New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-22
CONGRESSIONAL DIsrRICTTNG.

H. is probable that fraudulent elections In
certain Southern States, the fraudulent arrange
ment Of Congressional districts In these ana
in Indiana and the attompt TO carry through
a similar robbery of the people in New. Jersey
may lead at the next session 10 serious con-
sideration Of the right Of Congress to prescribe
Congressional districts and the manner OF hold
ing elections for Representatives in Congress.
For full century the power to apportion the
States into Congressional districts has been left
to State Legislatures, and has been repeatedly
so abused, especially within the last few years,
that il seems strange the constitutional power OF
Congress over the matter has not hitherto been
exercised. Though by most voters, possibly, the
old custom may be supposed 10 have originated
In a constitutional provision, the fact Is that
the Constitution from the first expressly con-
ferred upon Congress ample power over tho
whole subject. This il but another Of the many
instances in which the singular wisdom Of the
trainers Of the Constitution was shown, In clear
anticipation Of and provision for difficulties
which for many years did not arise In section
4. Article |, the Constitution provides:
TIE times, places and manner Of holding elections
for Senators and Representatives shall be prescribed IN
each state by the Legislature thereof; but tho Con
rcss may at any time by law make or alter such rog
lstions except as TO tho places Of choosing SENATOR
No grant Of power " the Constitution Is more
explicit than this or moro broad, and it would
seem difficult to frame language which should
confer more absolutely upon Congress, Mt its
sole discretion, the right TO determine within
what districts and with what safeguards the
elections for Representatives should be held
The only qualifying provision found In the
Constitution Ia in section 2, Article /:
The House Of Representatives shall be composed o.
members chosen every second year by the people OF the
several States, aud tho electors in each State shall
havs the qualifications requisite for electors for The
most numerous branch Of the State Legislature.
There Is no constitutional provision that the
districts shall be OF equal size, population Of
reasonable continuity, but the law to that pur-
pose has the sanction Of equity, and every ut
tempt to defeat II by partisan tricks has mel
the censure Of hght-thinking citizens as ar
attempt in effect to deprive the people of theil
| right to choose such Representatives as they
desire. II Legislature may provide, as the
| Indiana Legislature has in fact provided, thai
a minority Of the people Of the State may elec
| ten out OF tho thirteen Representatives, the
moral wrong is eAaCUiy Jue Sbhie IN III ono oicC'
ton Of three-quarters Of the members allotted
to the State had not been by the people at all
| but by minority Of them
In the Southern States Democratic ingenuity
has been exercised to the utmost to deprive
the people in Republican regions Of power K
elect the number of Representatives TO which
| they are entitled. The infamous " Shoc-strinp
| DISTRICT of Mississippi was only one Of the
more fragrant contrivances for the same pur
pose. It Is believed by those who have care.
| fully examined the election returns that at
least twenty more Republican Representatives
would be chosen in Southern States alone Il
| the apportionment into districts were such Of
| tho spirit and intent Of the Constitution require
| In Indiana at least four more would be chosen
! and in other cases at the North similar wrongs
have been perpetrated, but afterward redressed
by subsequent acts Of State Legislatures.
Since Congress plainly has the power, ant
legislation on the subject has become impera.
lively necessary in order SO to prescribe the
manner Of elections as to prevent frauds, II vii
be considered with care whether the appor.
| tionment into districts shall not also be fixed
! by Congressional enactment The power is no
Of such O nature, Us the citation from section
4, Article I, shows, that Congress is obliged Il
exsrcise It with regard TO all the ststes If 4