The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-03-07
Renpportionment Of the Legislature.


The rcapportionment Of Delegates and
Senators promises TO be a vexatious conun.
drum that will take some daysot eloquence,
logic and arithmetical calculation TO solve.
It Is not, as It might seem, simple sum Of
addition and division, but sort Of puz.
zle to be worked out by some marvellous,
and MS yet unknown rule. There are sew.
eral schemes Of solution, and as each has lie
adherents and champions, 1t would be
difficult at this time to foretell with any
degree Of certainty what will DO done.
The Senate seems to be afraid to touch
the bill providing for reapportionment,
as it has been made the special order sew.
eral times. But no sooner has the Clerks
practiced voice sounded the alarm than
some Senator has moved postponement
and fora while relieved thebody ofimmedi.
ate action.
Yesterday morning by some oversight,
the Clerk was permitted to read the bill
through, and the Senators had hardly re-
gained their breath before they were almost
thrown into commissions by the temerity.of
Senator Faulkner, who moved to amend
the bill "by striking out lines % and "a,
constituting delegate district out Of Har.
rison and Taylor counties. This was an
advance and attack wholly unlocked for,
and totally delnoralixing in It's effect. But
a stop was put TO Mr.. Faulkner's progress
by Senator Dennis, who suggested that the
bill might be considered at the night SEES.
sions, and 1t was accordingly. made the
special order for Wednesday evening, to be
scrutinized and amended every evening
thereafter until it assumes symmetrical
shape and just proportions. Whether the
proposed gaslight legislation on the bill
will be us luminous as It ought to be Is a
momentous question. Night legislation is
generally slovenly and hastily matured,
and after the physical strain OF long days
session the Senatorial mind Is likely to be
tired enough OF active work to enjoy the
diversions Of the evening or the comfort
OF, repose.
The little start that was effected yester-
day morning was Of no small importance
inasmuch us it raised one Of the constitu.
tional objections against the proposed meth.
cd OF apportionment. Harrison and Taylor
being contiguous, and both having large
fractions, the committee after feeling
around for peg to hang the seventy.ninth
delegate on fearlessly resolved to put the
fractions Of these two counties together and
erect delegate district Both fractions are
less than three-fifths, and according to q
strict reading OF the. constitution are not
entitled TO such distinguished consideration
us has been paid them by the astute com.
mittee; and, according to the best informa.
ton on the subject, the seyenty.ninth
delegate will have to hunt for his fractional
constituency in another part Of the State
This question will be the first bone OF con-
tention which, judging from the disposition
OF respectable number, il not a majority
Of the members Of the Senate, who will not
bend 10 the constitution but propose to
make the constitution bend to their own
elastic views, will be very cleanly picked.
There are other features which will pre-
sent themselves when the mooted question
is settled as TO an increase OF the member
ship OF the House. 1t is almost foregone
conclusion that the increase Of delegate
representation will be sustained BY the
Senate, and that the blind argument Of
power in numbers will prevail against
economy and doubtful expediency. II
this determination on the part Of the sup
pOrters for IN increase in the House Of
Delegates is not influenced by the con.
ditiOn Of the public treasury, It would be
well to remember the temper OF the people
Of the State, which unequivocally asks Tor
economy, wise legislation and an early
termination OF the present session.. They
are the final arbiters, and sometimes their
judgment is severe.
1t is hardly reasonable to expect that the
bill will leave the Senate before the end of
the week, and then it may DO so mangled
that the House will refuse to recognize the
corpse, and bring to life another measure,
so that those who fondly anticipate an ad.
journment soon will DO disappointed.
After the apportionment matter Is settled
comes the equally interesting and more
entertaining fight over the redistricting OF
the State, which will more than likely pro-
tract the session into April. The private
arrangement among the Senators and Dele.
gates is to try to effect an adjournment on
the 18th inst but whether it will be con.
summated is rs uncertain as Vennor's
weather predictions