Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-23
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER %. 1891
New Issues.

We discussed at some length yesterday
the recommendation Of President HABM-
son that Congress shall propose 70 the
several State legislatures an article of
amendment 10 the Federal Constitution
providing that electors OF President and
Vice President shall be chosen on gene
raj ticket. We showed that the Legisla-
ture of Michigan, in providing for their
election by districts. had only exercised a
power confded to the several State legisla-
lures by the Constitution Of the United
States. We also expressed doubts as to
whether tho legislatures of three fourths
Cfthe States-the requisite number-couid
be induced to ratify such an amendment.
We also warned the southern States to
think twice before giving their consent to
q constitutional provision which would
have the effect of destroying the last ves-
tige' of States rights possessed by the seve-
raj States.
We would add TO what we have already
said upon the subject that the people have
not vet been heard from on this important
subject. No person or paper has, so far
as we know. suggested that they may take
IL into their heads to leave the Constitu-
ton as il is and decide this question at the
ballot box next November. They may con-
Guide that it is not necessary to have anew
article Of amendment added to the Fede-
raj Constitution in order to settle ques-
ton which they can without difficulty set
tie for themselves by Incorporating into
the next platform Of each of the two great
parties plank either IN favor of or op-
posed to tho proposed change in the
method of choosing electors of President
and yice-Pres,dent. Why not? The
people might be in favor Of choosing the
electors Il President and Vice-President
on n general ticket, and yet afraid to IN
dertake to force the several States thus to
choose their electors. Why may we
not have new issue next fall? Why
not. indeed ? 1t would not surprise us,
looking to what may happen yet not under
,-kinp to forecast the future if one or
'...a.parties should in their next National
.entions insert a plank into their re-
=, we platforms declaring for or against
3. 4 stricting Of any State for the choice
+ presidential electors, and at
rhs lame time III favor Of electing
such electors on a general ticket.
Thus the smaller States would have no
reason to apprehend any Federal inter-
ference with their riehta and no occasion
10 aDprehend q reduction of their relative
strength in the United States Senate. For.
saw what we will, and theorize as we may,
there is n growing disposition on the part
of the people to have United States sena-
tors chosen by popular vote; and we may
rest assured that whenever this measure is
carried into effect the small States will
have TO content themselves with strength
in the Senate in proportion TO their popu-
lation. Aud whenever either of these
measures shall come up as an issue before
the people, the question of choosing presl-
dental electors will also come up, and we
shall have another new issue in the pro-
position to abolish tie electoral system
altogether and choose our President and
President by popular vote.
As we have intimated more than once,
we do not think that the recommendation
of President HARRISON will prove to be
ponular one. II cannot stand alone. 1t
must and will be joined with other propo-
sitions, as we have suggested. But at the
same time the people do notlike the Michi-
gan policy of districting the States for the
choice of presidential electors. We be-
Ieye that this policy would be condemned
if the people were afforded an opportunity
TO express their wishes in regard to the
matter. Like Ensign STRBDINs. they are
in favor of the law but opposed to its exc
cution-we mean they desire every State
TO have the right to choose its electors as
they will, but they are opposed to the
exercise Of that right in the manner in
which it was exercised by Michigan last
winter.
Therefore, it may become necessary for
the two parties to take position next fall
upon tho question under consideration.
II is an important one, as we have shown.
Its consideration may mark an era in the
history of our free institutions.