The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-26
Elections In the South.

The manner In which national elections
are conducted in the Southern states, as
shown by the completed election returns.
Is soon or late to become a matter OF
serious import to the people of the whole
United States. Such a condition OF af-
fairs as is here disclosed cannot exist per-
petually without an actual menace to the
stability of our government There are
certain OF the Southern states having in
all more than 100 votes in the electoral
college and in congress- In which popu-
lar government has absolutely ceased to
exist. Elections in those states are ad-
mittedly solemn farces. They are con-
Quoted in the most perfunctory manner,
the majority of the electors taking not the
slightest interest in them. not even to the
extent of going to the polls This is en-
tirely aside from the disfranchsement,
by law or by force, of the negro popula-
tion in those states. As the situation
stands today and as it is likely to re-
main for some time in the future, the re-
suit Of an alleged election in any one Of
those states can be forecast with abso-
sues which may be presented In the cam
paign or to the particular candidates who
may be named by the different parties
These states are ostensibly Democratic.
That is. their votes are recorded In ia
vor of the national nominees Of the Dem
ocratic party. In fact, while under re-
publican constitutions, they are the most
undemocratic oligarchies which ever ex-
listed, not excepting the former Boer re-
publics in South Africa. The number OF
men Of voting age who have an actual
voice in the selection OF the officers OF
the state or its representatives In the
councils of the nation constitute minute
fraction of the people. Those states are
governed absolutely by the self-selected
leaders of faction of party. who control
the machinery of that party and dictate
its nominations. The entire constitutional
machinery designed to give the people
voice In the government Is ignored, or
rather followed In the letter In per-
functory way. but the spirit is completely
disregarded. Officers Of the state and ma
ton are no longer chosen by popular vote
at the polls. but In the secret councils
OF party leaders. From the decision ar
rived at in these councils there Is no APP
peal to the people. The constitutional
machinery Of elections is used merely in
perfunctory way, TO record result pre-
viously assured This has become such a
recognized matter of course that few
people take the trouble to go TO the polls
a prerogative of citizenship In so doing,
they are simply going through an empty
ceremony.
The whole system OF elections has be-
come meaningless farce. demoralizing
and debauehIng the public mind Consti.
tutional government has ceased the voice
of the people no longer has expression
through constitutional channels. and
dozen petty oligarchies. which have no
direct responsibility TO the people. control
nearly one-third OF all OF the votes In the
electoral college. and substantially one
third OF the votes in each house OF con-
gress.
This is not a matter Of party politics.
u Is much more serious matter, and in
wolves an absolute danger 10 the safety
OF the republic There does not seem to
be any constitutional remedy which can
be applied from the outside, but II GER
tainiy does seem time that the people OF
the South should arouse themselves 10 the
dangers OF the course which they are per-
hitting their leaders to pursue.