St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-21
THE DISTRICT SYSTEM.

The proposition to choose presidential
electors by congressional districts, IN
stead of general tickets, is being intro
duced in several legislatures, and the
interest manifested is believed to indl
cate success in one OF two instances.
Bills providing for this change are be-
fore the legislatures of Nebraska and
MARYLAND, and there is some anticipa-
ton that the question may have consid-
Grafton in this state. The plan is to
follow the requirements for representa-
ton in congress. One eIector will be
chosen in each congressional district,
and two at large, corresponding to the
senators. The matter is entirely in the
hands of the legislatures. They may
select the electors themselves if they
see fit This was the early plan. 1t
was followed as late as 1924 in New
York, Virginia and other prominent
states, and South Carolina continued
it till after the war. In 1876 Colorado
chose it's electors in this way. But no
one would want to leave the matter to
the legislatures. The disposition is to
conStrain these bodies as far as is con-
stitutional in the choice of senators.
The people would dictate the selection.
If any states see fit to choose the
electors for president as they do their
congressman, there are none who can
obstruct their action. The principle in
volved was Endorsed by the Republicans
in their national convention in 1880.
After contest of three days it was de-
cided that the delegates should be rec
ognized from congressional diatricts,
and not as the product of state conyen-
tions, except those representing the
senators. This settled the third term
business. Now the Republicans in the
legislatures of Nebraska and Michigan
oppose the measure, while its sup
port comes from the Democrats and
Alliance element. 1t is probable that
the division would be on very similar
lines If made in this state. The Repub-
licanS look at it solely with reference to
their party interests. They have been
in control so continuously in these
states that they are unable to realize
that a revolution is going on, and their
monopoly is gone. They dream that
the eruption of last fall. although vio-
lent for the moment, is not to be dura-
BILE, and that the deserters of 1890 will
come back in 1892, and the states will
all fall back into the traces. They do
not realize that the adoption Of the dis
triet system is the only probable chance
for them to secure any electoral votes
in 1892, either in Nebraska, Michigan Or
Minnesota. Under the anticipated appor-
tionment they would have a fair chance
to carry three Of the seven congress
sional electors in this state, and
could make fight for the. two on the
general ticket. The imputation of par
tisanship or unfairness, then, cannot rest
upon the opposition. II viewed eXclu-
sively in reference to the present status
of parties. it has SAVIOR of magnanimity.
as it is not believed that Republicans
can properly claim either of the three
states, and by it they will be conceded a
share of the electors. The time is COM
ing when some change in the preslden-
tial machinery will be insisted upon.
The objection chiefly urged to the dis
trict plan is that it is not made general
at once. A constitutional amendment
would be difficult to secure, and parties
will look at the immediate effects upon
them. This state is so divided in poll
tics now that fair apportlonment will
be had, and its status in the presiden-
tial contest is so much in doubt that it
would be an unusually favorable time
to set an example to other states in this