Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-30
ELECTORS BY DISTRICTS.

The Michigan idea of choosing Presi-
| dental electors by districts is obtaining de-
cided recognition in some Democratic
| circles. The Republicans are unable to
see in it anything but-what it really was
| intended fora sharp dodge to get certain
electoral votes from the other party. The
side of the political house which does not
loose by the scheme in its present form
can afford to look at the matter impartially
on its merits.
Of the constitutionality of the election
of Presidential electors by districts there is
no reasonable question. In fact it is more
nearly constitutional than the present
method which, while observing the letter
of the Constitution, does not carry out its
intent of an actual choice by the electors.
The Michigan method hardly restores
the liberty of choice, but it would not
reduce the Electoral Colleges quite so COM
pletely to the plane of prearranged puppet-
work as at present
J. Randolph Tucker, one of the leading
political minds of Virginia, has written a
letter to Governor Lee in which he claims
decided merit for the general adoption of
the plan. He points out the great objec-
tion to the system of solid electoral votes
and the predominance it gives to the few
pivotal States. He makes strong point
by showing how the district method would
break up the power Of the States which
claim to hold the casting vote, both in the
nominating conventions and in the cleo
tons With the district system New
York's heavy electoral vote would not be
the prize which brings conventions to
obey the orders of her politicians and the
merchandise for which immense campaign
funds are distributed the day before cleo
ton, nor would Indiana be the field of
political debauchery. Each of these
States, like all the others, would represent
so many Congressional districts, and the
number of doubtful districts would be so
large that to select the pivotal ones would
be impossible.
All of which, together with the minor
consideration that the spectacle of con-
stitutionally elected President who re-
ceived less votes than his opponent, would
be less frequent than now, is a fair argu-
ment for the system as whole. But
when we come to consider how the system
SudIl De put lHJO pTdcGice, Ille ndtUer is
reduced to the rank of an abstraction.
In the intimation that Mr.. Tucker is in
favor of adopting it in Virginia there is an
evidence that he places his idea above
party advantage. But the fact remains
that the system will be adopted or not
throughout the different States as it suits
party exigencies. A Democratic legisa-
ture will adopt it, as in Michigan, only
where it fears the solid vote will be given
to the Republicans A Republican legis-
lature will reject it when reasonably con-
fident of carrying the State. Abstractly
and as whole the change would be
good one. Coneretely under the varying
action of the States 1t is simply scheme
for grabbing votes, which under the prac-
tice of the last half century belongs to the
opposition. The only way in which the
proposed change can be made uniform is
by constitutional amendment And if
the Constitution is to be amended why not
secure the same results more perfectly and
conform the form to the fact, by electing
the President and Vice President directly
by popular vote2