The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-12
Amendment of Election Law and
Adoption of Cumulative Voting
System Are Desired.
NO TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION
PROHIBITIONIsTs WILL INTRODUCE
NO NEW BILLS.
Legislative Committee Appointed mt
Meeting of Leaders-Substance
of Contemplated Bills.

The Prohibitionsts of Indiana have two
things that they greatly desire the Legis-
lature to do First they want the election
law so amended that the two parties cast
ing the largest number of votes in pre-
cinct shall have representation on the cleo
ton board Second, they will ask that the
cumulative voting system be adopted in
Indiana in the election of members of the
lower house of the General Assembly.
At the meeting of the state committee
Wednesday night a legislative committee
was appointed to look after these questions.
State Chairman-elect c. E. Newlin, j. r.
Henry and B. F. Watson constitute the
committee. Yesterday it was announced by
Secretary Clark of the state committee,
that the Prohibitionists would seek to have
the Legislature amend the election law and
pass a resolution for an amendment to the
state Constitution to accomplish the ends
mentioned above.
The adoption of the cumulative voting
system is by far the larger of the two
propositions as it entails the amendment
of the State Constitution, and it is one that
will hardly be passed upon favorably by the
coming Legislature. Before such a radical
change would be made in this State the
matter would undoubtedly have to be given
wide and prolonged agitation, as there are
comparatively few people in the State who
know what ii means.
TRIED IN ILLINOIS.
The system has prevailed in Illinois for
many years, and it was adopted in Michi-
gan in 1889. 1t provides that every voter
shall have three votes for state representa-
tive. and he may cast all three for one
g.. ot,1 ttraa
or cast one and one-half votes for each of
two men. The system assures a minority
representative from each district 1t is
worked in this way: The State is divided
into representative districts, each of which
is entitled to three members of the lower
house. Each party may nominate three
candidates. but this is never done The ma
jority party dominates two and the minority
party one. Thus in Republican district
the Republican voters cast one and one-half
votes each for their two candidates, while
the Democrats cast three votes each for
their one candidate insuring his election.
In this way neither party can ever have
more than two-thirds of the members of
the House.
The Prohibitionists are interested in the
adoption of this system because ii gives
them opportunity occasionally to elect
member of the House. 1t was this sys-
tenn that enabled them to elect National
Chairman Stewart to the Illinois Legisla-
ture at the late election. Mr.. Stewart lived
In a nominally Republican district but he
Endorsed by the Municipal Voters
League of Chicago, and under the cumula-
tive vote he was able to pull through.
The argument that is urged in favor of
the system is that 1t gives minority repre-
sentation to every section of the State. For
instance, in Marion county, which now has
seven representatives. the Republicans get
all seven OF those representatives even II
they have but plurality of ten votes. or of
one vote. and the big Democratic minority
would be shut out entirely. Under the
cumulative system there would be at least
two Democratic members from this county.
and in event the Democrats gained con-
troll in the county the Republicans would
have at least two representatives. In sec
lions of the State that are now Democratic
the Republicans would gain, and vice
versa. incidentally, the Prohibtionists be-
lieve that they would stand a better chance
of electing a member of the House in one
or two districts.
OBJECTION TO SYSTEM.
The objection to the system is that 1t
leads to conniving and trading in close dis
tricts that are inimical to the interests of
all the party organizations. The question
has never been agitated in Indiana and
the reception the Prohibitionists will meet
in advocating it cannot. of course, be fore
casted. 1t is a forlorn hope with Them
said Secretary Clark last evening. but they
are used to heading forlorn hopes, and
everything they have accomplished has
been of the same nature.
The question of amending the election
law so that they may have representation
on the election boards in some precincts is
one of which they are more hopeful. Two
years ago they succeeded In getting the
Legislature to pass a law giving them
watchers at the count in every precinct.
| That was a concession to which they felt
that they were clearly entitled. and they
say that the same spirit of justice that led
| TO the passage of that law will give them
| this second concession In several precincts
| of the State they are either in the ma jority
| or cast more votes than the Republicans or
Democrats. In these precincts they believe
| they should have men on the election board.
| The law now provides that the election
| boards shall be composed of representatives
| of each of the parties casting the largest
number of votes in the State
The Prohibtionists are not expecting any
| temperance legislation this winter, nor will
| they ask any Secretary Clark said that
| he understood that the same bill that was
/ introduced two years ago by Representative
| Scott. of Montgomery, providing that the
burden of securing liquor license should
| be thrown on the applicant, that he must
| secure a petition signed by a majority of
| the voters of his township ward, will be
brought up again this winter. However IL
| will not be at the instance of the Prohibi-
| tionists themselves. although they will do
| all in their power to secure its enactment
| If IL is introduced.