New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-14
ALB1 y Y.
REAPpORTIONMENT.

DEBATE IN THE ASSEMBLY UN THE MAJORITY AP-
PoRlIoNNENr BIGI-sTNGULAR ERRORS DIscov-
EREp-PAgTY ADVANTAGE sOCGHT-THE BROOK
LYN SENATE DISTRICTS ACTED oy.
lFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE !
ALBANY, March 13.-1he first skirmish over
bills reapporoniug the legislative districts
fought the Republicans and Democrats OF
Assembly to-day. The Democrats worstei, and
have been asserting that the moral character OF
the yictOrs when political questions are up, is not
good II should be. Some surprising omissions and
repotltions were discovered Mr. Alvord's plan
of apportionins the senatorial districts In New
York CITY Mr. James Hayes, who represents
the highly patriotic population inhabtug the
Fourteenth ward discovered. few days ago,
that tney had been dsiranchised-that ward
not mentioned In the bill. Inc Tenth Ward also
mentioned. large part Of the Eighth Ward had also
been Oblterated On tho other hand citizens of
greater patriotism. nhab!tIng the Twelfth and Nine
Wards permitted to vote for two Senators
districts being mentioned twice. These discoveries
caused much grief among the Democrats the sin
fulness OF the Republicans In trying TO annihate Demo
Gratis and encourage repeating The Republicans on
their part panied to that the Democrats. In
drawing up their bin for dividing the Senatorial dis
In the city. had carved out very rrcgulary
shaped districts; indeed, their districts when marked
out map or NewYork made 1t look, with its
and quick turns like child's dcsccated map. This
obvious appearance OF gerrymandering districts
filed the Republicans with sorrowful regret at the
Democrats had lapsed from that innocence which had
always distinguished the party.
Mr.. Halliday led of In the debate for the Democrats
Mr Hamilton Fish. IT,. occupying the chair Mr. Ha-
day made a motion that the first section Of the bill
strit ken out This first section mentioned the division
OF tie Senatorial districts among the several
The second section Of the bill provides for the division OF
the Assembly districts Mr. Halliday said that he moved
that the first section he stricken 1t might
"a
that not affected deeply by the rcdivson of
ties among the Senatorial districts. Almost every
member would probably offer some objection TO the
arrangement OF tho Senatorial districts In both the
bills Of the minority and majority. In respect to tho
scmbly districts, the members could act far Judi
clally. IL would be best therefore, to divide the
One might drag down tho other defeat #
they were left united Alvord IN reply said that he
was strongly opposed to such division. Tho bill
fcrred the entire Legislature and should DO kept In
that form. There considerable difference OF opinion
about the Senatorial districts but he trusted confidently
political differences would not push the Assembly
into DONG anything outrageous In this respect Mr.
Brooks followed with argument of the nature us
Mr.. IIallidays The motion defeated by Il vote OF
As 10 5l-a strict party vote.
White the vote being taken there was a remark
able silence in the chamber. The Republicans were
much grathed ut their victory. Mr.. Halliday then
moved that the arrangement OF the Senatorial Districts
made by the Democrats be substituted for that made
by the Republicans lie then said that the persons who
sought to defeat apportonment had just made good
point. According 10 tue bill Of tho minority the
counties were well grouped In the Senatorial Dis
trcts. The ratios OF representation better than
in any that had he eofore been presented Mr. Alvord
replied that he had much respect for his oath as other
members and that he intended to do his best to send 10
the Governor bin that would receive the appreciation
Of people OF the State o then moved that the Sec
ond Senatorial District tBrookyn) have added 10 IL the
villages Of Kings County. Mr. Bergen, Of Brooklyn
sOutly opposed any change. asserting that II gerry
Wandering plot. Mr.. Warning, of Brooklyn denied this
assertion ana SAID that the amendment simply offered
give the several senatorial Districts of BROOKLYN
about the same population. Mr. Alvords motion was
adopted. Brooklyn politicians declare that the Demo.
Gratis were satisfied with tho first arrangement, because
they confident shat under they could elect all
three Senators whereas under the modification proposed
and made the Republicans will have a chance OF car
rying OF the districts The Brooklyn districts under
the arrangement Will he divided rs follows:
Second Disrtct-Wards L. - D. s. ., 10, IL, Fatbush
Flatlands. GRAY csend, New Lots ana New Utrecht
Ihird Disttcf-Wards 3, 4, z. H. 90 81, 22, 20. "a
Fourth Disfrici-Wards Is, Ia, 10, rs. ~, Is, 10.
MI. Brooks then moved that the Tenth Ward Of New