The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-12-17

have been villifying the Republican
members Of council in the Register, to
name more fair or proper portion that
could be added to the Fifth ward 10
equalize it with the other wards, than
the one proposed.
But is the proposed change being
made in the manner thatthe law directs?
The law governing the matter is i'll
Acts Of West Virginia 1882, Chapter l04.
The change can be made only by u
redistricting ordinance (llke the one
proposed) dividing the city Unto not
less than four or more than eight wards"
The law requires Council to do three
things, viz:
ist. Cause cnnmcrntions OF the resi-
dents OF the wards to be made.
I'd. Fix the number Of members OF the
Second Branch mot to exceed thirty aud
3d. Apportiom the number Of members
OF the Second Branch among the several
wards "as nearly us practicable in pro-
portion to the number OF persons re-
siding therein"
Council has carefully complied with
those requirements. 1t has caused eNu-
meratiOns to be made by respectable cit
liens, who have sworn to the correct
ness OF their returns.
The pending ordinance fixes the num-
berot members OF the Second Branchat
twenty-five, that being the number Of
members OF which that branch consisted
for at least nine years prior TO 1882,
when the number was changed 10 twen-
ty-eight.
There are number Of good reasons
why twenty.fiveis is a better number than
twenty.eight. One is that after the
wards are equalized by the proposed
change it gives to seven of the eight
wards the same representation in Coun-
Gil, and the largest ward in the city will
have only one more representative thas
each OF the other seven.
The total enumeration was 81 ,27S and,
aud in order to apnortiOn % members
among the several wards, it was found
necessary TO make the basis OF representa-
ton one member for 1900 residents.
That apportiOnment resulted in giving
to each OF seven wards three members
and to the Eighth ward four members.
II the proposed addition is made to
the Fifth ward, aud the enumeration is
correct, not even tho Register can or will
claim that % members can be apportion-
ed among the wards in any other way
than that proposed by the redistricting
ordinance. But the Register and the
Democratic members OF Council claim
that the enumeration is not correct, and
as evidence of that they cite the fact that
the school census, which they admit was
made in non-parLisan manner, is 1904
larger than the Council enumeration,
although made about the same time,
and they say also that the recent elec-
tions indicate that we have larger pop
ulation than the Council enumeration.
But now, dear reader, mark how small
fact shall put the blusterers down.
An apportionment Of 25 members ac-
cording to either the school census or
the election returns would be exactly the
same as according to the Council enum-
Grafton.
To apportion % members according to
the school census it is necessary to make
the basis Of representations one member
for l,400 residents lone member to 1900
residents would make. the result 2G
members.)
On that basis each ward having a pop
ulation OF over $500, and less than 1 300,
would be entitled to three members.
The population OF the Sixth ward, aC-
cording TO the school census, Is 6,lS9.
OF that number about one.fourth live in
the portion to be added to'the Fifth
ward. l do not know Just what the
number OF residents OF that portion is,
as shown by the school census, (the ex-
act figures can be obtained from the Sec
tary Of the school bOard), but according
to the Council lenumerationit is between
400 and 1900, and | have no doubt il
is at least 1900 by the school census.
Certain am that the number is suili-
cient to reduce the population. Of the
Sixth ward to less than 1900 and to in.
crease the population Of the Fifth ward
to more than $500.
Therefore according TO the school
census il the proposed addition is made
TO the Fifth ward, every ward in the
city will have more than $500 residents
aud less than 1900, except the Eighth
ward, which has more than 1900. A
similar calculation with reference to the
election returns produces the same re-
suit.
It is possible that the Council enumer.
alton was not so complete as the school
census; the Council enunerators were
paid so much per ward and the school
enumerators so much per hundred
names, but 1t was honestly and fairly
made.
The cry of corruption, f,r.o.d, etc,
about this matter by the Democrats, has
no other foundation than the facts
have stated, and the champion in Goun'
Gil Of the persons making this cry is Mr.
Frank Cruise, who SO recently made Q
reputation us President OF the Board o.
County Commissioners,
MEMBER OF COUNCIL.