New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-24
REDISTRICT MISSOURI.
The State To Be More Fairly Rep
resented IN Congress.
IFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU


Washington Nov. 2S-Missouri Republicans con-
hdently assert, and prominent Democrats of that
State VINO in Washington tactly admit that
the days OF a practically solid Democratic Con-
gress delegation are over. and that falr and
equitable redistrictiug bill. when passed by the
next legislature, will receive the approval of Gov
ernor Folk That such a bill will be introduced in
the Missouri Legislature next winter is assured.
for the reason that the present Congress district
boundaries of the State VIGOROUSLY of the
shoestring and zgzag order that reputable Demo-
Gratis as well as Republicans, condemn them in un-
measured terms. It is pointed out that the normal
Congress delegation Of fifteen Democrats to one
Republican sgnalIy fails to represent the political
sentiment Of the State. The districts have been
gerTymandered under Democratic misrule that only
the tremendous upheaval caused by the Roosevelt
landslide made It possible for part of the State
to send to Congress q who represented the
views Of the conservative interests of that section
The voters of Missouri have become exceedingly
weary of enforced subservience to the will and
manpulations of the Democratic machine, which
GoVernOr-elect Folk himself smashed when he at
tackled its leaders for official corruption placed
many OF them behind the bars To be made the
catspaw of a discredted political organization.
whose methods are in every way repugnant TO
decent, fairminded men, is 4 condition that Will no
longer be tolerated and. in Congress. at least.
Missouri in the future Will be in position TO vote
its choice with reasonable chance of representa-
ton in accordance with its will.
The Democratic leaders of the various districts
IN Missouri have mad habit, when a veteran
Representative was in danger Of losing his
through the ambition Of bright. aggressive
young Democrat. Of pushing a bill through the
legislature looping off the county behind the new
aspirant and making It q part Of another district
where he could again grow up with the country
Repeated performances of this kind made
the map of the Congress districts of Missouri look
like a crazy quilt, and the insis: on i'm
proved conditions. They point out that Governor
elect FOLK is on record against crooked politics.
they insis. that there things more OBJ
dered districts They believe that the interests
of Justice and fair play he viii come to the rescue
Congress will mora honestly represent the sent-
ment OF the voters.
In the next Congress the delegation from Mis-
sour- viii consist OF nine Republicans and seven
Democrats. While this division may not accurate
~ repres mt the political affiliations the State
it is regarded as absolutely certain that least
returned to Congress and that bin so redistrict-
ing the state insure that representation will
The Xth. XIth and XIIth districts. which
are in the city Of St. Louis II Is believed, be
rearrahged honestly ana larry go as 10 make
them normally Republican Richard Bartholdt. in
that completely ehclTcIes the southern section OF
the city Of St. Louis and takes in a part Of the
more and II IS Understood 10 be the purpose OF the
next leglsla ture 10 parcel out those votes more
cauy into three nearly equal Congress districts
running north and south. the result would he the
IXth District dominated and changed when
essary. 70 suit conditions by Champ Clark now
ably De stTalghened 9Jt SO as - to make II more
eQnpss he ao ,5 The e XVI 1 2iS!ET woHd
tricts, which will be represented. respectively, in
NYrphy. Republicans may also be retained per
manently in the Republican column
reform in political methods ana It is declared that
the first reform attempted will be a readJustment
OF the patchwork boundaries of tho Congress dis
tTictE.