Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-11-28
THE SOUTH IN CONGRESS.

Interfered with just Now, Sim=
ply Because the Republican
Party's Interests do not Require
Such Interference.
Washington, Nov. 22.-One of
the most serious obstacles in the
way of the proposed reduction of
Southern representation in Con-
gress, base 1 on the latest census
returns, is the announcement by
Senator Lodge that it is neither
wise nor expedient to attempt any
legislationin that direction during
coming session. When Senator
Lodge declines to embark in an
enterprise which involves the dis.
play of extreme partisanship it is
time to question seriously whether
or nor the millennium is at hand.
The junior from Massachusetts,,
brilliant, scholarly and influential
as he is nevertheless strongly I'M
pregnated with partisanship, which
he cannot and does not attempt to
conceal upon the slightest provoca-
ton.
At the White House to-day Sena-
tor Lodge stated, after leaving the
President, that he does Lot
anticipate any serious attempt on
the part of the Republican party
IS calculated to stir up sectional
strife and reduce the Congressional
representation of certain Southern
States. The Senator was disposed
to take a more or less benevolent
view of the Southern situation and
showed no dispoition to expand
his reputation of extreme partisan
ship, which characterized his
official action in connection with
the repulsive force bill of several
years ago.
In discussing the appointment
question Senator Lodge stated
that in his judgment it is not nee
essary for the Republican party to
resort .to offensive methods to
bring a reduction of Southern rep
resentation in Congress. So long
as existing conditions remain it is,
IN the opinion of the Senator, OF
little consequence to the North
ern, Eastern, and Western Repub-
licans whether Southern represen-
tatioll is reduced or remains what
it is to-day. The Senator contends
that the last census shows that the
increase in population has been
larger and more general in the
North, East, and West than in the
Southern States. Basing his con-
clusions not only upon the census
returns, he says the Southern
States, while maintaining their
solidity in politics, stand in their
own light, and are deprived of
many advantages from a business
standpoint which they might
otherwise enjoy. For example,
he says, in Congress and in nation
al campaigns very little considera-
ton is shown the South in shap-
ing the policy of the Government.
It is taken for granted in the
ouset that the solid South can be
counted upon to oppose any legis-
lation or line of policy which may
be advanced by the Administra-
tion. The Republican leaders,
therefore, practically ignore the
South in their plans and devote
their energies to concentrating
their forces in other sections of
the country. In the campaign just
closed the Republican managers
made no attempt to expend cam
paign material in the Southern
States, on the theory that the time
has not yet arrived to try and di-
vert the great majority of white
voters Of the South from the chan
nels in. which they have oeen trav-
elling for such lcng period. In
many sections of the South, the
Senator says, great industries. are
being cultivated and gradually
many of the conservative business
men are beginning TO realize that
personal interests may be advanc-