Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-12-23
FIGHT It TO THE END.
oemoesats to Oppose the Ger.
rymandsr to the Full Ex.
tent Of the Law.
Al OUTRAGE UPON TIE STATE.

Al OUTRAGE UPON THE STATE.
Ceassitstjeaal LAvysss ALREADY % WORK
n Psspsrssssa Tor Tie Tsss WhisA % -
Bs Asas Before he Supreme Cesrs when
Taansr's Appeetieansns schsms 0oss
rhrssgh-Ia TIE Inssssst Of the People.
When the republican gerrymander
goes through the legislature and
receives the sanction Of Gov. Tanner,
In whose mind 1t originated. the
democrats Of Illinois through their
regular organization, the state cen.
trail committee, will be in o position
to test Its constitutionality. Hall 0
dozen Of the best lawyers Of the state
are already delving into constitu-
tional histories Of the state, revised
codes and proceedings on Illinois con-
stitutional questions, supreme court
rulings on past appointments, ETC.,
digging out facts and figures pertain
ing to legal propositions bearing on
the case in question. The demo-
cratic state central committee has
decided to make preparations to at
tack the constitutionality Of any sp-
portionment the repu blicans may
make. In the house Isaac P. Craig.
Free p. Morris, Caleb C. johnson,
John P. McGoorty. Michael Stoskopf,
and our own William McEniry will be
heard when the speechmaking be-
gins. and Senators Mshoney, Mount
and Leeper will attack the constitu.
tionality OF the gsrrymander in the
big room on the other side OF the
hall.
II Is whispered that some Of the
repu blicans are rather uncertain rs
TO the legality Of the gerrymander.
and IL 10 said that one Of the shining
lights on the republican side OF the
house, when told that the demo-
Gratis were making large preparations
to bring the gerrymander before the
supreme court, replied:
"Sure! That's what We would do
II the democrats made an spportion.
ment this time, and am not sure
but We could win our case before the
supreme court. There certainly ID
ground for considerable doubt as to
the constitutionality OF the proposed
apportionment. Il will all depend
on whether the supreme court will
recognise our position in the matter.
We claim that this bill which We are
preparing Is an amendment to the
apPortionment act OF 1898. We do
not claim that this is an independent
bill which 10 TO repeal the spportion.
ment made by the democrats. II the
court decides that this apportion.
ment is amendatory. all will be we'll.
The title Of the bill which 10 to be
presented will show that it il an
amendment.
1hs Kernel Of the Oontrevsrsy.
The democrats pin their faith on
section six Of the con. titution OF
1870. which reads in part % follows:
1.-The general assembly shall ap.
portion the state every 10 years, be.
ginning with the year 1871, by di.
viding the population OF the state,
Is ascertsined by the federal census,
BY the number 81, and the quo.
tient shall be the ratio of represen.
tation in the senate"
They also quote freely the Ian.
gusge OF the constitution OF lSiS,
section 8. Of which reads in part as
follows:
I'm the year 1855. and every 10th
year thereafter, an enumeration oil
all the inhabitants OF the state shall
be made in such manner IS shall be
directed by Law; and in the year 1850,
and every 10th year thereafter. the
census taken BY authority of the
government OF the United States
shall be adopted by the general as.
sembly as the enumeration Of this
state; and the number OF senators
and representatives shall, at the FIRST
regular session holden after the re-
turns herein provided for are made
be spPortioned among the several
counties or districts to be established
BY law, according to the number Of
white inhabitants"
This section Of the constitution oil
1sis Is cited by the democrats &c
snow that SO years ago the legisla.