The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1921-02-06
ELECTNG A PRESIDENT
QUADRENNIAL FARCEl

QUADRENNIAL FARCEI
At the formation Of the American
Government the question Of the meth
cd of electing president was most
perplexing, and many heated debates
ensued in the Federal Convention. One
group urged direct election by the
people, but this method was too demo-
cratic for the conservative trainers
of the Constitution, who never-the-
less, were unwilling that the Presi-
don't should be elected by the Con-
gress, or by either house Of ia plan
proposed by another group. This
would make the Executive subordin-
ate to the legislative branch of the
government, and the constitutional
fathers proposed that the American
government should be government
of distinctly differentiated functions,
with each of the three departments
clearly defined The method finally
adopted, the method of indirect elect
ion through an electoral college, was
believed to be one of the most dis
tinctive features Of the Constitution,
and plan as near perfect as any
that could be devised. And yet no
provision of the Constitution has SO
completely failed to accomplish the
purpose of its trainers. According to
the intention Of the makers of the
Constitution, the electors were to be
absolutely free and unfettered in their
choice of a President and Vice-Presi-
dent. The people were to elect the
electors, and they, in turn, were to
elect the executives without instruct
ion or mandate from the people. This
they did in the case of Washington
although public sentiment UNIVERSAL
ly acclaimed him as first President
of the Republic In the subsequent
elections party organizations appear
ed, a,ld although in Adams time there
were few electors who asserted
their constitutional freedom Of
choice, the majority obeyed the de-
sires of their parties, and since that
time the theoretical elector of the
Constitution has disappeared. Party
spirit has prevailed, and the elector
has become its tool The people
have become the actual electors who
choose the executive. Obviously
therefore, the intention of the fran
ers of the Constitution has been
thwarted, and the electoral college
has failed to function as it was in
t,,lded it should function. In spirit
the system is dead: why not abolish
the lettec Of it also?
The Constitution provides that in
each State the electors chosen by the
people at the November election shall
meet in their respective capitals on
January 10 and cast thir ballots for
President and Vice President. The
certificaton of the result is made in
duplicate. One copy is required to
be mailed to the President of the SCH
ate at Washington, another to be
sent by messenger to the President 'ot
the Senate, the messenger being one
of the electors and usually chosen by
lot. The third copy of the certifi-
cation is required to be filed with the
United States Judge whose juris-
diction includes the state capital. Or
the second Wednesday in February
now approaching, the Senate ano
House Of Representative at Wash.
ington meet in joint session for the
purpose Of canvassing these returns
The presiding officers of the Senate
and House of Representatives pre-.
side jointly. A handsome mahogan,
box containing the certificates of
election is then opened, and the Ger
tificates taken out and read The re-
suits are tabulated as the ceremony
proceeds, and at the conclusion for
mal announcement is made Of the re
suit of the election.
This cumbersome machinery shout
be abolished. The eleetor, in the con
stitutional sense, having been rem
dered functionless, has become dan
gerous, and might, if he dared, def!
the will of the people and block theii
choice. That the electors have al
ways conformed to the mandate 0
the people is no reason that they al
ways shall, and while the possiblit,
is remote, the legal or constitutions
right is express. But of really NOR
consequence is the danger Of the ia
PREVENTION OF some accident or "ac
of God" to prevent the electors fror
converting at the state capital on tn
day appointed, January TO- This ha
happened in our history in the cas-
of Wisconsin in 1857, when all of tn
electors were prevented by a raj
road accident from meeting at III
TINA and nlann annoinind nnh a.