New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-13
PRESSING DUTIES.

gins next March. Ii the Repubhcan party
faithfully discharges its duties, it will govern
the country for many years. Its irst ana moSU
obvious duty is to restore to their franchises
great bodies of citizens, who have been nlustiy
deprived of all share in government because
they helped to settle rev Territories and are
mainly Republicans in opinion.
In October of last year, according to the re-
port of the Territorial Governor Dakota had
about 568, 900 inhabitants, and the number
now is probably $4,000 or more, enough Tor
four Representatives in Congress at the ratio
fixed by the last census. The people want
division into two States because the area, while
large enough for two is naturally divloed into
parts. between which communication is slow
and difficult General Harrison strongly
favored the wish of the people when IN the
Senate and there can be no doubt that both
PARTS of the Territory would have been adj
mitted as States long ago but for partisan IN
Justice. 1t is to be hoped that such incon-
vcnient and ll-somding names as North Da-
Lota and South Dakota may not be fastened
upon two young States which deserve better
fate, and while one may naturally wish to re-
tain the name Dakota, the other might htly
bear the name Of Lincoln. Already the name
CT Washington has been given to a territory
which also has more than the required popula-
tion for admission as a State. 1t polled ~ 600
votes two years ago, and has since grown in
noDujalion with great rapidly. Probably Mon
tana also has now a sufficient population to be
entitled to admission with one member OF Con-
gress. More than million worthy. industrious
and enterpiising citizens Of ;he United States
are now living in these great Territories and
the;r admission to participation in The govern
ment Of the country, which should be conceded
as matter of right would cntitle them to ut
least SIX Representatives and eight Senator'S
The fact should not be overlooked IN esti-
mating The magnitude Of tho Republican VIC
tories in older states, that these have been
achieved notwithstanding the withdrawal to
the Territories Of great number OF Repubh-
can voters.
The next census will be taken about the time
the first session of the Congress recently
elected will terminate. The results OF that cen
sus will therefore be known in time to form the
basis of a new apportionment Of Representatives
and Of Presidential electors at the session be-
ginning in December, 1890. A distribution Of
greatly to Republican strength, because the
enormous increase by immigration during the
last ten years has sweed The population OF
Northern rather than Of Southern States, ana the
population of Western rather than of Eastern
States. Thus new appoItionment can be made
in time to govern the mex. Presidential election
and the relative power Of lew centres Oh
foreign influence along the sea coast Will then
be much diminished 1t is already evident that
the aggregate population will have lncrG2sed
during the decade more than 80 per cent but
the recent vote indicates an increase since 1880
of about 19 per cent in this State, little less
in New-Jersey and about Is per cent In Con-
nccticut. The Western States, where the Re
publican maiorities are mighty and steadily
growing. will relatively increase in power,
while the representation of the disputed East
ern States will hardly he maintained
Another duty which will call for immediate
attention is brought home to the appreciation
Of Republicans by current events. In more
| than dozen districts at the South. which were
fairly carried by Republicans at the late
| election. Democratic candidates are now claim
ing pluralities. and will demand certificates
from officials of their own party. 1t remains
| to be seen whether, under laws which already
| exist, means for preventing such wrongs may
not be found. But Congress will need to con-
| slider the wisdom Of some provision to secure,
| through Federal Courts or other nom partisan
tribunal redress for the people of any Con-
gressiona district who may e thus threatened
with robbery of their rights. 1t is plain that
the process Of contesting seats before the
House, after its organization, affords little
remedy against frauds, by which the organiza-
ton of that body at the outset may be secured.
Definite means might be provided for de-
terminng in courts of law the prima facie
rights of candidates, wherever an attempt is
made to defeat the will Of the people by false
returns or fraudulent certificates.