The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-26
Movement to Remove Shawnee
From First District.
P0ttawatomie and Wabaunsee
Changed to the First.
St. MARYS IN THIS COUNTY?
Petitions Are Out to Add Lively
Little City to Shawnee.
Effort May Be Made in Legisla-
ture at Redistricting.

1t is probable that an effort may be
made at this session Of the legislature
to redistrict Kansas congresSionaily
and that proposals may be submitted
to put Shawnee county back In the
Fourth district. Such a change would
mean that Pottawatomie and possibly
Wabaunsee county would be placed in
the First district.
With the numerous changes sug-
gested for judicial reapportionments OF
the state, several propositions have
been suggested which would mean
reapportionment of the eight congress
sional districts. The suggested changes
would affect at least the First and
Fourth districts. A change which
would put Shawnee county back in the
Fourth district would probably be OPP
posed by all First district Republicans
in the legislature. as the county Is re-
garded as the backbone Of the Repub-
lican strength. On the other hand, it
is urged. the county's geographical To-
cation would make return to the
Fourth district impractical. Both Wa
baunsee and Pottawatolnie counties are
also badly located geographically.
In st. Marys township, POttawatomie
county, petitions are being circulated
asking the legislature to put the town.
ship in Shawnee county. This district
includes the town of st. Marys and is
one of the Democratic strongholds in
the Fourth district. Perhaps this move
ment is in a way responsible for the
undercurrent sentiment for several
changes in the congressional districts. .
The loss of st. Marys township would
be opposed. it is understood. by Con-
gresham Doolittles friends in the
legislature. Acquisition of the district
would likewise be opposed by friends
OF Congressman Anthony of the First
district. Because of this peculiar sit,
uation. report has become current
to the effect that bill may be drawn
changing the First and Fourth. districts.
In Fourth District Years Ago.
A number of years ago. Shawnee
county was part of the Fourth dis
trict. That was in the days. when
there were but seven congressional
districts In Kansas and an eighth con-
gresham was elected from the state
at large. Charles Curtis, United
States senator elect, was for a num-
Der of years the districts representa-
tive in Washington. After the state
was redistricted congressionally, Cur
tbs was for several terms sent to con-
gress from the First district.
Under the existing conditions, the
Fourth district Is regarded as reason
ably safe for the Republicans, al
though the split in the party has twice
resulted in the election of a Demo-
cratic congress. In the First district,
Shawnee county is relied upon to keep
the district safely in the Republican
column. For these reasons, political
observers figure a change would not
improve conditions. The house, being
safely Republican. would be expected
to defeat the measure if it came up for
consideration. On the other hand, the
Democratic senate might encourage
the move.
u A house committee on congressional
reapportionment was appointed last
week by Speaker Stone.s Several men,
bers of that committee declared to-
day that no reapportionment bill had
been prepared by the committee.