Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-12-17


latures in the selection o. tie methods 70 be
used "A republican form Of government IL
guaranteed ny the constitution 70 each state.
instrument 10 the legislatures 81
the states, 70 prescribe methods sor
the choice by the state 81 electors must be eX
ercised under that limitation The essential
features Of such a government are tie right Of
the people TO choose their own officers and the
nearest practicable equality d value in the
SURFACES given ia determining that choice. II
will not be claimed that the power given to the
legislature would support a law providing that
the persons receiving the smallest vote should
be the electors or a law that allows that the
electors should be chosen by the voters Of
single congressional district. The state Is &c
choose, ana under the pretense Of regulating
methods the legislature can neither vest the
right Of choice elsewhere nor adopt methods
not conformable 10 republican institutions.
The Gerrymander Must &c.
1t is not my purpose here to discuss the ques-
ton whether choice by the legislature or By
the voters Of equal single districts is a choice
BY the state. but only 70 recommend such regu-
latious Of this matter by constitutional amend
ment which will secure uniformity and prevent
that disgraceful partisan iugglery 10 which
such liberty OF choice. II II exists. offers
temptation. Nothing just now Is more impor
tant than TO provide every guaranty FOR the
absolutely fair and free choice by an equal SUI
frage within the respective states Of all the
ohicers OF the national governments, whether
that suffrage is applied directly as in the
choice OF members Of the house Of representa-
tVes, OF indirectly. as In the choice OF senators
officers and obedience to 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.
Our Chief National Danger.
II were called upon to declare wherein ouI
chief national danger lies, should say without
hesitation, in the overthrow OF majority con
troll by the suppression supervision Of the
popular suffrage. That there is real danger
here all must agree, but the energies OF those
Who see IL have been chiefly expended in try
ing 10 TX responsibility upon the opposite
party, rather than In efforts TO make spch prac
tices impossible by either party.
Is il not possible now TO adjourn that inter.
minable and inconclusive debate while we take
by consent, one step in the direction reform
by eliminating the gerrymander which has
been denounced by all parties. as an influence
in the selection Of electors of president and
members Of congress-
Frauds Against the Suffrage
An attempt made in the last con
gress 10 bring to bear the constitutional pow.
ers OF the general government for the cor
rectiOn OF frauds against the suffrage. II isim
portant TO know whether the opposition to such
measures is really vested in particular features
supposed to be Objectionable or includes any
proposition to give To the election laws of the
United States powers adequate to the correc
ton Of grave and acknowledged evils must
yet entertain the hope that it is possible to Sc
cure a calm patriotic consideration of such
constitutional or statutory changes as may be
necessary 70 secure the choice of the officers OF
tionments and free elections.
have alluded to the gerrymander as affect
ing the method OF selecting electors Of presi-
dent by congressional districts, but the pri-
mary intent and effect Of this form OF political
robbery have relation TO the selection Of mem.
beers Of the house Of representatives. The
power OF congress is ample TO deal with this
threatening and intolerable abuse. The un.
falling test OF sincerity in election reform will
be found in willingness to confer as to rem
edies and to put into force such measures as
will most efectualy preserve the right OF peo
pie to free and equal representation.
Commi ssion Needed.
believe it would be possible to constitute a
commission, non-l artisan in its managership
and composed Of patriotic, wise and impartial
men, to whom u consideration of the question
OF the evils connected with our election system
and methods might be committed with good
prospect OF securing unanimity in some plan
for removing or mitigating these evils. The
constitution would permit the selection Of the
commi ssion to be vested in the supreme
court, II that method would give the
best guaranty OF impartiality. This commits
sion 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 secur.
ing 10 every elector a free and unmoleSted ex-
erclse Of the suffrage and as near an approach
to an equality of value in each ballot cast as is
attainable. While the policies of the general
government upon the tariff upon the restora-
tion Of our merchant marine upon river and
haTbor improvements and other such matters
OF grave and general concern are liable
TO be turned this way or that by the results
Of congressional elections and administrative
policies sometimes involving issues that tend
to peace or war, to be turned this way or that
by the results. of a presidential election, there
is a rightful interest in all the states and in
every congressional district that viii not be
deceived or silenced by the 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 SURFACES force upon these general
questions is q matter OF only local con-
Germ or control. The demand that the limita-
ton OF suffrage should be found in the law and
only there Is just demand and no Just man
should resent or resist IL. Ny appeal is and
must continue to be, for a consultation that
shall proceed with candor, camness and
patience upon the lines Of justice and human
ity, not Of prejudice and cruelty" To the con.
sideration OF these very grave questions / in
vite not only the attention of congress but
that of all patriotic citizens We must not en-
terrain the delusion that our people have
ceased to regard free ballot and equal repre-.
sentatiou as the price OF their allegiance to
laws and to civll magistrates
Conclusion.
have been greatly reioced to notice many
evidences OF the increased unifcation of our
people and OF a revived national spirit The
vista that 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 momentous
In its influence upon our people and upon the
world, is for brief time committed 10 us and
we MUST not be taithleSs TO its first condition
the defense Of the free and equal influences of
the people in the choice of public officers and
In the control OF public affairs. tSigned)
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
EXECUTIVE MANSION. Dec. o 1891
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