New-York tribune., 1901-01-18
DISTRICTS FOR NEW-JERSEY
PROMINENT REPUBLICANS NOT IN FA-
VoR OF CONGRESsAIEN AT LARGE.

Trenton n. J.. Jan. II CspeciaD.-A number of Sem
ators, Assemblymen and State officials were inter-
viewed by Tribune reporter to-day relative TO the
reapportionment and redistrictng OF the State un-
der the provisions of the Burlegh BILL which gives
TWO additional Congressmel to New-Jersey. Not
one or those who were interviewed was in favor Of
the proposition 10 elect the two Congressman
at large, which has given rise TO little discus
sion throughout the State. The more important
OF the views expressed are as follows:
Senator Stokes. of Cumberland-In my opinion
the wisest would be redistrict the State.
Ihat would be more in accordance with the spirit
, oh our institutions than any other plan And be
sIots mat II would avoid the necessity OF holding
a a congressional convention every two years, which
were chosen at large and which would seem to oe
a useless expense. The expense thus incurred
zeal parties. and better results would be ac-
eomPshed IS han by the other plan Some PeoPee e
be higher than now if two OF the Congressman
preston. we couldn't get men of better char
acter to represent US in Congress than we have at
ince Of the legislature to adopt either course.
namely redistrictng the State or selecting the two
i addition9l Congressmen at large, and the former
Secretary OF State George T. Wurts-without
having given the matter much consideration
would say that l prefer the plan redistrict the
at large OF course, the redistricting will be at
tended with some difficulty and al the more so
because there two more Congressman, in
stead of one This Is quite unusual, so far as 1
know. There is no particular reason why New
Jersey should make a change in the selection of
her congressman, some OF them. This is
20 trying experiments unless there is some strong
reason for the change Naturally the party in
vantage in the matter of the States redist tricng.
IS to make the effect grotesque.
Speaker Bradley, Of Camden-The redistrictng
practical way. But that plan may be so difficult
tion would seem the better. While ! incline
toward the redistrcting plan now. l cannot tell
diliicuit
senator Francis. Of Monmouth don't think the
election Of TWO Congressman at large would do at
all The other plan is by far the better one. The
legislature, ana IL ought To be done; NO great
dithculty would be encountered in redistrcting the
Congressional lines 10 the satisfaction Of the gen
Senator Hutchinson of Mercer-The proposition
to elect two Congressman At large would be un-
from one district and besides this / don't see how
II be done unless the Constitution is changed.
II il is decided 10 redstrct the State ii will be
two years before the ten Congressman can he
elected and in the mean time the two extra Con-
gressmen would have TO be chosen at large Ihe
Legislature cannot leGislate those elected last No
vember out Of Office, because II is not vested with
troduced providing for the redstricting of the
Senator Mckee of Passaic-The plan to elect two
congressman at large is not likely TO be popular.
% %SHd @ n s00 gbt as fOT wa pn a fr
the office OF Governor The campaign would be
costly and tiresome. think the State could be
rcdistricted easily and satisfactorily.
Assemblyman Wright. Of Burlington-We of the
South Jersey counties have not taken a great deal
OF interest in this matter, because did not hope
Tor moment to get the extra congressman The
increase Of population has mainly been in the
upper part of the State. and the two additional
Congressman will in all probability come from
there. While l in favor of electng United
States Senators by the people, and at large. ! do
not the necessity the advisabty Of making
change in the manner of electing our Congress
Senator Cross. of Union-I haven't given the mat
ter much thought, but 1t seems to me at first
oTe a has he there %as bu one adona
Congressman to consider. the question would be
easily settled.
Assembyman Williams. Of Essex-I favor the re-
districting OF the State. If Hudson is to get two
more Congressman thereby say give them 10 her
The proposal to elect them at large is either re-
ection upon the ability Of the Legislature TO deal
with the question or else there is partisan rea-
back Of il.
Senator Haines. of Burlington-Its question
which plan would the most trouble. Dis
satisfaction would surely result. no matter which
course pursued 1 haven't given the matter
sufficient study to express myself further.
Senator Evans, OF Atlantic-As ] understand IT,
II is not the intention Of the bill TO have the addi
tionaI Congressman elected at large
Assembyman Meeker Of Union-I have read the
Burleigh bill and according to its provisions there
viii be such thing electing the extra Con-
gressmen at large OF that point / certain.
The Congressmen-at-Large plan while II may
work elsewhere, would be unpopular in this State.