Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-01-06
The Dls.riet system.

The DeldIoaredn rises an objection to the Dis
trict system, which We think is not so Objectiona.
bleas the single fact that a strOng Radical Hun
dred, where a hundred or two negroes, lin either
county,) by repeating, may carry the whole ticket
for that party. Such is the case now. For many
years the Wing majority in Christiana Hundred
overwhelmed the Democratic majority in Will
mington and the other parts ofour county. Now
it is charged that Wilmington with her large Rad
ical majority overcomes the majority of Brandy
wine, New Castle, White Clay Creek, and Apo
quinimink Hundreds, and thus elect the whole
Radical ticket. By the district system this wonld
not be the case. Under it, at the last election,
Appoquinimink, New Castle, White Clay Creek,
and Bandywine might all have elected Demo
Gratis to the Legislature. We really do not see
much force in the objection OF our Democratic
colaborer, while we think tue advantage which it
conceeds would inure to tho party, is of the Ut.
most importance. II says:
"In reply to our much respected cotemporary,
the Gazette, we would say that the District syS-
tenn, which it suggests, (without considering the
way of bringing il about) is open to the objection
that members chosen by districts are too apt 10
consider themselves the representatives of their
districts rather than of the county or State. 1t is
also liable to the abuse called Gerrymanderng or
the changing OF ulbifiCL ilu1llS DN Inc purity Al
power for It's particular benefit and advantage
In party point Of rieao it sooNd doubtless nure
to the advantage Of Democracy, By i'lSt1ing them
a larger majority IN the Legislature Schiie they are
in the majority, and respectable representation
in the contingency Of their again becoming tho ma
ROTity party an the State But as we have before
intimaled the question with the people is not
one of party advantage so much as of protection
to the agricultural interests of the State"
So far as protecting the agricultural interests of
the State is concerned, we think it must be con-
ceeded that under the District system it would be
equally as safe as it is al present Wilmington,
If given all that the most demanding stickler for
equal representation has asked, could not have
more than onc-!ourth of the representatives,, and
suppOsing they were all from one party and all
for one interest," they could effect nothing with
out the concurrence of the members from the ru-
raj districts.
When Wilmington had five or six thousand in
habitants and there was very little business need
ed for her; and the various hundreds needed less
also, she doubtless was very well served by the
members from the rural districts. But now they
have all as much as they care TO do to serve the
increased population they represent, and Will
mingtOn with her 10000 Inhabitants is required
frequently to go to the members from the lower
COunlles 10 get ncr auars ottenQeQ 10. 1nlS Is ali
wrong-it is a reproach to the people who per
petuate it. Instead Of keeping US down the peo-
pie of the State should feel some little pride in
the only city they eau boast of in Delaware. By
the District system the Democrats last fall could
have carried the southern district with about half
ofthc Wilmington delegation if there had been
any, just as we carried the Assessor in that dis
triet. Wilmington is not represented as its bust
ness requires.
Mr.. Maris is very excellent man-will do all
he can for us; but it must be remembered thai our
10000 inhabitants have no representation in the
Senate at all-there is no man there to whom
Wilmington Democrat or Republican may 60 and
claim service, because in many cases he would
have to go into a whole chapter Of explanations
about our ordinances, streets, our schools, our
loans, our factories, &c &c, all OF which per
son to represent such a city should be posted in.
We want and oui interests require, two or three
more members at Dover. Will the Legislature
not be magnanimous and give them TO us?