Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-19
Wrestling with Apportiomn,ent.

attitude of tie party toward the appor-
tienment law of 1SSJ. which has been
brought into force by the recent decision
Of the Supreme Court. declaring unconSti-
t%utional the act of 1885.
Ever since the decision was rendered
many Republicans. including Chairman
Cloudy. have felt an election under the act
If 1850 would put the party al Il disad-
vantage in choosing Senators and Rep
rcsentatiyeS by reason of the shifting pop
u%lation, which has mdsSed the Republican
VOTE in the gas belt district. They believe
such Il representation would be GiSpropor-
Tomato to the Republican strength. 9th
ers believed he party could afford IL go
into an election under the existing condi-
tons. and among those who took dis
view was the indianapolis Journal. The
party organ.
Radical Difference of Opinion.
The meeting Of the committee developed
that there was 4 radical difference of opin-
ION among those present. Some asserted
that if the law is attacked il VIII be de-
clarod unconstitutional hy III" Supreme
Court. and the State would thns De left
without an apport;onment law. and The
Governor would he forced II convene the
Legislature IN extra session. These men
ri,iiraicd the threat # the Democratic
C. nur;ttrv that II the law of 1850 i n
tackled The Democrats VIII proceed L.
question ~ les:I status - the presen
h,it-uvsr SENATORS. .rl declared tia.
tic Republicans themselves. by bringing
sui. would question i.rir s!..iUs. fyr ,aey
We're elected unisr tlr law ~ 1891.
Chairman coutr WAS an ad.eeate OF
a=CrrSsiy" acton hy the party. Il was
conceded hy both SIDES 10 I'll" controversy
rhat much would depend upon the rroha-
bic action Of tina Supreme Court in rem
Iering Il decision in time for it 10 bc
effective in the coming election. Ii WAS
recalled that The same court. in 1891. re
fused L. advance Il similar case upon the
docket. for the reason that Il campaign
was ending. and if IL, lax was set aside
anarchy might result throughout the
State.
The committee listened to arguments
pro and con on the subject. some Of the
speakers going so far as Ia say they would
attack not only lhe law OF 1885, but that
of 1873. 1HI3 and 1851. thus carrying the
controvcrs, baek 10 the adoption of the
present State constitution. This was
regarded a. an extreme view. and the dis
cGssion was confined L. the act of 1885,.
Lawyers Befo- the Situation.
After The politicians had given their
views "A number of Republican attorneys
were called in and asked with reference
/" the probability Of securing an early de
ciSion. They agreed that the question pre-
scented manf difficulties. While Il decision
"f 4 trial court might DC secured within Il
few days after the complaints were filed.
! tie defendants would have sixty days III
which L. appeal 10 Tie Supreme Court
They would then have sixty days in which
To file hricf~. and if oral argument WAS
desired 4 longer time might be granted
hy the SGprcme Court. Ii was then Il
question whether tie court would advance
/ the ease upon The docket. and even il it
did and Il decision MAS rendered. the de-
feaied party would have sixty days in
which To file Il petition for 4 rehearing.
and not until that was passed upon would
The Judgment Of The court hc certified 10
the court below and become effective.
Within tn; XXI six m,.ltIls HE supreme
Court takes Il vacation IF two months.
and it would probably be * late n De-
tober before the question could lac de-
cidcl at al.
Action Decided Upon.
EaIiy during the night session Il deyel-
open that tie argument OF Attorney Gen
orai Ketcaam and cX-Sicte Senator Wish
ard in favor of attacking the law of :
had much wci~hi with the doubling mem
hers. and after 4 long discussion il WAS
finally resolved to petition Gov. Matthews
10 call Il special session al the General
Assembly thar Il new apportionment act
may he passed. and in case of refusal to
institute proceedings 1T once Ia overthrow
tine act of $50. This determination WAS
not the unanimous sentiment of the com
mi;tee. bul the committee refused 10 give
The vote by which these results were
reached. As Gov. Matthews has already
placed himself upon record as il opposi-
ton - Il special session of The Legislature,
il is accepted ~ hey ond question that liti-
cation VIII follow.
Name of Mckinley Chcered.
The annual meeting of the Indiana Lin
coin League. composed of the YOUNG and
active politicians of thc Republican party,
Was also held II indianapolis "Wednesday.
The attendance WAS representative in
character. the meeting of The State com
mittcc railing la the city the bone and
sincw of The Republican party. President
Sulzer. IN his address. raised i furor when
he mentioned the name of Major Nc
kinney among others vino are candidates
for The presidential nomination. the mem-
hers RISING in their seats. swinging taeir
hats. cheering loudly for The Ohioan and
presenting scenes of enthusiasm that out
rivalel the exhibition soD-r months ago
III the annual conference Of he party.
The mcmhers say Major Mckinley viii
not have less than twenty-five out Of die
thirty delegates t. the national conven-
iiuf. aud tAat his friends VIII make a
fight for him in l'ic Stale convention for
The selection of dciegatcS-at-largc. They
are not willing 10 corcedc 10 Gen. Iia-ri-
sons friends the selection of Allison dele
gates. saying that delegates at-large Al
ways WELD Il greater influence in State
delegations than their number entities
them ia. AMI To- conrcdc these delegates is
Ia concrdc Il prepou,icrance of sentiment
for Senator Allison.
MaNic IlorhStcr. q German druggist of
Pittshoro. Was assaulted and fatally in
iuresl. ii * said. 10y two men who went