Litchfield enquirer., 1881-01-13
.aI ST .neL ,vabssudT
r1a' aa7re ncilrlm g. aad ltis h-oilis1 9sl. WTIOLEeNO. 1902

and the completion of the enumeration under t.le charge of the federal government, brings to your consideration the subject of the re- appointment of tbe senatorial districts of this state. In the plan of government designed by our constitution the senate was intended to be the body of popular representation. The low fer house wss; tor historical reasons, founded upon the existence of townships. 1t was pro- vided that the basis of representation In the senate should be adjusted from timeto time, as the population of the state changed, the times for such adjustment being made to cor respond with those times when new census should be taken Fifty years ago the flvss aps portiOnment was made under this arrangement but, Notwithstanding the very greatest changes have since, taken place. not only in the aggres gate population of the state, but especially in the distribution of that population, no legisla- ture has, at any of the decennial periods in- teryening, seen ftto change the basis of rep resentation.
 epWhatevef may be the reasons fot this delay, it would seem as if they could no longer exist. The, changes of half a century will be found, upon examination, to be so great, and cODse- quently the old distribution will be found to be so unjust, and so manifestly to nullify the intention of making the senate that branch of the general assembly which shall representthe people, as to demand the change in all far
 
 at length, but only to bring it to your atten- tion, and to mention some of the more notable facts consequent upon the, continuance of the old .appOrtionment, confident that it only needs serious consideration to convince you of the necessity of action by this assembly, in this year. ' '.7 H "'f's .H' The population of the state by the census of 1880 is 622, ,683, as against 287, 675 in 1850, the census on which the present appOrtion- ment is based. The increase of population, however, would be DO obstacle to the contnu- ance of the present arrangement, if this in- crease had not been remarkably variable in different parts of the state. The whole char acter of the population, and of the occupations in which they are engaged, has during this time undergone an intire revolution. COlse-- quently the centers of population have shifted and the density of population has altogether changed. Districts which were substantially equal fifty years ago to-day show difference of four to one; others have grown 90 as to present differences of a less degree, yet quite enough to make equality of representation absurd Six districts with a cOmbiAed popu- lstion of S3. 500 balance in the present senate, six other districts having population Ut 2Sl,- 800. while ten districts with 8 population of All, 700 can be out voted by eleven districts which have population of 199. .OO0 When it is taken into consideration how utterly pOwerless and actual and even large popular majority may be made in the lower house, by reason of its peculiar constitution by town ships, it will at once be seen how necessary reform in the only body which can be changed has become. if we are to continue under what is more than the semblance of "a representative form of government.
 CONCLUSION.
 I have endeavored to present to you a con- else statement of the condition of the various departments for which you are to legislate, and the topics of general interest to the peo- pie of the state upon which you will probably have to deliberate and to act. While in times like these of peace and of present and expect cd prosperity, there is nothing to be decided which is critical in its nature, yet it is by the wise use of the legislative power from year to year, in just such times, anu by the gradual removal of abuses and correction of defects, before they become crying evils, that the Oc- casions for critical action are avoided. Ihope that the work of this session will be of this quietly progressive and reforming character, 90 that our state may continue to be the abode of peace, industry and cOntentn,eDt.
 HOBART B. BIGELow, Governor. |.