The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1907-05-02
HOT FRANCHISE CAMPAIGN.
Conservative Proposal for Proportion
al Representation in Both Chamber.
Stands a Chance of Adontinn.

Conservative Proposal for Proportion
al Representation in Both Chambers
Stands Chance Of Adoption.
The Swedish people are now ap-
preaching the moment when the fate
of the franchise question at this ses-
sion of parliament will be settled. AS
YOU know the proposal made for the
settlement of this problem by the pres
ent government, the Conservative min
istry of Mr.. Lindman, is a system of
proportional representation in both
chambers combined with a. change in
the constitution Of the first chamber.
This system Of proportional rcpresen-
tatlon by which the Conservative
party seeks to preserve it's power and
defend itself against the growing de-
mocracy is the kernel of the whole
proposal. 1t will, while protesting to
be a Just reform through which all
parties will be represented according
to their strength, be nothing of the
kind. 1t will insure a strong Con-
sentative minority in the second cham
Der, and although the present proposal
so far is an improvement on former
proposals. of the same kind, as it in
cludes the first chamber, it will not
change the appearance of this cham
Der to such an extent that it will bal
ance the gain the Conservatives will
make. Yet it is an Improvement no
doubt
Neither of the two other proposals
for proportional representation has
touched the first chamber at all. Mr..
Lindman introduces the novelty of
proportional representation in the SEN
ate as well. To make this anything
but farce, he has already been
obliged to introduce proportional
elective system in the bodies which
elect the first chamber, i. e., tho town
councils in the towns and tho county
councils in the counties.
He has also had the courage Of his
convictions of limiting the number of
votes voter may have in eiecting
members to these bodies. Formerly.
as you know, and, of course, at the
present moment, also, the moneyed
classes, whose members possess in the
towns up to a hundred votes each
practically are the masters Of these
bodies, while the great majority Of
people with only five votes each, had
practically nothing to say. Mr.. Lind
man brings down the number Of votes
that anybody may possess in towns to
40, which corresponds to 400 in the
counties.
At the first moment this sounds very
radical, but in reality 1t is not so. 1t
is a tempting bait put out to catch
wavering souls, and am sorry to say
that some have been caught A few
Of those who last year voted with Mr..
Staff, the Liberal premier, have now
concluded that Mr.. Landmarks propos-
al makes such a radical change, both
in the first chamber and in the munich
pal bodies, which elect this chamber,
that both the political life and the mu-
nicipal life will benefit from it in the
democratic sense. This, however, is
not the case. The radical change pro-
posed is a mere show. The property
qualification for the unsalaried men,
bers of the first chamber is still so
high that only the rich can afford to
be members Of it, and In spite Of the
radicalizing, the upper and middle
classes will still outvote the masses.
1t must be added that the system of
proportional representation itself.
which is now proposed, is so intricate
and difficult to understand, that the
ordinary voter will never find his way.
but will have to depend entirely upon
the party leaders and bosses.
The general feeling in the country
is decidedly against proportional rep
resentation, but nevertheless the re-
suit in the riksdag at the end Of this
month or the beginning of next will
depend upon few votes. MIR. Lind
man has carried on q strong campaign
both in the riksdag among the waver-
ers and in the country.-Hugo Vallen-
tin in Minneapolis Journal
Kinu Oscars Health and the Stork.
King Oscar, who has spent two
weeks at Saltsjobaden, seems to have
benefited greatly through his sojourn
at this beautiful seaside resort outside
Stockholm. He Is, however, still very
weak, and the crown prince continues
in his position as regent. There is
very little chance that the king ever
will take over the reins Of government
again.
An interesting event is expected in
the near future in the royal family In
the shape of second addition to the
family of Prince Gustav Adolf and
Princess Margaret, whose popularity
Is steadily growing.
The winter season in Stockholm has
been livelier than ever. So many din
ners, balls and parties and public
functions of every kind have never be-
fore taken place during the winter
months. The good times" have, of
course, had great deal to do with it.
A lot of people. have made money
easily. and felt inclined to spend it as