Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-17
Mr.. Burleieh's Rc-Apportionment Bill.

Mr. Burleigh's Rc-Apportionment Bill.
The fight in Washington for
representative reapportionment which
will allow Maine TO keep its present
number of members in the House is
a warm one. and though there are
various complications the present
situa ton is decidedly favorable. On
this subject the special Washington
correspondent Of the Portland Press
had tie following interesting COM
ment in Saturday mornings issue:
The apportionment contest looks de-
cidedlv more favorable for Maine. The
Maine men have labored in earnest,
and the result of the consultation at
Governor Eurleigh's rooms last night,
has had Il considerable moral effect
The House leaders have Indefinitely
postponed caucus action, and it would
not be surprising if they should
finally acquiesce in an increase OF 80
members so as to save the present
representation to Maine, Kansas,
Nebraska. and Virginia. Congress
man Littleficld made many speeches
for the Republican congressional
campaign committee and they We're
very grateful to him when the cam
paigr closed. He has now gone 10
them and told them that the time has
come for them to turn about and help
him in this matter. This has had an
effect. Congressman Allen has also
completed a very thorough canvass of
the older and more influential MEM
bers with whom he has had long ac-
quaintance and much influence. They
all seem very friendly TO Maine Gov
crnor Burleigh seems TO have strong
grip on The situation in the census
committee. so on the whole, the mat
ter looks favorable tonight Senator
Hale and Frye are active on the
Senate side, and Mr.. Hale was over
in consultation with the House mem
bers this morning"
We give below the full text Of Con
gresham Burleigh's reapportionment
bill which was introduced. December
Is. and referred to the select COM
m.ttee on the census of which he IS
member. Ii is entitled "A bill pro-
v.ding for the reapportionment Of the
representatives in the seTeral states.
and reads as follows:
BE it enacted by the Senate and
House of Representative of the
United States of America in Congress
assembled. That after the third day OF
March. nineteen hundred and three,
-. II,,,.a ~ shall he
composed of three hundred and
cishty-seven members. TO be appor-
toned among the several states as
follows: Alabama, nine: Arkansas
seven: California. eight: Colorado
three: Connecticut, five; Delaware.
one: Florida. three: Georgia, eleven:
Idaho. one; Illinois. twenty-five: Indl-
ana. thirteen: Iowa. twelve; Kansas
eight: Kentucky. eleven; Louisiana.
seven: Maine. four; Maryland. SIX;
assachusetts, fourteen: Michigan,
twelve: Minnesota. nine: MISSISSIPPI.
eight: Missouri, sixteen; Montana
one: Nebraska. six: Nevada. one; New
Hampshire two: New Jersey, ten;
New York. thirty-seven; North Caro-
lima. ten: North Dakota, two; ONO.
twenty-onc: oregon, two; PeHnsyl-
vania. thirty-two: Rhode Island, two;
South Carolina. seven: South Dakota,
two: Tennessee. ten; Texas, sixteen.
Utah. one: Vermont. two. Virginia.
ten: Washington. three; West Nir-
cinia. five: Wisconsin, eleven; and
Wyoming. enc.
Sec. ,. That whenever new state
is admitted to the Union, the repre-
sentative or representatives. assigned
to IL shall be in addition to the num-
Der three hundred and eighty-scven.
SEQ. 2. That in each state entitled
under this apportionment to reprcsen-
.atiOn the representatives to the fifty
eighth and each subsequent Congress
shall be elected by districts composed
of contiguous territory and containing
as nearly as practicable an equal num-
her of inhabitants The said districts
shall be equal to the number of repre-
sentatives to which such state may be
entitled in Congress. no district elect
ing more than one representatives.
Sec g. That in case of an increase
in the number of representatives
which may be given to any state under
this apportionment. such additional
representative or representatives snail
pc tletltI DN lilt SldtN ~ i%A' .
the other representatives by the dis
tricts now prescribed BY law until the
LEGISLATURE of such state in the man.
ner herein prescribed shall redis.rlc>
such state: and if there be no increase
in the number of representatives from
a state, the representatives. Thereon
shall be elected from the districts no"
prescribed by law until such state
be redistricted, as herein prescribed u!
the Legislature of said state.
sec. 5. That all acts and parts o.
acts inconsistent with this act arr
hereby repealed"