Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1916-11-18
DO AWAY WITH
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
New York Worldly

WOODROW wilson Is reelected preSl-
dent of the United States by the votes
OF the American people.
But again the Republicans are max
ing preparations TO defeat in the Elec-
torial College president whom the
American people have elected al the
polls.
Again the American people have re-
ceived an impressive warning that the
Electoral College is a menace to the
political stability Of the United States.
Even more important at this time
than the meaning and the lesson Of
President Wilson's reelection is the
danger TO American peace and safety
which is involved In the conflict that is
again created by the existence OF an
Electoral College.
Twice has this crude and clumsy
piece OF mechanism thrown the cleo
ton Of president into the house OF
Representatives. Once it brought the
country to the verge OF another Civil
war. This year It has produced a
situation in which the election of q
president could be turned by handful
OF votes in a handful OF states.
The returns from forty-eight states
show that President Wilson Is re-elect-
ed. A majority OF the qualified voters
OF the country at the polls have so de-
termined But tEifling error Of tabu-
lation might change the legal result.
The disqualification OF a presidential
elector here or there might change the
legal result A trifling technically Of
the election law in one state or anoth-
er might change the result. What Is
worse, contest Of this kind, narrow
Ing down 10 question OF few votes
in three or four states that are almost
evenly balanced. is a temptation TO
fraud and corruption which should
never be tolerated.
position now exists In which il is
possible for the Republican National
committee backed by the colossal pow
er of Wall Street money to keep the
presidency in legal doubt until March
4th by challenging the correctness of
the returns in all the close states. The
issue can be held open for months. the
country torn by doubts and party pas
sions and the government of the Unit.
ed States crippled in the midst OF a
world crisis while the contest pro-
eeeds-au because the legal power of
election is vested not In the people but
In presidential electors who are not
even names 10 the voters who chose
them.
The Electoral College is an undemo-
cratic institution. II was created in
distrust Of the ability Of the American
people TO elect president. The men
responsible for it conceived theory
that the selection OF a president
should be delegated 10 a few super
latively wise and superlativcly yirtu.
Gus trustees who would retire into san.
ctuaEies IN the various states and give
the country the kind OF a chief magis-
trate that they thought the country
ought 10 have.
That theory did not long survive.
American democracy rejected il con.
tenptuously and with much ingenuity
proceeded TO evolve an effective
method for multiplying the Electoral
College provision Of the constitution.
For more than a century the presiden.
ttal electors have been only clerks for
the majority in each Of the several
states. recording the will OF the ma.
tority; but recording # under q system
which makes It possible for a minority
OF the American people to choose the
president. and which also makes Il
possible fjr the result to hinge upon
accidentT ind stratagems that actually
defeat the expressed will of the people
at the polls.
The president of the United States
ought TO be elected like a governor, OF
senator by the voters themselves
The majority should determine regard
less Of artificial devices. The EIec
toral College has been an anachronism
Tor q hundred years so far az any in
dependent political power is con
cerned. II should be eliminated com
pieteiy from the political System OF the
country as a public evil and a public
danger.
Que OF the first duties OF congress-
when 1t reassembles is to take the
necessary first steps toward an amend
ment OF the constitution to substitute
a direct vote OF the people for the
Electoral College in the lection OF a
president OF the United States. Never
again should II be possible for a des
perate partisanship to overule In the
Electoral College the will Of tho PEG,
pie at The polls.
-
Blko is very sorely in need OF auto.
mobile and motor cycle regulation. In
the last several days numerous com.