The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-12-21

Our recent article on redistrcting the State, as
we anticipated has called forth some discussion
It is an important matter, and it is we'll that
the several counties and municipalities who
are interested in just apportionment, should
understand the question and secure their
rights. The Lcwiston Journal in referring
to our article says:
Cumberland and Androscoggin have each
Increased in population since 1850 nearly the
same, it is difficult to see how the Press gives
two new representatives to Cumberland and
none to Androscoggin.
We think that there was degree of favor
itism shown ten years ago, whereby certain
c)unties had relatively larger representation.
In other words, county delegations who were
smart, understood the matter, and looked
after their homo interests, gained the advan-
tage. The redistricting Of the State by the
Legislature Of 1851 affords an opportunity for
criticism, if person therefor is disposed to
make comparison Of the populations which
respectively define representative district in
the several counties.
Such an examination will disclose that the
number OF representatives were not altogeth-
er equitably distributed among the counties.
Eight representatives were given to the coun-
ty of Androscoggin with population of 29.-
TIA, which distribution gave one representa-
tive to every 3714 OF the Inhabitants Of said
county. The county Of Cumberland with a
population of 75,e0S was limited to Is repre-
Ssntatives, which gave one representative to
every 42O0 of the inhabitants of the latter
county.
1t appears that 3714 inhabitants constitutes
the number that was considered requisite to
establish representative district in Andros-
coggln county. If similar enumeration for
= representative apportionment had been al.
lowed Cumberland county, the latter county
would have had twenty during the last do.
cade instead Of eighteen representatives.
Piscataquis county has had but three rep
rs,entatives for population of 15,054-one
representative to every 5000 of its inhabir.
ants. This looks like injustice.
These discrepancies should be equalized by
the future action Of the Legislature. II the
whole population Of the State should be di-
vlded into ISL representative districts, it
would give each representative district pop
ulatlon of AGA inhabitants. If Androscoggin
county should DO allowed an increase of one
representative over the last apportonment, it
would have nine representatives. This num-
ber should In equity call for popula-
ton of 37476. Androscosgin County
by the recent census has population of 49,
800, which il 1885 inhabitantsless than the
equitable requisite number for nine repre-
ssntatives. This deficiency when duly con-
sidered may not provo = sufficient objection
to an increase, but when compared with the
rightfal demand or claim Of Cumberland coun-
~, the latter has the advantage. Cumber-
land county has = population Of S2,O43.
Twenty Representatives would call for 2 pop
ulation of s3,2SO, which appears to be 1247
more than the actual enumeration Of the lat
ter county. But Cumberland county stands
relatively $40 better in population for de-
mand for twenty Representatives, which is an
increase of two, than Androscoggin county
does for nine Representatives, which is an in
crease of one. And il this claim of Cumber-
land county should be satisfied no injustice
would be done any other county. This per-
haps is sufficient for the inquiry Of our friend
Of the Journal.
Androscoggin is an important county and
fast increasing in population, and is deserv.
ing of due consideration from tho Legislature
in making up tho apportionment. A careful
reexaminatisn of the distribution of the rep
resentatives to the several counties forces US
to make one change as expressed in our table.
We would give Androscoggin county an adj
ditional representative and Aroostook ono
less--and it may be matter of some doubt
whether either Washington or Piscataquis
county should have the increase of one repre-
sentative, or whether York or Sagadahoc
rasx,>nt~ <...-
table appears to be correct.
Should tho Legislature be governed strictly
by population in the distribution of repre-
sentatives, the foliowin. result would be OBJ
oil cd