The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1948-08-05
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race we may have one Of the worst
tangles in our history before the
next President is chosen.
1t is high time for us to remem-
Der all over again that we do not
elect our President by direct vote.
We have strange device known
as the Electoral College and the
Electoral College has certain con-
stitutional powers. While these
powers have remained unused for
years, they exist and they can be
used. No court in the land could
'invalidate their decision.
1t is important, too, to remember
that in the event the Electoral Col
lege gets tied up in a knot and can
not muster a majority for any can
didate, the contest goes into the
House Of Representatives.
That is something that could
happen this fall.
Even if the Electoral College ad-
heres to its current practice of fol-
lowing the election returns, there is
a possibility that no candidate could
be elected by majority of the Col
lege.
There are rumors that Mr.. Wal
lace may get out Of the race before
it is run, but if be doesn't, then
there seems a chance that between
him and the boiling Dixiecrats, the
election could be tied up, throwing
it into the House which can do as
it pleases, even to electing some
person who is not now a candidate.
Whether or not the situation de-
velops into a tangle, the possibility
is such that the American people
should begin at once a program Of
amending the constitution to pro-
vide for popular election Of Presi-
dent and Vice President.
The Electoral College is the yes
tigial remain of an original pro-
gram to limit the voice of the peo-
pie in the selection of officials. 1t /
is time it went into limbo.
Step by cautious step we have I
knocked out other methods that 1
limited the voice Of the people. I
And where progress has been ac-
who would return to the old I
ways?
Who would return to the election
of United States Senator'S by state
p? Nobody except per-
haps a few machine bosses.
Of course the proposition to
elect the President and Vice Presi-
dent by popular vote might run
into the states rights barrier, for
the Electoral College is device in
teded to show that each state is
sovereign, with an equal voice
and that the people are not quail
fled to know what they want.
1t would seem more important
that each person have an equal
voice.
Of course our United States Sen
ate is in somewhat the same cate
CORY, for each state has two Sen
ators, no matter how large or
small the state.
In few other countries do minor
ty populations get representation
% out of balance.
We find the same situation in I
tates, where, through failure to
according to population, Ii
scattered rural populations outvote
arger urban populations. Frequent I
y minOrities rule. Georgia is per- !
Iaps the prime example, with its {
ounty unit system. I
The truth is that a great deal |
f our political representation ma /
hinery needs overhauling, in the
interest of true and proper repre-
Id
But nowhere is overhauling :
eeded more urgently than in the .
Electoral College. 1t is an anti
uated business, originally intended
0 guarantee that the proper per-
ons" selected our highest officials,
he wishes of the masses notwith- +
tanding.
Step by step we have made the
ill of the people mean something.
Iere is long-delayed step that de- 3
lands remedy. We have come to
n election that points up that need
lore than any election in our time. F
This year it is entirely possible
lat the will of the people may be
thwarted. Why has this
been allowed so long
remain?
Demand the Union Label,