Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-01-21
s;sisss REMARKS or MR. GENTRY. !: \.
OF. Ass4 en tAe BID 5ntrodased N ltn n 9aT W
and este1lisk q spes County, Go nosis a A

4sss5s kEMAHKSs UF NIX sHENIkf IA
q, Asss g t4s ~ Ats e aag q
sad ssss5lisA q se,s tsansl. II sAs reas q A
fhs bin coming up on il. second reading n
Mr. Speaker: am aware that gentlemen i, ahis
halt are disposed to question the propriety Of vot
ing for this bill. for the reason that the county 81
Ashe at the last apportonment had not the requisite
population, to entitie her to two members IN the
House of Commons. And in, order to satisfy the
members of this body in regard to this question Of
population, have taken the trouble to gather from
official documents the following stalistica, which
show the gradual increase of The population that
county for the last six cen years, which propose
| to compare with the increased population Of the
State at large, for the same period Of time. "a.
The aggregate population Of the State, as shown
from the census of l840 was 753. 419.
The population Of 1850, was 869, 039, showing an
increase of Is per cent in ten years, or per cent
annually. .5
The population of Ashe, (now constituting Ashe
and Wa;auga,) was in 1s4O-7,467. IS.
I The population of both counties in Is 80 was
1917, showing an increase in ten years of 63 per
cent. in that county, which was clear gain over
the average increase of the State of At per cent in
ten years.
I now propose, Mr. Speaker, to show from the
popular VOTE the increased population of that coun.
ty, since the census of 1850 ~ ,-s,.-;1'' s.e.
SaAshe and Watauga counties voted together in
1850. The votes poled in those two counties for
Governor in 1885, were 49, 1890 .
In the year 1852, 1857
In the year 1854, 1859
In the year 1885, 2O91
Showing gain of the popular vote since the census
OF 1850, of 801 votes, making an average increase
of 1876 votes annually. By comparing the votes
poled in that county in 1850 with the aggregate
population, as shown from the census o. the same
year, we find that our population is fraction over
nine to one voter; that according to this cacula
ton compared with the votes poed in Ashe, at the
last election which was ,442; our present popu-
lation cannot fall short of 900. Then, sir, have
no doubt, if the apportonment were made at this
time, that Ashe county has the population that
would cntiie her to tsoo members this floor,
whereas she now has but one; but of this sir,
am not complaining. provided this inequality in rep
resentation shall be corrected at the proposed time
would ask, then, Mr.. Speaker, what injustice can
possibly be done to the citizens of any portion of
the State in consequence of such division? Yves
not asking for a member, but only asking for
county organization, which would be represented in
common with the present county of Ashe, until the
next appCriionment; which cannot take place under
the present constitution in less than sixteen years,
while Ashe alone, if not divided, is bound to have
two members at that apportOnment; but if she is
divided, the result will be- that the old county at
the apportionment will lose member, and that
portion of her former citizens constituting the
county, will get member. Then sir, it matters not
as conceive whether these two members coming as
they WILL from the same territory, shall represent
too counties one.
The nature of our grievances Mr.. Speaker, is set
forth in the memorial that has just been read at the
clerks desk, and entertain the opinion that there
is not a member in this hail. who has paid attention
to the reading of that memorial who is not satisfied
Gf the facts set forth in it be true) that this bill
ought to pass. Now, sir, desire it to be borne in
mind by the members Of this House, that there are
to that memorial the names of about three hundred
of the citizens Of Ashe county, all testfying to the
.cts as set forth in that petition and am fully
prepared to state that the facts therein set forth,
are not exaggerated, but that the grievances COM
planned of: really exist and am prepared further
to state that long this question has been agi-
tating the people Of that county, have never to my
recollection, heard solitary express himself as
being opposed to the DIVISION but all seem to be in
favor Of it; and can safely say, that large ma
jority of the people of the county, are anxious for
division. This question will be looked to by the
people l represent, with much more interest, than
any question that is likely to be brought before this
Legislature. 1t is true, sir SO far as my own per-
sona interest is concerned, it is of small conse-
quence to me- except as one Of the aggrieved citi-
zens of the county. But my duty to those " no
sent me here, knowing the deep interest they take
in this matter, with the knowled at the same time
that they depending me, as their only repre-
sentative, whose duty it is to See tina: Justice be
done them, by having their claims and wants fairly
presented before this body; l confess, sir these
considerations make me feel no small degree of in
tcrest in this matter; and therefore, do hope it
will be the pleasure of the members of this House
to pass this bill.