The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-08-31
The Kansas Constitution.

We have not yet received copy of the
new Constitution, and do not feel like
making remarks upon it until we see the
whole instrument. The following is the
apportionment agreed upon, and if it be
any indication of the character of the
Constitution, we shall take pleasure in
voting NO, on its adoption:
Observation-Disclosures, 4; Atchi
son and Brown, 6; Nemaha, Marshall and
Washington, 2; Clay, Riley and Potta-
wattamie, 4, Dickerson, Davis and
Wabaunsee, 8; Shawnee, Jackson and
Jefferson, 8; Leavenworth, g.; Douglas,
Johnson and Wyandotte, IA; Lykins,
Linn and Bourbon, 8; Allen, Anderson
and Franklin, 6; Woodson and Madison,
2; Coffey, Usage and Breckenridge, 6;
Morris, Chase, Butler, Godfrey, Green
wood, Hunter, Wilson and McGee, 8.
Senators-Doniphan, 2; Atchison and
Brown 2; Nemaha &C., l.; Clay &C., l;
Dickerson &C., L; Shawnee &C., 2;
Leavenworth, 8; Lykius &C., 8, Allen &C.,
2; Woodson g., l; Coffey &C., 2; Morris
&C., l.
We must say that the above beats, in
political rascalisy, any thing that we ever
knew in the shape of an apportionment.-
We had read of jerrimanderimg States for
political purposes, and in days gone by,
have seen Ohio divided into all kinds of
shapes for representative purposes; but
never before did we see such specimen
of scoundrelism iL a deliberative body as
is shown in this apportionment. Why did
not the Convention adopt the single re-
preventative district system? Or, if that
was practicable, why not let each county,
so far as possible, have representative?
We understand that the appor:ionment
was made on the basis of $4,000 voters
or 333 votes to each member Then. why,
we again ask, why was not each county,
with 333 votes, apportioned one men,
ber-667 two and so on? Why was
Brown attached to Atchison! two couE-
lies cornering each other, only! Why,
in the name Of common honesty, is Jack
son and Jefferson tackled on to Shawnee?
counties that have not single interest in
common. Why is Wyandotte and Jack
son tackled on to Douglas? Either of these
counties was entitled to a member
Tbep look to our own district, the 18th,
including Morris, Chase. Butler, Godfrey,
Greenwood, Hunter, Wilson. McGee and
Dorn-counties that really have no in
terest with us--making district in the
shape of an L, taking four of the western
tier of counties and the southern tier OF
counties, to the Missouri State Line
That this was intended as direct outrage
and insult to this part of Kansas, no one
can doubt The members Of the Wyan.
dotte Convention are charging each other
with fraud. bribery, etc. We are glad
that they have fallen out and are telling or
each other We have no doubt that the
most they tell is true, and if so, the Wy
andotte Convention contains the bigges
set of scoundrels that ever met in de
Lucrative body. The last Legislature be
!, gins to appear quite decent in comparison
the one before, of Minneola fame, wa
, quite respectable body, while the olt
Border Ru ffian Legislature should have
monument of excellence erected. 1t ma,
be said that it is only temporary, that i
can be changed. We were unrepresent
ed in TIE Convention. and, consequently
are disfranchised. We shall be unrepre
, sented in the Legislature, and may be 70
f years.
If the Constitution be adopted, til
, first Legislature will dispose of the Ian
grants indicate the direction of the rail
, roads, and, in fact arrange the whole in
/ ternal improvements of the State-in a
of which we shall be neglected and fol
gotten as in days gone by. If this az
e portionment be adopted on it's final pas
r sage, we believe it the duty of all South
= ern Kansas to vote against the Constitu
tiop; aud as to oursef. if we shall eve
e stand alone, we shall give it our unqual
? fed ddissent.-kanSds Press
= Foreign NeVs-Arrival of the