The sun., 1916-11-24

able number Of the States Of the
Union women vote now for Presiden-
tial electors; under the direct system
proposed they would vote directly for
President. On a direct national vote
for President States granting woman
suffrage would exercise m influence
In the choice much greater In pro-
portion TO their population than In
the case Of States where woman suf-
frage did not yet obtain. Even II
the form Of the amendment left the
qualification Of the Presidential voter
within the control Of the State las
Section 2 Of Article ]. now leaves II
with regard to Representatives In
Congress) the disadvantage to States
Withholding woman suffrage would
be 70 enormous as to hasten the day
Of a uniform franchise throughout the
nation. at least for President and
vice-President. This fact will not be
blinked by anybody considering the
reform from any point Of view.
The second conspicuous difficulty or
embarrassment which invites the
thoughts OF the Worlds cOrrespOn-
dents Is Of a different kind. 1t con-
Germs no existing constitutional or
statutory obstacle to n natlonalixed
Federal election by popular vote. but
an existing violation Of the Constitu-
ton itself. Ex-President TAFT. for
example, replies as follows to the
Worlds inquiry:
Il think IN attempt to elect a Presi-
dent directly by popular vote would be
very unwise. The peculiar electoral sit
uation in the South is a sufficient objec-
ton. II there were no other"
The peculiar electoral situation in
the South. ~ which Mr.. TAFT thus
~delIcately refers, is the continual dis.
regard by Congress. with the taclt nc
quiescence Of a good part Of the cleo
tOrate, OF the plain requirements Of
this provision in the Fourteenth
| Amendment
when the right to vote at any cleo
ton for the choice Of electors for Presi-
| lent and Vice-Prcsident OF the United
States. Representatives In Congress. the
| executive and judicial officers OF a State.
or the members Of the Legislature there
| of, is denied to any OF the male inhabi-
tants Of such state, being twenty-one
! years OF age. and citizens OF the United
States. or In any way abridged. except
for participation in rebellion or other
crime. the basis o. representation therein
shall be reduced in the proportion which
the number OF such male citizens shall
bear to the whole number OF male citi-
Gems Vwenty-one years o, age In such
State"
We call the attention OF Southern
Democrats, and others apprehensive
as Ia the effect Of direct election OF
President upon the matter Of the sup
pressed negro vote and the ignored
requirement OF reduced representation
on TINT account. to u circumstance
which. we think. has been generally
overlooked.
Any amendment nbolishing the pres
ent system Of Presidential electOr.
and substituting the direct popular
vote will have to he accompanied by
an amendment Of the wording OF
this Fourteenth Amendment; mas
much as the Fourteenth Amendment
as 1t now stands specifically men
tions electors for President and Vice
President" The method of dlrec,
vote I'M he accomplished without
changing nj the same time what woul,
he the contradictory provision Of the
Fourteenth Amendment.
II that relic of reconstruction Is t,
he overhauled in any particular tn,
whole question Of the anomalous sit
uatiOn referred 10 by eX-PresidenI
TAFT will he raised anew.
Is 1t not better that It should b.
thus raised me and sGuarely face,
and equltabiy ami reasonably resolvet
on its merits, ms an incident to ;
wholesome change for the nation,
good. In order that the anomaly an,
disgrace Of II nullifed constitutions
requirement may he removed from TIN
nations fundamental law?