Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-01-20
REAPPORTIONMENT

As n Tribune has heretofore sCaEeo
the most important measure before
the legislature is that providing for a.
reapportionment of the state. The SEN.
atoria and legislative districts have not
been changed since statehood and the
inequalities in the representation from
the various districts are very marked.
The law that will pass at the coming
session will likely stand for the next
census period, ten years, and it is there
fore well to take into consideration the
physical conditions of the state and
prospective increases in population.
That is, in making the new apportion-
ment due regard should be given to
those sections of the state where the
greatest increase in population is likely
to occur. Speaking generally the west
ern part of the state may be expected to
increase in population, as compared
with the eastern portion, IN a ratio of
two or three to one.
There are now 81 senatorial districts in
the state-31asenators and 81 members
of the house. The constitution provides
that the senate shall be composed of
not less than 80 nor more than 80 mem
bers and the house shall have not less
than 60 and not more than lao. The
house is the popular body; all of its
members being elected every two years.
Its membership is not restricted to
double the number of senators, as the
body is now constituted, and it is there
fore possible to add as many members to
this body as may q necessary to meet
the requirements of the situation.
There will be a general desire to
maintain, as nearly as possible, the in
tegrity of the present districts and the
superintendent and REMEMBERING Of the
districts can be 80 made as not to inter-
fere with the holdover senators. Some
districts may now have a somewhat
larger comparative representation than
they should have but to reduce the
representation will meet with much OPP
position. To say to Grand Forks, Trail,
Cass, Dickey, Burleigh and other dis
tricts that they shall be, cut down
from their present representation will
meet with most vigorous protest and en-
gender bad feeling and strife.
The constitution provides that the ap-
portionment shall be made on the popu-
lation-not the vote. For the reason
before expressed, that the apportion-
ment made now will likely stand for the
next ensus period, sight must not be
lost of the prospective increase in popu-
lation Of the central and western coun-.
ties and in justice and equity a smaller
population should be figured n=these
districts than in the older and more
densely peopIed sections where the in
crease must necessarily be slower. ~
Due regard for economy demands
that the increase to the size of
the Legislature be restricted to a
degree consistent with fair and equitable
representation. There is some logic
however ID the plea that the more rep
resentative the legislature--the smaller
the districts-the more certain is the
bodyRto respond TO public sentiment,
and protect the peoples interests. The
larger the law-making body the more
difficult 10 effect combines and prevent
wholesome legislation that may he de-
manded w the people. larger body,
representative asst would be, might
be more economical for the state in the
long run than q small IA The money
paid ID members of the legislature does
hot i~mpoverish the state. This money
ID distributed among d great many
people and finds its way back into tho
taxable channels again. It does not
lsaye the srate.
Manyschsnles of apportionnent have
been and Will be- offered. None hiss been
III will ba perfect. The following isprs-
ssnsed for consideration. n provides Tor