The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-12-06
Senator Davis Opposed 10 Ripping
up tile State at the Coming
Session Of Legislature.
THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS
Are Satisfactory Electing
One Congressman at Large.
Judicial Circuits.

special nspatcn to the InteliIgeneceir. !

Special Lfspatch to the 1ntelllgenccr.
GRAFTON, w. Va, Dec. I.-Inas-
much as the question of redistrlcting
the state by the next legislature Is pro-
voklng considerable discussion at this
time. your correspondent called upon
Hon. Thomas L. Davis. senator-elcot
from this district, at his office, this
evening. and inquired II he had given
the matter any consideration, us yet,
and II SO, I.wouid be glad to learn his
views,
The senator Is a gentleman who usu-
ally has very decided views upon every
question OF public interest, and he
promptly replied that he had already
given some thought to the subject un-
der consideration.
Not In Favor OF Ripping.
What conclusion have you arrived
at. senator?" was asked.
WELL" said he, while 1 am for re-
districtins the state. at the same time I
do not think it good policy or good poll
tics to rip up the state solely for parti-
san advantage, as was done by the
Democratic party in 1891. I was in the
senate at that time. and I know they
expected, by that gerryanander to hold
the state indefinitely, and they were
consequently dumb-founded when they
awoke on the morning after the election
of 1884, to find that Republican legis-
lature had been elected und United
States senator lost to them. do not
think we should follow their example
now, after so bitterly denouncins their
serrymandering Job from the time the
bill was passed to tho present. This
would be inconsistent. it seems to me,
to say the least.
Each County Should be Represented.
.''I think. like many Others" continued
the senator that each county should
have q member of the legislature, and
hy taking u basis say. Of 1000, this
could be. done with IN increase to the
house Of only thirteen members, with
out any legislative districts, thus maxi
lng the total membership Of the house
eighty-four. The senatorial districts
might then be increased also to sixteen,
thus making thirty-two members Of the
senate, an increase of only six. which
would be a fair ppportlonment TO the
house. The total Increase to both
branches would then aggregate but
nineteen. and the legislature IN It's en-
tirely would be composed of lie men,
bers in ALL"
Senator, would you not consider
that small assembly for state that
is growing as rapidly as ours?"
Bodies Must Not Be too Large.
~ think not" replied Mr.. Davis, for
you, must remember that We have In
creased the legislature by only two
members in the senate and seven in the
house since the organization OF the
state, and ! have grave doubts II too
large body would be for the best IN
terests OF the state. any more than too
great majority would be best for the
party In power. Besides each member
added would cost the state about $3.50
annually in the way of per diem, mile
age, &c. &c., and even at my figures
the Increase would cost the state nearly
5000 additional per annum. These are
matters to be carefully considered"
What do you say as to the congress
slonal districts. senator?"
As to Congressional Districts.
"As to the congressional Districts"
he thoughttully answered. II do not
think they can be much improved unon
by any REIMBURSEMENT, and as our Dem
ocratic friends arranged them rs they
are they certainly cannot complain IL
we continue them rs at present. Be-
sides" said he, "a change now would
break up old and pleasant associations
In existing districts. and, therefore, IL
we arc to have an additional represent
tative In Congress. after 4 rcapportion-
ment has been made by that body, am
favorably inclined toward the Pcnnsyl-
vania plan Of having one congressman
at-large."
What Is your opinion. senator. rs TO
the judicial districts. should they be re-
districted, do you Think"
Let judicial Districts Alone.
"No, 4 think they should remain as