Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-12-10

proval to the old and prevailing method
ought not to secure, by constitutional
amendment, practice which has had the
approval Of all. The recent Michigan legls
lation provides for choosing what are popu-
larly known as the congressional electors
for president by congressional districts, and
the two senatorial electors by districts
created for that purpose. This legislation
was, OF course, accompanied BY new cou
gressional apportionment, and the two
statutes bring the electoral vote OF the
State under tho influence of the DERRY
mauder." These gerrymanders for con-
sressional purposes are in most cases
buttressed by gerrymandor of the legisla-
tive districts, thus making it impossible for
majority of the legal voters of the State
TO correct the apportionment and equaize
the congressional districts. a minority rule
is established that only a political convul
sion can overthrow. These methods have
already found effective application to the
choice OF senator's and represen tatves in
Congress, and now an evil start has been
made in the direction Of applying them to
the choice by the States OF electors Of presi-
dent and vice president. II this is accom-
plishcd, wo shalt then have the three great
departments OF the government in the grasp
y
and executive and judiciary indirectly
through the power OF appointment.
1t is not my purpose here to discuss the
question whether IL choice by the Legisla-
ture or by the voters of equal single dis
tricts is n choice by the State, but only to
recommend such regulation of this matter
by constitutional amendment will secure
uniformity anil prevent that disgraceful
partisan iuSglery to which such a liberty Of
choice, if 1t exists, offers temptation.
II | were called upon to declare wherein
our chief national danger lies, should say,
without hesitation, in the overthrow of ma
jority control by tue suppression or peryer-
sion OF the popular suffrage. That there ia
renl danger here all must agree, but the en-
ersies of those VINO see it have been chiefly
expended in trying to fix responsibility upon
the opposite party, rather than in efforts to
make such practices impossible by either
party.
All the States have, acting freely and
separatively, determined that the choice of
electors by general ticket is the wisest and
safest method and it would seem there could
be no objection to constitutional amend
ment making that method permanent. An
attempt was made III tbs last Congress to
bring to bear the constitutional powers Of
tho general government for the correction
OF frauds against the suffrage. 1t
is important to know whether the
opposition to such measures is
really objection TO particular features
supposed to be Objectionable or includes any
proposition to give to the election laws of
the United States adequacy to the correc
ton Of grave and acknowledged evils l
| believe it would be possible to constitute
commission, non partisan in its membership
and composed of patriotic, wise and i'm
partial man, to whom consideration of the
question of the evils connected with our
election system AMI methods might be com
mitted with a good prospect of securing
unanimity in some way for removing or
mitigating those evils. This commission
should be charged with the duty of inquir-
ing into the whole subject of the law Of
elections as related to the choice OF officers
OF the national government, with a view to
secur ny to every e.ector n free and I'M
nolestel exercise OF the suffrage and as near
an approach to an equality OF value in each
ballot cast as is attainable.
To the consideration of these very grave
questions | invite not only the attention Of
! Congress, put chat of all patriotic citizens.
! We must not entertain the conclusion that
our people have ceasel to regard u free bal
lot and equal representation as the price Of
their allegiance to law ana TO civil mags-
| trates.
| have been grontly reioiced to notice
many evidences OF the increased unifcation
of our paople aud OF revived national
spirit. Tue vista that now opens to US Is
wider ard more glorious than ever before.
Gratif cation and anazement struggle for
supremacy as we contemplate the popula-
ton, wealth and moral strength of our
! 4 n l.
ence upon onf people and 50 upon the world,
is for Il brief time conmittal to u, and we
must not BE- faithe,s to its first condition
the defence of tho FREQ AMI equal influence
OF the people in the choice OF public officers
ana in the control Of public affairs.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, Dec. ., 1891.
The reading of the message consumed most
OF the time OF both Houses. AID after order
ing it printed they adjourned