Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-09-26
GROWTH OF POLITICAL POWER.

Iowa is proud that Allison, Dolliver,
Lacey, Cousins and host of other able
men are representing her in congress.
Every Iowan knows that the men who
have been sent to Washington form a
strong coterie of legislators who are as
brilliant as their illustrious predeces-
sors In twenty years, if the record
from which this is taken be not at
fault, the number of congressman has
not changed. Other states have made
gains in the number of representa-
tives. but their number has not out
weighed the influence of Iowa's delega-
ton.
In the abstract this leads down to
some curious and interesting varia-
lions in the growth of political power
of the various sections of the Union.
Statistics say that New England in
twenty years has gained three votes
| in the house and in the electoral col
| lege, Massachusetts getting two of
them and Connecticut one. Three of
1
Jersey and Pennsylvania-have gained
ten votes. New Jerseys proportionate
advancement = three votes - being
greatest and New York's-three
votes - being least In what
was so long known politically as
the solid south Texas growth as quite
overshadowed that of any other state.
Arkansas and Missouri have gained
two votes apiece in twenty years, and
these eight states have gained one vote
|apiece-West Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ala
bama, Mississippi and Louisiana, Mary
land, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennes-
see have made no progress. In the
middle west Ohio and Indiana have
likewise only held their own in polit-
ical strength through the last two de-
cades. Illinois has leaped ahead of
Ohio, having now twenty-five, instead
of twenty, seats in the house of repre-
sentatives to Ohio's twenty-one. Wis
consin's vote has been increased by two
and Michigan's by one.
Beyond the Mississippi Minnesota
has drawn up rapidly on Iowa. TWEEN
ty years ago Iowa had eleven repre-
sentatives to Minnesota's five. In the
next house Iowa will have eleven rep
resentatives to Minnesota's nine. Ne
braska's representation rose in 1891
from three members to six. Under the
last census, however, the states popu-
lation showed practically no increase.
In the further west the growing states
5 have been South Dakota, Colorado, Cal
2 ifornia and Washington. Each gained
a vote in the apportionment of 1891,
and again in that of 1901. Oregon
stood still in the race for twenty years,
1 and has consequently been outstripped
by South Dakota. Washington and Col
2 orado Even North Dakota has now
drawn up even with Oregon in political
: power. In the increased strength that
comes from population alone the nine
coast and Rocky Mountain states have
gained six votes under the last two
censuses. The Northwest, including
: the Dakotas and Kansas, has gained
!, eleven votes. The midle western
states are stronger by eight votes and
! the states of the now broken solid
south by seventeen votes. The middle
states and New England have increas-
e ed their power by thirteen votes. A
, fairly equal national growth is there
fore shown, with the two greatest rel
!, alive centers of gain in common
: wealths as widely separated in lati.
tude and in political and social char.
. acter as Minnesota and Texas, New
! Jersey and Illinois.