The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-01
MODE OF ELECTING PRESIDENT.

A subcommittee of the House select
Committee on Election Of President and
vice-President has submitted report TO
the full committee, embodying a substi-
tute for the various propositions TO
change the mode Of election. This sub
stitute Is in the form of an amendment
to the Constitution. and provides that any
person serving as President shall serve
for four years, but shall be Ineligible TO
reelection for two successive terms, and
for doing away with the Electoral Col
lege, with its perfunctory Office Of meet
ing and casting the votes of the States
according to the political complexion OF
the electors chosen.
The proposed amendment, however does
not do away with the relative weight of
the several States In determining the
Presidents election. 1t provides that each
State shall be entitled TO a number Of
electoral votes equal to the whole number
OF its senators and representatives IN
Congress, and that such votes shall be
distributed among the different persons
voted for by the qualified voters IN pro-
portion to the number OF votes cast for
each, all fractions Of electoral votes being
expressed in decimals The returns are to
be made TO the President of the Senate.
the Speaker of the House and the Secre-
tary of State by the proper State officer.
The difference between the present and
proposed method Of electing President is
very marked. Under the present system
the Legislature Of each State prescribes
the mode Of choosing electors. and the
practical result is that usually the entire
electoral vote Of a State is given to one
candidate, though he may receive a small
plurality Of the vote cast Under the
proposed amendment the electoral votes
would be- distributed among the candi-
dates In proportion to the popular vote,
thereby ensuring a minority vote in each
State. and making the election an exact
der the existing system. If no President
receives majority Of all the electoral
votes, the election is thrown into the
House, voting by States. Under the pro-
posed plan. the person receiving the high
est number of electoral votes though
only plurality, would be elected, and II
two or more receive the same number OF
electoral votes, then the one receiving
the greatest number OF popular votes
would be chosen. In cases of tie on both
electoral and popular votes the House
would choose between the tied candidates |
for President by majority vote, and the |
Senate would choose President in |
the same way. Elaborate provisions are
made for settling disputes as to returns. |
and as last resort a tribunal is to be |
convened, consisting OF the Chief Justice |
OF the Supreme Court OF the United States
and the chief justices OF the State courts
OF last resort. and their decision is to be
final.
There are many advantages in this pro-
posed system of electing Presidents and
over the present plan,
chiefly that the proposed amendment
guarantees minority representation In the
electoral votes Of the States. and the pop
ular will is. more perfectly expressed
thereby. Should the amendment be
adopted. however. II should Itself be
amended so as to decide on the day when
the States shall all hold Presidential cleo
tons. and so as to enlarge the term Of
The President from four TO six years. Per
'ected In this way 1t might commend itself
10 the people Of the United States as de-
,ided Improvement over the present rather
cumbrous and unfair provision Of the
Constitution