The Wilmingtonian., 1886-11-13
District Representation.


1t is idle to expect the lower counties,
Kent and Sussex, to concede representa-
ton according to population or perhaps an
equal legislative representation in the upper
and lower houses at Dover of New Castle
County with Kent and Sussex.
1t is more than human nature can expect.
Theirs is the advantage and they propose
to hold it and keep it. .=
But what might be legitimately hoped for
would be the district system.
To comprehend the possibilities of success
of the district system the people of Whining
ton for arguments sake, must put themselves
in the place of the agricultural districts and
essay to see how representation will be af-
fected under that system.
The growing population of this city is the
menace to legislative ascendancy. That is
recognized Under the district system repre-
sentatiou according to population might be
adopted without the danger of the city of
Wilmington controlling the Legislative be-
cause then the rural districts of New Castle
County could combine with the districts of
Kent and Sussex to defeat any measures
tending towards distinctively City ascend
ency in the State Legislature. Instead of
County ascendency or of New Castle against
Kent OF Sussex the future legislature battle
will take a change of venue to the feid of
district ascendancy. This will afford slightly
greater opportunity of equable representa-
tion, without lessening the ascendaucy of
the agricultural as opposed to metropolitan
interests at Dove. Additionally the request
is just one in the light of Jeffersonian
teachings.
The proposition is that the voters ol each
district select their own representatives for
General Assembly. Having this in view,
and bearing in mind that the present copten-
tion is based upon tae demand for addition
al representation for New Castle County it is
suggested that each county be divided into
say four elective districts as near as popula.
tion will allow not necessarily following the
exact present divisional lines of the Hun.
dreds. For instance 10 New Castle County
let Brandywine, Christiana and Mill Greek
be one district Wilmington City one; New
Castle, White Clay Creek, Red Lion and
Pencader one and st. Georges, Biaakbird
and Appoquinmink one. To each of these
districts give one senator, 80 that there will
be twelve senators in the upper House insteat
Of nine, as now. In the lower House, Civ,
each district representation, two or more, ,ac
cording to population, that amount of pop
ulation SO stated In the enactment that Will
mington district alone in th e State will re
ceive additional representation. By this ar
rangement there will be a district!f feeling a
a nucleus for political arIaying of interest
instead of as it now stands the obnoxious ar
raging of New Castle County against Ken
and Sussex.
The rural population, that is all outside o
the city limits of Wilmington, would find
nucleus of affinity of interests around whic
to range themselves did they consider sue
action necessary.
A more rational representation accordin
to population would be gained under thi
system and the present ascendancy of th
agricultural portions Of the State would nc
be sacriiced-indeed would be reinforced b
the New Castle County contingent.