The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-18


 discovered that if the representatives, were left at 100. eight counties, name ly. Lauderdale. Russell, Fillmore ,Eto- wah. Butler, Greene, Pickens and Wal ker. with a population of 206, ,609 would be entitled to eight representatives alone and the counties of Bullock, Clarke. Hale, Lee. Morgan, Perry, Pike and Tallapoosa with only PAP ,021 inhab- itants would be entitled to sixteen rep resentatives. in other words with only difference of about 8, 1000 inhabitants they would be entitled to twice the number of representatives that the first eight named counties have. They also discovered if the number of represen- tatives remained at 100 that the coun- ties of Butler. Etowah, Fillmore, Greene, Lauderdale. Russell, Pickens and Walker, although they had much more property than these oth- CT counties would yet be en- titled to only half of the representa- tives the other eight counties had. They discover that these eight counties would only have eight representatives with a population of 206, 900 and Jeffer- son would have with only 142, ,oOO They discovered further. If the representa- tion is fixed at 100 that Clarke Coun- ty. with 27,790 inhabitants, would be entitled to two. while Etowah with H.390 a difference of about 429, would only be entitled to one. They further discovered if the representation is kept at 100 that Russell County, with a pop- ulation of 27,0S3 would be entitled to one representative and Lauderdale with 27.361 would be entitled to one repre- sentative and the county above it with only a difference of less than five hun dred would be entitled to two.
 They further discOVernd if tho ronro- sentation is fixed at 100 and the Sem ators are retained at B as by the mi nority report. that Etowah, with a population greater than either Lauder dale or Russell would be entitled to one representative and these counties would be entitled to two. They also discovered that if the minority report is adopted that fixes the representation as 1t has been that the senatorial dis trict of Barbour with population less than that of Henry would remain as it is, and Henry, Geneva and Dale, with over twice the population, would compose one Senatorial District.
 Now. MT. President, with all these facts in view, without going into de- tail. the committee decided they would ask the Convention to fix the represen- tatives at 105 and that in doing that, no great injustice would be done to any coanty, but one. namely, Greene, and the representative from Greene, in his magnanimity said that is all right. We will raise no objection about it." I want to say further that these five representatives will go to the white counties. Something has been said about the black belt getting majority. l want to say that everyone will go to white counties. Jefferson will get one. Butler will get one, Fillmore will get one, Etowah one and Walker one. There are no objections raised by the representatives Of the black belt coun- ties. They had no objections, but thought an injustice would be done if 1t was not fixed at 105.
 Now as to what we find if the Sena- torial districts remain at B. We find 1t utterly impossible to give satisfac- ton. Some large counties are so situ- ated that you cannot join any small county with them. because there is none there, and you could not take one of the adjoining counties, because it would make the population too big, but by fixing the Senators at 35 we believe entire satisfaction will be given. Only one will be neglected. but the repre- sentatives from the district are more than willing to have it that way. So we think it is right and proper and em- inently just that the representatives shall be fixed at 105 and the Senators at 35.
 Something will be said about this body of 105 being unwieldly. With a body of 155 in this Convention, submit that the quorum and order has been pre-eminently preserved, and believe it can be preserved with 105.
 AS to the increased pay, there are only five representatives and two Sen- ators, and with quadriennial sessions. we don't believe that will amount to anything. We believe the plan recom- mended by us and which is set forth in this amendment, will give entire sat- isfaction.
 MT. Grayson-The minority of the Committee on Representation was of the opinion that it was the duty of this Constitutional Convention to fix the basis of representation and it was a legislative duty devolving on the next Legislature to fix the apportionment, and that minority were of the impress sion that the time honored rule of 100 Representatives and thirty-three Sem ators should be adhered to. We see no good reason for any change. This number of Representatives and Sena- tors has obtained for half a century. More than that would be unwieldly, and once open the door for an increase of Senators and Representatives ans at every census there will be demand for an increase, until we shall have a House absolutely unwieldly and Sem ate nearly so.
 As to the remarks of the gentleman from Dallas to the effect that it has become necessary to increase the Rep resentatives in order to equalize some counties that had not as much repre- sentation and had greater population than other counties, they have gone on and made a mistake as to two other counties. Take a basis of representa- tion of 100 or 105; the difference is small, relatively, and. upon a basis of 100 representatives with a population of 1,S23,600 there would be an average of 1S,2S6 to each representative. Taking that as a basis, we find that the 'coun- ty of Walker has one representative with a fraction of 6.S76 over. Butler has one with a fraction of 7,47o over. Fillmore has one with fraction of 7,Sl3 over.
 Mir. Long CWalker)-I rise to a point of order. The gentleman is not confin- ing his remarks to the subject Defore the house. It is not question or where the representatives should go. We are fixing the number. The gen. tleman is making an argument against the county of Walker and the county of EImore and it is not proper at this time.
 The President-The chair is of the opinion that the gentleman Is within .IA