The Portland daily press., 1891-03-03
THE NEW APPoRTIoNMENT.
Why Portland May Expect To 81
Given Another Representatives.
Especial to the Press.l


AUGUSTA, March 2.-The committee on
legislative apportionment will begin its work
this week. So far as Cumberland county is
concerned there will be no change In the
number Of senators but the county gains one
representative, making total of 81. This
representative 1t is probable will be awarded
to the city Of Portland. By the census
figures received by Secretary of State Fes.
senden last week, there are five pieces in the
county with over 5000 population. These
are Brunswick with 6.012; Cape Elizabeth,
$3.50; Deerlng, 5.353; Portland. 36,425; West.
brook, 6.632. Under the last apportionment
each Of the above towns had one representa-
tive and the city of Portland had five. Now
1t Is certain that each will have at least its
present representation under the new appor-
tiOnmeDt. 1t will be seen, then, that the re-
preventative from the new city Of Westbrook,
the largest place In the county except Port
land, will have constituency CT 6.632. By
the census figures. should the number of re-
presentatives from Portland he increased to
the other hands, should Porlland's delega-
tion remain composed Of but five members,
each would represent z, ,285 persons. These
simple operations in division show why it is
probable that the committee will add the
new member of the House from Cumberland
county to the Portland delegation.
There Is another matter which may be
brought to the attention of the committee
That is the fact that the Portland municipal
authorities, feeling that Uncle Sans count
OF the city had not done 1t justice In point Of
numbers, caused local census to be taken,
the result Of which showed the city to have
population Of over $4,000 These figures
Of course need not be regarded by the COM
mttee but 1t is probable that they will have
som some influence showing. II nothing more.
that the fiQnrpQ N hu ho mil fod Gfot
enumerat0rs were none too large.
Under the census figures, the basis OF re-
presentation for the present apportionment
VIII be 4SlS. That is. each representative
or part OF city or several places joined d
together as classed towns, must contain as
near that number of persons as the circum-
stances OF the case will allow. How the
present arrangement will be affected by this
remains to be seen. In some cases, where
1t Is not practicable to class towns so as to
come near the basis, districts will be found
containing less than that number. In other
cases, as In the city of Portland, the basis
will be materially increased. Eved were the
number Of Portland's representatives In
creased to the constitutional limit Of seven,
there would be population of over 800 to
each representative. AS there are 26 towns
and cities In the county, 1t will be seen that
the task OF making an equal and Just app0r-
tlonment is not an easy one. The commit
committees to first apportion the several
counties and report to the full committee.
When the work will be so advanced that the
committee can report to the Legislature is
doubtful but 1t will not be this week.
A Military Railroad.
If at some time after the Bangor and
Aroostook railroad Is built, this country
should be plunged into war with Great
Britain. its valiant defenders can be rushed
to the Maine border without cost to the
government and, as they press forward into
the enemy's country, rations and munitions
of war will be carried for their comfort also
free of charge. This provision for service
In time OF war is inserted In the bill in aid OF
the new road recently presented In the
Legislature but the road is not actuated by
motives of pure patriotism alone in so plac-
Ing itself at the disposal of the government.
In the bill as originally presented was a
chance exempting the line from taxation for
~ years. There was some doubt as to the
constltutionality of this provision. so the
Dill has been amended and in place OF this
exemption clause Is the one by which the
road agrees to carry troops and munitions OF
war free in case of a conflict. In return for
tnis valuable consideration, the State oil
Maine agrees to repay 90 per cent OF the
taxes OF the road for term Of years.