New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-04

bers. The day was devoted in the Senate to
a discussion of the power of the Vice-Pres-
ident to count the Electoral vote without a
conclusion being reached. There is not likely
70 be anv tariff legislation this session. Ihe
Peobodv Fund Commissioners yesterday
elected the Rev. j. L. NJ. Curry general agent,
to succeed the late DR.. Sears.
PLAIN WORDS TO THE SOUTH.
STRIKING SPEECHES MADE IN THE HOUSE IN TIL"
DEBATE on THE APPoRTIONMENT BIIL-wHAT
THE SOUTH WOULD LOSE BY AN APPoRTlON-
MENT BASED on VOTES.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON. Feb. 3.-The proceedings of the
House of Representatives today fully demonstrated
the truth of the prediction that the Congressional
Reapporionment bill would provoke bitter politi-
cal debate. The discussions especially on the part
Of the Republicans while mainly confined to state
ments of fact aud the marshalling of figures, were
Of nature to arouse the attention of members and
for time to dispe the lstlessness usually betrayed
while deb ate is in progress.
Several ii mes speakers were interrupted and their
statements sharply challenged and criticised
md more than once several members at time were
IN their feet making frantic efforts to be heard.
What Mr.. S. S. Cox has repeatedly described as " a
pUreiy mathematical question appeared able to
arouse sentiments of lively indignation i'll the
breasts of Mr. McLane, Of Maryland, Mr. Robertson
Of louisiana, Mr.. Hammond, of Georgia, and other
Southern men. Their efforts to explain away the
mathematical results presented by Mr.. Horr and
other Republicans futile as they were frantic
They appeared to regard the arithmetic Ill party
light and to be anxious to denounce 1t as another
tool of the wicked Republican party.
One of the best speeches that has been made in
the House at this session was the one delivered by
Mr. Crowley. of New-York. Within the first five
minutes he gained the undivided attention Of the
House, and by his clear and cogent reasoning held
it to tine end. Mr.. Crowley presented strong argu-
ments against increasing the number Of Representa-
tves and expressed his belief that it should be
Guced; but the most earnest and logical portion of
the speech was that in which the speaker dweltupon
the fact that under the Fourteenth Amendment of
the Constitution it is within the power and duty of
Congress in apportlonng representatives, to take
into consideration the voting power of a State as
disclosed in the official returns Of the last election
as we'll its entire population reported by the
census He declared his opposition to the passage OF
any reapportionment bill until after thorough in
vestigation has been made into the causes which re-
suited in smaller vote in the Southern
States at the last election than was
cast in 1876. Notwithstanding the fact
that in the intervening four years the population
of those States has largely increased. At the close
of his speech Mr. Crowley warmly applauded
by the Republicans, and many of them gathered
about him to present their congratulations aud
,esify their appreciation
Another excellent speech was that made By Mr.
Horr of Michigan. His remarks were devoted to
showing that an apporto2ment based upon the
votes actually cast and counted at tho last election
when practically everybody voted who was allowed
to do so, would be more just and more in harmony
with the spirit OF the Constitution than would an
apportonment based upon the census returns alone
Mr. Horr read statements in proof of bis
position, which challenged the close attention OF
tie House. and evidently created great discomfort
among the Southern Democrats He found that
the total number of votes cast and counted at the
last Presidential election was 0,207,592. On total
representation of 311. this would require an aver
age of 20 800 voters in each Congressional district
Applying this ratio to the States Mr.. Horr reached
some astonishing results. For example. Mississippi
will be entitled under the bill, reported by Mr..
Cox from the Census Committee to seven men,
bers on the voting basis she would be entitled to
only four members as she cast only 117,O!o votes
On the basis of the committees bill she
would have Congressman for every 1925. or
about ons-haf the number of votes which is re-
guired on the average to elect Congressman in any
If the Northern States except Massachusetts, aud
Rhode Island. Mr. Horr found that the average
number of votes received by each Northern Con-
gressman was 33S3s, while the average vote for
zach Southern Congressman was only 23.376-a
difference of about 80 per cent That is 70 South
trn voters offset OF balanced 100 Northern voters
The bill of the committee gives Georgia ten MEN,
bers; on voting basis she would be entitled to only
i've members The former bill gives her
member NIB for d559S votes tGe nhe1 WhIsG
required to elect Congressman in the North, and is
1881 less than the general average for the whole
country Fifty Georgia voters have more influence |
~ the polls and thus in National legislation, than
100 Northern voters -
Mr.. Horr exclaimed: "How much of tins thing
stand and hold their peace 2" Under the. commit |
tees bill the seven States of Alabama, Arkansas
Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi Texas and virginia
Will be entitled to 5B members. while upon
the voting basis they would be entitled to |
30 members. showing a gam OF twenty Con |
gressmen. who really have no voting people at tneir
backs. Mr IOrr then instituted general comparison
between the Northern and the Southern STATES Inc
entire vote Of tho sixteen Southern states was |
was 6.539.143. Under the committees bill the |
Southern States would be entitled TO 11S members
one for every 23376 votes cast, while the Northern
states wond be entitled to 1913 members or one ior
every 1888 votes cast. If the Northern states |
should he gwen Congressman for every 23,3|o |
votes cast which is the ratio in the Southern States
Deis IN the next Honse OF Representatives. as pro-
n,ase ,nittes oy the bill OF the Census C9mo
State Of NswYop eGop''ees tsrty.ro DlT eSs member;
On voting basis she would be entitled TO thirty,
even members and II It took no more votes TO send
snmhsr 70 SongleSs rom than the average
southern States she would have seyenty-one repre-
ssrntauVes IN the next Congress. The average num-
jS585 and t cas' .or each Georgia Congressman is
"4,oIi-coBslderably moro than twice as many. Ii |
slasy, hy Tue same number Of votes required TO
S'ov: = congressman In Ohio that sends one from
% %nou,siapa, OGio would have forty-five instead of
"enty representative. as provided in the bill re-.
""rs pSrasa 1 Sy Mr. Cox In Indiana It takes 104s1