Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-10

tion of members Of the house OF repre-
sentatives.
The power of congress is ample to
deal with this threatening and intoler-
able abuse. The .unfailing test OF in
sincerity in election reform will be found
in a willingness to confer as to remedies
and to put in force such measures as
will most effectually preserve the right
of the people to free and equal repre-
sentation. An attempt was made in
the last congress to bring to bear the
constitutional powers OF the gen.
eral government for the correction
OF frauds against the outrage. 1t
is important to know whether the
opposition to euch meas ures is really
vested in O particular feature supposed
to be Objectionable, or includes any
proposition to give to the election laws
of the United States adequacy to the
correction of grave and acknowledged
evils. l must yet entertain the hope
that it is possible to secure calm, pat
riotic consideration of such constitu-
tional or statutory changes as may oe
necessary to secure the choice OF the Of
ficers of the government to the people
by fair rapportionment and free elections.
l believe it would be possible to consti-
tute commission, nonpartlsan IN it's
membership and composed OF patriotic,
wise and impartial men, to whom con-
sideration OF the question of the evils con-
nected with our election system and
methods might be committed with
prospect of securing unanimity in some
plan for relieving or mitigating these
evils. The constitution would permit
the selection to be vested in the supreme
court, if that method would give the
best guarantee of impartiality. The
commission should be charged with the
duty of inquiring into the subject OF
elections as relating to the choice of
officers OF the national government with
a view to securing to every elector the
free and unmolested exercise of the suf-
frage and such an approach to an equal
ity of value in each ballot cast as is at
tainable.
While the policies of the general gov
ernment upon the tariff, upon the resto-
ration of our merchant marine, upon
the river and harbor improvements,
and other such matters of grave and
general Importance are liable to be
turned this way or that by the results
OF congressional elections and admins
trations-policies some times in
volving issues that tend to peace or war
to be turned this way or that by the
results of presidential election-there
is rightful interest in all the states and
every congressional district that will not
be deceived or silenced by the audacious
pretenses that a question of right
OF any body OF legal voters in any state
or in any congressional district to give
their suffrage freely upon these general
questions is matter only of local con-
Germ or control. The demand that the
limitations shall be found in
the law and only there is
a lust demand and no Just
man should resent or resist it. My ap-
peal is, and must continue to be, for
consultation that ehall proceed with
candor, calmness and patience upon the
lines of justice and humanity, not by
prejudice and cruelty"
The consideration OF these very grave
questions invites 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 representation as the price
of their allegiance to the laws and to
the civil magistrates. have been great
ly rejoiced to notice many evidences of
the increased manifestation of our peo-
pie of revived national spirit. The
vista that now opens to us is wider ard
more glorious than ever before. Gratifi-
cation and amazement struggle for
supremacy as we contemplate the
population, wealth and moral strength
of our country. A trust, moment
GUS in its influence upon our
people and upon the world for a
brief time is committed to us
and we must not be faithless to its
condition-the defense of the free and
the equal influence of the people in the
choice of public officers, and in the con-
troll of public affairs.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, Dec. 9, 1891.