The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-24
NEXT APPORT|0NMENI act.
THE NEW CENSUS AND ITS EFFECT
UPoN SEATS IN CONGRESS.
Present Number of Representatives
Considered Unwieldy, and Prob
able That, tn Prevent Increase.
Formulation Ratio VIII lie Raised.

Special Dispatch to the Post-1nteiigeneer!
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23-The reappor-
tionment which viii follow the taking OF
the twelfth census has come TO De
subject of discussion in congress, in eonse-
ouence of the various disturbances ans
ing in a number of states on account of
perverted and peculiar election laws. Inc
main object In the taking OF the census,
as originally provided by congress, In the
last century, was the apporuonment OF
members OF the house OF representatives
For the first twenty years after 100 the
ratio Of one member to $500 people was
adhered TO. After the third census. when
the population OF the country had doubled,
the ratio was increased to $500. Win
every succeeding census an increase was
made in the ratio and corresponding IN
crease in the number Of members In the
house followed. The present ratio. which
was adopted by act Of congress In 1913
following the eleventh census, Is one MEM
her TO l73eoi Of population. This ratio
gives a membership in the house of S5s.
The increase in the number OF members
made by the last apportionment act was
thirty. The admission OF Utah auoeu one
more.
II T. agreed on all sides that the house.
under the last and preceding apportion-
ment acts has been and is too large and
unwieldy for the prompt dispatch OF pub
lie business. This gives foundation for
the belief expressed by many representa-
tives that after the twelfth census has
been taken, a new reapportionment will
be made.
Estimate of Present Population.
IL the computation of the experts at the
census bureau holds out. when the census
is taken the population of the United
States will approximate 100000 This
aggregate, II followed as heretofore in
making an appoFtonment OF representa-
banca nearly
900 members Such an enlargement of the
body would be At great risk OF good order
and effectiveness in legislation and there
win he strenuous opposition to such an
increase II II were made. the chamber
would have TO be materially enlarged TO
accommodate 400 desks and seats, and IL
would be almost beyond the power OF any
one man, acting as speaker, 70 control
such n house i'm stress OF debate.
To accommodate this number In the
present chamber II would be necessary 10
adopt the scheme of ex-Speaker Reed, who
wanted the present body 10 he provided
with rooms. where they might keep tneir
desks and do their writing and HI the
floor of the house with benches some what
in the manner of the house of commons
in England. The increase in the ratio of
representation in the coming census. &C
coriing to census bureau estimates. brings
the number of people which single repre-
sentative would stand for up to nearly
10000 The course likely - be pursued, so
far as can be judged by the present drift
of opinion. Is TO increase the ratio of rep
resentation so that each member viii rep
resent approximately 2i5,occ people, end
at the same time keep the size Of the house
Of representatives precisely what It Is at
present.
strengthening the Navy.
Secretary Longs recommendations for
strengthening the navy have been lnoor-
porated in bill which has been framed
by the subcommittee OF the house naval
affairs committee. These recommendations
ore for three armored cruisers of 900 IONS
dtsplaFpnapt. carving the heaviest
and most powerful ordnance for vessels OF
their class. TO be sheathed and coppeTed,
and 10 have the highest practical speed ard
the greatest radius Of action; twelve gun
boats of about 800 tons displacement TO be
sneathed and coppered; three protected
cruisers of about $500 ton displacement,
carrying the most powerful ordnance for
vessels OF their class to he sheathed ard
coPpered and to have the highest practical
Bile speed and the greatest radius OF action.
This measure will in ali probability be
reported to the fun committee In its pres
ent shape, as that body Is disposed 10 be
generous with government funds for the
purpose OF national defense, II IL possible.
however. there may be a slight reduction In
the number OF vessels authorized by the
bill, bat the majority OF the committee is
Of the opinion that " any changes are made
they Win be in the line az an Increase
rather than decrease. Secretary Long
and Admiral Dewey viii appear before the
committee and have something to say soaut
strengthening OF the navy before the 1nal
draft Of the bill Is made
Salaries in Internal Revenue.
Internal revenue collectors throughout
the country viii be interested In the graft
~ a bill sent TO the house by Assistant
Secretary Spaulding. as e provides for
the Reconsideration of their salaries IL
"a based on a graduated scale and. when
the collections In an internal revenue dis,
tTict are less than SaNfo the collector
viii 10 paid S90oQ annually. The highest
salary paid an internal revenue collector
under tho provisions OF this measure ia
IS N0. This Va whore the collections *
coed Sl0eacCo. Commissioner Wilson.
who drafted the measure. Transmitted a
letter TO the house, in which he said
'frhe purpose OF the hlll is 20 reaafuat
the salaries OF lnteCnal revenue COLLECTORS
throughout the couatry. and it Is predt-
Cated upon the large Increase 81 work and
responsibility they are called upon 10 as
sumo by reason 90 the natural increase
Of business. an increase 70 - per cent
! 10 tho revenues under the wa revenue
act
The proposed scale ~ salaries is iuyt
and equitable 10 provides for n smaller
compensation 20 collectors than were paid
under the old Law before the limitation ~
~ 80 was enacted The collectors 81 csis-
toms are receiving u greater csEnpeusa-
zion Than they should. ny Internal revenue
collectors are undcrpaid
he also submits some figures wh}ea show
that customs cullectors receive uuch
higher comps uaation than those a Tie
Internal rNvpuue service. Chicago Is cited
As an illustration. i.aHi year the Internal