nothing just now is more important than
to provide every guaranty for the absolutely
fair and free choice by an equal outrage
within the respective states of all the officers
of the national government, whether that
suffrage IS applied directly as IN the choice of
mbers of representatives, or indirectly as
In the choice of senators and electors of
president. Respect for public officers and
obedience to the law will not cease to be
tho characteristics of our people until our
elections cease to declare the will of MAORI
ties fairly ascertalned without fraud, sup
preston or gerrymander.
If were called upon to declare wherein
our chief national danger lies should say
without hesitation, in the overthrow of ma
jority control by the suppression or perver-
sion of the popular suffrage. That there is q
real danger here all must agree. But the en-
ergies of those who see it have been chiefly
expended in trying to fix responsibility upon
the opposite party, rather than in efforts to
make such practices impossible by either
party.
L. 1t not possible now to adjourn that in
terminable and inconclusive debate while We
take, by consent, one step In the direction of
reform by eliminating the gerrymander
which has been denounced by all parties as
president ana members of congress-!
ALI the states have, acting freely and sepa-
rately, determined that the choice of electors
by q general ticket is the wisest and safest
method. anG it would seem there could be
no objection to a constitutional amendment
making that method permanent. If legis-
lature chosen in one year upon purely local
questions should, pending presidential con-
test, meet and rescind the law for q choice
upon a general ticket and provide for the
choice of electors by the legislature, and this
trick should determine the result, it Is not
too much to say that the public peace might
be seriously and widely endangered.
DANGERS OF THE GERRYMANDER.
hsvs alluded to the "Gerrymander" as
affecting the method of selecting electors of
president by congressional districts, but the
primary intent and effect of this form of
political robbery have relation to the eelec-
lion of members of the house of representa-
tives. The power of congress IS ample to
deal with this threatening and intolerable
abuse. The unfailing test of sincerity in
election reform will be found in a willing
ness to confer as to remedies and to put into
force such measures as will most etfectualiy
preserve the right of the people i free and
equal representation.
An attempt was made last congress to
bring to bear the constitutional powers of
the general government for the correction
of frauds against the suffrage. 1t is impor-
tant to know whether the opposition to such
measures is really rested in particular fea-
lures, supposed to be Objectionable, or IN
laws of the United States adequacy to the
correction of grave and acknowledged
evils. l must yet entertain the hope that it
Is possible 70 secure calm, patriotic consid-
Grafton of such constitutional or statutory
changes as may be necessary to secure the
choice of the officers of the government to
the people by fair apportionment and free
elections.
believe if would be possible to constitute
a commission, non- partisan in its member
ship, and composed of patriotic, wise and
impartial men, to whom a consideration of
the questions of the evils connected with our
election system and methods might be COM
unanimlty In some plan for removing or
mitigating those evils The constitution
would permit the selection of the commission
to be vested in the supreme court, if that
method would give the best guaranty of i'm
partiality.
This commission should be charged with
the duty of inQuiring into the subject Of the
Law of elections as related to the choice of
officers of the national government. with .
view to securing to every elector q free and
exercise of tbs suffrage and a
near an approach to an equality Of value in
each ballot cast as Is attainable.
THE QUESTION OF SUFFRAGE.
While the policies of the general govern
ment upon the tariff, upon the restoration of
our merchant marine, upon the river and
harbor Improvements and other such matters
of grave and general concern are liable to
b turned this way or that by the results Of
congressional elections and mioistrative pol
icies, sometimes involving issues that tend TO
peace or war, to be turned this way or that
By the results of q presidential election, there
u rightful interest IN all tho states and in
every congressional district that will not Do
deceived or silencedfrby tho audacious pre-
tense that the question of the right of any
body of legal voters in any state or in any
congressional district to give their suffrages
freely upon these general questions Is q mat
ter only of local concern or control. The
demand that the limitations of suffrage shall
BE found in the law. and only there. is q just
demand, and no Just man should resent or
resast 1t My appeal is, and must continue
20 be, for consultation that shall proceed
with candor, camuess and patience upon
the lines OF justice and humanity, not By
pteJudice and cruelty"
10 the consideration of these very grave
questions invite not only the attention of
congress. but that of ali patriotic citisena
We must not entertain the delusion that our
poople have ceased 70 regard q free ballot
o1d equal representation = t. urice Of thai4
DNn91onCo to lavD and 70 civil naaseHraHoh