New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-29
NEW CONGRESS DISTRICTS.
A BILL TO REFORM THE GERRYMANDER
OF THE LEGISLATURE OF 1892.
IT WILL PROBABLY BE INTRODUCED AT THE Pc
GINNING OF THE SESSION At ALBANY
AND WILL GIVE ADEQUATE REPRE-
sENTATIoN To THE RURAL
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
COMMUNITIES.

BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Albany Dec. 2S-There was a sensation to-
night among politicians when they heard on
good authority that bill would be introduced
as soon the Legislature met reapporuoning the
Congress districts of the state. The present ap-
porti0nment made by the fraudulent Demo-
cratic Legislature of 1892 after a fraudulent
enumeration had been taken of the population
n the state. The enumeration was made in
njdwinter. when il is difficult to secure an
curate census in the rural districts. which
50 largely Republican. on the other hand. the
Democratic cities are crowded in the winter
with transient population. As was shown by
The Tribune in 1892. thousands of aliens were
counted citizens by the Democratic enumera-
tors i'm the cities OF N~w-York and Brooklyn.
AMI thus their apparent population was swollen
far beyond its true proportions The result Of
this system was that the Republican rural part
1f the state was made to appear to have lost in
population and the Democratic cities 70 have
gained largely.
The Democratic Legislature. having been ere
a'ed by fraud. did not scruple to gerrymander
the Congress districts. and divisions were made
the most ablminable ever accomplished in the
history # the state. The special purpose of the
gerrymander was t. give the Democratic cities
Of New-Yorl Brooklyn. Albany and Buffalo
districts in point Of territory ANA numbers Of
voters were gigantic IS compared with the
Democratic districts TIE result Of this unfair
division was pcrceptbe III 1922. when the Demo-
Gratis won twenty-five # the thir;y-four dis
tricts 1t is true that st the late election in
November the Republican party carried major
iiy If the districts but every one recognizes the
fact that this was a political tidal wave. and
tha: under ordinary conditions the Democratic
party, by its gerrymander. has an unfair chance
OF eecting a majority Of the Congressman.
The Republican leaders believe that tho Re
publican party should have an equal opportunity
with the Democrats TO cec, the States repre-
sentatives at Washington. one Of the Repub-
Ncan leaders speaking tonight upon this sub
iect. said:
!, seems to re that after the decision OF the
Democratic Legislature was founded upon fraud. the
people of this State Will expect US 10 pass hil
IelppoFuonlnS tne ConsicSs lstrlcts o. tAe SlAlr'
The state OF Indiana was ouraSeorsly serryman-
dered by the Democrats. understand that the Re
publican Legislature of that state VIII reapporuon
The Congress districts and right the great "ronS
The peop.e of this state upset tne gertymander or
the legislative districts at the November electon;
gress districts.
The Apportionment bill will possibly follow the
lines of the new Constitution where it provides
for Senate districts in New-York and Brooklyn.
The Constitutional Convention thought that the
10000 Republican voters in New-York CITY
ought t. have an opportunity TO secure some
representation at Albany and accordingly
marked out three -pdisputabiy Republican Sen
ate districts among the twelve districts assigned
TO New-York, le>ving the Democratic party with
nine districts. The same plan was followed IN
Brooklyn, several Republican districts being
carved out, while the rghtful representation OF
the Democratic party granted to II. IN
doubtedly several sure Republican Congress ais
trcts in New-Y0rk and Brooklyn can be carved
iriDc n 10 10
4 larger representation in Congress can also be
given to the Republican voters in the interior or
the State.
IT is reported tonight that Mr.. Morton may
come 10 Albany tomorrow with his VII" ana
family and take possession OF the Executive
Mansion To-day he held a conference at Ellers-
lie with Senator Mun. Of Watertown chairman
Of the State Finance Committee, about the de-
pleted condition Of the State Treasury, IN cohse-
ouence Of the States loss Of $l6o0OOO in revenue
BY the falling off Of the receipts from the IN
direct taxation laws.
Governor Flower was besieged today at the
Executive Chamber by Democratic politicians
who had come to Albany to try 10 induce him 10
pardon election thieves and other criminals Johh
Fredericks OF Brooklyn, desired the Governor 10
pardon Kenneth f. Sutherland who stuffed the
ballot-bOxes at Gravesend by John \. Mchahes
orders Senator Timothy D. Sullivan of New
York had a dozen blanks granting pardons 10
John Y McKane and the election thieNes III ine
III and lid Assembly districts Of NeW-1 OK.
Mr. Flower sturdly refused u grant any pardon
for Sutherland, McKane or any oi the ee.'oh
thieves The Governor also received applcatDhs
for a pardon for a criminal named SpiegeL lhls
applica,iOn came from Senator oDonneh Juusc
Godfoge and ex-senator Mlchael - .tuIP.g, 49,,
NawYork They desire - bring New-fea
Rift 10 the desolate Spiegel household PoNerhOI
Flower sent them back 10 Ne"-forh 10 e'' "'''e
papers in the case.