Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-03-08
IECREAsED REPRESENTATION STRONG ON
ITS OWN MERITS, BUT HELPLESS IF

this county has been greatly strengthened with
in the last two years, and was never, in the his
tory of the State, 80 strong as now. We are
quite willing to admit indeed, that the agitation
attending the proposition to divide the county,
though Of no avail in securing that particular
result, has had the effect of recruiting aud tcon-
solidating the feeling in favor OF equal represen-
tstion. Persons who have heretofore not spoken
have been called out oil the division question,
and in considering the whole case, have found
themselves unable to do otherwise than support
the Just claims of our DISTINGUISHED citizens.
We may instance Mr.. Gray of New Castle, whose
address to the Legislative caucus,
last week, is marvel of
radical demand, declaring that nothing but the
full number of twenty members, (Which he pro-
poses to secure by dividing the county, will
satisfy his claim behalf OF New
Castle county This goes to the utter
most limit of the claim made for her,
snd-if his speech is correctly reported-enti-
Ties Mr.. Gray to position i'll the front rank OF
the strongest advocates Of Equal Represents
ton. We hope that having had the boldness to
take that position lie will have the fortitude to
maintain it, even if his party associates should
not Immediately grant, by the exact method Of
his preference. that full measure OF justice
which he 30 ardently insists upon
The demand for increased representation be-
ing 30 strengthened and compacted, it tshould be
pressed upon the Legislature in Its simplest
and directest form. 1t should be proposed upon
its own merits, for in them it s strong. No one
can deny the justice OF the claim, while it il pre-
sented clear OF other issues.
I.taI I.f,.
resentation of this county i'll the Legsla ture
should disconntenance all motions to involve
the question. common device employed III
legislative bodies TO kill a measure indirectly -
TO load it with amendments, and in TIL. case
every additional question that lis aaddled upon
the simple proposition to Increase our represeu-
tation weakens the native force OF the or1gina!
motion. Standing alone, it is inyincble; load
cd with collateral Issues, each one OF them ia
sure to provoke opposition.
III, therefore, the Legislature shall take the
course OF proposing an amendment to the
constitution, increasing representation,
land here, let ua say, in tue most distinct and
emphatic terms, that all increase should be ac-
compamed by the creation of single districts that
amendment, pure and simple, eucumbered with
ho other questions. will be without opponeuts
None dare antagonize IT, and the members OF
the Legisature-from this county, at least-wlll
be elected next year to vote its iinal adoption.
There would be no difticulty in this. No matter
which party carries the county, the member.
elected will be favorable to the amendment.
But if the policy is now adopted OF saddiing
upon the back of equal representation. the pro
position to divide the county, then the cou-e.
laehce Will be disastrous. Encumbered by that
measure, the amendment will provoke oppo.i-
ton OF the strongest kind in all 4uarters Of the
county, from members Of both parties Increase
OF our representation lie one thing: cutting M,
New Castle county is quite another The form
er has no opponents; the latter has only minor
ity Of advocates.
No NAH Of common sagacity, who knows the
facts Of our situation, and II familiar with tile
feeling OF the people. Cali doubt what the conse-
4nence will he if this suicidal policy Of nyoly-
lhs division with representation is pursued
Inc advocates OF that policy could not more ef-
fecuVely aid the enemies Of just representation
tnah 70 so manipulate and eomplicate the riln-
PIE question Of increase. That they mean to
serve those enemies We do not believe. but they
Were, until the awakening force of cool
Judgment and deliberate bubble ouiuio,,
began 70 express Itself, apparently deter
mileu 10 put the proposition OF Increased
representation into a form which, at next wear.
elections, would be certain to encounter defeat.
Ihey would distract the county. They would
disrupt and deinorale itz demands. Theywould
Introduce into the election of tie next Legisa-
tnre, whose members are to consider the amend
nent, and three-fourth= of whom are needed to
ratify 1t, questions that would reud our peopls
with antagonisns, and leave the propo-itiou to
be tramped under foot
No one who desires to see the etizen.hip Of
New Castle secure Its just voice in the law-nlsk-
ing assembly should countenance the presenta-
lion OF that desire in any but its simplest form.