Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-12-04
New Hsmpshirs Legislature.

AoSNphos A1ss LCNs o.--ku tut oCI-
ate this afternoon = bill making the census
OF 1890 the basis of representation in the
next House passed, seventeen republicans
voting for the measure, two democrats
against it
In the House the judiciary committee
reported in a new draft, the bill prescribing
for the qualifications OF the officers of the
legislature, which was passed under sus-
pension of the rules. The same committee
presented u resolution Of respect to the
eteI, which was ado 9ted.
A concurrent resolution for the final ad-
journment of the legislature tomorrow noon
was unanimously adopted.
The Senate bill relating 10 the repre-
sentation in the next house was read twice,
and referred to committee on judiciary.
Both branches assembled in j,int conven-
ton in the Representatives hall at 3.l5 p.
NJ. Gov. Goodell delivered his message.
The Governors Message.
Gentlemen Of the Legislature Since the
election in this State on the 4th of Novem'
Der last grave questions have arisen in re-
gard to the powers and duties OF the clerk
Of the present House of Representatives
huu III TtK0Tu 10 tlt CUututuuOutt Nuu
legal rights Of many towns to representa-
ton in the Legislature that will convene
the fret Wednesday Of January next. Ou,
Of these questions have grown radical diff
ferences OF opinion and fierce conventions
which threaten The peace and dignity Of
the State. Ia belief that ii Is
entirely within the provence CT
your honorable bodies to take such
action as will decide beyond doubt and to
the approval Of all good citizens the ques-
tions referred to and thereby rescue the
State from Impending peril l have sum
moned you 10 assemble in extra session
The constitution. as amended in 1889 ,forbids
! CHASING towns for election Of representa-
| tives to the general court and thereby towns
| formerly clsssed, come under constitutional
provision that they be pro rated for the por.
pose Of elec, ny such representatives. The
Legislature at the astsession, neglected to de-
,ermine the proportionste part to which
such towns may be entitled to representa-
ton. 1t is plain that the inhabitants Of such
| towns are entitled to q fair representation.
| understand each Of the towns formerly
clstsed has elected q representative. By
the plain construction Of the constitution
! none of them are entitled to admission.
Again. the constitution allows one represen-
tative to every town and ward having 600
| inhabitants, and an additional repre-
sentative for every additional twelve
hundred people. A large number of
representatives. were elected in towns and
wards according to the increase Of popula-
ton as shown by The census Of 1890. The
clerk in making up the roll of members in
the House of Representatives in 1881 did
| not include the names of those elected un-
der similar circumstances. The next day
after the organization of the House, Hatch
| of Greenland introduced resolutions declsr-
| ing that these men had right TO member
ship. This resolution was referred to the
| judiciary committee and Bingham, for the
committee made the following report
That according to the requirements of
the constitution of New Hampshire repre-
sentation in the present House i, based on
the census of the United States taken in
| 1880"
! The House unanimously adopted the re-
port, overruled the action of the clerk, and
| declared these men entitled to membership.
| This action of the House is based on the
report represented by the Judiciary com
mittee that ouch additional representatives
were entitled TO seats, not by favor or votes
of the House, but as matter of constiiu
tional right. What action should be
taken by you under these circumstances,
submit to your candid consideration.
regret exceedingly the circumstances that
made it Necessary to put you to the trouble
ard the State TO any expense of assembling
in extra session, and hope the work before
you will be quickly and cheerfully accom-
| plished."
| AT meeting this afternoon the House
judiciary Committee considered the Senate
| bill making the census of 1890 the basis of
/ repre- sentation in the next House. The
committee by vote of eleven to one, Holt
of Claremont, republican. dissenting, de-
cided TO report 1t inexpedient to legislate.
| This report will be made TO the House to-
morrow morning. If i. is accepted there
will be no legislation at this session con-
! cerniDg the membership Of the next House
| The democrats maintain that the names of
27 republicans and - democrats elected
under the cersus of 1880. ''if entitled"
should not go on the roll of the mex, House
when the roll was prepared by the
clerk Nevious to the organization of
the House. They say that If
the present House. the majority be
ing republicans, refuses or fails to
pass the Senate or any other bill, directing
the clerk to place such names upon the roll
and they do not believe that Jewe,t, today
elected clerk by this House, will assume
10 do so.