Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1909-11-23
CENSUS MAY ALTER
POLITICAL STATUS.
Politicians Fear Shifting of
Votes After 1910.

Washington, Nov 22.-Alreadv the
politicians are looking forward with
interest to the taking of the census
next spring-the Democrats with more
or less complacency and satisfaction.
the Republicans with more or less
anxiety for if the census should de-
mand a rearranging of the electoral
college, and a shifting of a number of
its votes, the Republican party would
be more likely to lose than the Demo-
cratic party
The census of 1910 will determine
for 10 years the membership of the
House of Representatives and also of
the electoral college. In none of the
north Atlantic states where the Re.
publican party is strong, has there
been since 1900, any large increase in
population; in fac, in some of the
smaller of these states population has
been for 10 years almost at a stand
still. But in the West and the South
west, the former uncertain politically
and the latter strongly Democratic. tbe
population gains have been very con-
siderable.
Of course, the basis of representa-
ton in the House will be changed as
the result Of the next census. and in
stead of there being one member for
each block of 1912 inhabitants. il
will undoubtedly be one for each block
of considerable more than 100000.
House based on the present ratio
would mean an increase of about Is in
the membership, which is undesirable
II many reasons, and also out of the
question, considering the present
crowded condition of the House cham
Der.
Should there be an increase of the
ratio so as to retain the same number
OF members as at present, 391, each OF
the states north of the Ohio and east
Minnesota and the Dakotas, would
probably lose one or more of it's pres
ent representation. 1t is in this terri
tory that the Republican party wins its
presidential battles.
Speaking very Conservatives, the
addition of Is to 20 ELECTORAL votes to
the South, and the taking away of q
like number from the sure Republican
states of the North and East, would
probably make the next presidential
election a very interesting affair, re-
CARELESS of the candidates and the is
sues. Especially will this be true if
existing Republican dissatisfaction
should continue in some of the Re-
publican states of the central West.
notably Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa
Kansas and Nebraska Viewed from
any standpoint,<the situation is oneI
sufficiently serious to-Gause Republic
cans to sit up and take notice.
J. Harry O'Brien, a prominent bust
ness man of Indianapolis, who has
been spending several days in this
city, says of political conditions in his
state: 5iEl
Indiana seems to be drifting back
into the Democratic column. The tariff
is responsible for this change. Senator
Beveridge can be returned to the SEN
ate next year, but it is only his posi-
ton as an insurgent that has made his
position secure. The only excuse the
people of Indiana will accept next year
for the election of a Republican Leg
islature is the assurance that such a
Legislature will return low tariff
Republican to the Senate.
Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kansas, and ev-
en- Illinois, are filled with low-tariff
sentiment. 1t will be only question
of a few years when this sentiment
will crystalize into a power that will
drive all these states into the Demo-
cratic column, unless a change takes
| place"