The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-01-29

sOuthrrm,n IL ~ IL ~ ~ ~ IL ID IL
Here, then, are nine numbers, the last
Of which would give the North eight
more members than the first, while the
south's portion would remain the same.
The Democrats have gone behind all OF
these, and found one which gives the
South still greater advantage, while the
Republicans have not suggested any Of
the numbers which would give the North
preponderanCe, but have selected the
only number which divides the new mem.
bers equally.
Another aspect Of the subject deserves
consideration. What Is the political
standing OF the States to which the new
members will be assigned, asshown in the
recent Presidential election, or, rather,
what will be the relative gains or losses Of
the two political parties? This Is q ques.
ton which, oil course, cannot be accurately
answered, for Republican States send some
Democrats to Congress. Very few Re.
publiCans, however, are sent by the Demo.
cratic States. Under an apportionment Of
SOL, the Republican States would lose s
members and gain 0, while the Demo.
cratic States would lose 9 and gain o.
Under 81, the majority's number, the Re.
publican States would lose and gain 0,
and the Democratic States lose none and
gain -. This alone Is sufficient to show
why the majority preferred 81 to Mr..
OOx's more equitable choice, 30l. Under
$40 the Republican States would lose 8 and
gain ii, and the Democratic States lose
none and gain 10. The net gains and
losses under these and some other mum.
bers appear below:
-
Nj NJ saIn IL IL ERS SRoslssa s ss % IS i
So that even under 322, which allows
the extreme Of advantage to the Northern
States, there cannot be so many Repre-.
sentatiyes gained in Republican States as
In Democratic States. Under $40, the mi
norlty's choice, Democratic States would
gain more than Republican States, and
under 81, the majority's choice, the
Democratic States would gain s more.
There Ia an impression here among Re.
publicans that the Democrats OF the com.
mittee (some except Mr.. Cox are hoggish,
to use an expressive adjective, and II an
attempt is made to push the majority bill
through In the House there will be de.
termined opposition. An apportionment
is very important matter, which cannot
be disposed OF i'm a debate OF an hour or
two, especially when there Is 30 evident
an intention on the part OF the Democrats
10 getthe best endIoithelbargain and not be
content with fair division. This majority
bill is supported by several Democrats
who secured their seats by the suppression
Of legal votes, and who are anxious to
carve out more districts in the South to
be carried In the same way. The ses.
sion has but few more working days.
An enumeration which affords 80 much
room for choice should be carefully
considered. The size OF the new House
should be fixed only after mature deliber.
alton, and then with the purpose OF
making distribution which will as near.
ly 80 possible satisfy all sections and all
parties and be just. Unfair divisions can
be made without disregarding the mathe.
nautical principles which govern an ap.
portionment. This has been plainly
shown. There seems to be an intention
10 make such division. 1t is not prob.
able that an apportionment can be made
before the end Of this Congress, il that in.
tention Ia not abandoned. Persistent
support OF the majority bill is, perhaps,
something to be desired, for this will
probably POSTPONE the apportionment un.
III the next Congress. III that case il viii
receive more attention, because there will
be more time for careful work, and the
work will be done in q manner much
more satisfactory to the whole country.