The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-06
Republicans Effect a Solution
by a Caucus.
MEANING OF CONSTITUTION.
Governor Ferry Was Right In With.
holding the Incorrect Returns.
Eieroe county Representative Goes
home In Disgust-Geoghegan's soIu-
hon ofthe Difiicuity-Increase ofnem-
bership In Next Legislature.

OLYMPIA, Sept 5.-The apparent hope.
iessness of uniting all the legislators on a
common ossis OF apportionment resulted
this morning In the expressed determina-
uon Oh several members to return home.
ana thompson, of Pierce, carried his threat
INTO eHecL Thereupon Senator'S Wood,
hinenars and Austin set about arranging
conference OF all the Republicans, which
TOOK place tonight in the hall OF represents
atives. During the day a consultation was
mad with John +. Convey, and tonight
john ID. McGraw, of Seattle, arrived
ana took part in the deliberations.
The result was an agreement to formulate
a bill closely following out the provisions
of the constitution. Geoghegan explained
that he had modified his bill so as to make
only thirty-feur senatorial districts. and
thus avoid the possible odium OF increased
numbers. In order, however. to meet the
demand of the smaller counties. the rep-
resentation is increased to ninetv-three.
Some of the outgoing senators have
hoped, apparently, for the passage of the
bill, but 1t is said that the governor will
veto any bill not in conformity with the
constitution, and there is no doubt about
its declaring that the members for odd
numbered districts must 90 out. The
modification in Geoghegan's bill is also
rendered necessary by section 6 of article 2,
which says that senators shall be elected
for four years, one-hah Of their number re-
firing every two years.
An attempt has been made to identity
the governor with scheme of reappor-
tionment, but an intimate friend OF his
said tonight that he had not consulted
with any member or in any way suggested
any plan. He mas limited his remarks en-
tirely to the constitutional aspect of the
question. Last winter he said he preferred
large assemblies as tending to lessen the
chances of combinations and corruption.
He then approved the suggestion of
fifty senator's and 800 members, but
he did not make the suggestion himself.
The same authority says he considers that
the legislators are unnecessarily handicap
ping themselves by their construction Of
the constitution as to odd and even
numbered districts. That provision only
applies to the first election, and IL King
county is numbered partly odd and partly
even, all of its senators could be elected at
the same time and serve for the same
leRgth of term. The distinction Is merely
one for temporary convenience.
The governors message shows that he
construes the constitution literally, that
population must form the basis of repre-
sentation, and it is rather remarkable that
the members have not seen that the easiest
way to conform to that Interpretation, and
at the same time give each county a repre-
sentative. is TO allow one member TO every
county having 5000 or under. and ons
member for every additional 5000. That
would require ninety three members, and
still be within the constitutional limit.
The claim of each county that its intsr-
ests should have one representative is
urged upon the ground that where two
counties are contiguous their interests are
often antagonistic rather than identical,
and a member cannot serve both at the
same time. 1t would be equally unjust
and repugnant TO the intention of the con-
stitution if population were not represent
ed in an equitable ratio. 1t can hardly os
considered the fault of the larger counties
that they have the greater population
There is much Indignation over an at
tempt to exaggerate into scandal the
eminently proper refusal Of the governor
to give out the census returns until they
had been corrected and verified. Speaker
Feighan tonight said that he had called
upon the governor today and that
there was no feeling on either
side. The governor was anxious to
have the figures correct. as they were to DO
official, and he held. moreover. that the
only constitutional means of conveying an
~ 81 n ho va
houses in open assembly. The governor
has striyen hard since August 8 to get the
returns, and has been conscientious and
jealous.
Chairman Convey was interviewed today
and said he earnestly hoped for the sake OF
the party and in the interest of the state
that the legislature would not adjourn un-
til il had passed an apportionment bill He
deprecated an increase of members, but
feared that was the only available method,
and he believed the approval OF the people
would follow the judgment OF the mem
bers.
The caucus lasted until after IL o'clock,
and, although enlivened by some earnest
talk, terminated harmoniousiy. Shaw OF
Clarke was called to the chair, and Senator
Austin opened by declaring that the Re-
publican party would be held Responsible
for the results of this session and the object
OF the caucus was 10 prevent the Demo-
Gratis making capital by any error OF judg'
ment. They should dispassionately dis
cuss the situation and act wisely and
with the motive OF the furthertng
the interests of the state. Rinehars
said he had consulted John +. Conveys
who appealed to them not to adjourn with
out passing the best bill they could. He
thought they should endeayor to give satts.
faction. even II they went 20 the extreme
limit of the constitution. Houghtop said
Il would be suicidal to adjourn wfthous
passing bill. The legislature had failed
To do its duty at the last session, and
the Republicans are incapable OF taking
the instrument for which they are respons-
ibIs and formulating a bill they would
better turn the state over to the
Democrats and let them their nsnu-
The Constitution has Its faults, ous 10
mandates should be obeyed, and the
remedy applied at the first oppof.uni.y.
After Herren and others haa oiioly
spoken Geoghegan addressed tne caue
in favor OF his bill He explained asishssn
and earnestly advocated It's prosisions.
owings desired the caucus to pisage IT,.
TO some sort OF provision, ana 'ns peop''
would approve them. o,r-
Parkins introduced resoiutioh
mending an increase OF repfsss1s
Clark OF Spokane, opposed this. "a
the farmers would disapprove IL "oou
OF King favored IL, but Brown dia noe.
Rinehar. supported the increase ins