Ebook The American Electoral System

The word elector in this connection is one of great historical meaning and interest, on account of the remark able coincidence oi the establishment Of electoral colleges in the States, and the existence in past ages of intermedi ate bodies, called together for the purpose of Choosing a chief magistrate. It had been the prevailing custom, sanctioned by time, to devolve this duty upon a small and select body of men. We know that the Polish Diet elected the king of Poland; that the emperor of Germany was chosen under the Germanic constitution by an elec toral college, and that the choosing of the Supreme Pontiff of the Christian world has, from time immemorial, fallen upon a small body Of men.