The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-06

In only TOO many instances of the most
vital importance, from The famous electoral
commission which deliberately robbed the
Democratic party Of the Presidency TO the
arbitrary rulings Of Speaker Reed, leading
M % the proposed national election meas
ure, the Republicans have shown that they
possessed a far more resolute and unscrupu-
lous character than their Democratic oppo-
nents In fact, they are not only fully pre-.
pared on every occasion 70 carry any pOliti-
cal success which they have won beyond
the limits Of the law, but they are equally
ready by every legitimate or illegitlmaie
means 20 deprive the Democratic party Of
every advantage which the fortune Of poll
tics may have conferred on them. The Re-
publican party is party Of political free
hooters, whose audacity is proportlonaie TO
their lack Of principle, and whose ingenuity
il not even surpassed by their ruthlessness.
All these qualities are very clearly illus
trated in the relations Of the party 10 the
process Of gerrymander. That process, as
carried out in many Of the Northern states
by the Republicans. Las been shameful in
its palpabe injustice, becausc it has been
based. not rs il is at the South, on the essen
tial needs Of society, but simply on the
most questionable requirements Of party
supremacy. Fair instances Of the general
correctness Of this assertion are 20 be found
In the present appointments Of the logisla-
tive districts Of New York State, and the
Congressional districts Of Pennsylvania, in
which latter Commonwealth, twenty-oue Of
the twenty-eight Congressman 10 which it is
entitled. must necessarily be Republican
from the character Of the division Of the dis
tricts.
The Democratic party have initiated the
example which the Republicans have set,
but only in a few instances, have they gone as
far. Having recently secured control Of the
Legislature Of Ohio, they proceeded toredn-
trict that State in accordance with their
own interests, the present division Of the
districts being one Of the most notorious eX-
amples Of Republican gerrymaudering that
now disfgures the map Of the Union. Par
italy with view TO preventing amy change
in the districts that wOnld accrue 20
the advantage Of the Democrats, the Re-
Yublicans. with characteristic readiness 90
head OF their opponents. have, through Con-
gresham McComas, of Maryland, intro
duced bin in the House TO illegalizo
gerrymandering in the division Of states
into districts for the purpose Of Congress
sional representation. This bill f0rbids re-
districting until new census has been
taken. and il requires chat the territory,
constituting a district shall not only be
contiguous. but adjacent and compact and
that the variation in.populatlon, at the time
Of redistricting, shall not exceed 1900 De
tween the least and the greatest limit"
1t will be seen from these provisions of
the bin that it is more satisfactory than
would have been expected when its source
is taken into account. If lis adoption would
only lead to the general abolition Of the ger
rymander on the part Of Northern Republi-
can and Democratic maionties alike. the
special reasons for its presentation at this
particular juncture could well beoyerlooked,
The Democrats Of the North could afford 70
forego the advantage they have won in Ohio
ifall the Northern States which are now ar.
der Republican control were hereafter TO be
fairly apportioned.
The bill would undoubtedly be highly I'M
furious TO the interests Of the South, at
which 1t is largely directed, the delegation
from this section in Congress being "a more
efficient safeguard for the preservation Of
our general institutions in proportion 90 its
size. II the objects Of party alone were 20
be considered, the South would offer no
strong objection to the measure. As she is
situated, however, its passage would proba-
bly, be a dangerous blow at her best inter
ests.