The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-12-12

reotion OF applying this 20 the onolce by tne
states OF electors OF president and vice proai-
dent. II this is accomplished, we shall then
have the three great departments OF the gov
ornmont IN tho grasp OF the "gerrymnnder,n
the legislative and executive directly, and the
Judiciary indirectly through the power Of np-
When the constitution provides that "eaoh
state shall appoint etc., an unrestricted
power wnH not given 20 the legislatures In the
selection Of the methods 70 be used.
"a republican form OF government" Is guar
nnteed by the constitution 70 each state, and
erclsed under that limitation.
II will not be claimed that the power given
70 the Legislature would support law pFovid-
ing that the persons receiving the smallest vote
should be the electors or q law that all the
electors should be chosen by the voters OF
single congressional district. The state "a 10
choose, and the legislature can neither vest the
right Of choice elsewhere nor adopt methods
not conformable 10 republican institutions. Il
Is my purpose here only to recommend such
regulation Of this matter by constitutional
amendment as will secure uniformity and pre-
vent disgraceful partisan iugglery.
Nothing just now Is more Important than 10
provide every guarantee for tho absolutely fair
and free choice by an equal suffrage, within
the respective states, Of all the officers Of the
national government. Respect for public on
GERS and obedience TO law will not cease to be
the characteristics Of our people until our cleo
tions cease 20 declare the will Of malOrities
fairly asoertained, without fraud, suppression
II / were called upon TO declare wherein our
chief national danger lies, should say, with
out hesitation, in the overthrow Of majority
control by the suppression or perversion OF the
popular suffrage. That there Is real danger
here all must agree, but the energies OF those
who see it have been chiefly expended in try
ing to Ak, responsibility upon the opposite
| practices impossible by either party.
Is Y not possible now TO adjourn that inter
minable 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 an influ-
and members OF cougress7 All the states have
acting freely and separately, determined that
/ the choice OF electors by general ticket rs the
/ wisest and safest method, and IL would seem
/ there could be no objection TO q constitutional
| amendment making that method permanent
| II q legislature chosen in one year upon purely
| local questions should, pending a presidential
contest meet rescind the law for a choice
/ upon general ticket and provide for the
| choice Of electors by tho Legislature, and this
trick should determine the result, II Is not too
much TO say that the public peace might be
seriously AND, widely endangered.
| I have alluded TO the "gerrymandern as af-
| fecting the method Of selecting electors OF
president by congressional districts, but the
primary intent and effect Of this form OF polit-
| icnl robbery have relation to the selection Of
/ members Of the house Of representatives. The
/ power Of congress is ample to deal with this
! threatening and intolerable abuse. The un-
| failing test of sincerity in election reform will
| be found In n willingness TO confer as to RENE
dies and to put into force such measures as
| will most effectually preserve the right Of the
/ people TO free and equal representation.
| An attempt was made in the last congress
| for the correction Of frauds against the suf-
| frage. must yet entertain the hope that II is
/ possible TO secure a calm, patriotic considera-
| ton of such constitutional or statutory changes
| IA may be necessary to secure the choice OF the
| officers of the government to the people by fair
| apportonments and free elections.
] Ibelieve 1t would be possible to constitute q
| nonpartisan commission TO whom the question
| might be committed with n good prospect of
! securing unanimity in some plan for removing
| OF mitigating those evils. The constitution
| would permit the selection of the commission
| 10 be vested In tho supreme court, II that meth
| cd would give the best guarantee Of impartial
| ity.
| While the policies Of the general government
| upon the tariff, merchant marine and other
matters of general concern are liable to be
| turned this way or that by the results of con.
| Rressional elections, and administrative pol-
| cies, sometimes 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 interest in all the states that will not
| be silenced by the audaciOus prctense that the
| question is a matter only Of local concern or
| control.
We must not entertain the delusion that our
| people have ceased TO regard a free ballot and
equal representation as the price Of their allie
giance TO laws and TO civil magistrates.
| have been greatly rejOiced to notice many
| evidences Of the increased unifcation OF our
hcation and amazement struggle for supreme
cy as we contemplate 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 com
mitted TO us, and we must not be faithless TO
Its first oondition-the defense Of the free and
equal influence Of the people in the choice Of
public officers and in the control Of public
affairs. BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, Dec.9, 1891.