The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-11-17
FEW LEGISLATIVE
CHANGES CERTAIN
Marion, Lake, ST. Joseph, Al
len Counties to Get More
Representatives.
WORK FOR POLITICIANS
Reapportionment Possibili-
ties Appear as Result of
the Census Report.

day make 1t evident that there will
be a general shaking up in the next
legislative ard congressional reappor-
tionments which will be undertaken
by the coming general assembly.
The proportionate gains and losses
in the various sections OF the state
show the necessity for many changes
both in the legislative and congress
sional representation. One of the in
teresting things shown is that Marion
county is entitled to at least one more
member Of the Indiana house of repre-
sentatives, and that this county may
get two. representatives or get an
additional member of the state SEN
ate.
Inasmuch as congress in apportion-
ing to the states their representatives
in congress. will no doubt. increase
the basis of representation from 1884,
1872 the present figure, it is impossible
at this time to state with any degree
OF certainty whether Indiana will
hold it's own with thirteen representa-
tives in congress. The figures show
however, gain of 184.414 in popula-
ton in the state and the belief is this
will likely assure the state thirteen
representatives as the situation is
viewed by many politicians. Repre-
sentation in congress. however, de-
ponds upon the number of members
which congress believes the house of
representatives shall have, and upon
the varying gains and losses in popu-
lation in the several states.
Congress May Change Basis.
An interesting phase of the con-
gressional reapportionment situation
is that congress may not determine
the total number Of representatives in
congress or the number which Indi-
ana may send before the general as
gressional purposes next year. In this
event IL the states representation in
congress were changed. the state
would have to be redistricted at the
following session Of the general as
sembly.
Marion county on the basis of its
population, announced yesterday. will
be entitled to at least one additional
representative in the Indiana House
of Representatives. Lake county
which now has one member Of the
House Of Representatives and joint
representative with Newton county
win be entitled to three representa-
81 to, Al II GA
county will be entitled to three rep
resentatives on the basis OF its pres
ent population. It now has two rep
resentatives and joint represents
tive with Starke and Pulaski counties
Vigo county. which has two repre-
sentatives and joint representative
with Vermillion county, will be en-
titled to three members in the lowe,
branch of the General Assembly.
On the basis of population no coun
ty will gain "a whole senator in it,
representation in the State Senate
but mathematical basis is not an arbi
trary one and frequently Is disregard
ed in the appointments by the
General Assembly. For example, Elk
hart county has one member of thu
State Senate. The new basis would
not give the county one senator. be
cause it's population falls 5000 shor
of the required number of persons. 1
is not likely that change would b.
made fer this reason alone. however.
The basis Of representation in tn,
House of Representatives is obtained
by dividing 2.700.S76. the population
of Indiana. by 100, the number o
Representatives as limited by the con
stitution. The result gives the basil
las $1,000 people. The constitution
limits the number of senators to fit.
and the basis for determining repre-
sentatiCn in the Upper House is oh
tanned by dividing 2.700.S76 by fifty
The basis of representation in tn,
Senate. therefore is $1,000 people
Political conditions and the part.
pluralities in adjoining counties usual
Ily afford the political mathematician
a basis of reapportionment not over
Swallowed by the abstract basis o
representation in figures alone.
Increase in Marion County.
SOmputCu I'll q uIutuCndllNdl UdSi
Marion county will be entitled {
81 representatives In the Lowe
House. The increase in population
computed on the new basis would no
entitle the county to five senators
it's present representation being foHl
; with joint senator with Putnam
and Morgan counties. Marion count
might be allotted five senators an
nine representatives. or in the even
the present joint senatorial district n
mains II might possibly be allowed tie
! representative in the Lower Hous
and the difference might be made u
by a comparatively smaller represent
alton in the State Senate.
Until the meeting the Legislator
members of the Democratic state con
imittee, or their representatives. wi
, Ebe engaged in collecting material fo
, the new congressional and legislativ
apportionment bills While the appo
ttionments win naturally be influence
more or less by political consider;
lions. il is the duty Of the Geners
s Assembly to come as near as possibl
to giving the people Of the yariou
sections Of the state rs nee- eQus
: Representation rs can be arranged an
! II will be with the most careful cor