Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-12-18

great departments of the government in
the grasp of the gerrymander, the legis-
latire aud executive directly and the iu-
dietary indirectly, through the power of
appointment.
An election implies a body of electors
having prescribed qualifications, each of
whom has an equal value and influence in
determining the result. So, when the con-
stitution provides that each state shall
appoint (eect 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"
republican form of government lis guar.
anteed by the constitution to each state,
and the power given by the same instru-
ment to the Legislatures 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 government are the right of the
people TO choose their own officers and the
nearest practicable equality OF value in the
sutfrages given in determining that choice
OF senators and electors of president. Re-
spect for public officers and obedience to
law Will not cease to Oe the characteristics
of our people until our elections cease to
declare the will of maiorities fairly ascer.
tanned without fraud, suppression or gerry.
mander, If | were called upon to declare
wherein our chief national danger lies, |
SHOULD say without hesitation, in the over
throw of majority control by the suppress
ion or perversion of the popular suffrage.
That there Is real danger here all must
agree. But the energy OF those who see 1t
have been chiefly expended In trying TO fix
responsibility upon the opposite party
rather than in efforts TO make such prac-
tees impossible by either party.
1t Is not possible now TO djourn that ln-
terminable and inconclusive debate while
we take, by consent, one step in the diree-
ton of reform, by eliminating the gerry
mander which has been denounced Dy ALI
parties as an influence in the election of
electors Of president and members of con
gress..
All the states have been acting freely
and separately. determined that the choice
OF electors by general ticket is the wisest
and safest method, and it would seem
1t Will not be claimed that the power
given to the legislature would support
law, providing that the persons receiving
the SINAI lest vote should be the electors OF
q law that all electors should be chosen by
the voters of a SINGLE congressional dis
lrlct. The voters to choose, and under the
pretense OF regulating methods, the legis-
lature can neither vest the right of choice
elsewhere, nor adopt methods not con
formabe to republican institutions. 1t is
not my purpose here to discuss the
question whether a choice by the legis-
lature or by the voters of equal
single districts is choice by the
state, but only to recommend such reguIa-
ton OF this matter by constitutional amend
ment, as will secure uniformity ana pre-
vent that disgraceful partisan jugglery to
which such liberty of choice, If it exists.
offers temptation Nothing Just now is
more important than 10 provide every guar
anty for the absolutely fair and free choice
by an equal suffrage within the respective
states OF all the officers of the national gov
ernment, whether that suffrage is applied
directly, as in the choice OF members OF the
house OF representatives, or indirectly, as
In the choice.
There could be no objection to a consti
tutlonal amendment, making that method
permanent. III legislature chosen in one
year upon purely local questions, should.
pending residual, place a man of choice
upon general ticket and provide for the
choice OF electors by the legislature, and
this trick should determine the result, it
peace might be endangered | have al
luded to gerrymander as affected the
method of selecting electors of the pfesi-
dent by congressional districts, but the
primary intent and effect of this
form OF political robbery has re-
latlon to the selection OF members
of the house of representatives. The power
of congress is ample TO deal with this
and intoerable abuse. The un-
falling test of sincerity in election reform
Will be found in willingness to confer as
to remedies and to put in force such meas
ures as will most effectually preserve the
right of the people to free and equal repre-
sentation. An attempt was made in
tine last sans SqngTess to bring to be2r
cal government 7or the correction
u1 frauds against the suffrage 1t is i'm
portant to know whether the opposition to
such measures is really rested in particular
features supposed to be Objectionable or
includes any proportion to give to the cleo
ton laws of the United States adequacy to
the correction of grave and acknowledged
evils | must yet entertain the hope that it
is possible to secure calm. patriotic con-
sideration of such constitutional or statu-
tory changes as may be necessary TO secure
the choice of the officers of the government
to the people by fair apportionmen: and
free election
believe it would be possible to con.
sutute commission, non-partisau in its
membership and composed of patriotic,
wise and impartial men to whom con.
sderation OF the question of the evils con
nected with our election system and
methods might be committed with good
prospect of securing unanimity in some
plan for removing or mitigating those evils.
The constitution would permit the selection
of the commission TO be vested in mo
supreme court if that method would give
the best guaranty of impartiality.
ltio CoillIloolOil SHOuIu De cUdlEPU Win
the duty of inquiring into the subject of
elections as relating to the choice of off
GERS OF the national government with a
view OF securing to every elector free and
unmolested exercise of the suffrage and as
near an approach to an equality of value in
each vote cast as is attainaDle. While the
policies OF the general government upon
the tariff, upon the restoration of our mer-
chant marine, upon the river and
harpor Improvements ana other such
matters of grave and general concern, arc
liable to be turned this way or that b. the
results of congressional elections and ad-
policies, sometimes involving
issues that tend to peace or war, to be
turned this way or that, by the results OF
election, there is rightful in
terest in all the state, and every congress
slonal district that will not be deceived or
silenced by the audacious pretense that a
question of right of anybody OF legal vo-
ters in any state, or in any congressional
district, to give their suffrage freely upon
these general questions, is a matter only of
local concern or control The demand that
the limitations of suffrage shall he found
in the law, and only there. is a just demand
aud any just man should resent and
tinue to be, for consultation that shall
Proceed with candor, calmness and
patience upon the lines of Justice and
not by prejudice and cruelty"
have been greatly rejoiced to notice
many evidences of the increased unfit
cation OF our people and of "a revived
national spirit. The vista that
now opens to us is wider
and more glorious than ever before. Graf
lhcation and amazement struggle for sn-
premacy as we contemplate the population,
wealth and moral strength of our country !
trust momentous In its influence upon
our people and upon the world, is for
brief time committed to us and we must
not be faithless to its first condition-the |
defense of the free and the equal influence