The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-11-24

The complicated political situation In the
State Of New Hampshir is important and
interesting enough for the fullest explana-
ton. This explanation is the more necessary
because the Democrats have begun to appeal
to popular sympathy by claiming that they
are being defrauded by tue Republicans led
by United States Senator William K.
Chandler,
The trouble arises from two new laws.
One lis Constitutional amendment relating
to the small towns having less than 600 in
haDitants each Under former law these
towns were allowed certain representa-
ton In the House Of Representatives. BY
the constitutional amendment this represen-
tation was taken away, and it was left to
the legislature to make them ND into
classes of sufficient size so that each
class might have representative. This is
the way In which the representatives to the
Maine legislature are app0rtioned. But the
New Hampshire legislature failed to make
the small towns up into the required classes
30 they are In this unfortunate position.
Their old right Of representation has been
wiped out by the Constitution while the Leg
isiature has neglected to secure to them the
Senator Chandler asserts that the Leeisla.
turewa prevented from attending to this
important matter by the chicanery of GER
tain Democratic members, led by the re.
doubtable Harry Bingham. 1t matters little
where the fault lies: as the situation wopld
still be complicated had these->townS hoon
classed.
ing aouilional complication arises from
,ne iacI sasf the last legislature passed
"a" nowing an additional representative
reach town or ward shown to be entitled
to one by the census of $780," That is, in
arranging the new basis of represen-
tation for the State, it was intended to
put several smaller towns together to get the
required population for a representative;
ana TO allow to larger towns several repre-
sentatives when one Of them had several
times the population required for a represen-
AtiVe. Inc Dill to secure the additional
REPRESENTATIVES to the larger towns passed,
Whiie tne Dill 10 arrange the representation
OF the small towns failed, Senator Chandler
says through Democratic chcanery.
Now for the bearing of these facts unon tho
present situation. Notwithstanding the fac,
representation and the legislature had taken
no steps to arrange the new, the small towns
elected So representatives, % of whom are
Democrats and IL Republicans. Then the
larger towns and cities, entitled under the
new law to additional representatives &C.
cording to the census of 1890. which was an
nounced In October, went ahead and elected
40 new members. OF whom 27 were Republi-
cans and 10 Democrats. So the number of
regular representatives elected In New
Hampshire was swelled from two sources;
from the delegation Of So from the small
towns and the delegation of 40 from the
large towns.
The Democrats, as we understand II In.
sist tnat the 80 members from the small
towns should be retained and the 40 MEM
Ders from the larger towns be counted ont.
In this way Democratic United States Son.
ator might be elected The Republcans
contend that the 40 members from the small
towns are not legally elected. 1t Is dlfficnlt
see wherein the Republican contention Is
not sound. 20
-, 'ne popular vote the state was very
cioSe' Inc Republican candidate for ,o,or
Hoi nao too more votes than the Democratic
ca oiua'e' put py reason of 1900 prohih;.;a.s
votes tnere is no choice. and the eloo.,..1
to the legislature. 1t will TINS he s.' goes
agoyernor. as well as United States ss sna'
tor, depends upon the settlement ot .s sena-
sue ss to the legislature. ' 10