The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-07-06
and {he matter would now have been

happily settled.
But why cry over spilled milk?
This election aided to repeal a
measure that encompassed its own de-
triment; the state is dependent on
the federal census to show the popu
lation of the counties.
Section 236 of the of the state con-
stitution now reads: "The legislature
may, at the first session after the
federal census of 1900 and decenially |
thereafter, make new apportionment
of senators and representatives, etc"
OF course, at the time of the federal
census of 1900, South Mississippi had
not made the great strides since ac-
credited to her; on the contrary, by
1905, the influx of people to this Sec
viding for a state census been effec-
tive at that time, unquestionably South
Mississippi would soon have the priv
ilege of electing an adequate repre-
sentation, but under existent circum-
stances, the purport of the organic
| law as II now reads is that no new
apportionment can be made until the
true status of each county's popu-
lation is shown by the Federal cen
sus of 1910. In other words, Eat the
| first session after the Federal census
| of 1910, South Mississippi can show
her right to larger number of sen
ators and representatives and demand
new apportionment.
This would put the matter at least
two years distant, when it would be
taken up by the then newly elected
legislative body. The additional re
representatives. granted would be elect
ed four years later, making a total of
of six years before this section can
legally be rendered what is rightfu'ly
hers.
The vital question is how to remedy
the error of repeating section 256 of
the constitution, but there seems
none, save to obey the letter of the
law. A constitutional amendment
would NOD simplify the matter. Such
an amendment would have to be
passed by two-thirds vote from both
houses of the legislature and sub
mitted to the people at a general cleo
ton. Grant that it is passed by the
legislature, it will be approximately
two years before it can be submitted
to vote of the people. Grant again
that the people approve this constitu-
tional amendment; at the same elec'
ton they will have chosen new leg
islature and another space of four
years will have elapsed before the ad-
ditional representatives granted South
Mississippi can be elected.
A settlement of the matter on Il
basis of the number of registered vot
ers in each county also suggests itself
and it must be admitted appears feas-
ible. The number of registered vot-
ers according to the votes cast il. the
last general election could be obtainei
from the chairman of the county elec-
ton commissioners p each county, or
from the registrar of each county. and
the information is also on file in the
Office of the secretary of state. Such
procedure would be regularly, and
the inevitable conclusion is that mat
tiers must be allowed to take their
normal course.
That South Mississippi deserves
more adequate representation there is
no shadow of doubt; that North Mis-
puted, by the repeal of Section 256 Of
the constitution, to defraud this sec
ton of her inalienable rights, is uE
worthy of belief. Sectional antagon
ism is the worst form of political evil
and action contemplated to engender
such would indeed be contemplate
work.
At the time of the repeal of section
256 no one could foretell that South
Mssissippi's virgin pine forests and
this strip of territory bordering on
the gulf, but lately trackless wilder
ness, and inconsiderable villages.
would so soon have become the
mighty marts of men.
Though she may have several years
to wait, there is no question but
that eventually South Mississippi
must come into possession of those
rights which are indisputably hers.
ROYAL ARCH MASONs