The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-04-13
now TO REDrsrRror.

In the multiplicity of friendly
counsel there is wisdom, while in a
multitude of redistricting bills there
is certain 10 arise the very greatest
confusion, and it may even be that
self defeat will crown all the efforts
now being made to create new con-
gressIonal districts. There are now
six representatives in congress, while
eleven are to be provided for.
Instead of the state being divided
by six, therefore, it is to be divided
by eleven. and since the larger divi-
sor cannot be substituted for the
smaller, and still turn out an undis-
turbed condition for incumbent
congressman, there is to be
conflict, based upon personal
grounds and, therefore, a solution
of this question is to he delayed be-
yond the reasonable period required
for such legislation. This is the way
the matter looks to start with, and
while the personal ambition of men
already III congress, and those who
would like to be there, is the lever
which directs the course of so many,
almost every force will have its
cOunter-fOrce and, dragging propo-
sition TO re-district the state may
pull through and even beyond the
constitutional limit allowed this
session, and the state con-
ventIOn may be called upon
to give us candidates from the
state at large. There could be no
serious objection to this, but since
the state ought TO be redistricted, the
work had just as well be effected
now as at some future day. Prob
ably the opponents of Democracy
would prefer this postpone
ment, for in Democratic state like
Texas, we certainly would not find
gerrymanderIng in favor of Repub-
licans, when the majority, even in
the present fifth congressional dis
trict, is purely Democratic. Col
Ouel Jones is in congress, not
because he was a Republican or a
Greenbacker, for he is neither and
nothing in political sense, but be-
cause the Democrats in the district
were given to pure cussedness,
from which a good lesson has been
taught, which will prevent its repe-
tition i'll the future. Every dis
trict in the state is Demo-
cratic, and the state cannot be
divided into eleven districts, with,
as we say, gerrymandering in favor
of Republicans, without every one
OF the eleven districts being posi-
lively Democratic. Therefore the
districts should be constructed SIM
ply on the basis of commercial and
business interests of sections, and
Nj essrs. Reagan and Mills and Cul
berson and the others should be left
to take care ofthemselves under such
an apportionment. This thing
of claiming that Mr.. Reagan
should have certain county
in his district, because he is strGng
in that county, or that Mr.. Well
born should not be in a district with
Mr.. Mills or Mr.. Reagan, is all
wrong. This personalism i'll politics
is positively antagonistic to
craftsmanship, and the former
considerations should weigh most
lightly in this matter of redistricting.
If these gentlemen, now in congress,
are the only fit men IN their districts
for place, then let the entire ques-
ton be dropped, and let us have
five delegates at large, not disturb
ing the districts belonging to them.
But there is rs good congressional
material in the Legislature as we have
in congress, and the states is
filled with men of ability, who could
ably represent Texas congressional
district. The individual feature in
the discussion is an evil one, and
should be abandoned. Redistrict
the state according to the interests
of sections, and then send eleven
good Democrats TO congress. This
is the STATEsMAN's plan. and it is
assumed on the idea that the people
of each district will select the best
man. Among these may be gentle
men now ut Washington, or there
may be new men, fully as worthy
and fully as capable as these.