Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-09
OPPOSED TO REDIsTRlcTIN'G.

Resolutions of AIass-lIectinS In
Pulaski Against the Proposed Re-
districtfnS.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
We enclose you resolution Of a big
mass meeting in Pulaski county against
the proposed redistricting. which the
meeting directed to be mailed to the
Dispatch for publication Hoping that you
will publish the same. we are,
Very truly yours.
HID HOWARD.
Chairman.
IT. L. aMASSFE.
Secretary.
Alta mass meeting OF the citizens OF Pu-
laski county. held on Monday. the 9Th
day OF this month. County Court day. 1t
was resolved withoutsa dissenting voice:
That 1t is the sense of the citizens U.
Pulaski county in mass meeting. assem-
( bled that there is not particle OF
need for the proposed redistricting of the
Ninth District; that four years ago the
Democrats polled about c0.o00 votes In
the district. and two years ago about 49,
COO while in the last election the Re
epublicans by great activity and the use
of campaign fund of about $4,000, could
only poll about $4,000; that these figures
Enthusiastically show that the district is
largely Democratic: that in the last cleo
ton, Pulaski county went Republican
by a bare ma jority of one. when the Re-
spublicans were very active and the Demo-
Gratis very apathetic. and. taking this as
Indicating the true political condition OF
the county, the removal of the county into
another district would not effect the politi-
cal status one way or another: that. how
~, t,tfo c{-f f1. In, f6fv
Democratic, Pulaski city. which has here
sofore carried the county Republican. hav-
ing in the last election gone Democratic
by a good majority: that the addition Of
Pulaski county to the Sixth District
would increase the length OF that long
district, and render it less compact. and
violate the mandatory constitutional rule
as to compactness. while it would PARTIAL
zly and poorly subserye the merely direc-
tory constitutional rule as to the equality
of popula ton; that the addition Of Pu-
Iaski county to the Fifth District would
place in district where community of
interest and business would be lacking
and railroad communication spare and
mea gres.
That all Of the other districts went DEM
5ocratic, and the Ninth is that way. and
for the present, at least, the Democratic
party should let well enough alone, and
wait until we have q better review or re-
suits under the new Constitution: that the
great and important work of conforming
the statute law to the Constitution has
been committed TO the present General
Assembly, and its attention should not be
distracted by such political measures.
That no redist-icting should take place.
except. perhaps. clearly obvious or con-
coded changes, until increase Of popula-
ton entities the State to new Congress
man. when the State might be again re-
sdistricted. with a view OF compactness Of
territory, and, as s:r IS practicable.
equality OF population.
That our clever representatives. Sem
'ators P. r. ST. Clair. and James A. Stat
ford are requested to earnestly oppose
the measure which is wholly without
merit, and fraught with no good, neither
for the district. nor the State. nor the
Democratic party.
That copies of this resolution be sent
70 our said representatives and to the
Richmond Dispa ten, Richmond Times.
The -Lynchburg News, the Roanoke
Times, and the News-Review. for <ublica-
ton
q II. D. HOWARD.
Chairman. =
T. Z. MASSIE.
Secretary.
Pulaski City. Va. January 7. 1903.