The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-01-17
HUMPHREYS FIRST
contlnued Prom Pirst Paee.

tionment was possible either in 1875,
1881, or the last one IN 1885, based on
the census Of 1885. On the basis OF
If such had been possible,
each representative would have been
given a constituency of 1O,l5O. But
that apportionment gave a
to each of twenty
by the inflexible rule of the
constitution, whose population, re-
spectively, ranged in round numbers
from 1 500 to s, 800, averaging less than
4, 800 each, and five of them having
less than 9, 900 each. In other words,
out of then population of 1900, 600,
the rs, 500 people in these twenty
eight counties were allowed twenty
eight representatives, while the re-
naming LII 500 people were given
but ninety seven, or one to every
12.O77.
These ninety-seven representative
districts embrace fifty-nine counties,
and between these the greatest inc
quality exists in representation, as no
district can be created comprising ter
ritOry within two or more counties.
Giving each of the then organized
counties having the requisite number
of voters one representative, thirty
seven renamed to be distributed on
the basis Of population. of which few
inatanses are given for illustrations:
Leavenworth county, with popu-
lation of 1880, has four repre-
Shawnee, with population
of 40, 500. has three representatives, one
to every Is ,526; while Labette has three
representatives, one for every LIZA peo-
pie. Jefferson county, with 1t, 265
population has two representatives, one
to 1872; while Wyandotte. with popu-
lation of % ,069, has but two, one to a.
900 people.
Against the twenty-eight counties
hereinbefore mentioned, having an
average population of less than 4 900 to
each of which a representative was
given, may set over seventeen coun-
ties, each of which then had over Il, 600
people and was allowed but one mem
Der, and the population OF eight Of these
ranged between IA 600 and IS 600. one
having 1875, another 1856, and an
other II ,157. These gross inequalities,
it is proper to say, are unavoidable I'M
der present constitutional restrictions,
and must be borne until the needful
changes in the fundamental law shall
bring relief.
APPORTIONcENT
No change may be made IN the appor-
by the constitution, once IN five years.
The close of the last five years period
fell in 1885, in the interval between our
biennial sessions. and compelled the
extra session of 1886 with its attendant
expense. The same conditions will oc-
cur again in 1885, and again at certain
intervals.
Furthermore, with the apportion-
ment article as it is, and the
L. HnH RI
four and two years respectively, 1t fol-
lows that the united terms of the mem
bers chosen under every apportioD-
ments in either branch, must fall short
of or exceed the five-year period con-
templated by the constitution; and ii
occasionally happens that one house of
a particular session is chosen under
one apportionment, while the other
house was chosen under another an
other apportionment. Thus, under
the apportionment act of 1875, repre-
sentatives were chosen in 1875, 1873,
and 1880, whose united terms covered
six years. Under the apportionment
act of 1881. representatives were chOS-
en- in 1882 and 1884, whose united
terms covered but four years; and
under the act of 1885, representatives
were elected in 1886 and 1855, and will
be again in 1890, VIII ose aggregate terms
will cover six years. In 1876, senators
were chosen under the apportionment
of that year, and again in 1880, their
terms thus covering eight years; while
under the appOrtionment act OF
1881, the only election for senators
was IN 1884, for the term ending
in 1888. The present senate was chosen
under the apportionment act of 1886
and the next election for senators viii
be held under the apportiunment to bt
made in 1891. So it is apparent thai
the attempt to secure speedy and equa
representation under existing constitu
tiOnal conditions, is not brilliant sue
cess.
| CLASSIFIED MEMBERSHIP.
| Other changes in our Fundamental
law are suggested by experience and de
manded by our altered conditions. II
| revising the legislative article, it would
seem wise to classify the membership
of the two houses, providing that thu
classes shall be chosen at differen
times. So that at the commencement
of each session, a considerable numbe
of members of either house will havt
had legislative experience.
This would greatly facilitate TIT
work of organization, save time, INSURE
accuracy and efficiency in the transac
ton of public business. and be of meal
/
LIMITED SESSIONS.
Under our biennial system the limi
tation of the session to fifty days Is N
longer advisable. Excluding Sunday!
and counting out the time necessaril,
consumed in organization and in tn
election of state printer and UDitet
States senator, the time remain
ing is wholly inadequate t.
the legislative needs of
great state, Local and special bill
consume much time, the work don
is often crude and inconsiderate, ant
important general measures die upol
the calander for lack of time to prop
erly consider them. This limitation
should be removed or extended, ant
members allowed a reasonable pc
diem or a fixed saalry. The preSen
compensation of members of the legiS
lature is inadequate, unjust, parsimon
iouS, nj ggardly.
J SPECIAL LEGISLATION.
Special leg islation is great an
growing evil, Notwithstanding the evi
dent purpose of the fr amers of on
constitution to prohibit it. The Pre-
vision that mo special law shall
enacted where general law can b
made applicable, !" with the conctruC
ton placed upon it by the courts,
easy of evasion and utterly fails of it
: well meant purpose. The result i
that special bills crowd the calande
each session, providing for remedie
! in special cases, often time
mischievOuS, if not vicious
in character and design, ado
ing much to the general expense
retarding public business, and consum
ing time that should be DEVOTED t
l measures of general Importance. A
amendment specifically forbidding th
passage of any act to change a name
comforting the rights OF majority,
authorize the issue of bonds, or sp'
cial tax levy, in any particular case b
i any municipality, to legalize the aci
= of any public officer or body, to author
ize particular roads or highways. or
l Vacate streets, would be effective an
!, wise. Parties should be compelled I
) seek remedy, in all such cases, in th
3 courts or the board of county commits