The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1891-12-12
EVILS OF The ELECTION SYSTEM.
APPOINTMENT Urged of - Commission t"
Make Needed Changes.

An attempt was made in the last Congress to
brnr to bear the constitutional powers Of the
general government for the correction of fraufis
against the suffrage 1t Is important to know
y hcther the opposition to such measures Il rcHi-
~ rested in particular features supposed TO be
Objectionable or includes any proposition 10
give to the election laws OF the nltel
States adequacy to the correction "I
gruyt, and acknowledged evils must yet ell
tertaIu tn" hope that IL is possible l" sccnre
calm, patriotic consideration OF snch cohstltu-
tiOnAl or statutory changes Rs may bc necessary
TO secure the choice OF the officers OF the govern.
mcut to the people hy fair apporti"nmehts ana
free elections | believe 1t would br ppSSlbIe
to constitute n commission, non partisan IN lis
membership and composed OF pItrl"hc- Wise
and impartial men, 10 whom cOh>lIefHti"h "i
the question Of the evils connected win our
election lvstem and methods might be commit
ted with a good prospect of securing nhah-
unity in some pimn for removing or
initiating those evils. The constitution would
pcrfDi. the selection OF the commission 70 'c
| vested in the supreme court II that Ihtthnl
| would give the best guaranty OF imuaftmllt'' y
] This commission should be charged Win ne
duty of inquirlng into the whole sunJect "I liie
| law OF elections related 20 the choice oi "i
| fcers Of the national government. with ii We"
| to securing to every eIeCtUr free hHd uhlHp-
| Tested exercise OF the suffrage and as near an
| approach 70 an equality Oi value IN Ca'h phi-
| lot cast as is atiAinabie ..
| While the policies of the general government
upOn the tarff. upon the restoration OF our Hl'r
| chant marine. upon river anu harbpr iIip'oHt.
| IN, MS and her such matters OF grave ana
!
wav or that bv the results o. presidential eiee
| lion there is rghtiul Interest IN ail me states states
| and in every congressional district thht VIII
| not be deceived or -icnccd by the huHhcI"ha
| pretense that the question Of the FlEhl Oh any
| BODY Of legal voters in any state or III
| any congressional district to give thtlr SUI
| frages freely upon these general Gucsu1ts - u
| matter only OF local concern or control itt
! demand that the limitations OF suffrage sIh4!
| be found in the law, and only there Is a Jus
| demand, and no Just man should resent or r.
| ,i>t IT, My appeal l., and must continue 10 -.
| for q cons -ultatiOn that shalt proceed N4th
| randor, caimness and patience upon the lines
! 81 Justice and humanity. not of preIudlce ana
! cruelty ~ ,
| To the consideration Of these very grave
! questions | invite no. only The atteHtlO Il OF
! congress but that Of all patriotic citizens. We
must MT entertain the delu,iOn that our people
| have ceased 70 regard Il tree ballot ana equal
! REPRESENTATION "a the price OF their allegiance
10 laws aud TO civil magistrates.
! | have been greatly rclolced 10 hotiCe Hiau2
evidences tf the increased unlncaton OF our
| peOple and OF u revived national spirit. lhe
| vista that now opens Ia Us i WIDER ana more
| gluriou, than ever before. Gratltcanon ana
| anazsnent struggle for supremacy as we CON
| template the population. wealth, ana mofhi
| strength of our country. trust, moment,
| sus in its influence upon our people ana
| rrOn the world is for n brief time com
| InItted 70 US and we must not be taithleSs
| 10 its first condtion-the defense OF the free ah!
| equal influence of the people in the cholce ol
! public officers and IN the control OF punhC
| sfFnirs BENJAmIs HARRISON.
| ExErtTIyE NassIoN, Dec. 8, is9A