Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1891-12-17
EVILS OF THE ELECTION SYSTEM.
Appointment Urged of IL Commission to
Make Needed Changes.


An attempt, was made in the last Congress to
bring to bear the constitutional powers of the
general government for the correction of frauds
against the suffrage 1t is important to know
whether the opposition to such measures is real
ly rested in particular features supposed to be
Objectionable or includes any proposition to
give to the election laws OF the United
States adequacy 10 the correction Of
grave and acknowledged evils. i must yet en-
terrain the hope that it is possible to secure
calm, patriotic consideration of such conStitu-
tional or statutory changes as may be necessary
to secure the choice of the officers of the govern
ment TO the people by fair appointments and
free elections. l believe it would be possible
to constitute commission, non partisan in its
membership and composed of patriotic, wise
and impartial men, to whom n consideration OF
the question of the evils connected with our
election system and methods might be commit
ted with good prospect of securing unan-
unity 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 impartiality.
This commission should be charged with the
duty of inquiring into the whole subject of the
law OF elections as related 20 the choice OF Of
ticers of the national government. with view
to securing to every elector IL free and unmo-
Tested exercise of the suffrage and rs near an
approach to an equality of value in each bal
lot cast as is attainable
While the policies Of the general government
upon the tariff, upon the restoration of our mer-
chant ma rine, upon river and harbOr improve
ments, and other such matters of grave and
general concern are liable to be turned this
way or that by the results of presidential cleo
ton, there is rightful interest in all the states
and in every congressional district that will
not be deceived or silenced by the audacious
pretense that the question of the right Of any
body of legal voters in any state or in
any congressional district to give their suf-
frages freely upon these general questions is a
matter only OF local concern or control. The
demand that the limitations of suffrage shall
be found in the law, and only there, is a just
demand, and no Just man should resent or re-
sist 1t. My appeal is, ana must continue to be,
for a consultation that shall proceed with
candor calmness and Y"tience upon the lines
of justice and humanity. not of prejudice and
cruelty.
To the consideration of these very grave
questions / invite not only the attention of
Congress, but that of ali 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 rejoiced TO notice many
evidences OF the increased unification OF our
people and of revived national spirit. The
vista that now opens 10 us is wider and more
glorious than ever before. Qualification and
amazemenr struggle for supremacy as we con-
template the population, wealth, and moral
strength of our country. trust, moment
GUS in its influence upon our people and
upon the world is for a brief time com
mltted to u.s. and we must not be faithless
to its first condition-the defense ofthe free and
equal influence of the people in the choice of
public officers and in the control of public
affairs BENJAMIN HARRISON
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. g. 1891.