Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-22

IS. Dem Rep. First district .14,649 1o,l4o Second district ..... .l9,244 2l,oso Third district ....... .l2,29S Io,Soo Fourth district ..... .16,0O9 2O,So0 Fifth district ....... .16,32o 1S,ooo
 These figures show republican plu- raliteS as follows: First district ................... 49d Second district .................2 2,3S4 Third district .............-..- -o,9SI Fourth district 4o4I t11In QlSIrlct -'oAo
 It is understood that MT Lilley dis claims knowledge of how the bill he introduced would affect the political division If this is true he was mere ly the instrument of some one else, when he introduced the bill, for no man with the least -pretension to pol1tl- cal prudence would introduce redls- tricting bill without knowing at least how it will affect the party situation. The act carries too much responsibil- ity. He must know if 1t is his own bill. or he must have it from some one in whom he feels perfect confidence, if it is not his own bill
 The map elsewhere printed shows that the proposed districts are not par ticularly ungainly. They show noth- ing like the famous shoestring district in the senatorial division. The popu- lation of the districts is tolerably equal, although it might have been made more so by little more trans ferring of towns. As the list stands the population is:
 First district .................1 .119-SS2 Second district ...............2 POT ,S94 Third district .............. .l62, Iof Fourth district ...............I .IS4.zoo Fifth district .............. .li5,oz2
 Total .9OS. .355
 The total republican pluralities for the four congressman, last fall, were 27 ,47O. The indicated republican plu- ralities for five congressman are 2O,- 222 The arrangement appears to re- duce the republican plurality to this extent. But it should be noticed that all five congressman appear to be req sonably secure. so long as there is any thing approaching the present republi- can majority in the state. It should also be noticed that the first, third ana fourth districts are likely to go repub- lican. even if there is q considerable change towards the democratic party, and that the second district has been made with apparent reference to, strengthening others of slower growth and leaving this to what may De the inevitable result of its rapid develop ment. It is provided with moderate republican plurality for the present and left to grow as it can. What some have believed to be an analogy in the case of Bridgeport in the fourth district does not necessarily present similar case. That district is to con- sist of Fairfield county, and although Bridgeport is growing fast. the rest of the county is growing also. and its population is somewhat different from that of New Haven county ill the sec ond district. It may fairly be expect ed to offer a considerable offset to the (probably) democratic growth of Bridgeport.
 The matter of permanent effect on the situation is merely touched i'll passing here. The immediate effect of the passage of the bill seems to be to give good chance for electing all five republican congressman at the next election unless there is an overWhelm- ing reversal of the political standing. Under certain conditions nothing can prevent the election of men of one party or the other, but the general ten dency may be to give both parties reasonably fair chance or to help one to the disadvantage of the other. What this bill actually attempts is the inter esing thing. and of course there will be two opinions about it.-Hartford Times.