The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-11
ALVORD'S APP0RTI0NMENT.
OLD SAT- PROMISES THAT IT SHALL
BE PERFECTLY SQUARE



And thss the Inst Census is n Poor Guide.
ALBANY, Feb. 1O.-The lawmakers had
nearly all quit the capital last evening when
went to Stanwix Hall to pay my respects to ex-
Gov Alvord. familiarly known as Old Salt. He
sat In his pleasant room. smoking an after din
ner cigar.
Governor" said. have come to ask you
what you propose to do about an apportion-
ment. Somehow tho impression has got abroad
that the decision as 10 whether we are to have
an apportionment this winter rests more with
you than with the Legislature
The great white chief OF the Onondagas. as
the Indians on the reservation style him. leaned
back in his easy chair and chuckled quietly as
he stroked his long white beard.
Do you want me to he honest with you and
tell you just what l intend to do ?" he said.
Certainly. Governor" replied.
Well. then. mean to report just and fair
Apportionment bill to the House before the first
day Of next March"
What do you mean by Just and fair bill p"
mean bill that will give TO New York all
that she is fairly entitled to--a bill that will be
equally as acceptable to your people. ] believe
as was the Woodin bill of last winter. In fact.
have no doubt II will be nearly similar To IL. ex
cept some changes in the rural districts"
Then, imagine. you do not intend to base
your calculations on the new theory Of making
the apporionment on the number of votes cast
as has been urged that you should do?"
No: | don't know that we should have n
right To do that but believe 1t is the true prin-
riple, The l64 900 votes cast In your city at the
PRESIDENTIAL election. in my judgment. is a
fairer guide as TO what representation you are
entitled TO than the last census. We all know
Just how tnat census was taken. You have in
your city large population OF aliens. many Of
them ignorant. and you have besides "A large
number of Germans, Irish and Englishmen en-
gagged IN the shipping. importing. and other
business.who are not citizens. and never intend
to become so. They are there to do business
and make money. Well we all know the class
OF men who are appointed to take the census in
cries-poor. ignorant devils Of hangers-on.
%nCss Ssv only we anxiety eSo is to ,hs get The 81
takers calls at the, magnificent residence
2f Mr., schwaP and rings the, door bell.
lives there. He is told Mr. Schwab. and that
th, family consists Of Mr.; sehwab. his wife four
or i've children. and probably two or three SER
wants. Down they all go in his book rs citizens
while the truth II that not one OF them Is citi-
zen. and the servants may have landed within
the last week. From there he goes to a tene-
ment house. where tho men are away at their
days work. Here he secs the WIFE and asks,
- your husband a citizenF OF course he is
th" woman replies. and down goes the name in
his book. together with the entire family. when
inc ruth may be that the man has never taken
out his first papers"
But. Governor. isn't tho census taken in the
country open 10 the same oblectionT
Not al all for there we employ sharp poll
ucians. who know Just what is wanted. and how
TO DO i. Now take Tor example my county; We
cast about q 900 votes. Divide that 10y three.
each representation of "A little over 5000. Di-
vide your l6i 900 by 81. the present number Of
your members. and i falls little short Of 5000
TO each. But We can't make the apportionment
IN that way suppose. and there Is no use in
" How about the caucus OF Republican sena-
tors on this questions ?"
=" don't < now. anything abou, IT, But this
do know-Han Harris Is in perfect accord with
me upon this question. and we are working in
harmony 10 perfect bill. Our clerks are busy
every day and night upon H. and before the lst
day OF Marcn We will report to the Legislature
1lat VIII give ample time for every one 10 cou-
slider and debate II. Ms 1t is not any way likely
Of April. If We do before May. / mean that
every opportunity shall be given to debate the
mn Ia lis fullest extent. There shall be no at-
been iully exhausted %
TGen ! ca,. say Tor you that an Apporton.
Woodin blll Of last winter. ior viii h nearly
every Democratic Senator voted
Yes. you can say that for mo-"
n Ihht bI Cove rnor gave New York twenty
hve Assemhymen.'
We'll, | don't know that We shall do quite IA
wel rs that but then II Will bee a fair billh
Here the conversation was Interrupted by
come 10 consult with Old Salt ~ 10 the drafting
or a MI to effect some desired end up IN
s a,s,riet II i wonderful What an amount OF
n they Io
How is il. Governor" asked that YOU do
not ~ away with the rest ~ the Lawmakers
ana take little rest from your work ?"
qIk he said. ! always work. Since
$50 have never been absent from n DAYS
session oi III" Legislature upon leave but once
Ahd ~ ihr eleven years that have been in the
I.rsiSlature hnNr never been away from "A
dozen sessions put them all together and these
were on account ot SICKNESS. | am One vi the
very few men probably who are willing 10 CON
i'.ss that Of all the shows. theatres or other
places OF amusement ! ever attended | had |
rather Eo 10 TINS circus up on the hill than all of
them. ! ENJOY II whether am the upper or th,. |
under dog. had Just rs much iun in 1871 |
when Tweed and his gang run IL and ! was |
lEhting them all the time rs had when every |
hIng ran my own way. | Ike II.
Every one who has been about the Legislature |
nm certify TO the truth Of THIS. II would be- rs |
much q surprise 70 see the Clerk desk vacant |
when the gave Of the Speaker fell. rs To miss |
rom his seat the familiar face OF th, venerable |
ot the Onondaga lngins" " as he |
insists " should be pronounced. II will he "A |
'ai day Tor Salt Point and the Ingins when he |
: called 10 other happy hunting grounds As |
arose 10 10 he stopped me and said: wantyou |
q lrll To your people that am in earnest as 10
Vha' say about an appurtiOnment. When say
M CANNED II dom doH thing. | II do il. And ! |
ay 10 you, IN damned If don't report what / |
,rlieNe VIII hea fair Apportionm.nt bill to the
House DtlOrc the rst day OF next March -