The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-26
Minority Representation.

In the order OF Gen. Wood. declaring
that there shall be minority representa-
tion in the local council of Havana, We
find a suggestion that is we'll worth con-
sidering with reference to all of our
new possessions. Would it not be wise
to make this a feature Of all the gov
ernments, municipal and general. OF the
islands that have come under our con-
troll? Is it not, indeed a provision that
will help in the political education of
the former subjects Of Spanish rule in
American political ideas. and tend TO
fasten and hold their interest in their
own affairs?
One can understand readily the quick
encouragement of the Cubans who find
themselves likely to be in a minority.
They are what Tom Reed calls quit
ters." AS soon as party sees that 1t
cannot obtain control. 1t wlthdraws its
candidates and abandons the field. For
these people are not yet accustomed 10
the idea of resisting the party in pow
er; of constituting strong opposition:
OF the need OF system of balancing
by which those who govern are held
constantly In check by the possibility
that they may be turned out OF office
by those who do not It is an idea that
has no connection with Spanish admin
fstratiou II hax IN ,paLa ifs slor, x,,av
into the Cuban. the Puerto Rican. the
Filipino mind. Until 1t does, an cleo
ton Is iikelf TO mean merely the re-
cording OF a light vote for the party
that possesses greatest advantage, and
the absence Of the others from all par
ticipation In the government That is
pretty surely to the South American
system of petty despotism tempered
by successive revolutions
Until the people OF these islands come
TO regard the ballot as carrying with
II a duty. as well as a privilege until
they can understand the useful function
W sH' tFfpstiEth III u athiStAaNe uhfh
they can learn to carry on an apparent
~ losing fight with the same earnest
ness as one that promises 10 wln-all Of
which are things beyond their tradition
and experience-the system that is pro
vided for them should be such as TO en-
courage progress In that direction. and
IN
quiescence In the permanent control Of
temporary majority. Otherwise re-
publican form Of government viii never
exist In them except In name.
A step In their education would seem
TO be minority representation. b
adopting the system OF cumulative vot-
ing, the minority can always b. sure
Of participation in proportion to It's
strength and Of certain share In the
offices that mus; az present be so great
prize 10 them, since the highly civil
i5ed American voter has not learned
Yet to regard them with entire indlffer-
ence. Every man viii have something
~ hhAk Aol- 49, parry van SNukipi the
machinery Of government absolutely.
Both individuals and the state viii be
the gamer.
The people Of Cuba and those Of the
United States are slngularly Indebted
already 10 the man of clear head ana
stout heart and noble courage who
stands at the head OF our administra-
tion in that island. on the field aud in
the council his sery ices have been in
valuable. 1t VIII not surprise US If II
proves that he has hit upon a central
and fundamental necessity in organic
ing political liberty for Cuba. Congress
in its legislation for our new posses
slons, the commission now in the Phil
ippines and every federal Official charged