The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-10-26
Public Forum
elLcHRIsr ON AppoRrIoNMENr.

unfairness of the same to South Florida.
The present constitution provides, for 81
senators and SO representatives, the first
apportionment to be made in 1887 and
every 10 years thereafter. In 1887, such
was made. AS every county was entitled
to p a representative no new counties
could be made except during the years
OF superintendent. In 1900, the constitu-
ton was amended, providing that any
now county that may be created snau De
entitled to one member IN the mouse OF
representatives in excess Of the limit
(6S) until the apportionment following
next thereafter
In 1897 the legislature passed Joint
resolution that the then apportionment
should remain until 1907 and including
1907. Since that time no apportionment
has been made.
The constitutional amendment to be
voted on in November, provides for not
exceeding SO senators. representatives
to the counties having 100000 or more of
populations representatives for those
having between 900 and 900;
representatives for those having between
H. 500 and SO, 900; ! representative to
those having less than 1880. The ap-
portionment is to be made In 1873 ana
every 10 years thereafter. If the legis-
lature fails to make such ,apportionment.
the governor is to call an extra session
1t is also the governors duty TO invite
the attention of the legislature TO its
dutv of making such apportionment at
the sessions in which such should be
made.
The north boundary of Marion and
Levy counties have heretofore been TAX
EN- as the north boundary of South Flor
ida. The prolongation OF such boundaries
places FIagler' and Dixie counties IN
South Florida. As Of the population and
10
Putnam county is placed in North Flor /
ida. BY the federal census of 1920, Flor
ida has a population Of 968,470. North ,
Florida has a population of 516.O45.-o4i i
representatives. l representative to 1903.
South Florida has a population OF 452,42o,
-4S representatives, one representative to /
1885, This is according to amendment
now proposed. The population of North +
and South Florida is on the guess that
Dixie county, the new South Florida
county has 1000. 1t has probably less
than 1900. North Florida has probablyl
500 more and South Florida 500 less
Based on population, the representation
In the house could not possibly be fairer.
Can any one possibly find any tyranny
or injustice in this new apporttonment!
Since the adoption Of the present con-
stitution in 1885, only North Florida
have been created, Bay, Okla
loosa and Union; 1 representative each
total, representatives. AS against this
Tyranny and injustice, 19 South Flor
ida counties have been created, Brow
ard. Citrus, DeSoto, F'lagler, Lee, Okee-
chobee, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, FL
nellas, St. Lucie, Seminole. Charlotte
Dixie, Glades, Hardee, Highlands sara
sofa, representative each, and Lake,
. representatives. 10 South Florida coun-
ties, with 20 representatives. No dis
against South Florida in
this.
There are now 81 counties, created in
1921, in South Florida, ! IN North
Florida II this proposed amendment IS
voted down in November, the next ap-
portionment> under the constitution is
1927, By the end of that session, there
viii be undoubtedly over SO counties,
ach county. to have at least represent
tative, IS representatives being the limit.
4 physical and mathematical impossi-
bility. In spite of this, l see that the
county Chamber of Commerce OF very
progressive and prosperous South FLOR
ida County, with dissenting voice, has
rolen,nlv declared THAT a fair andI
equitable e-apportionment Of the leGis-
lature could and should be secured for
the people of Florida under the existing
provisions 70 the constitution in 1927
Moses and Solomon combined could not
make such an apportionment. some al
yocate a senator to every county Geor
via. according to the New York World {
In,anac has 619 more square miles than
same area. WIN -
to Florida's 4, Georgia mas
roughly 3 times the population OF Florida
Georgia has 100 counties They are Great
NO new counties at every annual ses
sion of its legislature. In the course OF
time, Florida will have fully l15 counues.
lust to think Of a state senate or ITO
senator's, with only 9S In the Cmteo
states senate. Georgia has now only ol
senator's. No senatorial district has less
than 3 counties. The senatorial districts
in which are Atlanta, Savannah, Au-
Zusta, Macon, etc, have each counties
Under this proposed amendment, If the
legislature fails to reapportion, the duty
IF the governor is to call an extra Ses-
sion, throwing the odjum of the cost OF
same upon the legislature. AS the num-
yer of the representatives, under this
amendment is unlimited, there is not the
motive for refusing to reapportion as
here is under the present constitution
when the reapportionment Is
made the number is cut to g.. If the
legislature Of 1923, 1928, 1927, (the year
II which reapportionment should be {
made under the present constitution)
we're to create only 7 counties. the num- (
yer created in one session. 1921. there
you'd be So counties. No county could
hen have more than. / representative. No
legislature would make any such appor-
ionment No reapportionnent will again
,e made under the present constitution.
Under this amendment, Hamilton and
Nassau counties, North Florida counties,
vii! each lose d representative. No South
florida county will lose a representative.
Jnder the letter Of this amendment.
sradford county, North Florida county,
riII retain its representatives, popula-
ion 2,503.-this possibly in spite of
-nion county having been created from
in 1921 Manatee county, a South
florida county. under the letter of this
population 1912, viii gain
representative-this possibly in spite
+ Sarasota county having been created
rom 1t in 1921.
Now, is there any injustice, unfairness
= tyranny" as between North and
south Florida, in this proposed amend
nept? ..>
i've fat IN