New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-12
TIRE CEySrS And APPOR TIONNENT.


The decision OF the House Committee on the
Census regarding the Apportionmcnt bill de-
serves the hearty appreciation OF all E"'h
citizens of either party. To the credit of three
of the Democratic members, they refuse to aid
the scheme OF the extreme faction which mas
talked of rohbing dozen Western ana DINER
! STATES for two years of the increased repre-
! sentation 10 which they are entitled. on the
/ nimsy prctcXt that recount might possibly
/ cnti,,c Ncw-iOrk 10 another member. II IL
| sbould the other member could he added.
| proncrlv the committee decided to 60 on with
| rho hill and urcc action on il without delay IN
| fuII confidence that essential justice can he
done whenever valid reasons appear for be-
LOVING that the population of this or any other
state mas been enormously counted. The best
way to prove Willingness TO do justice 10 one
state which may hereafter have good claim
is not 10 refuse or delay justice to the many
states which have a good claim now
II j. but lust 10 Commissioner Porter I" say
that his argument before the commltic" was
exceedingly strong and convincing. lie showed
bevond question that the Mayors recount IN
the second Ward did not prove what some
Democrats have pretended that It proved Ia"
comparison of names places III strong h@ht the
great changes which are constantly gong on
in the population Of every part OF cI'a'
city like this and shows also that the Mayor :
count was not at all Trustworthy. II the "rdi-
nary shifting Of inhabitants from one ward f"
others during the months which clap>c between
the official census and the Mayors recount ac-
counts for the absence OF a great number Of
names. and the Occupation in the country 81
thousands of male and female servants account,
for other changes and tho employment o.
mul,itudes of workers in the country during the
summer months. and the addition OF host oi
immigrants during the same months. II l. easy
to see that very wide differences between the
two enumcratonS would hc no proof Whatever
that the first was not substantially correct.
More attention than il has vet received j.
due To- the fact that wcll-known and cX-
traordinaIy increase in all the cities closely
surrounding Newly orll does necessarily imply
comparatively low rate OF increase within the
limits Of this city. Brooklyn and jersey City
IIobolIcn and Long Island City. and the >uhuI-
ban towns within radius al twenty miles in
almost every direction. have increased far be-
yond the normal ratio. a everybody j. perfect ~
aware. by the withdrawal of population from
this city. Changes in the modes Of trans porta-
ton within the last ten years have made such
a movement Of population natural and indeed
inevitable. and the grave defects in New ork
government and administration have increased
that movement. aS we'll rs the constantly grow
ing expense, Of living in great city. When
all this is fairly considered il viii not seem
strange thai the population Of Newly ork has
increased scarcely more than the average for
the whole country hut on tho contrary. II will
seem somewhat surprising and crcditablc that
ii has increased a, much a, the oilica ccnsu,
showed.
The Apportionmcnt bill. however. ought not
to he delayed an hour by the discussion or in
ycStigation Of this matter. There j. no sort
of doubt in the mind Of any man that Nebraska
is now entitled 10 three or four members more
than that stare now has and Minnesota 10 two
more. and lllinoI, and Missouri 10 one or two
more each, and Oregon and Washington and
NewJcrScy 10 ono more each, and Texas 10
one or two more, and Arkansas 10 one more.
With what show Of deccncy can Democrat,
propose 10 rob these States for some wears Of
their unqucstloncd right because there is a real
or alleged doubt whether New lork should not
have ono more member? Nearly all the states
which would thus be Wrongcd are States which
gave Democratic maioritics a the recent cleo
tons. and it would be small help for that party
in the future TO begin 10y dcirauding them.
The Census Committee and Republican mem
bers generally, appear disposed 10 take ~ "A
basis of apportionment the lowest number which
will prevent loss of representation by any
state namely. 1856, and in 50 doing they are
not only dealing fairly but going beyond the
requirements of strict fairness in order 10
make the apportlonment satisfactory. Under
such circumstances there ought 10 be no delay
whatever in passing an Apportionmcnt bill in
the House, 50 that the most rapidly growing
states shall be given without delay the repre-
Sentation to which they have "A right