Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-08-17
TUESDAY, AUGUST IL. 1920.
G'ssulas''S GVsn,ns YestsSdsy assdS 1870
WilminRton's Representation.

) Larger political representation for the
CITY Of Wilmington in our General Assem-
bly. by reason of the city's rapid increase
in business and population, is again to
the fore and will demand some measure
of consideration Wilmington Democrats
have started a movement for larger
representation in future Democratic State
Conventions, and their request VIII be
acted upon by the convention to be held
in Dover on Tuesday, September Ia.
And the subject, with especial reference
to a larger representation of Wilmington
in both houses Of the Legislature, is being
discussed in the editorial columns OF Re
publican newspapers.
This contest for increased representa-
ton has been going on for more than halt
century, in an incidental manner, but no
change was made from the old basis OF
equal county representation until the
Constitutional Convention of 1897 estab-
lished the prevailing basis, which gives
TO Wilmington two Senators and i've
REPRESENTATIVE out of the seven Senators
and fifteen Representative allotted 10
all of New Castle county, and to Kent and
Sussex counties each FIVE Senators and ten
Representatives And this seems to be as
liberal representation for Wilmington
and New Castle county as the two lower
counties are willing to concede.
Consideration Of this subject is not al all
partisan. Delaware Democrats below the
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal-and
not few above that line-flrmly beiieve
in euualparty division in their State con-
ventions and have never deviated from
this plan. The Republican party. as far
back as 1864, declared emphatically Tor rep
resentation according to population IN the
General Assembly. and TO show Its good
faith made an apportionment OF delegates
In Republican State Convention in accord
with that principle. But that apportlon-
ment continues without change 10 this
dav. So that it will be seen that Republican
enthusiasm in respect of this princIpie
has waned. Such an apportionment IN
harmony with prevailing conditions would
give Wilmington more than half the dele
gates to Republican State Convention,
and no down-State Republican would
consent to that
Referring to the agitation for larger
representation for Wilmington IN the
General Assembly. the Milford Chronicle,
q Republican paper, claiming confidently
70 represent a great majority OF all the
people of rural Delaware, emphatcally
saws: There must be no change IN the
present plan of representation Ii the
Legislature from Wilmington until better
arguments and real necessities arise Tor
the welfare Of the people Of all Delaware.
Wilmington is only part OF the State,
and her population, or at least 20 per cent
of it. has no conception of pubic interests
other than that Of municipal character.
The representative propaganda campaign
may make good reading for Wilmington
folks. but it has no serious interest Tor
rural Delaware"
To this decidedly cheap manner OF dis
posing of question Of real public interest
and Importance the Morning News OF this
city Justly takes exception. 1t rightfuily
contends that the average citizen OF VIII
mington is as well informed IN State mat
ters-especially in consideration of the
State taxes he is compelled to pay-"as
the average resident Of the rural districts |
il informed about the affairs Of this city or |
of the State as a whole" Probably a |
little more SO, as the payment of taxes is a |
pressing incentive TO real interest In |
governmental affairs But aside from the |
unfairness and injustice of the present |
situation, our morning contemporary |
insists that 'the city has large |
interests which are affected by legisla-
ton" and from that view alone "the /
citys representation at Dover is not only |
unfair, but ii is ridiculous
The truth of this contention cannot be
combatted, not even shaken. 1t states
fact that the most jealous and fearsome
ruralite must admit, even though he |
stubbornly resists the slightest move in
the direction of an honest reform. But the |
puzzling question in respect of securing
any measure Of reform is: "What are You
going to do about it?'' Justice rests with
the territorial majority of the State, not
In the hands Of majority Of the peoplea
Three will outvote one every time, and in
the Legislature, which may make a
change in the desired direction, either by
to the present Constitution
or providing for Constitutional Conven-
ton, is in the control Representatives
from rural Delaware, by large majority.
The objection of all rural communities
10 an overweening influence by urban
in legislative bodies is well