Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-22
Tho q. O. y. VIII Not Offend

THERE Is not one chance in the proven
bial thousand that the Republican Con-
gross will refrain from increasing the MEM
Gcrship of the House OF Representatives in
accord with the figures OF the last dccennial
census even in the undisputcd knowledge
that 1T already is too unwieldy for effective
ness, and in the further knowledge that
its efficiency would be increased with de-
crease in the personnel. Representative
Tinkhan. in the House, fought desperately
TO prevent his body from charging itself
from 435 10 4S3 members, an increase Of
more than 10 per cent but he was prompt
~ squelched in secret caucus by a vote OF
10 to AZ, and quite properly. since his whole
light was made OH the apportionment of the
South. But, defeated in the House. tho
lNnkham battle will be taken up in the SEN
ate under the leadership OF Moses, OF New
Hampshire, who will proceed along the old
stercotyped lines OF attacking the South
and demanding that its representation he
reduced on the ground that it has dis
fIanchiscd the negro The Moses plea.
however. will meet the same overwhelming
defeat that was administered in the lower
branch to Mr.. 'rinkham's measure. Tho
House Will be enlarged again, and again
after the next census, and perhaps again
and again. until the physical limitations
OF the chamber compel it to dcsist or erect
Hn annex.
There is II sort of grim humor in the
situation. Almost since Civil War days the
Republicans have been tearing their hair
periodically and demanding that the South's
representation be reduced because it pcr-
sisted in barring the negro from the polls
Attempt after attempt has been made to
encompass such result, and always it has
failed valiantly fought down by the South's
representatives. The present attempt was
expected and II has come along on schcd-
uled time. Now, however, the Republicans
"rc i'll absolute control. They can do as
they please, overriding, If they will. any
Democratic opposition. The South might
struggle. but il would be in vain. II the
Republican arguments in the past have been
sound. they are sound now Grant, for the
sake of the argument. that the South in
many instances. in self-defcuse. has kept
the negroes from the polls. STILL the Re-
pubDcans are hutiing. They will 40 nothing
to cut its representation. Why? Politics
That's the answer. In the recent election
they madc rather serious mroads on tho
solid South They have in mind further
smashing Of the Democratic hosts two years
hence, when the congressional elections
come on. They cannot afford now to do
anything that would ALLEVIATE any Of their
ncw-found Southern friends. They are too
shrewd for that. Some OF them will Illus
ter and fume, but their political eifer-
vescence will pass, and the South's repro
scntation, not only will not he cut, but it
Will be enlarged in proportion with its
growth.
IN the North, too, are States which have
increased but little in population, and there
Is no intention TO cmbittcr them by giving
to them a proportionatcly small membership
III the House. The G. o. l.. is bound hand
and foot by its political fear Of the future
and 1t will proceed along the lines set by
precedent. without regard to the effect on
the transaction OF the nations business