Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-12-09

cure, by constitutional amendment, pfso.
tics which has had TIE approve of ALL The re-
cent Michigan legislation provides for choos.
iue what are popularity known as the Cor
aressioaal electors for President by Don.
gresslonal districts, and tie two senatorial
electors by districts created for that pur-
pose. This legislation was, OF course, &C.
oompanied by new Congressional appor.
tIonmept and the two statues bring the eleo'
toral vote of the State under the Influence
OF the "gerrymander," thus.making 1t impcs.
s!bie for maj orIty of the legal voters ofthe
STATE to correct the superintendent and
equal'z, the Congressional Districts.
Nothing Just now is moro important thst to
provide every guaranty for the absolutely fair
and free choice by an eq7al sufrsgo, within the
respective States, of all the officers OF the Ma
tional Government, whether that Suffrage is sp-
piled directly, as in the choice Of members of the
House of Representatives, indirectly, as in the
choice of Senators and electors Of President. Re-
specs for public officers and obedience to law will
not cesse to be the Characterization OF our people
until cur election csese to declare the vii of
najorises fairly ascsrts iaed, without fisuj, sup.
preston o. gerrymander. All the States have,
acting freely and separately, determined ttas the
caoics of electors by geaers ticket ia the wsest
and safest meth.d and it would seem thtr, oo1ld
BIO no objection 10 20 constitutional amendment
making that meth cd permanent Ifs legisa
ture chosen in one year upon purely local CUES
lions should, pendiag Presidential contest
meet, r6scnd tho law for choice upon general
ticket and provide for IL CHI Ice collectors By the
legislature, and this trick should determine the
:ult, 1t Is rot too much to say that this public
peace Iii h b, sc :ioualy and sly endangered
have alluded to the "gerryman Ter" as effecting
the method OF select electors OF President By Con-
grossonsl districts. but the primary intent sud
ef.ct of this form Of Political robbery have r,la-
lasion 10 the selection OF members CT the Ro1se
o: Representatives,. Tie power OF Congress is
supple to deal with this thrta ing snd intoler-
able abuse. The constitution would permit the
selection Of commission to be vested in the Su-
promo Ccur', If that methcd would give the bsst
guaranty of imparsiali5y. This mission
should ba charged with the duty of inquiring into
tha whole subject o. tho Law of elections as reat
cd 20 tho choice Of officers OF the National Gov
ornment, with view to securing to every elsctor
free md o.ested exc else Of the suffrage and
near approach to an equality OF value in each
ballot cast az is attainable.
While the policies OF the Genera Govern nent
upon III, tariff, upon the restoration Of our mer-
chsns marine. upon river and harbor improve
mens and other matters OF grave and gcnerI
concern are liable to DO turned t2ii wsy or that
By the Tespl;s of Congressional elections. and ad-
ministrativo policies, sometimes involving Issues
III at tend to pesc3 or war, to ba turned thfa way
or that by the results Of Presidential election,
thsre iG right,ul interest in sll the States and
in every Congressional district that vi cot BIS dc.
ceived or silenced By tho eudsti u, pretense tina,
III, question Of the right of any toiy Of legal
voters in any State or ia any Congressional dis.
trcs to give their sufffsges freely 1on these gen.
crll questions is mattor only OF local concern
or control. The demand that the limitations OF
suffrage shall be fcuud in thelaw, and only there,
il a Just demand and DO Just man should resent
or resist it. Ny appeal is, and must continue to
be, for consultation that shall "prccsed with
csnd.r. calmness, ard patience upon the linea Of
justice and humanity not of prejudice and
cruelty
To the ccn5idorati OF these very araye ques-
lions invite not only the attention OF Ct nSIess,
but that Of all patriotic citizens. We must not
entertain tho delusion that our people have ceaIed
to regard free ballot sud equal representation as
the prizes Of thtir allegirnce to laws and to evil
magistrates.