The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-10-02
MORE MEMBERS
IN HOUSE LIKELY
Congressional Leaders Be-
lieve Number Will Be
Increased to 500
STATES JEALOUS ."a ,-a.I
OF THEIR INFLUENCE

Congress May Reduce southern repre-
sentation Because Of Disfranchiseinent
of Many Negroes This Is Provided
for i'm 14th Constitutional Amendment {.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Oct. 2.-As
a result of the census just taken con-
gress will soon have to take up the
basis of representation in the house OF
representatives, or of increasing the
number of representatives in the house.
Under the present apportionment each
house member theoretically represents
a population of 211, SIT. There are 43o
house members. As it works out IN
practice each house member now ac-
tually represents 210,504 population.
The new census gives continental Uni
ted States a population of approx
mately 1O5, 100000. If the present ratio
of representation is maintained the
house membership would be increased to
about 500 members. 1t is the problem
of congress to allow this increase, which
would add about 65 members to the
house or to increase the ratio OF popu-
Iation so that the number of representa-
tives will remain the same-435. Or
congress can so increase the ratio that
the present number-433-can be re-
dueed.
After the 1910 census the membership
of the house was increased from sd
to 49, 1t is believed, from interviews
with congressional leaders, that the next
session will enlarge the house MEMBER
ship to about 500.
In all probability this will be done de-
spite arguments of some leaders .tbut
they are in the minority that the house
membership is now too large and un-
wieldy to effectively, and particularly ex-
peditiously, transact congressional busl-
ness. Opponents of a reduction in mem
bership point to the membership of the
English house of commons, which num-
beers more than 700 and is a model for
the. transaction of public business.
The principal influence, however,
which will prevent any reductions in
the house membership, and which will
work for increased representation is the
jealousy of every one of the states, all
of which fear that a reduction in the
number of their house representatives
would reduce their influence, as states,
in the national legislature. In so called
doubtful states" where Republicans
and Democrats are almost on a voting
equality in numbers, both parties will
resist any reduction of representatives,
both fearing that a Encouragement Of
congressional ul6tflcLS WOut0 ulSLuFD
their possible political control.
There is only one chance that con-
gress may reduce the number of repFesen-
tatives. If the Republicans retain con
troll of congress, which now seems GER
tain with an increased majority in the
house and senate, they may decide to
reduce the number of house representa-
tives from the southern states. This
would be done on the ground that mil
al "a Of
southern states are disfranchised The
Republicans argue that as practically
all Negroes are disfranchised by var.
iOus devices in the South a large per
eentage of the population of the IL
southern states is not allowed to have
representation in congress, and that
scores of representatives from the South
are not entitled to seats in the house
on this ground.
The 14th amendment to the cOnsti
tuition provides that when the right tC
vote is denied to any of the inhabitants
Of state, or in any way abridged, ?
the basis of representation therein shall
be reduced in the same proportion which
the number of disfranchised citizens
shall bear to the whole number of cit
liens of such state. This undoubtedly
gives Republican congress- authority
to reduce representation in the house
from southern states which have dis
tranchlsed the Negro The Southern
states now have los house members
This number would be reduced mater
tally if congress sees fit to enforce the
II amendment. -r .--- ~.
For many years Republicans in con,
gress have threatened TO reduce southern
representation in the house Disfran
chisement of the Negro women in the
South, despite the 10Th amendment, NAV
Dflhg the matter to a head in the next
congress. ,s..+ -.-