Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-04-21
the REuisTRItflAa BILL,
Some Points Regarding the Pro.
posed Gerrymandsring BY
the Republicans,
How the Majority Report was
"UnanimensIy Recommend
ed" for Passage.
Nashville American, 10.

Il ----
1 Nashville American, Is.
/ Yesterday morning Senator Mathews
| Chairman Of the Redistricting Com
| mittee, rose in the Senate and said
"Mr. Speaker, | am directed by the
Redistricting Committee to report
| that they recommend for passage the
| bill redistricting the State, which was
referred to them yesterday. They rec.
ommend its passage unanimously"
Speaker Morgan asked: us it rec.
commended by all the Committee? |
understood that there was to be a
minority report
Mr.. Mathews-"It was unanimous
lyrecommended. However. one or
two members were absent who, / had
heard it intimated, were proposing to
make a minority report"
| Mr.. Alexander rose and stated that
a number 9th committee wished to
make minority report, and asked that
the Senate allow them until the alter
aeon, or possibly until tomorrow
morning, to prepare minority re.
port.
Mir. Mathews objected to a minority
report, but at the solicitation OF
members, withdrew his objection, and
the minority were allowed the time
asked.
A word as to the history of this bill
which was reported as unanimously
recommended by the committee.
When the committee began the work,
lit was agreed that it be done tempo.
rarily and that after a conditional
laying out Of the districts the com.
mittee would go back and modify or
correct the apportlonment.
The Democratic members tried at
every point to obtain justice and lay
out the districts as their constituents
wished, but they were voted down at
every point by the Republicans and
those voting with them. When the
distrieting was completed, as the ma
jority wished it, sub committee was
appointed to draft a bill in accord
anoe with it, and Chairman Mathews
named Mr.. Cole as a member Of the
sub committee. Mr.. Cole stated
positively that he could not serve, be-
cause he would be engaged on
minority report. Mr.. Mathews then
named DR.. Dulaney, who declined
serving. because he said he would be
assisting Mr.. Coles committee. The
drafting Of the bill was then left to
Mr.. Wiltse and Chairman Mathews,
who got the bill up.
MIR. Mathews then introduced it in
the Senate, had it passed two readings
without objection and referred back
to his committee, the reference being
made on Monday. That afternoon
the Redistricting Committee, quo
rum not being present, agreed to
report it for passage, The bill was not
read over, nor did they have read any
one Of the several bills and resolutions
on the subject which have been refer
red to them by the House and the
Senate. There was present at this
meeting only seven members. 0fthese,
Senator Hill and Representatives
Agee, Harrison, Lewis, Poston and
Wiltse, we're Republicans, and Mr..
Mathews was elected as a Democrat,
but has moi been voting with them.
The committee consists of eighteen
members, seven from the Senate and
eleven from the House. Only the FIVE
Republican members Of the House
named were there, and only the two
Senators. Several members came at
the time appointed for the meeting,
but the Senate was still in session, and
after waiting awhile they went away.
The alleged meeting was held about
an hour and half or two hours after
the time appointed.
The Democrats on the Committee
will to day report just and equitable
bill for redistricting the State. The
majority report provides for three Re-
publican districts. and one which
would very likely be Republican.
Probably the only reason there are not
more is that there are not enough con.
tiguous Republican counties in any
other part Of the State to form one.
Some ofthose who formerly favored
the bill are disguised, and viii unite
against it.
Speaker Morgan said, in converse
ton, that it was scandalous to report
that bill under the circumstances as
unanimously recommended" tor pas
sage aud that he would vote against it.
Senators Rankin, Alexander and
Smith, Of Fentress. together with the
Democratic members Of the House,
will present bill to-day.