[probably from Pro-Rep Review 1917] The New "National Party" and P. R. In the tentative platform adopted by the Convention in Chicago on October 3-5, 1917 which founded the new National Party, is the following plank on proportional representation:
Proportional Representation:
In a democracy the obligation of the minority to abide loyally by community decisions carries with it the right of the minority to participate in community decisions. It is therefore of the highest importance that minorities should not only take part in the election of people's representatives but that they should be assured a direct voice in the legislative council itself.
Under our present electoral system every minority party is deprived of representation in the Federal Congress and in the state legislatures, except in so far as it may happen to form a majority in some one Congressional or legislative district.
To remove this obvious injustice, we favour the adoption of a system of proportional representation whereby the members of Congress to which each state is constitutionally entitled, and also the members of the state legislatures, shall be elected at large from the state as a whole, or from districts electing several members each, rather than from single-member districts as at present, so as to assure to every party representation in the legislative councils of the state and nation, in proportion to its numerical strength.
We favour the application of the same principle in the government of our cities.
No dissent from this plank was expressed either in the deliberations of the Platform Committee or on the floor of the Convention.
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