The New York herald., 1878-03-15
The Appo~tionme Btii-Gross In
Justice 20 New York City.

to deprive the two counties of New York
and Kings of the number of representatives
to which they are entitled by their popula-
ton. Mr.. Graham speech is so audaciously
frank and remarkable that we insert The
summary of it sent by telegraph.
Mr.. Graham was in favor Of giving New York
twcnty-threc representatives. He argued that the
interests oil the State were to be subserved only by
reseryins 10 the country districts larger number of
representatives. than given 10 tho counties OF New
York anu Kings. He instanced the growth of these
two counties within a few years, and said The time
was not distant. perhaps, when they would nave a
larger population would be contained IN the rest
Of the State, ana then they would have supreme
should be. Those counties should be kept down
far as possible under The constitution IN tneir
representation here.
1t is possible that so brief report may
not quite do justice to Mr.. Graham; but he
doubtless expressed something similar to
what is given as the substance of his
speech in this summary. Shameless as such
an utterance is it reflects faithfully enough
the spirit in which three successiv We Legisla-
lures have acted on so vital subject as
just representation OF the people.
The strength of the republican party in
this State lies in the rural districts the
strength of the democratic party in the
large cities. The rural population of the
urban population-and especially that
of the two great cities of New York and
Brooklyn-increases largely in every period
of ten years. The State constitution,
framed in spirit Of equity, provides for
reorganization of the Senate districts and
Assembly districts imm ediately after each
decennial census, in order that every part
of the State may be fairly represented in the
Legislature The republican party has had
control of the successive Legislatures since
the State census Of 1875, and it has thus far
managed to stave off and postpone the re-
apportionment which the constitution i'm
peratively requires to be made every ten
years by the next Legislature after the
census. There could not be o more un-
scrupulous violation Of official duty or
a more reckless disregard of official
oaths. 1t is the too evident purpose
of Mr. Alvord and his abettors that
this third Legislature since the census shall
adjourn without new apportionment,
because the republican party would thereby
be left in possession of all the advantages
OF a representation based on the census of
1865. This is not merely dishonest; it is
brazenly and scandalously dishonest Every
part of the State is entitled to be repre-
sented in proportion to it's population, and
it is defrauded alike of it's constitutional
rights and oil the justice guaranteed to it by
the constitution whenever a new appor-
tionment does not Immediately follow
new census. ,
BY his speech yesterday Mr.. Graham
acted the part Of an enfant terrible who un-
willingly blurts out damaging truths. He
thinks that the future growth of population
might soon give the two counties of New
York and Kings majority of the Legisla-
ture if they were represented in proportion
to their numbers, and he therefore thinks it
right to curtail their power by disobeying
the constitution which he has sworn to
support. The constitution requires that all
parts Of the State shall have a representa-
tion in both branches of the Legislature in
proportion to their population but Mr..
Graham is willing to circumvent and null
the ascendancy of the rural counties in the
State government. He is more candid than
Mr.. Alvord and is not more unfair
The intention of the republican members
of the Legislature is too apparent No new
apportionment at oil would be better for
their party than even the most unfair ap-
portionment which Mr.. Alvord and his CO.
udjutors would have the face to propose.
BY the most reckless and dishonest bill
that could be framed the county of New
York and the county of Kings would gain
some addition to their present weight in
the Legislature; but if no apportionment
bill should become a law ut this session the
republican party will have the same ad-
vantages as if the population of New
York and Brooklyn had remained STA
tionary since the State census of 1866.
AS United States Senator is to be
ton is very strong to defeat a new appor-
tonnent at this session. 1t may make all
the difference between the reelection of
Senator Conkling and the election of dem
ocratc successor. We should be truly sorry
to sec so able, distinguished and experienced
a statesman as Mr.. Conkling forced into re-
tirement; but his friends ought to spurn an
unfair advantage.
That the present representation of the
State in the Legislature is grossly unfair is
evident from the fact that the democratic
party has for several years had no diff
Guilty in electing its State ticket, while
the republicans have easily secured
majority in the Legislature. Un-
der fair apportionment of members
according to population the same political
also have majority of the Legislature
Under the old apportionment, based on the
census of 1865, the republicans would prob