The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1891-12-12
DANGERS OF The GERRYMANDsR.
System of Redistrictins Threatening the
Cove Il MS Eau ~ AT iaIi-

An election implies a body of electors having
prescribed qualifications, each one of whom has
an equal value and influence III mining
the result. 80 when the constitution provides
that each state shall appoint elect lin such
manner as the legislature thereof may direct.
number OF electors" etc., unrestricted
power not given 10 the legislatures in the
selection of the methods to be uscd. "A repuh-
lican form OF government is guaranteed by tho
constitution TO each state, and the power given
by the same instrument to the legislatures oi
the states 10 prescribe methods for the choice by
the state of electors must be exercised under
that limitation. The essential features of such
government are the right of the people to
choose their own officers aud the nearest prac-
ticable equality of value in the sufrages given
in determining that choice.
1t Will not be claimed that the power given to
the legislature would support law providing
that the persons receiving the smallest vote
should be the electors, or law that all the
electors should be chosen by the voters OF a
single congressional district. The state Is "a
meth ods, the legislature can neither vest the
right of choice elsewhere nor adopt methods
cOnformable TO republican institutions. 1t is
not my purpose here 10 discuss the question
whether a choice by the legislature or By the
voters of equal single dist ricts is choice by
the state, but only to recommend such regula-
tion of this matter by constitutional amend
ment as viii secure uniformity and prevent
that dlsgraceful partisan lugglery 70 which
such liberty of choice, II II exists, offers a
temptation.
provide every guaranty for the absolutely fair
and free choice by an equal suffrage, within the
respective states of all the officers OF the nation
al government. whether that suffrage is appliel
directly, as in the choice Of members OF the
House of Representatives, or indirectly, a in
the choice Of senators and electors OF President.
Respect tor public officers and obedience to law
will not cease to be the characteristics Of our
people until our elections cease to declare the
Will of malOrlties fairly ascertalued, without
fraud, suppression or gerrymander- If | were
led upon 10 declare wherein our chief ma
tion, IN the overthrow OF majority control by
the suppression or perversIon OF the popular
suffrage That there is real danger here all
must agree, but the energies of those who see il
have been chiefly expended in trying to tx re-
sponsI bllity upon the opposite party. rather
bic by either party.
Is ii not possible now TO adjourn that inter
minable and inConClUsiye debate while We ID ke
by consent, one step in the direction of reform
been denounced by all parties al influence
in the selection Of electors OF President and
members of Congress All the states have. act
ing freely and separately, determined that the
choice OF electors by general ticket Is the
yisest and safes, merhod and il would seem
there could be 70 objection 10 a constitutional
amendment making that method permanent. If
a legislature chosen in one year upon purely
local questions should, pending presidential
contest, meet, re.cind the law Tor choice
upon a general ticket, and provide tor the
choice OF electors by the legislature, and this
much 10 say that the public peace might be
seriously and widely endangered.
have alluded 20 the .gerTymander as affect
ing the method OF selecting electors Of PreSl-
dent BY congIessiols! districts. butthe primary
iG'eal aaa eject of tbs form OF political rob,