St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-11-28

Congressman DUNNELL is revising
his apportionment bill to conform to the
entirely unexpected figures Mr.. PORTER
has reported as the census, and it will
take place on the Republican pro-
gramme of the coming session. 1t has
unQuestionably been the purpose to so
manipulate the matter in the fixing of a
ratio and distribution of the fractions
as to give the Republicans an advan-
tage. Nice computations might throw
the larger excuses to Republican states,
and secure member of congress here
and there. 1t has been assumed that
the Democrats would do all in their
power to prevent the passage of the
bill in order to refer it to the next con-
gress. So far as it is partisan and in
equitable measure, it would be their
duty to oppose it. A vigorous
and united opposition by the
party would battle the attempts of Mr..
REED and the Republicans. They will
hardly be able to hold quorum of their
own members. although celebrations
to individual fidelity are likely to be
fervent. But it is probable that the
new aspect of affairs will have its effect
on the discarded congress. The APP
portionment bill may be entirely in
offensive, or the objections confined to
a few states. 1t is to be hoped this may
DO the fact, and that measure may be
adopted that will be satisfactory to both
parties. There ought to be no more
partisanship in it than in the taking of
the census. 1t should be the work
of mathematicianS, and not poll
ticianS. The chief reason to be
urged for action at this session is that
the legislatures quite generally are in
session and can make the state appor-
tioEment. Any attempt to take the
matter out of the hands of the legSlat-
ureS would be resisted to extreme meas
ureS, and could not succeed. BY the
passage at this session the congressional
districts could be framed in season for
the next election. Otherwise this state
would have to choose members again
from the present unequal districts, and
probably not be allowed the two adj
ditlonal members TO which the state is
entitled, unless perhaps admitted on
general ticket. But the present vote
for president would be had. The ap-
portionment bill prepared by the
Democrats i'll the next house would
have to meet Republican SEN
ate. If it had bias it would be
rejected by that body. Of ne
cessity it must be a compromise and
accepted by both parties. 1t is re-
markable fact. too. that, in spite of the
sweep made at the election. there are
very few state legislatures outside of
the South, where the Republicans ex-
pect nothing, in which either party
has clear majority in both branches.
The Republicans have such
majority in California, Washing
ton. Maine, Vermont, PENNSYLVANIA,
and it is believed no other state
that has more than one member
of congress. The Democrats have both
houses in New Jersey, Indiana and
perhaps Michigan, with a close squeeze
in Ohio. The two houses are political
~ opposed or the balance held by the
farmers party in New York, Massa-
chusetts. Connecticut, New Hampshire,
Rhode Island. Illinois. Wisconsin.
Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa
and South Dakota. This is rarely the
case in so many legislatures and is
guaranty that very little of the gerry
mander business is possible by either
party.