The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-02-06

and III violation OIL tile elnal rights OI
the people in every part OF the state
to an equal voice in its Legislation.
The ratio of representation was es-
tablished at $4,000. Sixteen republic
can districts were created with less
than half that number. Two Of these
districts are composed Of the counties
Of Howard and Mitchell, with popu-
lation rs follows:
HOward.................. S,ovo
Total ....... 100
An honest districting OF the state
upon a basis of $4,000 should have
combined these two contiguous coun-
ties in one district with one repre-
sentative instead of two.
Like Banquo's ghost, the unconsti-
tutional feature Of this apportion-
ment is the apparition that constant
~ confronts the republicans in the
legislature.
The agreement put in writing and
signed by the republican committee,
but which was not accepted by the
democrats is a full confession Of the
unconstitutional apportionment.
THAT it is mutually agreed upon
between the democrats and republi
cans claiming to be members elect OF
the house Of the TWenty-third gene
raj assembly. that ut no time from
the acceptance Of this proposition to
the final adjournment of the house OF
said Twenty third General Assembly,
and at no time during the session Of
said house will either party prevent
from voting, unseat. or offer or con-
slider any proposition to unseat any
one whose name appears on the list
prepared by the secretary Of the state
of Iowa, and now in use in the roll
calls of this body. on account Of any
objection TO the apportionment act
of the Twenty third General Assem-
bly,, creating the district from which
he was elected"
The Dies Moines Leader gives the
remarks of democrats protesting
against the apportionment at the
time. 1t says:
The outrage was not allowed to
pass the last general assembly with
out protest and warning. AT the
time when the final vote was taken
upon the measure in the house, many
of the members expressed themselves
in vigorous terms. Mr.. BEEN, q lead
ing democratic member then, rs now.
said:
Mr.. Speaker-Again explaining my
vote on this outrage, called by court.
esy an apportionnent, |, desire to say
that my conscience and my oath Of
Office, and Il due regard to the same,
have not yet been brought under the
benign and balmy influence of the re.
publican caucus. Ii | should vote
for this bill it would be in violation
of my oath. my personal honor. my
pledges to my constituents and of the
rights Of free people.
1t is violation of the charter oil
our liberties, and the only pretext
urged in its favor is that it is neces.
sary in order to prop up the totterinp
fabric miscalled the republican party
vote no.
Mr.. Burgess. another Democrat.
member, protested against the arbi
trary passage Of the measure. and
warned the republicans as follows:
Mr.. Speaker desire to explain my
vote. This bill is the most arbitrary
and despotic measure ever attempted
by any Legislature. Its passage is not
only violation of the constitution
of Iowa, but the most fragrant usur.
patton of power ever forced upon q
free people. The mills of the Gods
grind slowly but they grind exceed
ing fine. and the good Judgment
and honesty Of the people of Iowa
will not continue in power a party
who SO ruthlessly traInple under foot
the rights Of the minority. vote no.
Mr.. Craig explained his vote as fol
lows:
Mr.. constitutions are in.
tended TO protect the people in the
enjoyment Of their liberty and espec.
tally to protect the minority against
the abuse Of power by the majority.
l consider that this bill tramples arbi.
trarily upon the rights of the minor.
ity as guaranteed by the state con
stitution. look upon it as despot
lie abuse of constitutional rights b,
the majority Of this house. which
ought to be condemned vote no.
Mr.. Rice explained his vote as fol
lows
Mr.. Speaker-The three smallest
districts as provided in this bill con
tain "a, 324 inhabitants and each o1
them are given one representative
The three largest districts contain !;
population Of lO2, OU6 and are giver
only the snlne number of representa-
tlves. Any fair construction of sec
ton b and 36 Of article of the con
stitution would give the three larger
districts two representatives each.
They contain more than four times
the number OF inhabitants. or S7.4s:
inhabitants more than the tire.
smallest. This is not representation
according to the inhabitants i'm eacl
district. One of these three larppsl
districts, which will be deprived o.
its constitutional number Of repre
sentatiyes if this bill becomes d Law
is Woodbury. county. the district
have the honor to represent, and
protest against such an outrage.
vote no.
Mr.. Riley, prominent republican
member, who afterwards stated II
conversation that his vote upon thi,
measure was the only one of which
he had reasonl to be ashamed, ex
planned his vote as follows:
Mr.. Speaker have hoped fol
some modification in this measure
that the ratio Of Representations might
be reduced and IA more equitable an
portlonlnent be made. but circuln
stances beyond my control impel me
to vote aye
MIR. iergey, another republican
who should have had sense enough
to cover his infamous vote by silence
made the following ridiculous expla
nation:
Mr.. Speaker-After careful ex
animation of the subject and nna,