St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-11-14
NOT By THE LEGISLATURES.

one OF the most diStu rblng features
of the new political situation for the
Republicans is that the Democrats have
control OF such great number of the
legislatures when the appointments
under the new census are to be made.
They had expected to have possession
of nearly all the Northern legislatures,
and probably thought they could ey-
tend whatever advantages partisan skill
could work out Of the shaping of dis
trictS, through the decade. by the pass
age of the pending act prohibiting but
one apportionment in the ten years.
They now look over the field and find
that the Democrats have undiSputed
control of twenty-five legislatures in
states that elect 225 members. In sew
eral others, like New York, Massachu-
sets and illinois, the Republicans have
majorities in but one branch of the leg
islature, and will be unable to pass an act
that will give them unfair advantage.
The Farmers Alliance is conceded the
balance Of power in six states. Six
states will have no congressional dis
tricting, as they have but one member.
Of the thirty eight states that have the
formation of districts, only eight are
Republican in both branches of the
legislature, and Pennsylvania, Califor-
MIA, Maine and Connecticut alone have
more than two members. They assume
that the Democrats will do as they in
tended to do. and make the most of
their opportunities. They see in Ohio
an example that broadens in their minds
into q most hopeless and remedileSs
outlook. One of the leading Repub-
lican papers says that unless the pres
ent congress can Obyiate this result by
taking the matter out of the hands of
the legislatures, 1.-THE Republican party
might as well disband at once"
AS the Republican managers get to-
gether at Washington next month, and
the shock that has stunned them is
measured, they will exhibit the courage
OF desperation in an attempt to enact,
in connection with the apportionment
act, Il provision to take the foimationof
the congressional districts entirely out
Of the hands of the legislatures. Wheth-
CT they will follow the lines of the bill
introduced in the house by an Ohio
member at the last session is not GER
tain, but quite probable. This estab-
fishes a districting board in each state,
composed of two Republicans and two
Democrats appointed by the governor
or the Judge of the United States cir
cult court. A national board OF two Re
publicans and two Democrats, appoint
ed by the president and confirmed by
the senate, is also provided to act in
case the state boards are tie. A fifth
member may be had from one of the
United States courts if there is still dis
agreement. This bill also provides that
the districts shall be formed of con-
tiguous, compact territory, no district
varying in population more than five
per cent from the ratio. Most of these
requirements seem reasonable, but the
reason for the new departure just at
this time will hardly impress the coun-
try as having other than partisan
urgency. The practice of the past hun
dred years has not shown such grave
defects as to cause much other than
partisan alarm. There have been exhi-
billions of unfairneSs, perhaps, by all
parties. but the people are sensitive and
fair-minded, and quite apt to bring to
confusion the schemes of the unjust.
The legisla tn res are better able to SUBJ
serve the convenience of the people
than outside parties.