Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-25
TALK ON APPORTIONMENT.
Majority Of Republicans Favor Giving
the Governor a Chance.
JACK ROBINSON NOW THE LEADER.
Story to the Effect That Gordon Wrote Pat
tison'S Speeches.
REPUBLICAN OFFICE-HOLDERS MUST GO
rrroN A STAFF CORRESPONDENCE

ton bills thus Tar introduced IN the Legis-
lature contemplate the distribution of
tremendous sum of the States money. The
recommendations of the State Board OF
Charities, which cover most of the appro-
priation for charitable and penal institu-
tions, amount in the aggregate to
s., ,25J, ,O65 - for the years 1912. If
the appropriation for schools is increased to
the sum recommended by the State Grange,
and popularity supported by the press and
politicians, it will amount to Sc, coo, 600 for
the two years. Add together the two totals
recommended by the Board of Charities and
the Grange and they form an aggregate of
S11, ,255,O65 %.
With this as basis to figure on, a men,
Der of the Ways and Means Committee said
to-day that there would have to either be
general pairing down by the Appropriations
Committee, else provision made by the
Ways and Means Committee for more State
revenue. He explained:
Figures Out Shortage.
The revenues of the State Treasury for
the year ending November so, 1889, were
SS,465, 500 % The tax on collateral and
inheritance tax was 81, 37S. 453 Il. which is
about double the usual amount on account
of the Dubois and other large estates COM
ing in, so that the entire revenue for
the two years may be put down at SIG 000,7
OO0. Deduct from that the S11, ,25j, ,065 q
already contemplated to be given out to
public schools, charitable institutions and
prisons this wear. and there remains bal
ance of 81, 744, ,034 73.
''Out of that at least S, COO, 900 will be
needed TO pay the current expenses of the
Government for two years. These current
expenses amount to somewhere in the neigh
borhood of s., ,O00. 900 in legislative wear
and about $500, 900 in an off year, so that
S5 900 in the two years is
abOut fair. In addition to all
this the national guard costs $500, 600;
the soldiers orphans schools, $500, 900; Penn
sylvania State College, Sill, 900. and the in
terest on loans, $500. 900; making a total of
81, ,413, 600, to say nothing of sinking fund,
redemption of loans, etc., etc. Where is the
money to come in for improvement of coun-
try roads, the building of Lake Erie canal
or the furnishing of all school textbooks to
children by the State free of charge?'
The Apportionment Problem. :
But If there is financial nut for this Leg
islature to crack there is also political
burr 10 open. It's the subject of apportlon-
ment. The United States Senate has not
-et fixed the number of new Congressman
under the new apportionment, so that
nothing along that line has vet
been attempted here. But Representative
William r. Leeds, of Philadelphia, is un-
derstood to be taking considerable interest
in legislative apportionment 1t is said he
will be the chief player in the apportion-
ment game, and will make some good moves
on the Senatorial and Representative checker
board when 1t is uncovered.
There is much speculation as to whether
any apportionment bill can be passed by
this Republican Legislature which will
meet with the approval of the Democratic
Governor. That is the rock on which Gov
ernor Pattison and the Legislature split in
former years. If Pattison should take it
into his head TO veto any apportionmeut
bills sent him by the Legislature, they could
not be passed over his veto in spite OF the
large majority the Republicans have
in Harrisburg this year. The reason is that
the Republicans lack just a few votes of
having the requisite two-thirds majority.
Some radical Republicans insist it is no use
irving apportionment this wear because
Pattison will surely take partisan view OF
il and use the veto ak. They think it might
be wise to hold over legislative apportion-
ment for two years, when the Legislature
will surely possess the two-thirds Repub-
lican majority.
The Change Badly Needed.
But the great majority of Republicans be-
heved an honest effort should be made at
this session for legislative apportionment.
They say the growth o! the State demands
a change badly. The Senatorial districts
as now constituted were made in 1874,
and based upon the census taken in
1870, 20 years ago. The growth of popula-
uon III that time mas made an extraordinary
dlsproportion in the size of some of the dis
tricts. While one has population of more
than lI1 900, another elects Senator on
$4,000. The Senatorial ratio under the pres
ent census is 1O5, 100. This, however, does
not apply TO Philadelphia, which, under the
Constitution, can have no more than eight
DehaOOiSs EO AHaboei Nudl ltS pOpulatlOn.
There are now one-fourth OF the whole
number Of districts whose population falls
many thousands short of the ratio, while
there are an equal number with a population
which has considerably outgrown it. There
are not more than II of the districts, as at
present constituted, which are anywhere
near the ratio, and scarcely more than six
that come close enough to be entirely fair.
Robinson the Leader.
The weeks events in the Senate have
made il little more certain who the Re-
publican leader is to be in that branch of
the Legislature. Early indications were
that the distinction would fall upon the
shoulders of either General Goblin, Of Leba-
non county; Congressman-elect Jack"
Robinson, of Delaware, or Senator
Thompson, of Dauphin county. Rob-
lnsoh has no. doubt been pulling
TO the front. He is full Of tact, and shrewd
IN has political maneuvering. Essentially,
Therefore, he is pariiamentariap equal to
an emergency, while he at the same time is
an orator Of bright language, crisp ideas apd
Keen repartee. He is well worthy the leader
snip, which seems to have been about ac-
corded him by common consent.
he VIII only be in the State, Senate until
March, when be resigns to take his seat in
Congress, and after that General Goblin will
be the Republican leader.
L. E SToFrFI.