The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-01-17
THE APPORTIONMENT BILL
South Cardinals Delegation Will
Not be Reduced


The House of Representatives, by
vote Of 1863 to l02, accepted the reap
rortionmcnt plan proposed by the Bur
ship Of the House during the next decade
from 35i, the present membership and
the membership proposed by the COM
inittcc or Hopkins bill, to 1886. The
result was largely brought about by the
influence Of certain Senators from
several of the larger Northern States
who threw the weight Of their influence
III the scale in favor Of the larger mem
hcrship. When it became apparent that
these factors were at work against his
bill, Mr. Hopkins attempted to COM
promise by giving an additional repre-.
sentative each to North Dakota, Colo
RADIO and Florida, but his advcrsaries re.
fused to compromise after complete
victory WAS assured. The Crumpackcr
proposition to recommit the bill for the
purpose OF asccrtaining what s ates
abridged the right to vote to an extent
which would entail reduced representa-
ton was defeated l30 to 10 There
was no roll cali on the vote but mum.
Der Of Republicans voted with the Demo.
/ Gratis.
Under the bill as passed no State loses
representative and the following make
SoluS lI!luotS, ANC" lOIh anu lCAaS
three each: Minnesota, New jersey and
Pennsylvania two each; a arkansas, Cali
fornia, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida,
Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi,
Missouri North Carolina, North Dakota,
Washington, West Virginia and Wis
consin one each.
! The bill provides that whenever new
State is admitted the rcprcsentative es as
| signed to it shall be in addition to the
number provided in the bill. 1t also
| adds provision, never hitherto incor-
! poratcd in reapportonmcnt bill, to
the effect that Congressional districts in
addition to being "contiguous" shall also
| be compact States which are allowed
additional representatives by the bill
shall, by its terms, elect them at large
until the Legislature shall redstrict the
State.
Representative Stanyarne Wilson, who
is a member Of the House census COM
| mittce, delivered strong speech in OPP
position to the passage Of the Hopkins
appOrtiOnment bill, and advocating the
passage of the minority bill, which pro-
vidcd for house of 1886 members in
stead of 357. Mr.. Wilson in his address
pointed out the fact that the Hopkins
bill is violation Of all prcccdents in the
framing Of an apportionmcnt law, both
IHt Olu ulSpCuSdGlOu, WHICH pIC-
vailed prior to 1910. and the new, which
method has prevailed since 1910, and
which has been advocated by Webster.
He argued that the minority measure
is the fairest Of all the apportionment
measures which have been presented to
the House for consideration, and pointed
out that it was On-partisan in its
character, inasmuch as provided the
measure becomes law the Republicans
will gain apparently ten members, dis
tributcd among the States OF New York,
Connecticut, Indiana and Illinois, while
the Democrats, if they carry those States,
could secure majority in the House
I1o stated that the only salvation of tho
Democratic party in the future, il
Democratic president is again to be in.
auguratec in Washington, is through
carrying tho States referred to.
Mr.. Wilson spent some little time in
referring to the State election laws OF
South Carolina, defending the State
from attacks which have been made
upon it by Representatives Olmstead
and Crumpacker and others who would
reduce her representation in Congress,
owing to the disfranchscmcn OF the
negro voters, and he argued that the
South was working for the best interests
Of both the coloTcd and white races. He
spoke for one hour, receiving close at
tontion from both sides Of the House,
and at the conclusion OF his remarks he
was literally applauded by the advocates
OF the minority bill.