, 1881-04-03
A STUPID BLUNDER.
The Town of Rfdgesvay, Iowa County,
WIS, Disfranchised by AN Inexcusa-
bic Error In the Legislative District

F.
Wis., Di*fra nchised by an Inexcusa-
ArportIonncnL
Special Dispatch to The Chfcaco Irtbune
MADISON, Wis, April IA startling dis
eoycry WIS lnade by Attorney-Gcnerai VIII
son tonight. It is that the Committee on
Retllstricting tile State into Senate and AS
selnbly Districts had omitted the Town of
lsidseway, Iowa County, titus practically
uisfranclsising over 500 voters anu giving
800 people 10 representation III the Assem-
bly,, :: proc ding not permitted By the Con-
stitut,on. Ridseway is one Of the largest
towns III Iowa County, and how the omission
was made is lllaccol1ntable, except that it
must have been the work of Il laundering
committee clerk or the fault of the local
Legislative delegation in arranging
their own districts. Under the old
apportionlnc1lt Iowa County was given
two members and RicEland two.
Neither county has population sufficient for
two members each. and the Committee d.
yided Tie two counties into three districts,
in such way As to make Republicans certain
Of earring two, and probably NIL three. BY
leaving out l1idgeway one district is made
certainly Democratic, and gives Moses N.
Strong and Montgomery II. Cothrena chance
to get elected to tile Assembly, much to the
dissatisfaction of Republicans in that 1ocali-
ty. The Attorney-Gcnera has notified tile
Governor not to sign the bill, and the ques-
tlOn now is what can be done. All business
was cut Oft at II O'Clock this morning pursuant
to resolution a.lopted by both Houses. a
resolution to recall the bill from the Gov
ernor cannot be entertained unless unani-
is
pend tie rule cutting off business. Briggs,
Democrat, from Iowa County, whose district
is wiped out by this blnndering arrange
ment is still here, and would certainly Os,-
OF the lloiise in. the city, and quorum can
not be secured before Monday noon. when
twill be the duty at the presiding officers to
declare the slne-die adjournnelt. The pill
as passed is certainly unconstitutional, but
how to remedy the matter is q conundrum
Twenty Senators, or considerably more than
Il majority. have obtained Tonight leaves Of
absence, and only three Senators besides the
President are ln the city. not enough to Sc
cure 4 call Of the Senate. Those having i1l-
the Governor calls an extra session, which is
very improbable. The Governors plain duty
is to veto tile bill. Speaker Bradford believes
that if he entertat,s 4 motion to suspend the
rules for the consideration of a resolution re-
calling the biz frGi 4 TIE @ Goyernor; without
AOlilS, ~ hAi4 1lAt1N E4O&IiA upC4l
which the Democrats might bring suits in
courts to test tue validity Of such action. 1t
is very probable that the new apportionlnent
will fail, and members will be
elected next fall under the old
anticipated, as the Constitution eSpress'y re-
quires Il new apportionment every live Years.
The question is a very grave one, and the
Acknowledgement is nervous over it. as the
trouble has arisen in the county where he
sponsible if they arc disfranchised. The
blame will have to he shared by Representa-
tive Hewey, who should have watched the
arrangement of his own county districts.