Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-08

Permit me to say at the outset that
do not believe it is wise policy to
ignore the growth of this great cOun-
try of ours by needlessly limiting its
popular representation. The clos
er the individual citizen is
brought in touch with the con-
duct of national affairs, and the
easier it is for him to impress his
views upon those who make the Ma
TONS laws, the more in harmony it is
with the spirit of Republican institu-
tons and the stronger and better will,
be the character of the public ser
vice Although I have read carefully
many of the arguments pro and con
that have entered into the considera-
ton of former apportionment bills.
and have listened patiently to all that
has been said in favor of the meas
ure reported by the gentleman from
Illinois, l have yet to find one single
cogent or convincing reason adduced
why the number of representatives in
this House should not in some de-
gree keep pace with the growth of the
country in popula ton and material re-
sources.
The Constitution simply provides
that Representative shall be APP
portoned among the several states ac
cording to their respective numbers"
The determination. therefore. of tn"
number of members who shall consti-
tute this House rests wholly with
Congress The measure which will be
enacted into law as a result of our
present deliberations will fix the ex
tent of popular representation in
Washington for the next ten years. 1t
is of special Importance. therefore.
that in performing this duty it be
with an eye single to the interests of
the whole country. 1t should also be
with just appreciation of the fact
that large as this Republic is today in
popula ton and in the scope and mag
nitude of it's material interests. it is
probably destined to an even greater
growth and development during the
period in which the new apportion-
ment will be operative. Not only are
the members of Congress during the
next decade to legisate for the in
terests of the people who claimed
their undivided attention during near
ly all of the decade that has passed.
but. as a result of the war with Spain
y
will be called upon to legislate for H.
G00.O00 additional people occupying
about 1000 square miles of territory.
And how shall we best meet the de-
mands upon the time and attention of
Congress that will come from these
possessions, from the large increa Sc
of population in our own country, and
from the constantly extending and
naturally out of the complexities of
our modern life. and continually inn
pose new burdens upon those charged
with the responsibilities of legisla-
ton? Certainly not by holding at
Its present number the membership of
this House when every one of us to-
day has all and quite all he
can efficiently do in attend
ing to the needs of his already
large constituency. In view OF
existing conditions it is simply pre-
posterous to further burden the busy
members of this branch of the govern
ment by requiring them to care for the
needs of over 5000. 900 more people
than they were originally intended tC
represent. Moreover. it would be ar
exceedingly short sighted policy tc
leave out of consideration the very
large increase in population which
may reasonably be looked for before
the close of the present decade. Oul
action upon this important subject
may well accord to the members OF
this House larger rather than smaller
opportunities for the careful considera
ton of measures affecting the publ,
Welfare and for the exacting duties o
constructive legislation.
believe that the present House ha.
been too small for the achievement o
the best results in legislative worl
and that the larger legislative bodie.
of the leading European countrie
have some notable points of advan
tage. The larger the membership tn,
better service will be given the pub
lie aud the more difficult it become
for any measure apprOpriating none,
to run the legislative gauntlet. witt