Smyrna times., 1898-07-27
THE APPORTIONMENT IN DELAWARE.


The laws of Delaware, as applicable
to New Castle county are that no polit-
ical party can hold but two primaries
IN any one year-and no two parties
can hold primaries ON the same day.
All this was brought about because an
honest primary has not been held in
the city of Wilmington for years.
Friday, August Goth, has been as
signed for the Union Republicans,
and Saturday, August 9th, for the
Regular Republicans. And we sup
pose that two conventions of the party
will be held in Dover on the same day,
viz: Tuesday, August Both.
We venture to make a forecast that
the two Republican conventions
assembled at Dover on the same day,
will endeavor to do just what has been
attempted by the two State Central
Committees. Will they succeed? We
sincerely hope so, and that one con-
ventiOn, one State Central Committee
and one ticket will be evolved
out of the now seeming perplexing sit
uatiOn.
In 1866 the party in convention adOp-
ted as plank 10 of the platform that
year the following resolution in sub
stance:
"We believe i'll representation accor-
ding to population, and refer the mat
ter to the State Central Committee
with power to act.
The committee on the basis of the
census of 1860, when New Castle coun-
ty had "a, 797 population, apportioned
7S delegates; Kent with 27,S04, was
given 40 delegates. and Sussex with
29,615 population was given AZ dele
gates-a total of 100 delegates, or one
delegate for every 701 of population.
Now mark well, please, that the Regu-
lars of Wilmington claim that after
every census the apportionment can be
changed. They have not done it here
tofOre, as they say they have been
generous; but they claim the right
passed under the aforesaid resolution
in 1866, to change and apportion the
delegates.
If you take the census of 1890, Della
ware had 1GS, 497 of population, or 1858
for each of the 100 delegates. Will
mington with a population of 81 ,431
would be entitled to So, and rural New
Castle county with 35'751 to "a dele
gates, total of 90 delegates for New
Castle county, to Kent's population of
32, ,664 and Sussex 38,647, with 81 and
81 delegates, respectively, or total of
6S for the two lower counties, to New
Castles 90.
The city of Wilmington is now
claiming a population of hard on to
$4,000, and when the next census is
taken in 1900, they will then, if their
contention is acceded to, demand a
greater number of delegates still, so
much so that the question is re-
duced to an absurdity.
If their contention prevails, New
Castle county will hereafter make all
nominations for Governor and all other
State officers, and the lower counties
will be simple provinces and the peo-
pie held as vassals, to do Wilmington
obeisance and homage.
The whole matter is a condition
and not a theOry-for the theory Of
representation according to population
is very pretty, but in practice it nc
where exists; while we can not en-.
tirely lose sight of it, still as a princi
pie of State Government it has
never existed in Delaware.
But why discuss the matter at all
when the matter is in no way consid
cred by the present organic law-thC
Constitution. The Union Republi
cans have accepted the present condi
tion of the organic law, forging ,aheat
and blazing a way for all the other po
litical parties of the State in conform
ity with the Constitution upon repre-
sentition in the General Assembly,
for New Castle county and 10 for eacl
of the other two.
A stake has been driven, with 18
delegates as the true apportionmen
of State convention, five for each rep
resentative district, and Wilmington
must recognize the justness and right
ness of the matter, for all Republican
= outside of Wilmington say it is right
and the Regulars of the lower countie
openly acknowledge it.
: The danger is that emissaries ma
: be sent to the convention, who ma
: sacrifice personal, or supposed part
= success, the people upon this question
1t is a serious question for the tw
: conventions to consider; but fc
: Kent and Sussex to surrender to th
: representation according to populatio
= would be betrayal of the interest {
the people and refusal to place oul
selves in conformity with the ne
constitution. But with it all, we d
not believe that the real oppositio
comes against 1S5 delegates for Stat
Convention.
If instead of making the appOrtioI
ment of the five representative distric
. of Wilmington, and designating the
delegates as to locality could be chans
ed to giving Wilmington 35 delegate
- en- masse, and allowing the city con
mittee to apportion them as the
L pleased, we believe they would be sa
ie isfed, for then they could distribut
them as they pleased, and with Il
Il lack of honest primaries in WHINING
ton, they would be the masters of Il
. situation.
lS With us we believe in honest prima
y les, and 'each Republican political o
. ganization to have representatives
81 their own choosing to secure fir
" ballot and an honest and fair count
= Milford Chronicle.
Deafness Cannot be Cured
by local application as they cam
rs rooob tho 6icaoead monitor, of 4l,o %