Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-28
Congressman Beedy
on ReapportiOnment

Washington, II. G., Feb. 91-tSpe.
: ciaD-It is commonly accepted in ,hs
House of Representatives that no 70.
apportionpent bill will be reported
until the next session of Congress The
last attempt to call a party csucus
was blocked by those conEressmen WAC
believe that it would Re- unNise 10 re.
district the country at this time. The
prime movers of the plan IN rcdistr.c.
called this caucus in the hope ~ over.
riding the recent action Of tho Gems,
committee when Congre s.man Besiy
successfully led the fight To- abandon
the repeating of any rcappnrt ,onmert
bill during this session Of Congress
The caucus itself proved Ineffective
on account of the failure to secure
quorum. Congressman Beody had been
active for days prior to Tho calling II
the caucus, gradually increasing the
number Of those who would arree 70
absent themselves from the meeting
His efforts, combined with those =.
his colleagues in this project cuimi.
rated in victory.
When seen in his Office today Mr.
Becdy expressed his satisfaction VIII
the final outcome Of this fight which
has been long drawn out and Warmly
wagcd.
1t will be recalled that Maine's new
congressman made known his attitude
on the rcapportionmcnt bill not long
after he took up his duties at the ,ap-
itaL. Later, in his maiden speech IN
the floor of the House. he implured rha
members to abandon any rcarportlou.
mcnt plan which would deprive Maine
of congressman. while saving repre-
sentatiyes in other states. lie declsr.
cd that if the good of the country de-
manded no further increase IN the
size Of the House OF Representatives.
Maine was ready to make a sacrifice
provided ether states make equal sac.
rifices.
When il became evident that The
opposition was bent on reporting q
bill which would increase tho member.
ship of the House but deprive Maine
of one of her repre- sentativos, tho con.
gresham of the First District began
fight to prevent the reporting of an
rcapportionmcnt bill whatever. \ cog-
test along these lines has been wag'i
during the entire winter.
Those favoring immediate reap.
portionment. through their failure 90
secure quorum i'll tho caucus. " Re
unable to override the action 81 the
census committee. Thus victory comes
70 Maine!
The congressman from the First
District expressed himself rs bcheT.
ing that this victory results in a real
service To the country and his party
as well. His position is that not only
has injustice been prevented, but great
expense saved TO many states when
would have been forced TO convtf,
special sessions of their legislatures
and redistrict under the requirements
of any new apportionment bill. inci.
dcntally, adds Congressman Besdy
the Democrats have been deprived OF
strong campaign argument. namely
that the Republicans were anxious -
redistrict at this Sc ssion for tho pur'
pose of gerrymandering tho doubtful
states, and thereby 'insurirg the r.
publican party en- increased majority
IN the next Congress"
1t is quite generally conceded N
Washington that the new member
from the First District Of Maine was
an important factor in thwarting rho
efforts of those states hcrt IN imm+-
Giate reapportionment and has tta'
been largely responsible for saving
Maine her fourth congressman for ire
next two years.