The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1890-03-28

are generally several years behind the
times, will almost have their breaths
taken away by the cold facts that will
then be exhibited, which they, in a
sort of willfully blind and stupid con.
servatism, have been accustomed to
consider as northwestern yarns, says
an exchange. 1t is hoped that even
the postofice department at Washing
ton, will be willing then to consider its
own statistics as ratified, and give US
proper postal facilities.
The census of 1890 will create
vast bureau of most valuable statistics,
especially SO as many branches of social
and vital statistics which were first
covered by the census of 1880 will re-
ceive their first great comparison.
This bureau of statistics must also fit
itself to many new branches Of indus
try. For instance, the census of 1890
will be the first to devote a special de-
partment to electricity and its depend
ent art and industries. The indus
trial applications of electrical and
magnetic inventions on large scale,
as in the telephones electric lights and
railways, is almost thing Of the past
ten years.
The political results that depend on
this census will also be interesting.
Not only the congressional representa-
.tives of the states for the next ten
years, but their relative strength in the
presidential elections of 1892, 1896,
and 1900, will probably be governed
by it. 1t will doubtless also mark
another advance of the center of po-
litical power westward. Besides the
interesting developments to be awaited
in the four new states, the peo-
pie of Idaho, Wyoming, Arizona and
New Mexico are confident that their
population will be proved sufficient tor
statehood.
The subject Of congressional appor-
tionment is also especially interesting.
Since the first congress, when men,
Der in the house in the time of Wash
ington represented 10000 people, that
body has grown from IS to $50 MEM
bers, each member now representing
l53,0 900 population or over. 1t is
evident that some steps will have to be
taken to prevent the house of repre-
sentatives from being such bulky and
unwieldy body, that, to secure the
proper transaction of business, the
speaker and chairman of important
COMMITTEES will have to be invested with
almost autocratic powers.
If the census of the present year
shows population of $4,000, 900, and
if the membership of the house should
be kept at near its presenr figure, there
will be one member for about every
200, 900 people, or over six times the
ratio of the congress of the last cen
fury. But it is likely that the mainten:
ance of the house at its present num-
ber will be resisted by some of the
older states on account of a. reduction
of their congressional delegates to per
NIT the increase of those from the
newer states where the population has
grown faster and IN greater proportion.
This would really be no hardship on
the older states, as their representa-
ton then wonuld be in the same pro-
portion as in the membership of the
house were increased, and the newer
states got the benefit Of the increase,
as they would in either case. But it
is not human nature to quietly submit
to a elimination of power which is
even only apparent and not real.
Possibly by that time, however, the
Western states will be powerful enough
to bring about this right result.