Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-12-10

value and influence in determining the result
80 when the constitution provides that each
state shall appoint telect) in such manner as
tile legislature thereof may direct "A number of
eieetofs, etc an unrestricted power was not
siNei 70 the legislatures III the selection of the
methods to be used. A republican form of
government is guaranteed by the constitution
70 each state. and the power given by the same
instrument to the legislatures of the states
70 prescribe methods for the choice by
rhe state of electors must be exercised
under the limitation. The essential features of
suth government are the right of the people
10 chooSe their own officers and tie nearest
q =; on 8, equallty OF value 10 the sufrageS
gwen IN determining that choice 1t will not
De claimed that the power given to the legisla-
tufe would support law providing that the
persons receiving the smallest vote should be
the electors, or law that allows the electors
should be chosen by the voters of single con-
gressioual district Tho state is To choose and
under the pretense of regulating methods. the
legislature can neither vest the right of choice
elsewhere nor adopt methods not conformable
10 repubncan institutions.
Guaranty for Free Choice
II IS not my purpose here to discuss the cues
ton whether a choice 10y the legislature or by
the voters OF equal single districts is choice
ulation of this matter by constitutional amend
neht AZ Will secure uniformity and pre-
vent that disgraceful partisan jueglery to
Nhich such a liberty of choice, if it exists, of
fers temptation. Nothing Just now is more
important than u provide every guaranty for
the absolutely fair and free choice by an eOual
suffrage within the respective states of all for
9iilcers Of the national government, whether
thh! suffrage i applied directly. as in the
tholce OF members of the house of represen-
tatiNeS, or indirectly, as in the choice of sen
at9rs and tors OF president. Respect for
Iu"ii' ,iu'Ira alid obedience to law viii not
cedS' 10 De the characteristics of our
people uutil elections cease to
declare the VIII of maioritirs fairly ascer-
ttintH without frduE, titt ,fi,-s- ,.t ar Gerry
inander; II was called upon "a declare where
IN our Chlet national danger lies | should say
without hesitation in the overt frovy of ma ioI-
of
the popular suffrage. That there is a real dan
ger mere AL must agree, but the energies Of
trying TO fix responsibility anon tho onDosite
party rather than in efforts to make such pT;ic-
ices Impossible 10y either party.
Danger to Public Peace
Is !! rot possible now to adjourn that inter
lnlnahle and Incpnclusivc debate while we take
by consent. one step in tine direction of reform
10y elilnnatlng the gerrymander which has
peen denounced by all parties an influence
IN the selection Of electors of president and
members of congress- All the states have act
ing ifeelN ami separately. determined that the
choice of electors by a general ticket is the
wlsest and safest method and it would seem
there could be no objection to a constitutionai
amendment making that method permanent
II legislature chosen in one year upon purely
local questions should, pending a presidential
contest. meet, rescind the law for a choice
upon a general ticket and provide for the
ch"ice OF electors by the legislature and This
trlck should determine the result, it is not
zoo much 70 say that the public peace might
De seriously and widely endangered | have
alluded 10 the Eerrymandcr as affecting the
method Of selecting electors of president by
congressional districts. but the primary intent
ana effect of this form of political robbery
nave relation 10 the selection of members Of
the mouse OF representatives. The power OF
congress - ample to deal with this threatening
and ihtUlerahlc abuse. The unfailing test nf
1 SINCERITY III election reform viii be found in a
Willingness, 10 confer a. 10 remedies and to put
into force such measures Is will most effect
udlIy preserve the right OF the people to free
ana equal representation.
FrHud Against Suffrage
An attgmft was made in the last congress 70
hflhS % bear the constitutional powers of the
general government FOR the correction of
frauds against the suffrage II Is important 70
know whether the opposition 10 surb
measures is really rested in, rsrtiCu-
ar features supposed 10 be objection
election laws OF the United States adequacy to
tiie correction OF grave and Acknowledged evils
must yes entertain the hope that it Is posi-
NE I" secure CAIN, patriotic consideration of
such constitutional on statutory changes as
may he necessary 10 secure the choice Of Off
GERS OF the government to the people By fair
apppftionmeutS and free elections
heheye II would be- possible 10 constitute a
commission. non-pHrtisan in its managership
anu composed OF patriotic wise impartial
men. TO whom "a consideration of the question
OF the evils connected with our election system
ana methods might he committed with a good
prospect OF securing unanlmitY in some plan
Tor removing OF mitigating those evils The CON
sttutlon would permit the selection of the
court il that method would give
the best guaranty of impartiality This com
MISSION should be charged with the duty of in
quiring into the whole subject of the law Of
elections related to the choice of officers of
the national government with view to secur-
ing To every clectpr free and unmolested ox-
crcise of the suffrage and as near an approach
To an equality Of value IN each ballot cast as is
attainGble.
While the policies of the general government
unor the tarIf. upon the restoration Of our
merchant marine upon river and harhor i'm
proveIncnts, and other such matters of grave
and general concern are liable to ie turned this
way or that by tho results of CONGRESSIONAL
elections, and administ rative policies sometimes
involving ISSUES that tend - peace or war TO
be turned this WHY or that by the results OF a
presidential! election there is a rightful inter
est in all the states and in every congressional
district that viii not he deceived or silenced by
the auduciuus pretenSe that the question OF the
right ri ANY body Of legal voters in any state
OF IN any congressional district to give their
surrugcS force upon these general questi0ns.isa
matter OF only l0ral concern or control
The demand that the limitation OF suffrage
should hc found in the law and only there is a
Just deinand and no Just man should resent or
resist 1t. My appeal Is. ana must continue To be.
for a consultation that shall proceed with can
dor. caiiuuess. and patience upon the lines IF
Justice and humanity, not of prejudice and
cruelty
Ginrinu< yist,.
To the consideration OF those worry grave cues
tione invite not oaly the attention nr congress
Tut that Of MI patriotic citizens We must not
entertain the dclusion that orr people have
ceased to regard q free ballot and equal repre-
sohtiltion a. the price of their allegiance
to laws and civil magistrates I have
been greatly rcioiced to notice many
evidences OF the increased uuiCation of our
people and OF "a revived national spirit The
vista thai now opens to Us is wider and more
glorious than ever before. Qualification and
amaZement struggle for supremacy as we con
template the population. wealth and moral
strength of our country A trust, mpmeatous
IN Its influence upon our people and
upon the world Is for a brief time
committed to US. and we must not be faithiess
to its first conditiun-the defense of the free
and equal influence of the people in the choice
Ut public officers and in the control of public af
fairs. fSgned) BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion Dec Q 1901.