Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-02-26

Arrowsic, Georgetown and Phipsburg in
Sagadahoc county Also by striking out
''Sagadahoc" in same section, 9th line. and in
serting after Lincoln in the same line. "And
the towns of Richmond, Bowdoin. Bowdoin-
ham, Perkins and Topsham in Sagadahoe
county.
Mr. Gushee said: This is question of
great Importance, more, perhaps, than at u
casual glance may seem to attach ts it, and
yet there are deep underlying principles which
as Legislators ratter than politicians should
govern our action in an apportionment of the
State into Congressional districts. 1t is the
fundamental principle of equal representa-
ton. Shall the people of this State without
regard TO location. politics or personal inter
ests have an equal chance in tine choice of
the men that shall represent them in the
National Congress? Shall this apportion-
ment be of the people in accordance with the
clearly expressed provisions of law, or of a
political organization in the interests of that
organization and in defiance of law, rather
than the interests of the people?
In accordance with the requirements of law
(the last legislature having failed to pass an
apportionment which the Governor could in
accordance with his oath consistently sign)
we are called upon to apportion the State
into four Congressional districts. One of the
requirements is that there shall be contiguity
of territory Another and very important one
is that they shall be divided as near as NAV
be into districts OF equal population. that each
voter may have an equal chance in the choice
of Congressman. 1t is not difficult to comply
with the requirements of law in this appor-
tionment. 1t Is not complicated matter, al
intricate problem requiring great skill in its
solution. Any man of average ability with
knowledge of the fundamental rules of
arithmetic and the geography of the State.
can apportion the State in compliance with
law but when an attempt is made to gerry
mander it as has been stated by republicans
on the floor of the House IN the interest of
certain centers and individuals in direct viola
ton of law and justice, it is not strange that
difficulties arise, and it may be found
that the way of the transgressor is
hard. This is not the first time that the
Legislature has been called upon to apporton
the State, neither is it the first time that a
gerrymander has been attempted. But it
seems that the committee having in charge
the arrangement of the plan or rather the
reporting of plan which has been decided
on long before the meeting of this Legis-
lature by few ring politicians found it
necessary an initiative to ignore all former
precedents and declare that in this apportion-
ment county lines should be regarded. This
is the first time in sixty years that such
rule has been adopted there has never been
an appOrtionment of the State without a
division of a county or counties.
1t is impossible to make an equitable
apportionment and apply this rule. but
having decided upon plan of action, having.
as has been stated by prominent members of
the dominant party, been created for this
purpose they proceed to report. notw ithstand-
ing the protest of members of that Committee
a bill which is unfair in every particular. |
would hardly have believed that there could
have been found sufficient number of men
even IN the republican party and its record
IN the last few years is not to be en-
We'd since it contains men who would
have reported such an unjust bill.
We have been reminded frequently during
this session of the power and purity of this
grand old party. Its power is broken and |
submit to you, judging from this bill, whether
its purity is not thing of the past. Maine
has population of 64S 1886 and one fourth of
this is l62, ,234. Now it is not difficult if
men are honestly desirous for an impartial
division of the State into Congressional dis
tricts to divide it so that the people will be
given fair and equal voice in electing
congressman. On account Of the dis
proportionate increase of other sections of
the country the representation of our State
has been diminished and New England,
which has in the past shaped to a great
extent the legislation of the nation, finds its
influence diminishing.
1t is of great importance that the business
and political interests of our State may be
fairly represented in Congress. This should
not, and regret that it has been made po-
litical question. 1t is really a question in
which the rights of every citizen should be
Rufi if This ,ea al
ed the rights of minority of GA 600 will be
subverted. Has the boasted patriotism of the
republican party passed away? Are its states
men a thing Of the past? Has this party de-
generated INTO one of political expediency?
Are its leaders desirous Of personal aggran-
dizement and political power rather than that
right and justice shall prevail? Let the peo-
pie from their acts judge. As party meas
ure should not oppose this bill. I believe
it will result as like measures have in other
States in the defeat of the party attempting
it. The tocsin Of the people has sounded;
the handwriting appears on the wall. Its
Interpretation is plain. But l plead for the
right of equal representation guaranteed to us
by the constitution, and particularly for the
rights of the citizens Of the county that have
the honor to in part represent in this legisla-
ture. cannot sit quietly in my seat and see her
political and individual righus disregarded, and
not protest against it. / had hoped,
knowing as I did that there were able. and
eloquent gentlemen in the House, members
of the dominant party from my county, that
they would protest against this injustice to
Knox county; but they have remained silent
and seen her rights disregarded without pro-
test. By this bill York and Cumberland.
with population of 1926, are made the
first district. The second district is com.
posed Of the counties of Oxford, Franklin,
Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Knox and Lincoln,
with a population of l72. 1924 900 more
than the first district and containing 5000
more voters than the first district, extending
from the extreme western boundary of the
State to the sea- MIR. President, the serpent
inc windings of the reptile are not more de-
viOus than the lines Of this district. Every
business and political interest of Knox coun-
ty is disregarded, and yet by placing the
towns in Sagadahoc county south Of Merry
Meeting Bay in the first district, you can
have two districts of nearly equal population.
Will you deny Knox county this right of
equal representation by ignoring this amend