The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-10

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shall appoint an "elecsorn In such manner
as the legislature thereof may direct, a
number OF electors. etc. an unrestricted
power was not given TO the legislatures in
the selection of the methods to be used. "a
republican form Of government" is guar
anteed by the constitution TO
each state and the power
| given by the same instrument to the Iegis-
| latures OF the states to prescribe methods
| for the choice by the state OF electors must
| be exercised under that limitation The
essential features Of such a Government are
the right of the people TO choose their own
| officers and the nearest practicable equality
OF value In the sutfrages given in determin-
lug that choice. 1t will not be claimed
that the power given to the legislature
would support law providing that the
persons receiving the smallest votes should
b the electors, or law that all the electors
s of be sIno,S chosen oy tbs voters
The state is to choose, and under the pre-
tense of regulating methods, the legislature
can neither vest the right OF choice else
where nor adopt methods not conformable
to republican institutions. IL is not my
purpose here to discuss the question, whether
choice by the legislature or by the voters
OF equal single districts il a choice by the
state, but only to recommend such regula-
ton OF this matter by the constitutional
amendment as will secure uniformity and
prevent that disgraceful partisan jugglery
to which such a liberty Of choice. If it exists,
offers temptation.
FAIR ELECTIONS.
Nothing just now is more important than
to provide every guaranty for the absolute
fair aud tree choice by an equal suffrage
within the respective states of ell the Off
GERS OF the national government, whether
that suffrage Is directly, as In the choice of
members of the House 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 the characteristics of our people
until our elections cease to declare the will
OF majoritieS fairly ascertained without
fraud, suppression or gerrymander. If l
were called upon to declare wherein our
chief national danger lies | should say with
out hesitation, in the overthrow of majority
control by the suppressi IN or perversion Of
the popular suffrage. That there is a real
danger here all must agree, but the energies
OF those who see it have been chiefly ex-
pended in trying to fix the responsibility
upon the opposite party rather than in
efforts to make such practices impossible by
either party. Is 1t not possible now to ad-
tourn that interminable and inconclusive
debate while we take one step IN the Girec-
ton Of reform by eliminating the gerry
rnauder, which has been denounced by all
parties as an influence in the selection of
electors of President and members of COM
CREST all the states have, acting freely
ana e5H os separately: determined that
the choice OF electors by
general ticket is the wisest and safest
method. aud it would seem that there could
be no objection to a constii utionaI amend
ment making the method permanent If a
legisl AZURE chosen in one year upon purely
local questions should, pending presiden-
tial ] contest, meet, .rescind the law for
choice upon 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.
nave alluded to the gerrymander as affect
ing the method of selecting electors of Presi-
dent by congressional districts, but the
primary interest and effect of this form of
political robbery have relation to the selec-
ton or members OF the House of Represent
atives. The power of congress is ample to
deal with this threatening and intolerable
abuse. The unfailing test sof 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 effectively
preserve the right Of the people to free and
equal representation.
THE FORCE BILL.
An attempt was made in the last congress
to bring to bear the constitutional powers
OF the general government for the correc-
ton of frauds against the suffrage. It Is
important to know whether the opposition
to su b measures is really rested in particu-
lar features supposed to be Objectionable or
includes any proposition to give to the cleo
ton laws of the United States adequacy to
t correction of grave and acknowledged
evils. | must yet entertain the hope that it
il possible to secure a calm, patriotic con-
sideration of such constitutional or
statutory changes as may be necessary to
the choice Of officers of government by the
| people by fair apportlon nents and full cleo
lions. l believe it would be possible to
| constitute commission, non-partisa in its
mem bership and composed of patriotic, wise
| and impartial men, to whom a considera>
ton of the question of the evils connected
| with our election system and methods might
| be committed with a good prospect
of securing unanimity in plan
for removing OF 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 impartialty. This COM
mission should be charged with the duty of
| inquiring into the whole subject of the law
! of elections as related to the choice Of
officers of the national government with a.
view to securing to every elector free and
unmolested exercise Of the suffrage and
as near an approach 20 an equality of value
| in each ballot cast as is attainable.
While the policies Of the general govern
ment upon the tariff, upon the restoration of
our merchant marine, upon river aud har-
Dor improvements and other such matters
Of grave importance and general concern
are liable to be turned this way or that by
the results Of congressional elections aud
administration policies, sometimes involving
issues that tend to peace or war,
or to be turned this way or that by
the result of presidential election, there is
a rightful interest in all the states and
every congressional district that will not be
deceived or silenced by the audacious pres
enoe that the question Of the right of any
body Of legal voters in any state or in any
congressional district to give their suffrages
fresly upon these general questions is a
matter only of local concern or control.
The demand that the limitations of the
suffrage shall be found in the law and only
there is a just demand, and no just man
should resent or resist it, My appeal is and
must continue to be for a consideration
that shall proceed with candor, calmness,
and patience upon the lines of justice and
humanity, n of prejudice and cruelty"
To the considerations of these very grave
questions Invite not only the attention of
congress, but that Of all patriotic citizens.
We must not entertain the delusion that
our people have ceased to regard a free
ballot and equal representation as the price
| Of all fo ha lox a,,d