The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-23
THE APPoRrIoNMENr SPINDLE.
Democrats In the Legislature Addressing the
PeopIe-The Magnitude OF the Cheating.

Democrats In the LeRlalnture Addressing inc
PeopIe-The Magnitude OF the Cheating
ALBANY, Jan. 22-The Democratic mem
bers OF the Legislature have signed the follow
ing address to the people Of the state:
The Democratic Senators and members OF
Assembly In the Legislature Of 1879 avail thcm-
selves Of the opportunity presented by the cleo
ton OF United States Senator to present the FOL
lowing state Of facts to their immediate constit-
uents and to tho people Of the state at large.
by tho fourth and fifth sections Of the third
article OF tho state Constitution II is made the
solemn and sworn duty OF the Legislature to
npportion the state and both Senators and men,
bers OF Assembly among the several counties
according to the number Of their respective In
habitants. This duty is also demanded under
the same provision OF the Constitution which
requires the basis Of Senatorial anu hsse ~ ,
representation to follow an enumeration otthc
Inhabitants every ten years after 1900. Inc
census of 1875 was duly taken and reported 10
the Legislature on the opening OF the session OF
1876, and for three years the Democratic mem
bers have first asked and then demanded that
the Fundamental law should be obeyed.
These repeated requests have been ms fre-
quently denied rs they have been made. Each
year there havc been committees appointed,
to the State. but always without practical re-
suits. and apparently with the nXed intention
portionment bills have been prepared by the
majority 1t has been with an utter absence OF
all fairness and with nm absolute denial OF JUS
tcc. Under these repeated wrongs the people
have been misrepresented. large CONSTITUENCIES
outraged, and tho section OF the state most
largely taxed for State md local purposes with
out its proper representation In either house
TO show To our fellow citizens that what Is
here stated is the truth. and the whole truth. we
point first TO the constitutional requirement
and then 20 the facts taken from the census re-
turns Of 1875. in connection with Leading coun-
ties in the State. Under a Just apportiqnmcnt
Of the Senate New York city. with Rlchmond
County. is entitled to seven members while five
represent that city, Kings County IL entitled to
three. but allowed only two, and this with a
surplus population OF $1,000 New York city.
by tho lawful count. is entitled to twonty-seven
members Of Assembly instead OF twenty-five.
Kings County is entitled TO fourteen members
instead Of nine, and Monroe County to Tour
These additional mombers all belonging to
Democratic districts. are now awarded to the
following counties. entirely represented. eX-
the. Legislatures; Madison. Delaware. Ontario.
Wayne. Oswego. Oneida st. Lawrence The
Assembly representative population also gives
The fo9%sS unequal "a g F2ura Rs
kRi%sss CSaHTtgy' SsiIi2;; Smith Dstyict kiPss..
District New York. 6l306 Twentieth District.
York Second DistTc Monroe s. 55s
and this with the following. in contrast to the
above in single districts: Delaware. two repre-
iiliS 6wps GSubS Se 75se Sc i%
three, 7s.Os2 Ontario two. 45.4OS Cattarap-
nsio NO. two. lSS4ii Wayne S' 'p two
Niagara. two, Al 1911 Otsego, two. ~. 1884.
Senatorial Districts-Twenticth District. Her
kmer and 0tscgo, representative population,
SO. 33s; Eighteenth District. Jefferson and
Lewis. 9O,596; Twenty District. Ontario.
Clinton. Essex and Warren. lOl 1927 Twenty
fifth District. Cayuga and Wayne. 1O6.120-with
the following districts showing u most unjust
second District, Kings 172 725; Third Dis
triet, Kings g225s; Seventh; New York. ll3.-
York. iG7 $50
These large districts have but one Senator
each. and the record given Is not upon the
gross. but upon the representative population.
On these facts We present our condemnation Of
a. su be s osr .I ss
OF the people our solemn protest IL against the
action OF the Republican Legislntures Of 1876.
1877. and 1873. and so far in 1879. We believe
that the apportionment required by the Con-
sttutlon has been wilfully neglected in the
interests Of one. man IA Senator in Congress-
working officially and otherwise for his own
reelection-a third-term senator in favor
Of term Pres dent; quarrelling with the
Federal Administration because he cannot con-
troll the patronage Of the Government; opposed
at heart by the whole Administration party not
less than by all Democrats. and yet with no
man in caucus. Senate. or Assembly with cour-
age enough TO proclaim his best convictions,
and therefore supporting man who uses his
place and power not so much for the honor Of
the state and the peace and welfare OF the
country as TO make himself n Senator and to
keep his friends in Office. To secure this re-
election for a third term. Republican Legisla-
lures have not only refused 10 obey the SUI
premc law. but spuruel all appeals from great
bodies Of highy-taxed and long-oppresscd ciii-
zens Co this continued wrong. and by unwlse
diylsons In our own ranks. in u State again
and again proved TO Ice Democratic in its senti-
ment and choice Of State officers. We find that
while the kepuhlican party have for causes
stated been successful in the Legislature and
in the election OF q Justice of the Court Of
Appeals by plurality vote. they are also in
minority OF over 10000 ia tho State.
But the future will be secured II the past
Is well remembered and wisely improved The
two houses Of Congress a few weeks hence will
pass into Dsinocratic hands for the first time
IN nearly eighteen years, and already in the
two last Congresses the Democratic majority in
the House of Representatives have reduced the
luplic expenditures annually many millions Of
dollars and restored 10 the nation something Of
It's ancient regard for economy. reform. and free
representative government. With public pa
trlotism. becoming iorbearance and good will,
We may hope 10 see the Democratic party as
successful in the future as has been vctori-
Gus In the past.