The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-10


ton Of applying them 10 the choice
by tho States of electors of Presi-
dent and Vice President II this ~
accomplished we shall then have the three
great departments OF the Government in the
grasp OF the 'gerrvmander." the legislative
and executive directly and the judiciary indi-
rectly. through the power OF appointment. An
election implies body of electors having pre-
scribed qualifications. each one of which has
an equal value and influence in determining tho
result. so when the Constitution provides that
each State shall appoint elect in such man
ner as the Legislature thereof may direct,
number of electors etc, an unrestricted power
was not given TO the Leg satures IN the selec-
ton of the methods t. be used A republi-
can form of government" Is guaranteed by the
Constitution to each State and the power
gwen by the same instrument TO the legisla-
lures of the States to prescribe methods for
the choice by the State OF electors must be
under that limitation. The essential features
of such a Government are the right OF the
people to choose their own officers and the
nearest practicable equality of value IN the
sufirages given IN determining that choice
Ii will not be claimed that the power gwen TO
the Legislature would support law proyld-
ing that the persons receiving the smallest
votes should be the electors, or a law that all
the electors should be chosen by the
voters of single congressional district.
The State is 70 choose and under the pretense
of regulating the methods the Legislature
can neither vest the right of choice elsewhere
nor adopt methods not conformable 70 Re-
publican institutions. 1t is not my purpose
hero 10 discuss the question whether a choice
by the Legislature or by the voters OF equal
single districts is q choice by the State. but
only TO recommend such regulation OF this
matter by constitutional amendment as Will
secure uniformity and prevent that disgrace
iul partisan lugg!ery to which such liberty
oil choice II II exists. offers temptation.
Nothing just now IS more important than 70
provide every guaranty for the absolute fair
and free choice by an equal Suffrage within
the respective States Of all the off GERS OF the
national Government whether that suffrage
Is directly, as IN the choice Of members IN the
House of Representatives. or indirectly. Is III
the choice OF senators and electors OF Presi-
dent. Respect for public officers and obed-
ence 20 law will not cease to be tho character
istics of our people until our elections cease
10 declare the will OF malorties fairly ascer-
tanned without fraud suppression or gerry
nander. VI / were called upon To declare
wherein our chief national danger lies.
should sar without hesitation. IN the over
throw OF majority control 10y tho
suppression or peryerslon OF the pop
u'Gr suffrage. That there Is
real DANCE here all must agree. but the ener-
gies Of those who see it have been chiefly ex-
pended in trying TO fix the responsibility
upon the opposite party rather than IN efforts
10 make such practices impossible by either
party. Is II not pos ible now TO adjourn that
iuterminable and inconclusive debate while
we take by consent one step III the direction
of reform by eliminating the gerrymander,
which has been denounced by eli parties as an
influence IN the selection OF electors OF Presi-
dent and members OF Congress? All the States
have. acting freely and separately, deter
mined that tho choice OF electors by
general ticket IS the Wisest and safest
method and it would ,eem there could be no
OOIe ton TO a consttut. nal amendment
making the method permanent II Leglsa-
tlre CHOSEN IN one year upon purely local
questions sAOu pending q presidential
contest, meet resciud the law for choice
ufon q general ticket and provide for the
choice OF elect - by tie legislature and
this should determine the result. 1t is not to-
much u say that the public peace might
be serOusly and widely endangered
have alluded to the gerrymanler' as
affecting the method OF selec ing electors OF
President by congressional districts. but tie
primary intent ald effect of this form of pc
litical robbery have relation 10 the selection
of mem ers OF the House of representatives.
The power OF Congress is ample to deal with
this threatening and ntolerable abuse. The
uutalling test of sincerity IN election reform
Will be found in a willingness t. confer a. %
remedies and to put into .orce such measures
as viii most ectually preserve the right OF
the people TO free and equal representation.
An attempt was made in the last Congress TO
bring and bear the constitutlal powers OF the
general Government tor the correction OK
frauds against the suffrage. 1t is important
70 know whether the opposition 10 such
measures is really vested IN particular features
supposed % be Objectionable or includes any
proposition 70 give to the election laws of the
nted States ade uacy 10 the correction OF
grave and a knowledged evils. ! must yet
entertain the hope that 1t is possible to secure
lar. Of Qfnch
stitutonal or statutory changes as may 10
necessary 10 the choice OF officers of the Gov
eminent to the people by fair apportIonments
and full elections.
AN ELECTORAL COMMISSION.
believe it would be possible TO constitute
q commission non-part san in its membership
and composed Of patriotic, wise and impartial
men, 70 whom consideration of the question
of the evils connected with our election system
and methods might be committed with good
prospect of securing unanimity IN the plan
for removing or mitigating those evils. The
Constitution would permit the selection Of
the commission 10 be vested in the Supreme
Court if that method would give the best
guaranty of impartiality This commission
should be charged with the duty OF inquirng
into the whole subject Of the law of elections
az related 10 the choice OF officers OF the
national Government with a view to securing
else Of suffrage and as near al approach to an
equality Of value in ballot as is attalnable.
While the policies of the general Government
upon the tariff. upon the restoration of our
merchant marine. upon river and harbOr i'm
prOyements and other such matters OF grave
and general concern are liable % be turned
this way or that by the results Of congresslon-
al elections and administratlo on policies some
times involving issues that tend TO peace or
war. TO be turned this way or that by tho re-
suits of a presidential election, there 10 IA
rghtful interest in all the States and in every
congressional district that will be deceived OF
sienced by the audaciOus pretence that the
question of the right Of any body Of
legal voters in any State. or any
congressional district to give their suhrages
freely upon these general questions IS q mat
ter only OF local concern or control. The de-
mand that the limitations OF suffrage shall be
found in the law and only there IS a lust de-
mand and no Just man should resent OF resist
it. My appeal is and must continue TO be.
for a consultation that shall proceed with
caudOr calmness and patience upon the liues
OF justice and humanity. not OF prejudice and
cruelty. 70 the considerations Of these very
grave questions ! invite not only the atten-
ton of Congress but that Of all patriotic clti-
zens. We must not entertain the deluslon
that our people have ceased 10 regard free
ballot and equal representation as the price OF
their allegiance TO laws and TO civil magis-
trates.
REVIVED NATIONAL SPIRIT.
have been greatly reioced TO notice many