Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 75, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1909 — Evils of District and Ward Representation In Our Government. [ARTICLE]

Evils of District and Ward Representation In Our Government.

By Professor ANDREW 5. WADE of the University of Kansas. CHE ward and district system of representation in our assemblies and congress is the ROOT OF MOST OF THE EVILS which are complained of today in connection with municipal, county and state corruption. Our best expression in government is thus found in our national system. Next comes the state system, and worst is that of our municipalities. Yet in all of these the most discouraging problems, the greatest menace, the most prolific source of evil, rest in REPRESENTATION BY FIXED DIVISIONS. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATION MAKES LOCAL ISSUES OF NATIONAL QUESTIONS, SUCH AS THE TARIFF. IT ENABLES SPECIAL INTERESTS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGE TO KEEP THEIR AGENTS ON THE FLOOR OF CONGRESS. IT ENABLES CERTAIN MEN TO SELL THEMSELVES, AND SO THEIR .CONSTITUENCIES, TO BAD INFLUENCES IN ORDER TO SECURE PREFERENCE FOR THEIR DISTRICTS. In congress this is the result of a growth away from the constitutional provision as to state representation. It is one of the several ways in which custom has nullified the constitution, and it would be vastly better if the states returned to that REPRESENTATION AT LARGE for which alone the constitution provides.