Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-09-26
Against an Extra session-why7

/ u
orally are opposed to the calling of a
speciaI session of the Legislature to
re-apportion the state into senate
and assembly districts. Col. Casson'
secretary of state, has expressed this
opposition, and rs supposed to refec'
the views OF other state officers
These state officers, it Is assumed, all
desire denomination, and fear that a
special session Of the Legislature may
initiate against that ambition, OF
by some ill-advised action depopu-
larize the party with the people.
Of course it is highly desirable
that the state ticket In 1896 be elected
but 1t IL more important that the
next legislature be republican, Tor
upon that depends the placing OF
republican in the u. ; senate, as
successor to VIM. +. Villas. Nobody
expects repetition Of the political
tidal wave Of 1854. In 1896 the full
democratic vote will be polled, and
polled straight, it being presidential
year. Instead Of 10000, careful re-
publieans estimate their majority in
the state will not exceed 10000. As
at present apportioned, it is thought
that with but 10000 republican plu-
rality In the state, majority OF the
assembly districts would possibly
return democrats. They We're formed
by a democratic legislature with
that calculation. A just re-appor-
tionment should therefore be made
one under which any party having
10000 or even less plurality in the
state, would have fair chance to
elect like proportion Of assembly
men and senator's. Governor Upham
will be sacrificing the greater party
interest to the lesser, if he refuses to
call special session Of the legisla-
ture, putting a seat in the L. ). SEN
ate In doubt for the benefit OF state
ticket.
This is apparently the view Of re-
publicans generally, and state Off
GERS attempting to thwart it should
be disciplined. The Mondovi Her.
aid fairly represents the republican
press and people when 1t says
Every republican iii the state has
charged, and no democrat has denied
that the state is now flagrantly ger.
rymandered in the interest of the
democratic party. 1t was one of the
issues of the campaign. 1T Is un.
doubted by good lawyers that the
present apportionment, like the tive
proceeding it made by the same leg.
islature, is unconstitutional. These
are sufficient reasons why II new ap.
portionment should be made. Then
there are no reasons why the repub.
| Leans Of the state should submit to
the unfair disadvantage the Wall
| Anderson gerrymander put upor
| intIli. lutS Will NC lltiit itSo Ahui
doltish if they do SO. The state is Sc
plotted that it takes about 10000 re
publican majority to secure Il bare
majority in the assembly. This is
avery substantial advantage in favor
of the democrats, surely. Just why
the republican party should be eN-
pected to submit to it when it has
the power in its hands to correct the
political crookedness Of the party
that made the gerrymander, is be.
yond our comprehension. We favor
an absolutely fair apportionment
made as the constitution prescribes-
one that viii meet the approval 81
all fair minded men who believe
that elections should be conducted
honestly and fairly. The gerry.
mnnder is one or the most vicious
blows at honest government. II
should be eradieated root and
branch"