The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-17
APPORTIONMENT SECURED.
BUT WITH A DISGRA CEFUL GERRYMAN-
DERING OF MANY DISTRICTS.
The Bii 90 Become - Law without the Gov
ernor's signnture-An Intensely Partisan
Measure, but the best that could be Passed.

The Bil 20 Becone - Law without the Gov
ernor's signnture-An Intensely Partisan
Measure. but the Hest that could be Passed.
ALBANY, April 16-That the Apportion-
ment bill is to become law is now gem
orally conceded though not with the APP
proval OF tho Governor. 1t is such an
Ubiquitous measure that Lucius Robinson
would never consent to put his signature to 1t.
Yet. bad as it is. in some respects 1t Is an i'm
provemcnt upon the present condition Of affairs
by which thousands OF citizens OF the State are
practically DISTINGUISHED and denied represen-
tation. Besides this II Is q confession on tho
part OF the Republican majority in the Logisla-
turc OF their nfamy In having for three years
dened the express mandate Of the Constitution
and refused to redstrict and reapportion
the State after tho last enumeration Of
the inhabitants That the leaders had deter
mined again that the Constitution should be
ignored is now no secret about the Capitol The
passage Of the bill was n surprise to them, and
up to the last moment almost they strivcd by
every means in their power to get up combi-
nation and recall the bill from the Governor.
resolved that II 1t ever again came into the pos
session Of the Legislature TO apply the pressure
OF the party machinery and stranglo II. But II
so happened that a new element in the Republic
can party had this year got the control In the As
semby Alvord Hustled. and others. who have
In the past conspired to defeat an apportionment
and defy the Constitution. have lost their grip in
that body. and its control has passed into the
hands OF such men as Sloan. Hepburn, Fish,
Skinner. Wadsworth. Wheeler and other young
men, who have not yet become hardened politi-
cal sinners. and who entertain some respect for
the Constitution. or at least enough to make
them DESTROYS Of going through the form Of
oil 20 app trft IppnapIa Thfa
element was determined that so far as the As
sembly was concerned there should he an
honest effort 10 pass an Apportionment bill. 1t
was this determination on the part Of the men
who have become so widely known as the Young
Rebels that forced through the House bill so
fair "a the one first passed. and known rs the
Hepburn bill. The action alarmed the con-
sprators but they still relied upon Ham Harris
| In the senate to defeat the passage of any bill
| That willy politician. however. soon saw the
fatal position that this would put him in. He
| alone would be- held responsible for the defeat
| OF an npportionment this yenr. There would
| be no dividing the responsibility. as in former
| years heiween Old Salt, William Is. Woodin.
| refused to be sacrificed. and SO informed other
| leading conspirators outside OF the Legisla-
| ture He did not think. he said, that
| the Republican party could again afford
| to defeat an apportonment. and he swore
| that he could not and would not take the odium
| OF Il alone. Alter nearly a month OF delay AMI
trying in vain to sec some way out of The
| dilemma. he suddenly called tho conference
| committees together and making the best terms
| he could for party advantage In Rerrymander-
| ing the Senate districts and reappurtoning tho
| Assemhlvmen. he came to an agreement with
| the Assembly Committee. The report was made
| and rushed through both Houses In less than
| three hours. Fortunately there is a way pro-
| vided 10y which this bill can become law with
| out the Governor giving il his approval by his
| signature. During the session OF the Iegisa-
| ture the Governor must act upon all bills COM
| ing before him within ten days after they reach
| the Executive Chamber. II he does not veto or
| sign them within that time they become a law
| without his signature. The Governor may.
| however. file with the bill in the office of tho
| Secretary Of State his reasons for SO allowing
| the bill TO become n law. with his objections to
| II. This was the course adopted by Gov Rob
| nson early in this session with tho act appro-
| priating $500 600 for the new Capitol. and this.
| II is understood. will be the course he will
adopt with regard TO this Apportionment bill.
That the bill Is eminenty unfair is con coded by
| lean, but II IL unquestionahly rs good ms
| any Republican Legislature will ever pass
| Tho gerrymandering OF some Of the Senate
| districts. in order to cheat the Democrats out OF
senator here and there, is simply disgraceful
| while the apportionment Of Assemblymen, In
many cases ia in violation OF all rules OF arith-
| mrtic and OF the mandates OF the Constitution
| some Of the worst gcrrymandering Of the SEN
ats districts II perpetrated in the rural portions
| ~ the State. but the following diagram ot the
| New York districts will give n fair idea Of the
tacti's resorted 10 TO accomplish their purpose