New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-06
A NEW APPORTIONMENT.
THE NECESSITY OF PASSING A LAW AT
ONCE.
A DEMOCRATIC HOUSE CANNOT DE ENTRUSTED
WITH THAT DUTYJrALK OF AN


Washington. Nov. (spcciaD-The election Of
Democratic House makes the duty OF the present.
Congress TO pass an apportcnment law more impcra
tive than ever, for the reason that the Democratic
majority In the Lid Congress could not Trusted to
deal with that subject. With the democrats IL i
purely partisan question, aud their conduct In regard
to 10 would be shaped and controlled by partisan mo-
tves, regardless OF the requirements of Constitu
ton or the demands of equity. They fully realize
that proper apportionment Of Representatives VIII
seriously impair their prospects OF success In the
Presidential election Of 1882. and IL they had the
power TO postpone the enactment OF apportionmcnt
law until after that election there every reason to
believe that they would use 1t. II would be easy
enough for the Democrats IN the Lid Congress with
an overwhelming majority In the House 70 find pretexs
for failure to pass an apportonmcnt law at the first
regular session. and such failure, Of course would mean
action before 1893, after the election OF President
and Of Representatives to the Lid Congress- There
Is reason to believe that the necessity of prompt and
early action in this matter Is Of the considerations
which has induced President Harrison to favor 50
strongly the calling of special session of the present
Congress, proposition. however, which has been met
with strong opposition by members OF the Cabinet
and certain Republican Senators and Representatives
Whether the result Of yesterdays elections will modify
his views or those Of the opposition mentioned the
next few hours Will probably tell 1t Is known that
down to the time Of his departure for indianapolis on
special session will be wise, and probably necessary.
There is large amount Of important unfinished
business to be disposed Of aside from the passage OF the
appropriation bills good deal of which must receive
attention In this Congress, or wait for at least
two years. Such measures the Shipping bills,
the bill for the relief Of the Supreme Court,
the Elections bill, the Eight-hOur bills, and many
others would be ignored by the Lid Con-
grcss, the first session Of which, every intelligent
political observer foresees will be devoted by
the Democratic majority in the House TO attempts
to accumulate political capital for in the Presi
Dental campaign Of 1892. The majority will be as
intolerant and aggressive it will be large, and 10
will be completely dominated by the Southern tree
trade wing Of the party. The election OF southern
man-probably Mills or Girls pas Speaker is foregone
conclusion, and the organization Of the Ways and
Means Committee on radical free-trade basis more
pronounced, possible, than the same COMMITTEES IN the
Ltli Congress, will be an absolute certainty.
The Democrats completely intoxicated by their
whelDing victory they were In 1874, and they
have Randall now to restrain their impetuosty or
moderate their enthusiasm by words OF wise caution.
1t only fair to say and sensible to realize therefore,
that whatever needs or will need to be done In the
way OF public legislation during the next two years,
far as be fore4een, must be done between now
and March 4, 1S91.sy y