Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1874-02-28

alterations aptly apply TO the demand of
New Castle county for increased repre-
seniatlon in the Legislature. No rriuci
ne of Justice can authorize the refusal
of that demand NJ grounds Of publ c
policy can be successfully maintained
against It. But the gross injustice Of
which the citizens of New Castle county
are the victims, does not cease with the
violation of the principle of equal repre-
sentatlon alone. II Is practically con
tinuinR legislative declaration, carried
into feet, that the action Of the minority
shall be permitted TO defeat the wishes
of the malOrity--a legislative declaration
that il In direct conflict with the spirit Of
the Constitution of the State Of Della
ware. which was adopted when the
populations Of the several counties were
approximately equal with the essential
elements of true democracy; with the
Constitution of the United States, which
guarantees a republican form of govern
ment to every State In the Union; aud with
the oath taken by our Legislators, who.
upon entering upon the discharge of their
duties solOmenly swear that they Will
support the Constitution Of the United
States, the Constitution Of the State Of
Delaware, and perform their duties In the
Legislature wih .dieliiy. If the pOpIla-
ton of New Castle county were consider.
ably greater than that either ofthe lower
fuunties, but less than that of the lower
counties combined, a great grievance
would be imposed upon the citizens Of
/ New Castle county In tneif deprivation
of the legal right to increased representa-
lion. But vastly greater wrong Is in
| iicted upon them, comprising, a. they do,
more than half Of the entire population
of the State. BY reason of this wrong, IL
is within the power ofthe minority Of the
people of this State, through their repre-
sentatiyes in the Legislature from Kent
and Sussex counties, at any time to
Illustrate the will Of the majority. a
strange anomaly, indeed, is presented 10
the unparalleled mind by government
deliberately defeating the very policy
which called II into being, and to which
| 1t still processes to adhere.
There Is another important consldera.
| ton which demonstrates the Injustice OF
| the present system Of representation IN
/ this State. Commerce and manufacturing
are the most prominent interests Of New
Castle county the principal interests OF
Kent and Sussex counties are agricul-
iural. These distinctive interests, how
ever, are perfectly harmonious. Whatever
proves detrimental 10 any Of them will
be productive Of injury 10 the rest.
/ They are all most hOurshing when no
one OF them is more hurdeHed than
another. But while these several inter.
ests are not In the least antagoni, tic
I to each other, and while each should
therefore naturally receive equal proloc-
lion and encourag, ment from all Of the
members of the Legislature, without re
gard TO the character of the industry in
which their constituencies are directly
most Interested, a moments thought will
enable anyone TO clearly perceive that il
is the part Of true policy to firmly estab'
hsh representation upon such basis as
to guard as far as possible against al
Damage to either agricultural, CONNER
cial or manufacturing interests Of tn,
state which might in any way arise from
either prejudice or negligence, O
from want Of acquaintance on
the part OF the legislator with tn
proper requirements of any Of these in
terests. This end can only be altaine,
through increased representation from
New Castle county. IL Is what the PEG
pie Of that county are entitled to demau,
and do demand. II Is what fairness an,
FOLEY alike demand. II Is that whicl
can he denied solely through the crosses
injustice and wrong. kEsPUBLICA.