The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-07
LOCAL MATTERS.


Apportionment for Representation in Con-
Rress. ~
The iniquitous and partizan gerrymander
Of this State, called the bill for apportion-
ment for representation in Congress, on
which we commented a few days since,
came up for consideration in the Senate last
Tuesday. &
1t was so distasteful, even to some of the
party that made it, that one member, at
least, desired to break up the caucus ar
rangement. Senator Nowlin, (dem.) of
Carroll, moved to amend the bill by trans
ferring the county Of Grayson from the
fifth TO the ninth district but caucus
proved to be too strong for him. Though
he pleaded in behalf of his Senatorial dis
trict, and presented a nunerously signed
petition of the members of his own party in
Grayson, yet the majority said it would
not do to break up the arrangement" so
the motion was defeated, and the people Of
Grayson, against their almost unanimous
protest are thrown neck and heels" over
the mountains into district in which they
have no community of feeling or interest
whatever.
Then Senator Stevens, (rep.) of Sussex,
made an effort to have Greensville county
put into the Second district, and gave good
reasons therefor, but, of course, his motion
met with no better success than that of
Judge Nowlin.
Senator Greene, (rep) of Petersburg,
asked if this bill had been reported from
any committee.
Senator Quesenberry, (dem.) Of Caro-
line, replied by saying that it had been in
troduced by himself and did not come from
a committee.
making the apportionment Of representa-
ton among the several states Of the Union,
contained provision requiring that in the
the apportionment the several states
should divide their districts equally as
regards population as nearly as practi-
cable. He would, therefore, move ''that
the bill be referred to the Committee on
Privileges and Elections, with instructions
to report a plan of apportion for represen-
tation in Congress that will make the dis
tricts as nearly equal in population as prac-
ticable."
In support of this motion, MIR. Greene
stated that this bill had been laid upon the
tables of members for the first time this
day, and no opportunity had been afforded
to examine its provisions, in order to de-
termine whether or not it complied with
the act of Congress. And if it did not, we
could not HOW amend it in any satisfactory
manner without having before us tho pop.
ulation of the several cities, towns and
counties. F
The constitution of this State require;
that the districts shall be formed 'of con
| tiguous counties, cities, and towns, be CON,
pact, and include as nearly as may be an
| equal number of population" But thu
| hasty examination he had been enabled t.
give this bill, reveals the fact that the dis
tricts are not contiguous, not compact, ant
are grossly unequal in population, thu
violating both the law Of Congress an
the constitution of this State.
For example: Here are two district
side by side-the fourth and the fifth-on
has a population of 1856, and the othe
12S ,457, making difference of l5, ,229.-
Surely it would have been an easy matte
to have found one county, and perhap
two that might have been transferred SO a
to mako the population of these two di'
trcts more nearly equal. Give us time
arrange all these matters, and we will /
f prepared to submit amendments in PR
per form. AS it is, the two amendmen
{ already proposed have been rejected, ar
the only objection urged against them
that they would destroy the symetry of Il
proposed scheme and make o st
greater disparagement in populatie
among the districts. For one
tMr. G.) failed to see the sym
try of this scheme, but he was not prepar,
now to propose any amendments. !
would like further time, and he would pr
! mise to prepare plan that would give
: just and equal apportionment.
u Senator Stevens also urged the adopti
of the motion of the Senator from Peter
burg as one eminently just and proper.
i Senator Lakeland Gnd. dem.), of Boz
y tourt, also favored the motion. He b
/ objections to the bill, and he hoped
subject would be referred to the commits
n where he could have an opportunity
J. make such amendments as he thought oul
to be made.
Senator Ouesenberrv said he was