Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-10

| divisions not subject to change was most
consistent with the popular character OF
| our institutions, best preserved the equality
choice of President from the baneful infiu-
| ence of the "gerrymander," the practice of
all the States was brought into harmony.
That this concurrence should now be
broken is, think, an unfortunate and even
| threatening episode, and one that may
well suggest whether the States that still
give their approval to the old and prevailing
method ought not to secure by Constitu-
tional amendment practice which has had
the approval of all.
The recent Michigan legislation provides
for choosing what are popularity known as
the Congressional electors for President by
Congressional districts, and the two Sena-
| torial electors by districts created for that
purpose: Thislegislation was. of course, ac-
! companied by a new Congressional appor-
tionment and the two statutes being the
electoral vote of the State under the influ-
ence of the "gerrymander."
These "gerrymanderS' for Congressional
purposes are i'll most cases. buttressed by
gerrymander of the legislative districts.
thus making it impossible for n maj ority of
the legal voters of the State to correct the
apportionment and equalize the Congress
Sional districts minority rule is estab
lished that only political convulsion can
overthrow. L have recently been advised
that in one county in a certain State dis
tricts for the election OF members of the
Legislature arc constituted as follows: One
has 5000 population; one, 15,COO and one,
non-contiguous sections have been united
to make legislative district,
New Application of the Gerrymander.
These methods have already found effect
i've application to the choice of Senators and
Representatives in Congress, and now an
evil start has been made in the direction of
applying them to the choice by the States of
Electors of President and Vice President.
Ii this is accomplished we shall then have
the three great departments of the Govern
ment in the grasp of the "gerrymander," the
legislative and Executive directly and the
Judiciary indirectly through the power OF
appointment.
An election implies body of electors hav-
ing prescribed qualifications, each one OF
whom has an equal value and influence in
determining the result: SO when the Consti-
tuition provides that each State shall ap-
point telectl i'll such manner as the Legisla-
ture thereof may direct, a number of cleo
tors" etc, an unrestricted power was not
given to the Legislatures in the selection OF
the methods to be used. "a republican
form of government is guaranteed by the
Constitution to each State, and the power
given by the same instrument to the Legis-
latures 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 q Govern
ment are the right of the people to choose
their own officers, and the nearest practica-
Bile equality OF value in the suffrAges given
in determining that choice. 1t will be
claimed that the power given to the Legis-
lature would support a law providing that
tine persons receiving the smallest vote
shall be the Electors, OF law that all the
Electors should be chosen by the voters of a
single Congressional district. The State is
to choose, and, under the pretense of the
regula tion of methods, the Legislature can
neither vest the right of choice elsewhere
nor adopt methods not contormable to re-
publican institutions.
A Constitutional Amendment Asked.
1t is not my purpose here to discuss the
question whether choice by the Legisla-
ture or by the voters in equal single dis
tric:s is a choice by the State, but only to
by constitutional amendment as will secure
uniformity, and prevent that disgraceful
partisan juggery to which such a liberty of
choice, if it exits, offers q temptation.
Nothing just now is more important than
to provide every guaranty for the absolutely
fair and free choice by an equal suffrage,
within the respective States, of all the
that suffrage is applied directly, rs in the
choice of members of the House of Repre-
sentative!, or indirectly. as in the choice of
Senators and electors of President. Respect
for public officers and obedience to law will
not cease to be the characteristics of onr
people until our elections cease to declare
the will of majorities fairly ascertained,
without fraud suppression or gerrymander. |
If I'were called upon to declare wherein
our chief national danger lies, should say, |
without hesitation, in the overthrow of ma |
sion of the popular suffrage That there is |
a real danger here all must agree. but the |
energies of those who see it have been |
chiefly expended in trying to fix the respon-
sibility upon the opposite party, rather than |!
in efforts to make such practices impossible |
by either party.
Is it not now possible to adjourn that in
terminable and inconclusive debate while !
we take, by consent, one step i'll the direc-
tion of reform by eliminating the gerry
which has been denounced by all |
electors of President and members of Con-
,rcss.
A General Electoral Ticket the Best.
All the States have, acting freely and sep
lrately, determined that the choice of cleo
ors by general ticket, is the wisest and
afest method. and it would seem there
,ould be no objection to a constitutional
amendment making that method perma-
lent.
II a Legislature, chosen in one year upon
purely local questions, should, pending q
Presidential contest. meet, rescind the law
or n choice on a general ticket and provide
or the choice of electors by the Legislature
nd this trick should determine the result
t is not too much to say that the public
'eace might be seriously and widely endan-
cred.
1 have alluded to the "gerrymandcr" as
fecting the method of electing Electors of |
resident by Congressional districts, but the
primary intent and effect of this form of
POLITICAL robbery have relation to the
election of members OF the House of Rep
The power of Congress Is
mple to deal with this threatening and in
olerable abuse. The unfailing test of sin
erity in election reform will be found in a |
to confer as to remedies, and to
,ut into force such remedies as will most
fectually preserve the right of the people |
o free and equal representation.
An attempt was made in the last Congress
O bring to bear the con institutional powers
# the general Government for the correc-
ion OF frauds against the suffrage. 1t is i'm
'ortant to know whether the opposition to |
uch measures is really rested In particular | ,
eatures supposed to be Objectionable, or
Includes any proposition to give to the eiec-
ion laws OF the United States adequacy to |
he correction of grave and acknowledged
wills. l must yet entertain the hope that it
possible to secure calm, patriotic con-
ofsuch constitutional or statutory
hanges as may be necessary to secure the