The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-03-24
THE nr.AppnnrIoNMEnr

tho 70 spportionment Of the state into sena-
torl,l aud representative districts While
we are anxious. TO do oil In our power 10 fur
Their the interests Of north Texas, 10 every
respect, wo do not detire 10 do 70 ai tho
expense of any other section Of the state.
We simply contend for what We believe is
strict justice TO our section, at the same time
considering the welfare of the whole Of
Te1ss. In yesterdays article we considered
the senatorial districts, and we think we
showed, from the official figures, leaving in
the main, the figures to speak for themselves,
that north Texas was entitled to greater
senatorial representation than it now has
Lev us briefly snalyze the representative dis
tricts on the same plan we pursued yes
tcrdsy. There are now ninety
three representatives in the
legislature. Divide 100000, the population
of the state in round numbers, by ninety
three and. we have the population to
representatives 17,2O4, and small fraction,
But the number proposed in the present
legislature, if any new apporticnment ia
made, is one hundred representatives, which
will make the basis of representation, in
round numbers, 10000. The constitution
Gays that the number or representatives
should never exceed one hundred and fifty.
Why delay making the number one hundred
and fifty? Why not fix the number at the
msximum, and stop legislation on this par
ticular point right now? At one hundred
and fifty, the basis would be 1866. Taking
the census reports for the north Texas coun-
ties, and we find an aggregate of 4l9,39O
votes, with only twenty-one representatives
On tho basis of one hundred and fifty repre-
sentatives, north Texas would have
thirty -eight representatives and a fraction
of over 5000 votes, which would entitle il to
another representative, making thirty-nine.
This would leave one hundred and eleven
representatives to be divided between the
other counties in the state, of which middle
Texas would get a considerable increase, and
south and west Texas each slight increase.
This is only right and proper, because in
theee sections the population is to be found
for their increased representation. Now, with
& representation of one hundred and fifty in
tho lower house, IL will be impossible TO
make up every district. with the
exact population, SO that some OF this num-
Dor must be the representatives of fractions
that is to say foster representatives. The
question arises, where ought these Hoaters TO
be placed? We say, from north Texas, and
we will give our reasons for saying SO. Along
the line of the Texas & Pacific railroad
west of Parker county, or say Eastlaud coun-
ty, the road penetrates region of the state
with scarcely any population at all. This
road is being built right along at the rate OF
nearly mile q day. In the trail of it's NOV
ing trains comes long string of immigrants
some from other states and some from varl-
Gus parts of this state. They are
filling up the railroad towns being
laid off and constructed, Gordon,
Esstland, Baird, Abilene, Colorado,
City and others, and settling up the co untry
adjacent. This railroad is peopling this sec
ton and while these counties are not now
sufficiently populated to entitle them to rep
resentation at this time, they will be in two
years, when the legislature meets. In that
time the Texas & Pacific railroad will be
completed to Ell Paso, where, forming a
junction with the Southern Pacific, it will
give the country great highway from New
Orleans to the Pacific ocean. All along its
line will be Hoursbing towns with
sslt 'ements about them, and coun-
ties that have never knewn
plow-share will be yielding up
their agricultural riches. These counties
have for years been the frontier of Texas.
They have all the time, even before their
lines we're defined, had few inhabitants,
brave pioneers, who have not only bsvled
with the forests ana the pFaries, but with
the sevsges and wild beasts that roamed
l1sm. Those hardy sons of the state have
never had direct representation In the
legislature ofthe state and Il Is due to them,
aud due to the increased population thai
Two wears will give to these counties, that
tbe benefit of the fractions should 60 to
making up the apponionmeEt. II may
DO Just as truly said that the
extension of tho Missouri Pacific from Dem
ison on to connection with the International
railro.d and tho extension Of The Gulf, Col
orsdo & Santa Fe road, AID Of the Texas
Truck, and Of all the other roads in process
OF construction. will give increased popula-
,ioa 70 the counties through which they Will
psss. the aame rs shs TEXAS & Pacific. We
Do cot derry this proposition, becsuse We
believe that at least ia = measure II is e.; but
all these roads pass through counties
already populated snd already directly rep
ne sntsd in the Legislature while such i not
he case with The counties along the
Ire Of The Texas q Pacific road.
There is 10 question Of sectional advantage
10 the question Of spporiiOument II s
simply question Of fairly, equally snd just |
l. djvis;as representation among ths populs- /