Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-11-17
Eliminating Personalities

a ) The Times Dispatch has pointed out
tfere are insuperable objections to the
proposed plan to abolish the Electoral Col
iegc ana provide for the election of the Presi-
ueht ny popular vote. The disadvantages
under which such revision of the national
eiectlon laws would place the States that are
compelled to limit their electorate are OBJ
Nlous. But that the present plan has its de-
lects is also obvious. There are good reasons
why the present method of selecting electors
should be amended. though the principle of
state representation by electors should he
retained
In the first place, the theory that electors
shall exercise any choice or discretion in
Young Ill the Electoral College is now only
hcliohai. therefore, the nomination Of cleo
tors Tor any qualities of judgment or wisdom
they may possess is equally tictional Elec-
tors vote for the nominee of the party they
represent. But the fralty of human nature
causes another element to enter into the oues-
tion The popularity or unpopularity OF in
dlVioual electors not infrequertly has strong
eheet ON the popular vote Many a man
scratches the name of eicctor whom he
dislikes personally, though he earnestly de-
sireS the election of the national candidate
for whom the scratched ciector would vote.
In the second place and dependent on the
"hlm principle referred TO. this matter of an
electors personal standing with the voters
may change-has changed. in fact-the
old'e electoral vote. If Il sufficient number
OF men scratch the name of an eector. some
man named on opposing ticket will be
given one of the State's electoral votes. Thus
Il split will result. which in no way reflects
the sentiment of the State OH the national
issue. Certainly, ii would seem that the
flaw III a system that permits such a mis-
carriage Of the peoples real will is obvious
enough to demand correction.
And such correction could he made without
amending the Federal Constitution, but by
amending the State laws. whether contained
in constitutions statutes. The Constitu-
ton Of the United States provides only that
electors shall be appointed from the States
In such manner the Legislatures thereof
may direct" This power of the States to
select their electors they see tit is not
limited except that the number of electors
shall not exceed the number of Representa-
tlNcS and Senators they are entitled to-
There is no reason. then. why the States
should not devise Il plan by which the will
OF the people should determine how their
representatives should vote in the Electoral
college. yet by which the irrclcvancy OF an
electors personality should be prevented
from affecting tho result. For example the
state could prescribe that the people should
vote directly for the candidate and that the
number of electors TO which the State was
entitled should be named, from members OF
tho successful candidates party. by any one
Of Il dozen possible agencies--cvcu nv tho
candidate himself In this manner ma joritv
rule would be continued and made secure
while the personal element Of individual cleo
tors would he eliminated. In each State the
voter would he guided by the issue and not
affected by local personalities