Daily Republican., 1880-02-26
Pep.latien and DIsfran cnisement

A great many people think that we
make use Of very extrayagent language
when we say that there are forty thou
sand disfranchised citizens in New Cas-
tie county, but a moments reflection
will convince the most credulous that
what we say is strictly true. There are
I but three counties in Delaware, which
at the time the last census was taken
in 1870, had an aggregated population
ound numbers, say Of 125, 600. This
ulation was divided amongst the
rites about ss follows: New Castle
aty, $4,000; Kent, 80, 900, and sus-
$4,000. These figures may not be
e ,tly accurate, but they are 80 near
orrect that the differences is imma-
terial. What is the population of the
State now? OF course this can only be
guessed at, but still there is a certain
ratio Of increase which serves as an in
dex for calculation tnat cannot lead US
far astray. At the time the last census
was taken Wilmington had a popula-
tion Of 81 900. 1t is claimed by many
now that the population will reach
about 5000. We think that these
figures are little high, but we will
certainly be within proper bounds
by allowing a population OF 40, 900.
With the rapid growth of the young
city Of New Castle we will certainly be
safe in putting down the population Of
New-C County outside of Whining
ton at $4,000. 1t was over 10000 in
1870. With all doubts in :he matter
allowed against us, this would make
the population of Newcastle County
including Wilmington $4,000. Kent
County with Smyrna, Dover, Milford
aud number Of other thriving towns
within her borders has certainly in
creased her population from 10000 up
70 $4,000. Sussex County with George
town, Seaford, Lewes, Laurel, South
Milford and a number OF other growing
towns within her borders has certainly
increased her population from $4,000
up to $4,000. Now we have the follow
ing: Newcastle County, $4,000;
Kent, $4,000 and Sussex, $1,000, total,
143,000. Our belief is that the June
census will show g population for the
State Of over $4,000, but the oomputa-
ton we have made is sufficient for
sent purposes.
Tow then a word about legislative
resentation and then we will see
ere the disfranchisemen of 40
citizens comes in at. When
Constitution of the State of
delaware was adopted, the popula-
ton of the three counties was about
equal, and our forefathers, excellent
men, scrupuleusly honest, made repre-
sanitation equal by allotting to each
County representation Of ten mem
bers in the Legislature-three Senators
and seven Representatives. Thus it
has remained over century, and though
repeated attempts have been made to
change the representation to a more
Just and equitable basis, every effort
has failed and each county has an equal
number of representatives at the pres
snt time without regard to the increased
population Of New Castle comfy, as it
was one hundred years ago, when the
population of each county was equal.
How does this bear upon New Castle
county, New Castle county according
to the computation we have made has a
population of $1,000, and has ten State
Legislators. Kent and Sussex counties
combined have a population Of 5000,
with twenty Legislators. To put it
in palmer light, while 80, 900 persons
in Kent are !allowed ten Legislators,
$4,000 people in New Castle county are
allowed only the same number. TO put
it in palmer light still, it takes con-
siderably over two persons in New Cas-
county to equal one in Kent. We
June by this time fair and
did readers will begin to see
t we have never been wrong
ne assertion that there were 40, 900
'ranchised citizens in New Castle
county. Allowing representation upon
the basis that our forefathers allowed
it, the $4,000 population Of New Castle
county outside of Wilmington would
only Offset that of Kent or Sussex, and
Wilmington, with her 10000 popula-
tion, is left entirely out in the cold
without any representation whatever
in the Legislature, except what is dealt
OFT to her by party usages and Gus.
toms. This is what we mean when We
say that there are 40, COZ .disfranchised
people in New Castle county. This is
what we mean when We say that the
city of Wilmington is disfranchised, be-
cause it contains about the number of
rsons that are politically disfranchis-
-