Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-03-27
..aamcaster fntellige,1rer.
The AppOrtiOnments.

The appointments.
The Legislature is reported to be
getting excited over the apportlonment
bills. There does not seem to be the
least necessity for it. There are two
considerations which imperatively de-
mand the reapportionment OF the state
before the Legislature adjourns, and it
is about as certain as anything can he
that the new apportionment will be
made IL it takes all summer SO there is
no use in trying to avoid the inevitable.
The Republican heat seems to come
mainly from the desire to maintain
the present status Of the districts.
But as they cannot deny either
that the existing apportionment is
more unequal than anyone that is pro-
posed, or that new one is commander
by the constitution to be made according
to the latest census, the Republican
managers are absolutely without reason
in their endeavor to block legislation
upon the subject. If it is true, as they
claim, that the Democrats propose an
unjust measure, 1t is but what
they themselves have undeniably
done in the past; and they can
not with very good grace abuse their
opponents for doing what they have
done. They are not in condition t" cast
stones.
OF course we would neither advocate
nor defend an unjust apportionment
made by Democrats, any more than we
have approved those that have been
forced upon the state by Republican
partisanship. 1t is bad political policy
for a party to he unfair. Such chickens
ALWAYS come home to roost. 1t is best
for a party to act SO as to secure popular
approyal, and this can only be done by a
CONSPICUOUS exhibition of justice when
It enjoys the power of administration.
At present there is some difficulty in ap-
portioning fairly the state, owing TO the
apparent conflict in some of the consti
tutional requirements. But this should
not be a great difficulty. The rule of
constitutional construction requires that
the instrument shall he read so rs to give
effect to all its parts, if that be possible :;
and if not that they shall be harmorizHd
as closely as possible. In the sen'
torial apportionment, it is, for in'
stance, first necessary 20 make fifty
districts. Then these districts have
to be based upon ratio secured by
dividing the population of the state by
fifty, il they can be so secured. II this
cannot be done, while observing other
constitutional requirements, the effort
must be to make as close an approxina-
ton as possible to obedience to the in
tent of the fundamental law.
If legislators approach the con:t.uc
tiOn of the constitution with desire to
read it fairly, and not with intent to
coflstrue it to suit best their partisan
advantage, there is not likely i" be any
insurmountabfe difficulty in coming to
an agreement.
But it will no! do for Republicans
statesmen to urge the uncertainty Of the
constitution as reason for avoiding the
apportionment which it commands to be
made. Nor will it do for them to crit
icise a Democratic plan TO execute it
without providing better one them
selves. If they can show that an ap-
portionment supported by the Democrats
is more repugnant to the constitution
and more unfair in the representation it
gives to the people than one which they
suggest, they will have our support and
that Of the people for their measure.
But until they do this they had better
keep quiet and cool.