The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-10
The Daily EAGLE Thursday zori neserbsr 10, 1891

danger lies, should say, without hesita-
ton. in the overthrow OF majority control
by the suppression or peryersion of the
popular suffrage. That there Is u real
danger here all must agree. But the
energies of those who fear it have been
chiefly expended in trying to Tx response
bility UPON the opposite party, rather than
in efforts 70 make such practices impossi-
BILE by either party. Is IL not possible 60
now adjourn that interminable and incon-
elusive debate, while we take By consent
one step i'll the direction OF reform by
eliminating the jerrymander, which has
been denounced by ali parties as an evil
influence
In the election OF electors of president
and members of congress, all the states
have, acting freely and separately, de-
termined that the cnoice OF electors by
general ticket is the wisest and safest
me bod, and that it would seem that there
could be no objection TO a constitutional
amendment making that method perma-
nent. If a legislature chosen in one year,
upon purely local questions, should, pend
ing a presidential contest, meet and
rescind the law for a choice upon general
ticket and provide 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 seri-
ously and widely endangered. | have al
luded 10 the gerrymander as affecting the
method of selecting electors of president
By congressional districts, but the primary
intent and effect of this form of political
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.
ELECTION FRAUDS.
The unfailiug test OF sincerity in election
reform will be found in a willingness TO
confer as to remedies and TO put into force
such measures as will most efectually
preserve the right of the people To free
and equal representation. 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 suffrage. 1t is impor-
tant to know whether the opposition
to such measures is really rested in par
ticular features supposed to be objection
abs or includes any proposition to give 20
the election laws of the United States
adequacy to the correction OF grave aud
acknowledged evils. | must yet entertain
the hope that it is possible to secure "a
calm and patriotic consideration of such
constitutional or statutory changes as may
be necessary TO secure the choice of the
officers of the government by the people by
fair apportionment and free elections.
l believe it would be possible to con-
membership and composed of patriotic,
wise and impartial men, to whom a con-
sideration of the question of the evils con-
nected with our election system aud
modes might be committed, with a good
prospect Of securing unanImlty In some
plan for removing or mitigating those
evils. The constitution would permit the
selection of the commission TO be vested
in the supreme court. If that method
would give the best guaranty of Impair
TALLY. This commission should be
charged with the duty of inquiring into
the subject of the law of elections as re-
lated to the choice of officers of the ma
tional government, with a view TO secur-
ing to every elector free and unmolested
exercise of the suffrage and as near an ap-
proach to an equality of value in each bal
lot cast asis attalnable.
While the policies OF the general govern
ment upon the tariff, upon the restoration
of our merchant mariue, upon river and
harbor improvements, and other such
matters of grave and general concern, are
liable to be turned this way or that by the
results of congressional elections, and
administrative policies, some times involv
ing issues that tend e. peace or war, to be
turned this way or that by the results of a
presidential election, there is a rightful
interest in all the states and in every con-
gressional district that will not be de-
tense that the question of the right of any
body of legal voters iii any state or In any
congressional district TO give their
suffrages freely upon these general QueS-
tious 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 should resent or resist it. My appeal
is and must continue to be for couSidera-
ton that shall proceed with candor, calm
ness and patience upon the lines of justice
and humanity, not by prejudice and
cruelty.
CONCLUSION,
To the consideration of these very great
questions l invite 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 laws and to
civil magistrates. / have been greatly re-
joiced to notice many evidences OF the in
creased uEification of our people and of Il
revived national spirit The vista
that now opens to us IS wider
and more glorious than ever before. Graft
LITIGATION and amaZement struggle for
supremacy as we contemplate the popula-
ton, wealth and moral strength of our
country A trust, momentous in its in-
fiuence upon our people and upon the
world, is for brief time committed to us,
and we must not be fsithless TO its first
condition-the defense of the free and
equal influence of the people in the choice
of public officers and in control OF public
affairs. BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, Dec. 9. 1891.