PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1942, Page 8

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

PROGRESS IN AMERICA The municipal elections in New York on the 4th November last were the third held under proportional representation, and some interesting particulars thereof are supplied by “The National Municipal Review” of December. The municipal council of New York consists of 26 aidermen.' The city is a stronghold of the Democratic Party, so much so that formerly that Party was able to monopolise the representation and sometimes indeed it secured all the seats. The latest results were: Democratic 17, Republican 2, American Labour 3, City Fusion 3, Communist 1; total 26. Three women were elected, and, for the first time, a negro, the Rev. A. C. Powell, junr. was elected. There is a large negro population in New York City with special problems needing attention. One peculiarity of the election was that party proved a stronger influence than race. For example, when a Tammany negro candidate was counted out, most of. his ballots were transferred to a white Tammany candidate, and only a few to Mr Powell. Again, when a Jewsih, candidate was counted out, only a minority of his ballots went to two other eminent Jewish candidates on different tickets. The voting was 83 per cent, effective, and the minorities are naturally well satisfied with a system which secures them representation. Eager to regain its former monopoly of its representation, however, the Democratic Party is not satisfied inasmuch as the monopoly enabled them to over-ride the Mayor’s veto. Accordingly they have determined to make another attempt to abolish the new system, and a plebiscite is to be taken in November next.

Other American cities to elect their councils by proportional representation were Cambridge. Yonkers, Cincinatti, Toledo, Hamilton, Ohio and Boulder.