Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-27

contiguous territory, and do not con-
tain a population as nearly equal as
possible The senatorial unit as fixed
by the present census being 5S,725, and
the senatorial districts as fixed by the
bill recommended by the committee
varying between 1864, being 12,071 be-
low the senatorial unit, and 6S,345,
which is 1920 above the senatorial unit,
being a difference in population be-
tween senatorial districts as proposed
by the terms of said bill of 21, 691; and
second: because in the formation of
the senatorial districts in Milwaukee
and many other parts of the state prin-
cipal portions of and whole senatorial
districts are unnecessarily transferred
from eyen-numbered to odd-numbered
districts and vice versa, so that large
portion-in some instances three
fourths and more-of the lawful voters
of such districts are in effect disfran-
chised for term of years and others
thereby given the privilege of again eX-
ercising the right of franchise in elect
ing or assisting in eleCting new mem
bers of the senate; and, third: because
said senate districts so constituted in
many instances contain but two assem-
bly, districts, while in others four as
sembly districts are assigned to
single senate district.
We also refuse TO concur in the as
sembly districts as proposed by said
bill for the reason that many of them
are not in as compact form as practic
able, and for the further reason of the
/ disparity in population between said
districts, the same varying in popula-
lion from 14,025 to 27,271, a difference
of l3, 246, and in one county (Ailwau-
kee) ranging between Is ,291 and &c, 492,
a difference of 11.141 in the population
1 of assembly districts in that one
county"
In the senate little attention was paid
to the formal report and a waiting
game was Immediately played to see
what the action of the assembly would
be. First there was an adjournment
until II o'clock, then another until
noon, and finally a third one until 2
o'clock in the afternoon. The only va
riety which was given to the monot-
ony was the passage of the following
resolution at the II o'clock session in
structing a report from the attorney
general in regard to the constitution
ality of the bill as arranged by the leg
/ iSlatiVe conference. The resolution
was as follows: THAT the attorney
general, or in his absence, the assistant
attorney general, be requested to in
form the assembly at the earliest pos
sible moment whether in his opinion
file No. l. a bill apportioning the state
into senate and assembly districts, is
constitutional"
In the assembly, however, there was
no such peaceful action. After the
passage Of a resolution similar to that
adopted in the senate and introduced
into the assembly by Edgar A. Hall, OF
Dunn county, the activity began. 1t
was started by a motion from AS
semblyman Henry G. Sloan, of Douglas
county, moving that the assembly at
once go into committee Of the whole
for the purpose of considering the ap-
portionment bill. Assemblyman George
R. MahOney (dem), of Milwaukee
county, opposed the motion and raised
the point of order that the assembly,
could not go into a committee OF the
whole when there was no bill upon the
file. This was the case here at this
time The bill was only before the as
sembly in the shape Of committee re-
port. Mr.. Mahoney also declared that
he considered it folly to pass upon the
bill until it was known what the opln-
ion of the attorney general would be-
On this point he was supported by AS
semblymen Ray and Arson Ceps.), but
the point was overruled by Speaker
Burrows. During the debate on this
subject Mr.. Ray made the remark that
he didn't see any use of washing over
the dirty clothes of the republican
party until it was known whether the
bill was constitutional. The PROPOSE
ton to go into committee of the whole
was carried by a standing vote of 40,
this number being more than a major
ity of those present.
Then came the tug Of war. In the
first place, nobody desired to take the
chair, but after two or three refusals
/ Speaker Burrows declined to accept the
excuse of Assemblyman Latta, and the
latter was compelled to accept the
honor. Hardly had he taken his seat
before Assemblyman Sloan was on his
feet and he delivered an address aimed
principally at the constitutionality Of
the bill. He declared that even to
layman the discrepancies in the meas
ure were such that it. could plainly be
seen that it would never pass muster
before the supreme court. Mr.. Arson
followed with defense of the bill. The
meauSre he said, was constitutional,
and he stated that before it had been
drawn able counsel had been consulted
on the subject. Next Mr.. Lamberson
made plea for the bill. After which
followed the effort of the day by AS
semblyman Henry P. Burdick, of Polk
county. The latter said in part: with
out wishing to cast any reflection upon
the members of the committee, I wish
to say that that bill in many points is
an unfair one. Whether it is to sub
serve party politicians that it has been
drawn in this manner. I cannot say, but
the bill as it stands is no measure for
the republican party to give to the state
of Wisconsin,
Next an amendment was offered to
the bill by w A. Jones (rep), of Min
eral Point, who asked that the six