Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-03-10
County Division aud Just Hepse.
sentation.

The subject OF county division has ts-eu
brought before the Legislature again, and
this time by citizens aggrieved by the
transfer Of the county seat from New
Castle 10 Wilmington. But though they
confess that this is the particular matter
which has moved them to this effort. they
state at the beginning OF their petition
the solid ground on which such Il move
ment must be based to achieve or deserve
success. The present gross injustice to
the people OF this county, constituting q
majority Of the people OF the State, iii the
matter OF representation is thing
which call, for remedy and which before
long will call for remedy in tones which
will liz understood and needed. 1t Is an
outrage and wrong probably without
| parallel i'll the present condition OF repre-
sentative government anywhere on earth.
that not merely are the majority of the
| people OF this State allowed by Law but
on--third the Legislature, but that usage
and party rules hayr aggravated this by
giving u majority ot the people OF this
county, constituting over Il fourth of the
people Of the State, but one representative
in each house, hring one-uiuth of the
Senate and une-thirtieth of the House.
We have never seen any remedy for
this bat county division, for We may rest
assured that this county will never re-
ceiv" representation according To its
population in the state Legislature under
the existing system with the present
county divisions. No rural community
ever yet put itself completely in the
power of a city, and with Wilmington
casting a majority of the votes of New
Castle county, and New Castle county
having majority of all the members o
the Legislature. and elected on genera
ticket in thi, county, This city couC
really rule the State with as little re
gard to the interests of its rura
population As the rural population can
now rule this city, regardless .
its interests. District representation vii
not offer a sufficient remedy, for what "
need is that Wilmington shall be- fairl,
represented in both houses and distric
representation in the lower house, wh-r
alon. il has been suggested to establish ii
will not accomplish the object.
W. are somewhat startled to find
declared in q petition. headed by 50 strl
r ling lawyer Is Mr.. Rodney, that count
r division can lie effected by Iegislativ
!. action without constitutional amend
e m,lt. W.. $50, nothing at first glance I
5 vast dunl, upon the declaration and,
+ it be- true. then .hr key which doh
g NJ. Clayton threw away has be''
II found. and We can SEIZURE lust r-presei
taton without amri,ding III" constitution
i. Ii il IS to Ice established, however, it mui
a have som" basis Of justice. and such
e division rs ha~ been suggested in ii
ii pending petition womb br most grossl
3 and wifully unjust Wilmington, an
= possibly, tor convenience sake, all
X Brandywinr and part Of Christian
a hundreds. must constitute q county. al
IA just As little other territory he added
IL possible. b-rausr the fact that more tha
As a fourth of thu population "i the state
i already found within the present corpu
- ate limits OF the city Renders it but Ju
- that they shall have fourth Of the repr
III s-mtation with a, little addition TO the
Or numbers a. possible.
II We do not know how much earnestne
To ana vigor there is behind this new mov
Ne mrnt for Just representation. Some yea
he ago the STATE IouRSAL which had alwa
he been the champion Of the idea of just re
liz resentation, seeing that county diyisi
ri was the only practical way OF accomplis
rs ing it, urged with all its might measu
I'll then before the Legislature, 1t had
fair chance of success, and won
lie probably have succeeded but for I
he opposition of politicians of both part
I'd who prevented this county from becOm
ut united in its behalf. Men who had
W. years protested the utmost zeal
a increased representation, the moment the
or was fair chance of getting it sacritic
lie without gualm the interests and rigi
n of the people OF this county and show
IL that they cared more for party, and th'
Mt own individual interests within part
X than for right or justice.
ID In this city Democratic politicians W
re feared they would be stranded in \
n publican county if division was accol
m plished, and Republican politicians "