New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-04
uP. 4INSUORTHS PROPOSAL.

Assemblvman Ainsworth has divulged the
news that he is preparing a Dill 10 pro''ue 'or
tho choice Of Presidential Electors in this State
nv Congress districts and districts at large lie
calls his plan the Michigan system. but that
designation is not only inaccurate hui unjust 10
large majority Of voters in that state; FOR
after a single trial of the scheme 1t was repudi-
ated and abandoned by the Legislature which
was chosen at the very time AT which II went
into oneration. II was Il scheme devised by
Democrats who thereby confessed lhelr cohh-
dent expectation that the State would go hepuo-
lican in 1892. and from its inception II WAS
tainted i'm the public mind. Inc 1a'' 'h'' !"
was a valid arrangement under the constitution
of the United States did not save 1t from pop
nlar condemnation as trick. having pehihu 1t
no sincere consideration of public ADVANTAGE pu'
only crafty and selfish political purpose. u
worked in the way. though not 10 the extent
which its promoters had predicted. 'leveianu
got five electoral votes from Michigan when he
did not need and almost before th'y hah peeh
counted the law which gave them To MN WIS
repcaled. undoubtedly with the appreciation OF
all Republicans and most Democrats.
The experiment i not likely 10 be- made again
in Michigan and We see no reason why II should
be made anywhere else. After many years OF
diversified practice allowable under the 'onsh-
tuition. the system Of choosing Presidential Flee
tors on the general ticket. one party candidate
getting all in every State, has come 10 bc uni
formly applied. and no sufficient reason has
been or We believe can be- given for return
10 the varied uSagcs of former times which
have been successfully discarded. Some plall>i-
Die arguments have been adduccd in support of
The familiar plan for ecciing the President 10y
popular vote though there is no proof that they
have made Il deep impression or that such
change would be advantageous But. however
that nav be- there is total lack Of evidence
up 10 this time that The people favor the dis
trict system which. after a recent lnglOflous
trial in Michigan. Mr. Ainsworh now suddenly
proposes to establish in Ncw-York.
Certainly neither party ought 10 Introduce
change SO radical and far outside III" line
Of its instructions from the pcopl" without first
giving the people a chance To express thclr "pn-
ion on the subject. Though The present system
can lawfully be modified as Ia any state by me
Legislature thereof. Ii has nevertheless 10 con
siderable extent accumulated the weight 81
constitutional prescription. and ought not I" De
arbitrarily and abruptly violated. No change II
desirable which public opinion does moi sane
ton and therefore steps 10 ascertain public "pn-
ion ought 10 be taken H. preliminary 10 legs
lativr action ~ the kind io which Mr.. Ains
worth apparently desires 10 commit the party
II such "A test Is included In his proposal. hc
would do well lo make the fact known promptly.
In that case there might be- no inSuprrabc oh
lection TO his scheme though We should prefer
To see ii abandoned outright.
Party uIX1utIg. il The lowest point uf view
from which such question can b. considered
but il is proper enough 10 say that HE R"pul'
leans If Now-NOrl have moi even u selfish r'J.
son for favorins a change In the electoral ~
tenn. which would greatly diminish their ic-lt-
mate influence i'm National conventions. ~ a
time when all Indications fcrctcll an ov"rwhrlm
ing Republican victory in State and Nation a.
the next Presidential election.