Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-07-25
RESULT OF CENSUS.
Responsiveness of State Senators and
Representatives.

heappOrtfonment OF state Senators and
Representatives.
The legislature OF 1901 will have bust
ness to transact which does not fall to
the lot Of Maine legislative body at
every session. This will be the oppor-
tunfty OF the senators and representa-
tives In the various districts. Conse-
quently the committee on appointments
will be one OF the most important In the
list as there is always much log rolling to
secure favors in the apportionment. As
the republicans will undoubtedly be In
full and overwhelming control OF the leg
islature they will fix up the matter to suit
themselves.
In the adjusting of the senatorial dis
tricts no radical changes are anticipated
In apportioning the senators in 1891 one
member was evidently given as nearly as
might be to every 10000 population in
the large counties. Kennebec, which has
three senators the past decade, gained one
SOP people. The county will probably
hold this number through its increase in
population, the number of inha bitants
running up above $4,000.
Somerset's representa- ion in the Senate
was increased from to In 1891, with a
population Of 81 ,627, which was an in
crease OF less than 400 from 1880. This
county may lose senator in the coming
apportionment II there should be anot her
county with a larger number OF people
above the basis of representation. Knox
In 1891 lost senator, being reduced from
2 to l, her population falling from 80, 1853
In 1850 to 81 Alb in 1890. II the county can
show sufficient gain the senator W hich she
lost may be restored. Waldo was the only
other county to lose q senator In the last
apportionment, now having but one.
Her population In the decade following
1850 fell off more than that OF any other
county in the State. In 1880 it was 81, 1853,
and ten years later but 1859.
Cumberland is among the counties
which may get an additional senator.
Given four senators In 1891 she had pop.
ulation OF 9O,949 and with the large in
crease which is likely to he shown by this
census has fair cnance of increasing her
delegation to five senators. Oxford is a
county which is bic to lose a senator,
as in 1891 with population OF 3O,5S6 two
senators were awarded. The county in
the decade OF 1880 showed loss OF over
1900 and IL u continued loss should be
shown by the new census but one senator
may be given the county. Penobscot, on
the other hand, has a good chance to
have one member added to her delegation
to the senate as in 1890 the county had
population OF 72,S65.
In the apportioning OF representatives
to the legislature many changes are an
ticipated in the various classes. 1t often
happens that a town gets disgruntIed
with one or more towns with which it is
clsssed and wants a change. Then po-
Some figuring is already being done in
this matter OF classification and plans
laid for new classes.
II the population of the State should
reach 100000, Maine will hold its repre-
sentation OF four members in The national
House OF Representatives, is the view
taken here. Ii it falls much below that
~ 10 iihCiy " losc Ouc congressman.
Seven hundred thousand is regarded as
sanguine estimate by many, and conser-
vative ones are figuring under that num-
Der, but all are hoping that this mark will
be reached. The older country sections
Of the State are very liable to show
decrease in population as they did in 1890.
The manufacturing towns and the larger
cities must be depended upon to give the
increase and the results there are being
watched for eagerly. Some increase is
looked for at the more important summer
resorts where resident population has
come in, having found means to earn
livelihood. Old Orchard and Bar Harbor
are in this class.
Portland, Biddeford and Saco, Lewis
ton and Auburn, Bath, Augusta, Water
vile, Skowhegan, Madison, Pittsfield,
Bangor and Brewer are places W here SUBJ
stantial gains in population are antici-
pated. WaterviIle, 1t is thought, will
show as big percentage Of increase as
any OF these places. An Aroostook man
states that his county may be depended
upon to make a G BOD showing, and it is
probably the only county in the State
without any large cities which will make
any noticeable gain, unless 1t might be
Somerset or Hancock. -=