The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-12-11
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
Some Suggestions Made Upon Methods Of
Choosing Them.

Choosing Them
The president takes up the subject of chooes
torical facts connected with it. and refers 70
the law now in force in Michigan, under whica
electors are chosen by districts. Containing
he says:
1t Is not my purpose here to discuss the ques;
tion whether choice by the legislature or by
the voters of equal single districts is a choice
ulaton of this matter by cons titutional amend
ment as will secure uniformity and pro-
vent that disgrssceful partisan; {pgsery to
fers a temptation. Nothing just now is more
important than to provide every guaranty for
suffrage within tho respective states Of all for
officers OF the national government, whether
that suffrage is applied directly. as in the
tatives or indirectly, as in the choice of SEN
ators and electors Of president. Respect for
public officers and obedience to law will not
cease to be, the characteristics of our
declare the viii! Of ,maiorities. fairly ascer
mander. II was Gallo upon to declare where
in our chief national danger lies should say,
without hesitation, in the overthrow of major
the popular suffrage. That there is a real dan
ger here all must agree, but the energies OF
those who see it have been chiefly expended in
party, rather than in efforts to make such prac-
tees impossible by either party.
Danger to Public Peace.
Is It not possible now to adjourn that inter
nhaDie ana ,neohcus,yG aepase wnie we take
by eliminating the gerrymander which has
been denounced by all parties as an influence
members of &C 1gressy All the states have act
ing freely and separately, determined that the
choice OF e electors by general ticket is the
there could be no objection to a constitutional
amendment making that method permanent.
IL legislature chosen IN one year upon purely
local questions ShOuld. n
contest, meet, rescind the law for a choice
upon general ticket and provide for the
trick should determine the result, it is not
too much to say that the public peace might
be seriously and widely endangered. l have
alluded to the gerrymander as affecting the
method of selecting electors of president by
congressional districts. but the primary intent
have relation to the selection of members 81
the house Of representatives The power OF
congress is ample to deal with this threatening
sincerity in election reform will be found in
Willingness to confer as to remedies and to put
into force such measures as will most effect
ually preserve the right of the people to free
and equal representation.
Fraud Against Suffrage.
An attempt was made in the last congress to
bring to bear the constitutional powers. of the
general government for the. correction of
frauds against the suffrage. 1t is important to
know whether the opposition to such
lar features supposed to be objection
able or includes any proposition to give to the
election laws OF the United States adequacy to
the correction of grave and acknowledged evils
must yet entertain the hope that IL is possh
BILE to secure calm, patriotic consideration OF
such constitutional or statutory changes as
may be necessary to secure the choice of Off
GERS of the government to the people by fair
appointments and free elections.
believe it would be possible to constitute
commission, non-partsan in its managershp
and composed of patriotic, wise anv impartial
men, to whom consideration of the question
of ha fnH M ole ion
and methods might be committed with good
prospect of securing unanlmity in some plan
stitution Would permit the os Selection of the
commission to be vested in the supreme
court, if that method would give
mission should be char yea with the duty of in
curing into the whole subject of the law of
elections as related to the choice of officers of
the national government with view to secur!
ing to every elector a free and unmolested ex-
ercise of the suffrage and near an approach
TO an equality OF value in each ballot cast as is
While the policies of the general government
upon the tariff upon the restoration of our
provements, and other such matters of grave
and general concern are liable to be turned this
way or that by the results Of congressional
involving issues that tend to peace or war, to
be turned this way or that by the results Of
presidential election, there is a rightful inter
est in all the states and in every congressional
district that will not be deceived or silenced by
the audacious pretense that the question of the
right of any body Of legal voters in any state
or in any congressional district to give their
suffrages force upon these neutrality-suspicious. lisa
matter of only local concern or control
The demand that the limitation of suffrage
should be found in the law and only there is
just dema1d and no just man should resent or
resist 1t. My appeal is and must continue to be,
for consultation that shall proceed with can
dor, calmness and patience upon the lines of
justice and humanity not of prejudice and
cruelty"
a Glorious Vista.
To the consideration of these very grave ques-
tons 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 free ballot and equal repre-
sentaton as the price of their allegiance
to laws and civil magistrates. 1 have
been greatly rejoiced T. notice many
evidences of the increased III iacation of our
people and of revived national spirit. The
vista that now opens to us is wid,sr 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. trust, momentous
In its influence upon our people and
upon the world, Is for O brief time
committed to u.s. and we must not be faith,sss
to its first condition-the defense of the FREQ
and equal influence of the people in the choice
of public officers and In the control of public az
fairs. (Signed) BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, Dec, D. 1891