The daily gazette., 1883-03-24


Just what the Evsry Evening means by its
amhlguous utterances upon the representa-
tIon amendment, in yesterdays issue, 1t is
hard to imagine, but the most charitable
construction is that 1t was endeavoring to
support Speaker Bates in his open hostility
to the amendment, and at the same time re-
frain from expressing any positive condem-
nation OF the action of the House of Repre-
Bentatives on Thursday last.
In the performance of this difficult and
not at all creditable role our afternoon con-
temporary will find ''hard road to travel"
and it would be much more manly on its
part to come boldly out in direct opposition
to the concurrence of the Senate in the
amendment just passed by the House. 1t
would thus not only be in full and complete
accord, as it ought to, with Speaker Bates,
In this matter. but would leave no doubt
In the public mind as to its attitude in rela-
tion to the important question whether 1t is
not better for the people Of New Castle
county to take what they can get in the
matter of increased representation than to
reject everything because they cannot OBJ
:ain all they ask for.
The hostility OF some Wilmington papers
to the Grubb amendment is easily ac-
counted for, but, as we cannot attribute
it to the same motives, we must
admit our surprise at Every Breaing's evil
dent desire to belittle the full scope and
effect of the measure now under considera-
ton. From its editorial utterances stranger
4. ha
provided tor practically no increase what
ever, whereas, at one strides it offers the
city of Wilmington three times as much
representation as she now possesses, and es-
tablishes by organic law what is now
awarded by simple party courtesy.
Under the existing Constitution the
county of Newcastle is entitled to three Sen
ators and seven Representatives, but there
is nothing in the world to prevent these ten
members of the Legislature from being
selected from the hundreds outside of VII
mington. Party usage, of late years, has
allowed Wilmington one Senator and one
Representative, but this rule is not absolute
and can be abrogated a. any time. The
amendment now awaiting the consideration
of the Senate provides, by law, that the
representation of the city of Wilmington
shall be two Senators and four Representa-
tiVes, and thus not only grants large and
encouraging increase, but places it beyond
the power OF intriguing politicians
to deprive the city altogether of representa-
tion in the law making power of the state.
How any man or any paper, in considera-
tion OF the existing system, can declare that
this amendment is not a measure of relief
to this city and county, and a decided
step in the direction of a full and
satisfactory solution OF the representation
question, is a mystery that certainly passes
ordinary comprehension, and leaves one in
grave doubt as to what such people and
such papers would consider a real benefit tc
our people.
If this amendment is defeated, what car
its opponents offer in its stead: It has beer
carefully prepared as the result of weeks oi
deliberation, and new measure offered a
this late day would either be rejected o
passed in such a shape as to render its con
flrmation two years hence a matter o
grave doubt and uncertainty. The presen
measure is satisfactory to the people of tn
lower counties, and as the increase it offer
is substantial and encouraging, it would b
the most stupid folly to reject it because
does not strictly accord with the principl
of representation upon the basis of popula
tion, regardless of the acknowledged polit
cal difference between urban and rural con
munities. 1t is plain, tangible, propos
tion, and is undoubtedly ever so niue bette
than no increase at all.