The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-06-07
In conducting campaigns for nomina-
ton and election.
legislative Reapportionment.

In conducting campaigns Tor nOmlne'
ton and election.
Legislative Reapportionment.
Section %, Article Nv, of the Con-
~stitution Of the state, provides: The
legislature shall provide by law for
an enumeration of the inhabitants OF
this state in the year 1866 and every
tenth year thereafter. At their first
session after each enumeration so
made and also at their first session
after each enumeration made by the
authority Of the United States, the
legislature shall have the power to
prescribe the bounds of congressional,
senatorial and representative districts,
and to apportion NEW the senators
and representatives among the sew
eral districts, according to the provi-
sions Of Section 2 of this Article"
Section 2, Article Nv, provides:
"The number Of members who COM
pose the senate and house of repre-
sentatives shall be prescribed by law,
but the representation in the senate
shall never exceed one member for
every 5000 inhabitants, and in the
house of representatives one member
for every W. thousand inhabitants.
The representation in both houses
shall be apportloned equally through.
out the different sections of the state,
in proportion to the population there
of, exclusive Of Indians not taxable
under the provisions of law"
The last legislative apportionment
was made in 1897, over fifteen years
ago., and it is a matter of common
knowledge that representation in our
legislature today is grossly unequal
under the constitutional provisions
just quoted.
In the last campaign all political
parties in their platforms distinctly
pledged the people a legislative reap
portionment as required by the cOn-
stitution. You were unable to pass
a legislative reappOrtiOnment at the
last session, but in this special ses-
sion, with but few subjects pressing
for your consideration, failure to pass
a legislative reappOrtionment in ac-
cOrdance with the constitution would
be a deliberate defiance Of the right
of the people to govern themselves.
To deny the people equal representa-
ton in the lawmaking branch of their
government is 10 strike down the
fundamental principle of popular gov.
eminent by subjecting the majority to
the rule of the minority.
l earnestly recommend the early
passage Of a legislative reapportion-
ment% according to the constitution.
Direct Election of United States Sen.
ators.
The legislature of Minnesota has
repeatedly memorialiZed the congress
to provide for the direct election Of
United States senators, and congress
has at last proposed such an amend
ment. / herewith transmit this amend.
ment for your consideration and rec
ommend it's immediate ratification.
Federal Income Tax.
The last legislature failed to ratify
the proposed amendment to the Unit.
ed States constitution providing for a
federal income tax, and l herewith
again transmit this proposed amend.
ment for your consideration and rec.
Ommend its ratification.
Congressional Reapportionment.
Since your adjournment congress
has assigned ten members of the ma.
tional house of representatives to the
state of Minnesota, instead Of nine,
as at present. This necessitates the
redistricting of the state into ten con.
| gressional districts, and there Is nc
valid reason why this session should
appOrtiOnment.
A. o. EBERHART,
Governor of Minnesota.