The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1911-01-28
VOICE OF
A THE -
p go e
WEST HAMMOND CITIZEN WRITES.

West Hammond, ILL.,, Jan. 81, 1911.
Editor TIMES:
Dear Sir:-A few days ago an article
in THE TIMES called the attention of
the voters of West Hammond to the
fact that in the coming special cleo
ion We are to vote not only on the
question of city form of government
but also in the question of minority
representation" in city elections, in
case the city is established. In the
article referred to voters are advised to
inform themselves as to what is meant
by minority representation" and what
are its merits and dement's.
After some investigation. think
know what s"minorffy representation
Is; and 1 shall endeavor to explain it,
briefly, for the benefit of those who
may not take the pains to get the in
formation in any other way.
As understand it, we now have
minority representation" in the cleo
ton of members of the Illinois state
legislature. If there are three mem
bers to be elected, the voter may cast
his vote for one. two. or three mem
bers. If he votes for three, his vote
will count one for each of the three
voted for IL he votes for one candi-
date only. his vote will count three for
that candidate; IL he votes for two
candidates, his vote vii be counted as
one and one half votes for each of the
two
Now. IL we adopt the city form Of
government and at the same time adopt
the minority" system of voting. the
aldermen of each ward will be elected
by the same system OF counting votes
as explained above. Each voter can
give one, vote to each of three candi-
dates, one and one half votes to each
of two, or three votes to a single can
didate. Some weeks ago it was stated
in THE TINES that the people of West
Hammond were suspicious of the city
proposition, they being on the look
out for Joker" of some kind. In my
opinion, the minority representation"
Is the joker, II there is one. This is
of the pack-before the game begins.
Under this system of counting votes
it would be possible for ward boss
to get his henchmen together and con-
centrate the votes under their control
upon one candidate. electing him
against the wishes of a very large
majority of the voters in the ward, they
being unorganized and scattering their
votes among the other candidates. 1t
thus seems. that for local purposes this
system of countin votes Is undeirable.
Therefore. it is the duty of each voter
in West Hammond who believes In
popular government as opposed to boss
or gang rule to vote against minority
representation.
I think that by means Of the change
to city form of government many
of our municipal difficulties can be
solved, IL we only keep the power
where 1t properly belongs-in the
hands of all the people.
Let stand together. and vote to-
gether. for honest, efficient admins
tration of our city affairs, the total
humiliation of all disreputable houses.
a close police watch in all suspected
places. conservative extension OF street
improvements. the encouragement Of
industries to locate here and the clean
ing up and building up of the city gen.
orally.
On the threshold of a new era, turn
ing our backs on the old and facing
the newer. greater, and better, why
not change our name? How would
The City of Calumet Park sound?
WEST HAMMOND CITIZEN