The daily gazette., 1883-01-18

There is now no doubt whatever that an
effort will be made at the present session of
the General Assembly to secure increased
representation for New Castle county, and
from the character and disposition Of the
members, coupled with the earnest recon-
mendation of Governor stockley in his in
augural address, there is every reason to
believe the effort will prove successful.
Governor stockley's recommendation is to
increase the Senate to fifteen members-8ve
from each county-and the House TO thirty
members-"fairly and equitably divided be-
= tween the three counties" +"
Accepting Governor Stoekley's figures as
the prospective membership of the new Gen
eral Assembly, and the next thing is to de-
eide what will be "fair and equitable dis
tribution Of the members OF the lower
House among the respective counties.
Obviously the best basis would be
the vote cast at the last
election, and by reference to the tables we
find that of the 3l,l7s votes polled for
Governor. 1889 were cast in New Castle
county, 7,l97 in Kent and s,029 in Sussex.
An equitable distribution OF the member,
ship, upon this basis, would give Is mem
bers to New Castle, seven to Kent and eight
20 Sussex
In other States representation in the
House of Representatives is based upon pop
ulation, and this plan would result the
same as the distribution upon the voting
basis, New Castle county's population being
equal to that Of Kent and Sussex combined.
Either of these plans should be adopted, as
votes or population form the best basis Of
representa- ion, and admit of an increase to
keep pace with the increase Of population
from time to time. without the aid of any
special legislation,
Only by this system can the injustice
towards New Castle county in the matter OF
representation be efIectually remedied, as if
an ordinary increase is granted without pro-
vision for keeping pace with the increase of
population, the inequality will be as great
in a few years as 1t is now.
The enlargement of the State Senate
would be wise measure, and contin uance
Of the present system of an equal represen-
tation OF the three counties would be right
and proper. The people of State at large
are entitled to some protection in theirlegis-
lative body against the rapid and over
whelming increase Of city popula-
tion, as there are many interests
In the rural districts which more
than outweigh the mere question of popula-
tion. This principle was recognized in the
new Constitution OF Pennsylvania, which
limits the membership of the State senate,
in order TO prevent both branches of the
Legislature falling into the absolute
control of the urban representatives,
by reason of the rapid increase
In the population of the large cities. Thus
wise and wholesome check is placed upon
the Legislative power of the State, and
while due respect is paid to the principle OF
representation according TO population, the
rights of the minority-which, as in Della
ware, frequently comprises the entire State
outside OF the cities-are fully protected.
Altogether We think the Legislature can
fully and fairly meet the question of in.
creased representation By working Governor
stocklev's recommendation to its legitimate
end