Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-12-25

The State is TO choose, and, under the prr-
tense OF regulating methods the Ie-iSlat1,rx,
can neither vest the right OF rhoi~a
elsewhere nor adopt methods not en-
formahle to Republican institutions Il is
not my puroo here to discuss the question
whether a choice by tn. legislature or by the
voters OF equal single districts il choice by
the State, bat only u recon-: -aeni such reg
ulauon Of this matter by constitutional
amendment as will secure uniformity AMI
prevent that diszraceful partisan juzSlerv
10 which such = liberty Of choice If IL exists
offers temptation.
Nothing just now is more important than
10 provide every guaranty for the absolutely
FAIR and free choics by an equal suffrage
within the respective States, OF all the off,
GERS OF the National Government whether
that suffrage Is applied directly, as in the
choice OF Members OF tho House OF RnDreSan-
tatlveS- or indirectly, As in tn. choice %
Senators and electors OF President Re-
spect for public officers AMI ooefieur,,
10 law will not cease To be the char
acteristics OF our people until our elections
cease to declare the VIII OF maiorltie~ fairly
asCertalned, without fraud, suppression or
gerrymander. II were called uDon 10 de-
clare wherein our chief National danger lies
l should say, without hesitation, IN the over
throw OF majority control by the suppression
OF perversiOn of the popular suffrage. That
there Is a real danger mere all must agree
but the energies of those who see IL have
been chiefly expended III trying 10 fix re-
sponslbllity upon the opposite party, rather
than IN efforts 10 make such practices i'm
possible by either party.
Is it not possible how to al journ that in
termlnable and lncOncluSive debate while we
take, by consent, one step in the direction
OF reform by eliminating the gerrymander
which has been denounced by all parties a.
an influence in the selection Of electors of
President and members of Congress All the
States have, acting freely and separately de-
termlned that the choice OF electors by a gem
eral ticket is the wisast and safest method
and it would seem there could be no ieC-
ton TO a constitutional amen !ment making
that method permanent. If q legislature
chosen in one year upon purely local ques-
lions should, pending the Presidential con
test meet, rescind the law for choice upon
general ticket, and provi e for the choice
OF electors by the Legislature, and this trick
should determine the result, it Is not too
much to say that the public peace might be
seriously and widely endangered.
L nave alluded 70 the ''gerrymander" aS af-
fecting the method of selecting electors OF
President by Congressional districts bus the
primary intent and effect of this form OF poiti-
cal 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
failing test OF sincerity in election reform will
be FOUND IN Willingness 10 confer as to rem
edies and to put into force such mcasures AS
will most enectually preserve the right of the
people to free and equal representation.
An attempt made in the last Congress
to bring TO bear the constitutional powers of
the General Government for the correction of
frauds against the suffrage. 1t is important
to know whether the opposition to such
measures is really rested in particular fea-
lures supposed to be objectionable or includes
any proposition to give TO the election laws
of the United States adequacy to the cOrrcc-
ton of grave and acknowledged evils. |
must yet entertain the hope that it is posi-
Die to secure calm patriotic consideration
of such constitutional or statutory changes
as may be necessary TO secure the choice of
the officers of the Government to the people
by fair appointments and free elections.
| believe it would be possible to constitute
a commission. nOn-pOrtiSar in its member
ship and composed of patriotic. wise and i'm
partial men, to whom a consideration of the
question of the evils connected with our
election system and methods might be com
mitted with good prospect of securing unan-
unity in some plan for removing or mitiRat-
ing those evils. The Constitution would per
nit the selection of the Commission to be
vested in the Supreme Court, II thai method
would be the best guaranty Of imparfiality.
This commission should be charged with the
duty of inquiring into the whole subject of the
law of elections as related to the choice of Off
GERS of the National Government, with view
to securing to every elcctOr free and unmO-
Tested exercise of the suffrage and an
approach TO an equality of value in each ballot
cast as is atrainable.
While the politics or the General Govern
ment upon the tariff, upon the restoration OF
our merchant marine, upon river and harbOr
improvements, and other such matters of
grave and general concern are liable 70 be
turned this way or that by the results of Con-
RfeSSlOIldi elections ana administrative poll
cies, sometimes involving issues that tend TO
peace war. to be turned this way that by
the results of a Presidential election. there is
a rightful interest in all the States and in
every Congressional district that will not be
deceived or sicnced hy the audaciOus pretcnsc
that the question of the right OF any body of
legal voters IN any State or in any Congress
SiOnaI district to give their SuffrRges freely
upon these general questions is matter only
of local concern or control. The demand that
the limitations of suffrage shall be found in
the law, and only there. is just demand. and
no just man shall resent resist il. My ap-
peal is, and must continue to bc, for consul
tatiOn that shall proceed with CandOr, calm
ness and patience upon the lines OF justice
and humanity not Of prejudice and cruelty"
To the consideration Of these very grave
questions / invite not only the attention of
Congress, but that of all patriotic citizens.
We must not entertain the deusiOn that our
people have ceased to regard free ballot and
equal representation the price of their
allegiance TO laws and to civil magistrates.
1 have been greatly reioiced u notice many
evidences of the increased uniticatiOn OF our
people and of Il revived national spirit. The
vista that now opens 10 us IS wider and more
glorious than ever before. Qualification and
amaZement struggle for supremacy we
contemplate the population, wealth and
moral strength Of our country. A trust, mo-
mentOus in its influence upon our people and
upon the world. is for brief time committed
to and we must not be fathlcss 10 it's first
cOnditiOn-the defense OF the free and equal
influence of the people in the choice Of public
officers and in the control Of public affairs.
BENZ. HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, Dec. ). 1891.