Smyrna times., 1873-01-01

Equal REPRESENTATION What the .Statt
fdpers Say AJOut H.-An article in the Dela
todred" OF Saturday last has proved a fire
brand in the ranks of the equal-representat;or
party. The article reads thus:
A petition in favor of representation No
ooruing 10 population is being circulated fol
slsnatures IN New Castle county. AS the
prayer OF these petitioners can only he oranted
by an amendment to the Constitution wa
would suggest to them that they might as well
save their Ink and paper. The citizens of the
TWO lower counties, Democrats or Republicans
VIII not consent to it, and there the matter will
nave to rest. The clause in the Constitution
hxlng the representation in the Legislature
was the work of the Wings, who at the time
were tne dominant party in the State, and it
was designed Tor the double purpose of securing
political control in the State. and giving tbe
two weaker counties, whose interest were
entirely agricultural (land then as now navinc
nearly all the taxes the control of State
legislation. Citizens OF Kent and Sussex
counties, irrespective of party, place higb
value ON thus provision of the Constitution. and
sooner than surrender it they would be willing
TO let the City of Wilmington secede and ser nn
state tor itself. They do not intend. if thev
can help 1t, to be governed by the managers Of
tne noatlng and irresponsible voting force that
serves 70 I11 1qiid up majorities, one way or
In response to this the Commercial, (Rep)
says:
These are words, which, under any circum.
stances, would be in bad taste. Under tbcc;r-
cumstances which actually exist, thev are ov.
presSlonS which insult more than half the nen
PIE OF the State. They do no credit to the
~" De.@wared". Ca Nor is it true, at any
Iate' that representation according to popula.
~ ioh can on:y be granted by amendment TO
the Constitution This is the dogma of 49, ~
VINO mean to contest the equalization Of renre.
sentatlon to the last, but it is theory witbon,
warrant in the Constitution.
The Gazette, Dem. says, timidlv:
II Is not to be supposed that the people ofI
nent and sussex are ready to agree to the de- |
mands that have been made bv some 90
jealous people in New Castle county for renrc-
ssentatlon according to population, as the vote
- - no" cast Nor IS 1t to be supposed that
they are ready to let Wilmington secede as
the article suggests. Whila wa 10 49, |
see the use OF Constitutional Convention IN hi.
state and believe no adequate good wonlJ
result from one, We believe legislation in the a. |
Iec'i9n oI more equal representation is desired
acu = ~ !, Geman1ed by the great mass of the neonle
~ M tn!e Gouhty'- And 1t a change is to be made
done by the Democratic party. ReGer;ne
y tnat II It is ever done by the Raical partv tbs
state VIII be SO gerrymandered from tiwe 'It -
.Inme, .n that 1t will be difficult to ever dislodee
During the last campaign the Radicals tool
equal representation as platform, and We do
not see that they thereby drove any Of their
so.ers 10 our ranks. On the contrary thew
ssIa'aaiy carried the county of Sussex for their
NJ md H.,
heir ticket while their gain in Kent S,as ,e'o ..
tremendous. Another such election migbt ro'
luce the Democratic majorties so low tbat Tho
Gale could be made to turn either wav b., /
cry small faction of diSsenters at a pom;nat;on .
or election" " EQUALIZATION