Lincoln telegraph., 1841-09-02

intention Of the trainers of the constitution. 1t
was, that when by the census. the number
reaches two hundred, the people should act. it
had reached two hundred in 1884, bnt the people
were cheated out of their rights, by these open
red-mouthed, protesting democrats Compare
their course with that of the Wings in 1S4l II
the Wings had chosen to disregard the constitu-
ton and trample it worthless thing beneath
their feet, they had the example before them
They were under no greater Obligations to appor-
ton two hundred and submit the question to
the people, than the Legislature of 1881. They
might with equal propriety have apportoned
one hundred and ninety, or any less number
final for the nert ten gears. But they disdained
to follow the example. They fairly, honestly
and fully met the requirements of the constitu-
ton-apportoned two hundred representatives,
and submitted the question of increase or diminu-
ton to the people thus giving to the next Leg
islature the power to apportion anew. If the To-
co focos had been in power last winter, no ques-
ton would have been submitted. The people
would again have been passed by, and an arbi-
trary number, less than two hundred, been fixed
upon them for ten years. And such an appor-
tionment as they would have made, the imagina-
ton cannot reach We insist that the Wings
have shown their regard for the Constitution and
the people, and have done their duty.
One word as to the Senatorial apportonment
of 1881. The Constitution provides that the Sen
ators shall be not more than twenty at the first
apportlonment, and at each apportonment, shall
be increased until they shall amount to thirty
one, according 10 The increase in the House Of Rep
resentatives The Wings this year have appor-
toned thirty-one. Taking the assumed arbitra-
nv number of one hundred and eghty-six, in tie
House, as apportioned in 1881, the Senate should
have been increased to at least twenty-eight, al
that time, as any one can at once calculate
But twenty y-eight could not be so advantageous
ly apportoned to answer party purposes. They
therefore, fixed upon twenty-five Senators only
in direct violation of the Constitution, so as Il
meet the calculation of party leaders and fgurers
THE APPoRTIoNEIENT-AG
The plan of the locofoco leaders is, to cry
aloud and spare not, about the apportionment
and to induce the loud taking and leatherned-
unged understrappers at the corners ofthe street.
to shout, WICKED, ,ABOMINABLE, OUTRA-
GEOUS, and other adjectiyes ofa like nature,
without coming to any point, or entering into
any argument or specification. This may answer
to excite the prejudlces and passions Of few
who will NOT examinn and counara but must faI1
to influence any sober-minded and honest man
Let the matter be examined carefully and candid
ly, and with strict comparison with the apportion
ment of 1881, and all will be able to see which
apportIonment comes nearer to the spirit and in
tentions of the constitution. propose, to-day
to examine another point on which their denun
Citations are based, and to give facts and figures
This great cry to which we allude, is, that sep
arate representation is given to certain towns fol
specified years, and that it is given to certain
towns that did not ask for it. This is true, but il
is precisely the same course IN this respect, as
that taken in 1881, and is in strict conformity
with the constitution. BY that instrument the
Legislature is empowered atevery apportionment
whenever any town or plantation not entitled tc
elect representative, shall determine against
classification with any other town or plantation
to authorize such towns, ON application therefor
to elect representative for such portion of TIM
and Such period, as shall be equal to its portion o
representation. Here is power given, which il
was clearly intended should be exercised in favor
Of such towns as might prefer separate represen
tation. How is this to be done? The constitu
ton provides that representatives shall first be
apportioned among the counties, i. e., the mum
Der which each county is entitled to send annu
ally, is fixed and determined. Thus York is en-
titled to twenty one, Cumberland to twenty-sev
en-, Penobscot to nineteen every year. towr
applies for separate representation in one ofthest
counties. 1t is, then, the duty of the Legislature
to grant the request if possible. Upon examina
ton it is found that the town is entitled to rep
resentation one half the time, or five years out
the ten Ofcourse it is necessary, ay, uaGUoida
bic, that some other town should be classed will
it. Else one year there would be twenty-ont
representatives, say, in York county, which th
town sends, and the next year but twenty
Let us take the case as presented in York coun
ty this year Acton was the only town in tha
county that asked for separate representation
The prayer of the people being granted, the towr
was entitled to five years representation, and o.
course it was absolutely necessary that to some
other town the other five years should be assign
ed or else the number of twenty-one representa-