The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-07-04


we recently commented briefly upon =
statement in the Cincinnati Commercial that
g after the next census It will make very
little difference whether the South Is sollo
or no.''; and we called upon the present
Congress, as we had done previously more
thanonce, TO see to the matter OF tne ere reap:
portionment OF representation as an1eans OF
preventing the accomplishment OF Rrea.
wrong to the southern States which appears
to be contemplated by the leaders OF the
Republican party. We say "ieaders I, De pc
canse we know that the masses OF the pee
p,e who make up that party in the ~ Nor'n
would not Willingly be accessories 70 susa
crime. In reply to our little paragraph
the Commercial says: ~,
..The North is outgrowing the South
more RAPIDLY than ever. 1t Is possible sDa.
tho growth of Texas may be equal TO that
Of New England, but the growth OF ran
sas far exceeds that OF Texas, and there are
half a dozen western States each lncreas,
ing in population more rapidiy tlian al
the southern States combined. Tue iIesn
food Of European lmmigration 10 a'1 n,sS
exclusively for the North and West. inc
rejects capital and labor alike. The next
census will tell against the south,
taking from that section, on fair basis OF
representation, about twenty members OF
Congress: and the census OF 1891 VIII De
~sisi ,noss sweepiug. Then the solidity OF
the South viii be or political consequence
only in being fatal to any party that accepts
it. The South, instead OF being coequal
section, will shrink TO quarter section, ana
our sectional troubles will terminate. Wise
men in the South should see those things
now, and, looking the inevitable in the race,
accept the situation without tumult or lrrl-
tation."
This "Opens up fine prospect for the
Soutu But happily'for Us OF this section,
the Commercial is ignorant OF the subject
which it discusses. Professor WALKER,
who will have charge OF the taking OF the
next census, said in recent interview that
people who talk as the Commercial does are
mistaken, it being, in his opinion. doubtful
whether the South would lose any OF her
relative strength in Congress. We might
say that we kno,o she will not il fair reap
portionment OF representation is made.
We have said that the Commercials igno-
rant Of the subject which it discusses. The
increase OF population in Texas since 1870
is equal to the entire population OF Kansas.
Texas now has but six congressman. She
will be entitled to from thIrteeD to 1lf-
teen under the next superintendent;
whilst all the New England States together
vii! not gain one member. AS to Arkansas.
tie gam in that State alone will offset the
ga. III Kansas. Virginia has doubtless ln-
creased in population more rapidly In pro-
portion TO numbers than any one OF the
northern middle-States. 1t is Impossible
that Virginia can lose even one congress-
man under any fair rcapportionmen unless
the ratio be placed above 10000. In
the first place, she was cheated out OF
her due proportion OF representatives
under and by meaas OF the census
OF 1870. Her population now Is sure.
Is not less than 1,500,000-a number
that would entitle her to ten representa-
tiyes based upon n population Of 150, 900 to
each. So az to all the southern States with
out exception, we suppose. The last GEN.
sus was fraud upon them. 1t was GEN.
suS manufactured in the interest OF the Re.
publican party. TO pretend to believe that
the finest States in the Union, now that
there are no slaves to deter immigrants
from settling in them, have not increased in
population as rapidly, relatively, as the
northern States, which were already over
crowded, and which are overrun with vaga-
bonds and tramps, is 10 show that prejudice
blinds the judgment Of the man pretending
so TO believe.
All we desire in the matter is fair GEN.
sus. II such census results in giving
Massachusetts, two congressman to our one,
we shall not complain. But we do not wish
to be cheated again. The South has only
13S out OF 800 electoral votes. Surely she
is entitled to more. ...