The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-08

1ho matter OF reapporuoutnR the repre-
oontation OF the several states in the lower
houso Of congress. which carries with it
1opresontation In the electoral college,
must soon command the attention of con-
gross and the country. And, - In former
years, It promises to become prolific
pource Of controversy. in which new and
singular alliances are likely to be pre-
usntsd.
when the present superintendent was
made, on the basis Of the census Of 1850,
the number Of representatives was fixed at
~. which gave ratio Of 1912 to the
member. The admission Of new states.
when idaho and Wyoming shall have
chosen representatives, win increase the
membership 10 3SS. II this number were
maintained e would increase the ratio for
! representative to about 5000, accepting
superintendent Portsr's estimate of e.
900, 900 Tor the total population OF the coun.
try. On tho other hand. should the pres
ens ratio Of about $1,000 Be maintained.
The total membership Of the House would
Be Increased to 425.
On the latter basis the states that have
made less than average increase in popula-
ton would barely hold their own in total
membership, while the increased ratio
would cut them down, though the proper
lions in both cases would of course be the
same. The six New England states. which
now havs % members, would be cut down
20 49, or certainly to not more than 20,
and other Eastern states would be similarly
AFFECTED, the states Of the West gaining all
along the lire, both in actual numbers and
proportionately. 1t is TO b apprehepded
that none OF the representatives will be
disposed to see their states cut down in ac-
tual numbers, even though such course
dues not affect their proportionate repre-
ssntation. and therefore it is reasonable to
expsct that the New England and other
states that would be similarly affected will
BE- solidly united against the increase of
ratio.
The principal argument which viii be
advanced in favor of the increased ratio
wili be that the House is already unwieldy
N proportions, and that to maintain the
present ratio. and increase the member
ship to as would aggravate this evil and
moro effsctually destroy individual in
Auence, with its concomitant Of stin further
increasing the power of few men--the
speaker and the heads of committees. In
fact there are profound thinkers who have
been seriously impressed that the present
membership Of the House is BY far too
numerous, and that the result has been
destructive to Q sense of individual re-
sponsibility and accountability on the par;
a. representatives. and to that deliberasion
which Is becoming 10 Legislative assemblies.
It Is manifestiy impracticable this con-
nection 10 follow the theory OF the con-
stitution to iss logical results. That theory
assumes that the Senate represents the
equal sovereignty Of the several states. IT.
respective Of population, and that the lower
house represents the people in proportion
% numbers In such manner that each cit
isen shall BE- the exact equal OF any other
in the extent Of representation in that
body. Buta Is the constitution prescribes
that each state. however small its pspula-
ton, shall be allowed one member, exact
ecuality On the basis OF population could
only b attained by adopting the rcpnla-