The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-02-13


urged against this proposed reform az
to national or state politics, it would be
obviously productive of unmixed good
in all municipal elections.
One great and growing evil Of our
system of municipal government is the
Juggling in of national issues; the Same
political lines are drawn in municipal
elections as those which divide parties
elsewhere; men are elected to the city
council simply because they ara or are
not Democrats, are or are not Republic
ans, and it will be impossible TO pre-
vent this, so strong is the force of party
usage, until the electoral system is radi-
cally changed; then, and only then,
business administration will take the
place of political administration in mu-
nicipal affairs.
In applying the remedy proposed for
the evils thus briefly outlined three
measures have been suggested-the
cumulative vote," the "single trans
ferable vote" and the "free list sys-
tenn" The first is now in practical oper-
alton in the state of Illinois, in choos-
ing members of the lower house of the
legislature the second has for several
years been used in Denmark the third
is in successful operation throughout
Switzerland; it is an American inven
tion, having been advocated by Thomas
Gilpin of Philadelphia more than 80
years ago, and it is believed to be bet
ter adapted than any other to the needs
Of an American community.
Under its practical workings district
lines are abolished, and members Of the
representative body are chosen at large
upon a general ticket. The official bal
lot is used in the same manner as in
states where the Australian system pre-
walls; each group Of electors is required
to file with the proper officer, previous
to the day of election, list of its can
didates; this list may contain the
names Of as many candidates as the
community is entitled to elect or any
number less than that. For example, If
16 councilmen are to be chosen, each
party may nominate 16 or any smaller
number. If the same candidate is named
on more than one ticket, he must elect
between them, and if he fails to do so
the choice is made for him by lot. Each
elector has as many votes as there are
officials to be chosen. These he may
distribute as he pleases among candi-
dates on the official ballot, giving no
candidate more than one. In the case
supposed he would have 10 votes and
would place his stamp opposite the name
of each person whom he designed to sup
port In addition the voter may, if he
so desires, designate one of the parties
| for which he desires to vote, in which
event he can only vote for the candi-
dates Of that party.
On the other hand, the voter who
does not care to support party ticket
may distribute his votes to suit himself.
In canvassing the returns all votes are
added together, the sum total is divided
by the number of offices to be filed, and
the quotient is termed the "quota of
representation, or number Of voters
who are jointly entitled to one repre-
sentative. Each party is then entitled to
as many officials as it has quotas.
Among candidates those who receive the
greatest number of votes are seated, and
if vacancies occur, whether from death
or otherwise, the candidate of the same
party having the next highest vote is
substituted. This plan has been success
fully tested by practical experience in
Switzerland and has been gradually ex-
tended from one canton to another year
after year. In conclusion, the free list
system is an American device, but has
been adopted and demonstrated in a re-
public whose government is worthy of
imitation. 1t is a plan which elimi-
mates and extinguishes the gerrymander.
1t removes all incentive to vote buying.
1t reduces the unrepresented minority
the grand army of the disfranchised-to
the least possible minimum. 1t gives to
each voter the fullest liberty of choice
1t recognizes party affiliations and lines,
yet permits the utmost freedom of all
who wish to be independent of partisan
dictation. And, better than all else, it
contemplates and provides for repre-
sentative body that will be like an i'm
age in the camera, every color, form,
light, motion, shade being exactly re-
produced-a body that is representative
i'll fact as well as in name If we have
any faith in popular government, any
faith in the political integrity of our
people, let us give this plan fair trial
in the near future.
WILLIAM DUDLEY FoULKE.
Richmond Ind Der 1903