Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-22

the representatives, according TO popula-
ton. and many counties that formerly had
two Representatives IN the house only have
one representative now. while many coun-
ties that formerly had one now have two.
Under the rule OF the convention a coun-
" Is entitled 10 twice as many delegates
IN the convention as there are representa-
tives from that county IN the legislature.
Where the law passed by the legislature
will affect the representation IN the con-
vention Is a matter that Is being discussed
1T length by the men interested In politics.
Burke county. for instance. had three
representatives In the last house, but I'M
der the reapportionment II win have only
two representatives in the rext house.
Thomas county. which only had two
Representatives in the last house. under
the reapportionment gets three represent
atives. The question, therefore. arises
vii Burke county or Thomas county be
entitled 20 six delegates IN the convention.
The act OF the legislature expressly pro-
vides that the act shall not go into effect
until the terms OF the present representa-
tives expire Under the act the terms OF
the representatives who were IN the last
house have not expired. for should Gov
ernor Gambler be forced TO call an extra
session OF the legislature Burke county
would stIl be represented by three men.
while Thomas county would only have
two. Burke county then viii have three
representatives until their successors are
elected and qualified, which will not be
until the general election in October and
until they take the oath Of once in the
house. The men who take this view of
the matter contend that Burke county
should be entitled to six delegates in the
convention
But on the other hand there are those
who say that Thomas county should have
six delegates at the convention, because
the governor and other state house officers
who are 70 be nominated by the conven-
ton viii not take their seats until Octo-
Der the same time as the three representa-
tives from Thomas will be installed as
members OF the house. that the matter is
ait1Et ner prospective and means that as
Thomas county, for instance, viii have
three representatives In the next house
Thomas county should have six delegates
IN the convention
The matter was not ruled upon at the
meeting OF the state Democratic executive
committee II fact. the point has never
been ruled upon. and II may be that both
Thomas and Burke counties will claim the
right TO have six delegates. as will the
, counties which formerly had two repre-
, sentatives claim the right TO have four
delegates and the counties which formerly
only had but one representative. but which
viii have two representatives. claim the
right to have four delegates in the conven-
ton. II the question does come up in this
shape II will be a matter for the conven-
. tion 10 decide. and its decision will no
doubt depend on the gubernatorial candi-
, date who has the majority of the votes.
II Is a question that means much TO all
the candidates in the race for statehouse
Offices who have opposition On II may
hinge the election OF one Of the candidates
for governor. for state school commission
er. for commissioner OF agriculture and
for prison commissioner. The counties
which formerly only had one representa-
tive in the legislature. but which under
the bill passed at the last session will have
two. are: Laurens. Bullock Emanuel
Tattnall. Lowndes and Ebert. The coun-
ties which formerly had two legislators
each but lost one under the census are:
Hancock. Jefferson Oglethorpe. Greene,
Pulaski. Harris. Burke county which for
merly had three legislators vial only have
two in the next house. and Thomas. which
formerly had two. will have three when
the general assembly meets again.
Suppose Terrell should carry Hancock
Jefferson. Oglethorpe. Greene. Pulaski and
Harris county. each OF which would have
four votes IN the convention. making a
total OF - votes. and Estill should carry
Laurens. Bullock Tattnall Emanuel
Lowndes and Gilbert which heretofore on
" had one legislator and which now viii
nave two. and which some Of the poll
ticians claim should have four delegates