The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-11-07

| In construction. The $1,000 machin'
| OF to-day 10 better than the car tina
cost from three to i've times - muca
n few years back. The car has beef
improved. made more convenient and
comfortable. and simpliied until it car
be used by women. 1t 10 fast comm,
to be a necessity, demanded by the
physical complexities Of modern lie.
I
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE PROBLEM
The weakness Of our electoral col
,apa system, consequent upon the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. In truth
OF the spirit and intent Of the trainers
of the Constitution. has already been
very practically and convincingly dis
closed in three serious presidential elec-
ton complications since the republic
was founded One of these led to the
adontion of a constitutional amend
mapt-tbe twelfth-and legislation by
Congress has been necessary In antici-
nation of Others in the future. The
present campaign has suggested the
feasibility of q situation In which
there might be breakdown OF the
whole system, and hence considerable
thought has been given recently oy
constitutional lawyers and others to
the problem OF forestalling such pos
sibility.
1t Is generally accepted that the SUBJ
ject should be taken under grave ad-
v,sement. Various plans have been
broached. and in this connection the
question has been raised. Could the
remedy and security be reached under
the latitudinous electoral college powers
or methods-of choosing electors
confirmed to the several States? At
this juncture all suggestions bearing
on the issue are interesting; all infor-
nation Is more or less valuable. as
the public to give the prob
lem Intelligent consideration. Discuss
ing the other day tho changes IN the
operation Of the electoral college sys-
tenn and in the manner OF choosing
electors by the States, We quoted Ian
man as contending that the mode OF
choice by the people voting for cleo
tors in districts, and which IN 1873
obtained in one-third of the States,
gave the fairest expression to public
opinion by approaching nearest to the
direct vote" Now all the States elect
on a general ticket.
Pursuing the subject, we find in John
fuckers CONSTITUTION OF the
United States q most vigorous ana
striking plea for return to the district
method Mr.. Tucker after following
the changes and showing that by rea-
son of the departure from the original
purpose of the system electors are to-
day named by "uftra-conetdtutional
bodies as represented In State and ma
tional party conventions, says:
THE solidity OF the vote in the large
States in these party conventions ana
the electoral college In the
election Of President is giving to the
largo States a potential influence in
deciding the canvass and election OF
which il unjust to the small
or States, enhancing the pretensions
Of public men in the large States,
makes such men in the small States
ineligible, and threatens to
Mace a dominating force in the hands
OF a few large States, who may. by
dangerous to the Union
and fatal to the liberties of the people,
nut the government into the hands OF
an oliearchy instead of those OF the
whole people Of the country"
Therefore. argues Mr.. Tucker, II the
present system is to be retained, IT
ought at least to be SO amended as to
divide the power Of the large States
BY making districts for the presidential
electors a recourse that would break
up the solidity Of the power OF the
large States and give representation to
the minority IN each. now easily cap
tured for the election OF one who can
command a bare majority IN . million.
of votes But these are not the oy'xy
dement's Mr.. Tucker holds would Cow
from the district mode Of choosing.
It would, he maintains, correct another
great and growing evil In that money
would be rendered less potential and
the temptation to use II would be less
strong. Further. II would decentralize
power by musAplydng the nuclei OF pub
lie opinion throughout the whole ma
ton.
In closing his discussion OF the ques-
ton, Mr.. tucker Gays that without ex-
banding his Views into full exposition.
he has presented them in the hope "of
awaiting something to check evil ten
denotes and to secure the desired OBJ
jects Of the Constitution" Whether
one stands in agreement with Mr.
Tucker or not. as to the specific amend
mert ne advocates. it win be generally
recognized. we think. that he clearly
sets forth some pernicious workings
and a very dangerous trend OF the sys-
TEN as IL has developed and prevailed.
Moreover, that In the circumstances Of
virtually admitted necessity for reform