New-York tribune., 1895-12-16
THE st. LAWRENCE APPoRrIoNMENT.

THE sT. LAWRENCE APPORTIONMENT.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir. / see locally copied N one OF the papers in
this section an article from The Tribune which
had not before observed. although d reader OF tina,
paper II gives approval 10 the reasoning Oh Jus
ticc Herrrk in setting aside the eppor;onment 10.
the Assembly by the St Lawrence Supervisors,
which reasoning Is evidently founded upon a good
many facts 70 which he does allude. The de-
cison seriously reflects upon he action OF the
Board OF Supervisors Of this cOunty During an ac-
auaintance OF thirty years WIKI the NJ msmbers OF
that board. I have never yet before neari a
charge that the board acted from improper motives.
The sole ground Of setting aside the apport.onmeni
IS taat in a citizen population Of over 5000 one
strict had 35s more citizens than one-haf ana
the other Sjs less The total OF th7 difference be-
tween the two districts makes just l-lith ot lhe
citizen population. that with all other consdera-
tons favoring the apportonment as made THIS per
centage OF less than per cent .s held TO override
them all.
The new Constitution. besides requiring tie two
districts 10 be as nearly equal may be in popu-
lation also definitely requires the Board OF super
vsors 70 make the districts convenient contgu-
Gus and compact as possible. II is conceded oy me
relator in moving Tor peremptory writ OF man
damus upon the answering afiidavits OF the Board
OF Supervisors. that the consideration OF conven-
ience contiguity and cOmpactness have been fu.ly
observed It is also conceded that the board acted
from proper motives with 10 thought OF parasan t \
ulation might within three months OF the making
OF the apport 1nmeni, be changed by the popula loh
sh.ftng between the districts. and that the appor-
t.onment is made for ten years 10 come.
These additional considerations appear:
The apportonment made IN strong ke-
publican county by the vote of every Democrats
Supervisor and majority OF the Republican super
vsorS ,, =, a..
2 Every town in the county was placed in the
Assembly district In which 1 wanted 70 60.
q The Ist District has nfteen towns and one
small city and the lid District sixteen towns.
I According 10 the distribution OF delegates n
political conventions in total OF ninety-seven dele
gates one district has forty-eight and the other
forty-nine
Lastly Beyond doubt the Supervisors have com
rlitted to them a judgment and discretion which
of course must not be abused by any gross as
parity but which H. something more tnan a mere
Mathematical computation Of numbers in deter
mining that an equality OF population as near as
may be an equality being impossible. may De
modified by these pcrmssIvc words, to small eN-
tent at least by urgent considerations OF compact
ness contgulty and convenience.
Therefore IL ~ a safe conclusion that dlhtric Us
which would be lrcOnvenlent, not compact ana
not ocated conveniently and compactly as may
be must not be made such because Of a difference
OF less than per cent in huctu9 ing populat on
There are many other Assembly districts IN ms
State whose apportionment viii be upset l. ms qe-
cs!0n holds good. NEklIAS.
Canton y. Y, Dec. a. 1850