The Washington herald., 1910-12-04

Recent newspaper stories indicate that
the fate of the 'gerrymander" hangs IN
the balance. Interest In this is increased
because of the fact that Caleb Powers
run for Congress in the Eleventh
Congressional district Of Kentucky. The
formation of the district Is in issue be-
fore the Supreme Court OF the United
States 20 determine a States power 10
gerrymander it's territory
Unless the Supreme Court throws tho
case out on a question of Jurisdiction
or some other point OF law the decision
may have a widespread bearing on the
proposed reapportionment OF next year.
Kentucky Republicans claim that the
Democratic State legislature has always
manipulated matters so as 10 make Con-
gressionaI districts as safely Democratic
as possible, and case was brought be-
fore the courts of Kentucky to determine
how far redistricting might be attempted.
The courts there held that they were
not clothed with powers 10 question the
discretion exercised by the legislature
In redistricting z State for Congressional
purposes.
GeFrymandeFfng In 1912.
The word gerrymander came out OF
Massachusetts during the year these
United States tried conclusions with
Great Britain for the second time. The
apportionment act Of February Il, 1872,
suggests the name, owing TO the fact
that some of the districts were formed
into fantastic shapes. Towns were sep
arated and single towns were insulated
from their proper counties. As a matter
of history it stands almost alone as the
rankest biz OF work Of the character ever
attempted in American politics.
The word gerrymander has been the
means Of most widely perpetuating the
memory of Gov. ElbTidge Gerry He was
probably not the originator OF the appor-
tiOnment law of 1872, but he gave the
measure sufficient approval 10 enable IT
20 be enacted into law Before the bill
was debated In the legislature the gov
ernOr was accused Of engendering pOiitl-
cal animosities and party spirit.
Elbridge Gerry was one OF the most
iliustrious Of the early American states
men. Born in Marblehead, Mass, July
II, l7H, he graduated from Harvard Col
lege in 1862 His father, who was born
in England was a successful merchant
and young Gerry entered his counting
house when he graduated from school.
He rapidly became one OF the most sue
cessful. influential. and wealthy meT-
chants OF the day.
Big Coup Accomplished.
The famous gerrymander was carried
out during his second term. and this re-
suited n his defeat at the following cleo
ton, in 1872. However. his devotion to
his party was rewarded. and he was made
Vice President cf the United States. sue
ceeding George Clinton. who died in Of
flee during the administration OF James
Madison. He also died in Office, and his
tomb. in Washington, bears the inscrip-
ton:
The Tonb Of
ELBRIDGE GERRY.
Vice President Of the United States who dad
suddenly On his way to the Capitol. Press
dent Of the Senate.
November q. 1914.
Aged 70.
A gerrymander is not a natural con-
ditiOn or division. It is one established
especially for election purposes and
formed Intentionally In particular man
ner for partisan advantage II IS always
formed with a design and IN preference
to divisions which would be more favor
able 10 the opposition.
II is the aim or the party forming
the gerrymander to make its votes count
the most in an election and the vote
of the opposition as little as possible
The result is usually accomplished by
forming into q few districts territory
where the vote is overwhelmingly IN IA
vor of the opposition. and, on the other
hand, by spreading out the vote OF the
dominant party 10 carry the remaining
districts by a safe margin. II IS a sys-
TEN OF political discrimination for the
purpose of taking an undue advantage
of a rival
Despite efforts 20 destroy its effects,
II has grown and fiourished, and to-day
it is a recognized force in party politics.
To quote DR.. Griffith; "One of the politi-
cal practices most threatening to a re-
publican form of government continues
20 be the gerrymander."