The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-06
PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION


the election law OF the state relative 10
municipal elections n citses OF this class
mat would conflict with the proposed msa-
sure.
What would be the effect OF proportional
representation, first. upon the constituency,
and, second, upon the representative bodye
tlrst-L Instead OF nearly half (more or
less the voters being disfranchised, the
d.sfranchised class would be tninitesim-
ally small.
= Zach voter would have one or more
representatives for whom he could cast MS
vote, and whom he could consider his
own The relation between representative
and constituent would be closer.
3. There would be more independence
among the voters. They would not he
obliged 10 make their votes conform 10 the
dictates OF one or two parties. They would
not De RENTED 10 the chc.ee between two
unsatisfactory men
l. Proportional representation would
bring out fuller vote. Voters would not
stay away because they know that their
votes would be useless. a greater interest
would take the place OF the apathy which
often prevails among the minority.
.. Bribery would be greatly reduced
among the voters. The purchasable vote
rs a very small part OF the entire vote cast,
and bribery is generally effective only in
close districts, where the transfer OF few
change the political complexion OF the en-
tire constituency But under system Of
proportional representation the purchased
vote can have nothing more than mere
Numerical representation The results TO
be accomplished by bribery being less than
under the present system, the temptation
10 buy votes would be greatly reduced. and
elections would DE far more free than 81
present from the corrupt use OF money.
Second-What would be its effect upon
the legislative body?
l. This would become for the first in
stance in our history really representative.
Every shade OF thought would be repre-
scented in the same proportion in which it
numerically exists. 1t would be the image
on the camera. the reflection in the mirror.
,. The gerry mander would be impossible.
). There would be a larger field from
which TO select candidates. and better men
would be ootanable in the first place.
4. Able and distinguished representatives
would be sure of obtaining a quota of
votes in the.c.ty for their reelection. and
would be sure of keeping their seats.
5. The time Of such men need not be
spent as at present in mending Their
fences"
6. New reforms would effect an early
Judgment New ideas would secure early
represent ation in the legislative body
T. The discussions in the council, repre-
senting many forms of political thought
presented by well known advocates, would
be more scientific in character and lead 10
better results than where two parties only
are represented.
s. The greater independence of the con-
stituent body would be reflected in the
council. There would be less crystal!za-
ton and greater growth OF liberal and
progressive ideas. When the ballots are
counted the sum OF all the votes cast in
the city is divided by the number of coun-
cIlman TO be elected. For instance, there
are say thirteen councilmen TO elect in the
city, and the whole vote IS divided by
IL. This gives as its quotient the quota OF
representation. Whenever any ticket re
ceIyes that many votes it is entitled TO one
representative II twice as many 1t is en-
titled TO two representatives. and so on II
there are any remaindeTI left over TIE
ticket having the largest remainder is
entitled to the vacancies. The only ques-
ton which then remains is, which of the
candidates of that party shall have these
seats? That is easy TO settle. The canii-
date who receives the most votes gets the
first place, and the next gets the second
place, and so on. If a seat becomes Va
cant during the term, the remainder OF the
term is served by the candidate Of the
same party having the next highest num-
Der of votes. This plan is perfectly simple
Il is as simple as the Australian ballot sys-
tom which it supplements.
By the adoption Of proportional repre-
sentation the greatest possible scope would
De secured to intelligent individual action
at the polls; but, and this is all-mportant
and deserves careful thought, the whole
basis of constituency would De changed. 1t
would rest, not as now, on the accident OF
residence in a given lOcality-the same
ward-but on the community OF political
opinion and identical ends IN view. No
longer arthcially segregated and restricted,
the constituency would be left absolutely
free TO crystalize in such way as it saw
fit Those who thought alike and desired
the same results would be left TO seek each
other out and act together. The ward line
now keeps them apart.
Consider what an enormous influence
this would give to the intelligent individu-
al voteri How il would bother the munic-
ipal boss" Voters are now divided up
and segregated by artificial lines. They are
in this way 50 placed that they can be
manipulated by astute political managers
to the utmost possible extent Under tie
system proposed they would be free frum
all restraints and put in position where tie
individual could make himself felt, pro
vlded no desired 40 to do. He could not be-
tied hand and foot. Complete freedom or
action must he restored TO the individual
voter. and he must be placed that he
can influence results N the largest possible
degree. There is nothing the ward boss,
fears 50 much as an .TteIllgent paitot NOT
restrained within local lines. The system
a. il has long existed and now does exist
suits him exactly. II brought him into eX-
istcnce; he grew up under II; he under
stands Il; he Will labor to perpetuate II
We should labor to destroy It altogether
By destroying i We VIII destroy him
President Benjamin Harrison closed his
annual message to congress in December.
1891, In the following words:
Nothing just now Is more important
than to provide every guaranty for the alb
solutely fair and free choice by an equal
suffrage. The unfailing test OF
insincerity IN election reform Will be found
IN the unw!IsnguesS to confer as TO RENE
dies and 70 put IN force such measures as
viii most efrectually preserve the right or
the people 70 free and equal representation.
I believe It would 10 possible 10 constitute
an election commission. ron-partlsan IN us
mem beTShip. and composed or patr1oLs
wise and impartial men, to whom a consul
GRAFTON OF the question OF the evils con-
nected with our election ~ stem ana meth
obs m ght be committed with good pros
pect of securing unanimity in some plan for
relieving or mitigating these evils.
The consideration of these grave Ques-
tons invites not only the attention OF con-
Cress. hut that % al patriotic clt.zeEls.
Wa must not entertain the delusion that
our people have ceased 70 regard a free
ballot and equal representation as the price
81 their allegiance 20 the laws anu ciFu
ma Eistratesz \ trust. momentous IN rs IN
Huence upon our people and upon the world
for a brief time - 20 be committed 70 Us.
and we must not be falthless 70 - condl-
tsons-defense OF the free ard the equal
influence OF the people in the choice or
n