The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1882-03-30
snHEMERs AND THEIR SCHEMES:

NJ III L. NJ Ems AMI II AJNJiJGN1IlAO'
There are few meu in Texas-Gnd if
/ il comes to the pinch We may have to
name them-whO aspire TO constitute
mart of the next Texas delegation IN the
lower house of congress. Running as
candidates at large, backed by nonli-
nation from the state convention and the
big state majority, any one OF these am.
bilious gentlemen could be elected.
Circumscribed to the narrower limits of
d district, where they are better known
! and appreciated, their chances for o'ec-
ton would be frail, very frail. An elec-
tion at large, Of the five extra represen-
tatlves, given the state under the new
/ apportlonment, Is their only hope
When the extra session meets the friends
OF these aspirauts viii be found
throwing cold water on the re-
distrlcting of the state. They will
suggest that this time the additional
congressman be chosen at large and
leave the work Of redistricting to the
eighteenth Legislature. In support of
this policy they will contend there are
matters OF public moment Of far more
practical importance tAan revising the
congressional districts. They VIII talk
about the necessity for reducing taxa
ton and regulating railroads These
are always popular themes and il is safe
to talk them-something like abusing
the sMormons ard cursing the Chinese.
The further plea viii be urged that un-
der the election al large plan the state
will get her eleven representatives., just
as though they were chosen from eleven
separate and distinct districts This
movement will captivate many people
Thousands VIII not stop to ana
lyze its meaning. AS matter of
fact it viii be made III the in
terest of eager place-hunters.
who dispair of realizing their aspira-
tions when brought down face to face
with home constituency. AS matter OF
fact it will have the effect of keeping tue
best talent of the state out of the field
and out Of congress. A man who feels
that he would not be chosen if left to
depend solely upon the votes Of the peo-
pie in his own or adjacent counties-
who are supposed and who ought to
know him best-bas no business as q
delegate at large, for he is not a repre-
man. The district system was
chosen ut the outset because it furnished
the only method of securing the best
men Of the various sections of a state.
It gives local sentiment fair play and
free expression, which an election at
large does not. If this truth had not
been recognized 10y the founders Of our
system OF goyernment the district
plan would have never been adopted
all elections for congressman would
be at large. Texas has had able delega-
tions in congress for yearn. Now that
the representation Is to be enlarged, the
people should see to 1t that the pres
tige, the high standing OF the delegn-
ton is maintained This most desirable
object cannot be assured other than by
leaving the selection of representatives
with the people Of the several districts.
Then. too, there is the subject of Iegis-
lative apportionment 1t is a matter of
practical importance The Legislature
has been called to do this redistricting,
and the Legislator who sets himself
against II viii certainly incur the suspi-
cion that he is working in the interest
of some would-be congressman, who,
with all his yearning, has wholesome
fear OF submitting his aspirations to his
home people. Ought such a mau to go
TO congress? II such men are scheming,
is il not a public duty To Illustrate their
schemes2