The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-12
REPRESENTATION IN THE HOUSE.

10 the constitution providing for the division Of the
state into senatorial districts of $4,000 inhabitants
each, has been followed promptly by the prcsenta-
ton by Representative Hogan Of another amend
ment proposition providing for change in repre-
sentation in the house.
This resolution fixes 6ooo as the basis of repre-
eentation. That is to say, cities and towns would
elect one representative for each 6ooo OF popua-
ton and for every fraction exceeding one-half that
number, but Il is provided that each city and town
shall always be entitled to least one representa-
tive, irrespective OF whether il has or has not
population of 6ooo
A further provision authorizes the general
assembly, after the taking of census by the United
States the state, to reapporion the representa-
ton according to the ratio, but it is declared that
city town shall be divided into districts for
the choice of representatives.
The proposition is not only entirely feasible
but It would give just treatment to every
city and town in Rhode Island The proposed
amendment does not limit the membership of the
house as does the present provision of the con
stitution which fixes it at seventy-two
1t will be possible, therefore should the
amendment prevail, to change the representation
whenever new census shows a change TO be
necessary without resort to the tedious and
uncertain process of constitutional amendment
Under such provision there would be no repeti-
tion of the performance of year ago when West
erly robbed of representative in order
that Cranstons community of convicts might be
given representation in the general assembly
AS the population stands at present the mem
bership of the house would be ninety three instead
OF seventy-two. The increase OF twenty-one would
60 to the city Of Providence the representation of
all other cities and towns remaining unchanged
Men of unprejudiced mind, whether they are
citizens Of Providence not, will recognize this as
q proper and reasonable plan to establish that fair
and equal representation to which the people are
of right entitled
Providence is grievously Disseminated against
under the present system. 1t has not that voting
power in the house of representatives that belongs
to it as matter of justice and, as a consequence
It has suffered and its citizens have suffered
also great wrongs and even outrages
With much more than two-hfths of the total
population OF the commonwealth and paving as
it does nearly onehalf of the state tax, Providence
is now allowed only one-sixth representation in
the lower branch of the general assembly
MIR. Hogan's proposition would give Provi-
dence a little more than one-third of the member
ship, while its population exceeds by more than
10000 one-third of the total for the state 1t is
plain then, that Providence would receive not more
but less than what it is entitled to on an exact APP
portionment the basis of population.
The total revenue of the state last year was
$S4oo55.os and of that sum the city of Providence
paid $4o2,o73.oS. Is it not plain in the light of
these figures that the present system of representa-
ton so far this city is concerned Is as Governor
Higgins declared in his inaugural message "thc
worst form of taxation without representation
Wisely is it provided that there shall be no
dividing OF cities towns into voting districts
under the proposed amendment Representatives
should be elected at large because they represent
the whole community and not a subdivision of it.
Moreover the district system opens the way
for gerrymanders by the party in power that would
operate to give partisan advantage to that party
Two years ago it will be remembered the
Republicans submitted tricky constitutional
amendment providing for an increase in the house
membership to one hundred, OF which twenty-five
was apportioned to Providence
In order TO obtain this inadequate increase in
representation, the citizens of Providence were
asked not only to endorse the division OF the CITY
into assembly districts by rankly partisan legis-
lature, but TO consent to such an abridgment Of
their franchise would limit them to voting for
but one representative out OF twenty-five
Happily, the electorate recognized the sinister
partsanshp behind the proposition and emphat-
oaly repudiated il.
Mr. Hogan will have the united support Of the
Democrats in the general assembly in his efforts