Omaha daily bee., 1909-10-26
MORE SEATS IN LOWER BODY
Next Census May Bring Larger Repre-.
sentation to Congress.
PLAN TO LIMIT MEMBERSHIP
Proposition to Base it on Total Votes
No Longer Seriously Considered
Buchanan's Death Loss
TO Nation.
CFrom a Sad cOrrespondent.l

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25.-(Special)-
One of the results of the completion Of
the census next year will be the re-appor-
tionment of representation of the states
in the house of representatives. The rapid
growth of population in the southwest
makes it highly probable that Texas and
Oklahoma, at least, and probably some of
the other uthw states will show
such marked increase in the total num-
Der of residents during the present decade
as to warrant them In demanding a con-
siderable increase in the number of seats
assigned them in the house OF representa-
tives. The membership in the present
house is S91, which is the largest number
at any time since the foundation of the
government.
Following the Ninth census in 1870, the
total representation was 29S. In the cen
sus of 1880 the number was increased to
332, but after the census of 1890, 357 seats
had to be provided. II there is the same
proportionate increase during the last 10
years, about forty additional seats will
have to be provided in the next congress.
But already the membership has grown to
an enormous size, and it is quite probable
that an attempt will be made 10 reduce
IN lpNal liAb bNNAA - " " N~H''b NN
Of the older states like Maine may be de-
prived of one or more representatives.
Ten years ago there was a discussion
over a proposition to limit the number Of
representative from the southern states
by fixing the ratio Of membership accord
ing to the total votes cast. This was be-
cause many of them had Incorporated the
so-caIled "grandfather's clause in their
- ~ AEHnaN OK RUsIAnh VyaQ nd
mittedly to deprive the negro Of the right
Of franchise. The agitation Of this propo-
sition died out, and 1t is not likely that
any further attempts will be made to
pass the C~rumpacker bill. Some of the
southern states have found the means OF
getting around the negro question without
the necessity Of so drastic laws as that on
the statute book of Mississippi.
eliminating Candidates.
.One gentleman of the south in talking OF
the prospects Of further representation for
his state said today our laws provide for
a secret ballot and they also provide that
the voter SHAH make out bis own ballot
unless physically or educationally dis
qualified from doing so in which event he
may call on one Of the judges Of election
to help him. Now it happens in my corner
OF the state lueIe Is a vast AuAADSA VI ~
groes who can neither read nor write,
When these old darkies need assistance
they usually cali on some white judge CT
election for whom they have respect and
this is about the program as 1t occurred
not 50 long ago In my precinct. That fine
old southern gentleman, Colonel Duncan
son was one OF the judges in the eiecTion
ct our precinct and old Uncle Nose Carter
asked him to come into the booth and fix
up his ballot for him. Here said Colonel
D~uncanson, is the list OF candidates. The
first name is that Of George Skies. he Is
a republican candidate for sheriff. Now
you are a republican and OF course you
will want to eliminate him won't your
Yes sar.' said the old negro. Eliminate
him So on It went until following the
instructions-if he had failed to follow the
instructions OF the voter-he would have
been liable to Imprisonment the Colonel