Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-24
Proposition to Reduce Representation.


RESPONDENT of the Boston Transcript
announces that there Is a likelihood!
the next Congress through the Federal
census. will endeavoi to secure a cor
rect apportionment which shall reduce
the representation of the South in pro-
NORTON of the number of voters dis
franchised.
He SAYS: "The fourteenth amend
ment to the constitution. which was
proposed June Is, 1866. and declared III
force July %, 1863, in its second sectloh'
declares: Representatives shall be ap-
portioned among the several states ac-
cording to their respective members
counting the whole number of persons
in each state. excluding Indians not
taxed But when the right to vote AT
apv election for the choice of electors
for President and Vice President OF the
limited States is denied to any of
the male inha bitants of such state, be-
ing q years of age. and citizens of the
United States, or in any way abridged.
except for participation in reDeilloh OF
other crime, the basis of representa-
tlOn therein SIldll NC iN""NS' 80 49,
proportion which the number of such
male citizens shall bear to the whole
number of male citizens q years of age.
in such state A previous section or
the same amendment defines the
phrase citizen Of the United States,
by saying that: All persons born or
naturalized in the United States. and
subject to the jurisdiction thereof. are
citizens of the United States. and OF the
state wherein they reside 1T is there
fore clear that the constitution calls as
explicitly for the scaling down of the
representation which such states as
South Carolina and Louisiana now
have in Congress and in the electoral
college, as it calls for the taking of a
decennial census or the election of
President"
A source of much general gratifica-
ton to people of this country generally
has been the leavening of the national
sentiment under the stimulus of war
with an outsider. Sectionalism has
been from the first disapproved by the
administration. Especially was this
noticeable in the management of the
war. Later the President contributed
to it in generous measure by his at
titude and addresses during his visit
to the South. One country, one flag,
one national impulse are a grand
trinity to contemplate for 100000 of
people scattered over a land with such
diversified interests and surrounded by
civilizing agencies superior to any in
the world.
One thing is lacking, however. there
is a rift in the lutte which sounds forth
this glad song of reunion. Sectional
ism must in the very nature of things,
endure wherever there exists any dis
tinction betweens sections in the dis
tribution of rights and privileges.
From the beginning a distinction has
existed in favor of the South and in
vidious to the principle Of popular SOW
ereignty. During slavery days three
fifths of the slaves were counted to in
crease the representation of the South
in Congress. Since slavery was abol-
ished the South has had representa-
ton based on five-fifths of the negroes
as well as the whites and with the ex-
ception of a few years has practically
suppressed the colored vote in entire
districts. Were one to grant the con-
tention of the South that the whites
should rule it does not follow that in
any section they should not only rule,
but also arrogate to themselves the ad-
ditional power conferred by the rep
resentation of the colored voters. who
equality inevitably keeps alive sec
tionalism. which must endure so long
as the inequality exists.
Up to this time attempts to protec,
the colored voter in the exercise of the
suffrage have failed. The government
PROFESSIONALLY has the authority tc
right of suffrage, but it is now evident
that for years to come a state of things
will exist such that in event of this
compulsion being employed. there
would remain the certainty that with
the withdrawal of the compulsion the
old order of oppression would resum,
its sway. for the dominant local senti
ment is back of it. But aside from thi:
the Southern states, by cunningly de
vised amendments to their state con
situations. are bringing the suppression
of the colored vote within the pale o
the law. The United States. suprem
court has adjudged the constitutions
amendment adopted by Mississippi il
$780, as not interfering with the ma
tional constitutional provision tina
the right to vote shall no
be denied or abridged on ac
count of race. color or previous con
dition of servitude. Just here is tn
opportunity for the national, govern
ment to reduce the representation t
its just proportions, for it can recos
nize the state laws, like that of Missis
sippi designed to cut down the sui