The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-20
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1881
Congressional Honors

Ccnneetieut's congressional delegation to- day consists of three republicans and two democrats, the latter representing the first and fourth districts At this writing it ap- pears as if four of the five ineumbents would seek renomination and reelection next year. The lone exception seems to be Representa- tive Augustine Lonergan of Hartford. Demo- crats have been mentioning his name in con- nection with the U. S. senatorial nomination of late, almost as much as Governor Gross name is heard linked with this office. It may come to the point where state leaders will prevail upon Mir Lonergan to lend his strength towards keeping the first congress sonal district democratic.
 However, it must be remembered that three seats will not give either party control of the congressional delegation after the 1852 elections There will be an extra representative to be elected due to reappor- tionment of Congress Although our Legis- lature did not provide district for this new representative an act passed in l9Zl will enable him or her to be elected at large. The General Assembly took pains to avoid any redistricting bill. We doubt very much if this state will ever be redistreted. We think the extra representative will be elected at large until we gain another one or lose the one we have just gained.
 It is barely possible that following the census of l940 our population advance will not have kept pace with that of other sec tions of the nation and as result the inte- ger of representation will entitle us to one less than we have then. However, there IS just as much chance that we will have SIX representatives. And the position of con- gressman large IS never as satisfactory as thet of the man who represents distinct constituency. The late Governor Lilley of this city expressed that thought very succnctly after he had been elected to the post of congressman -at-large. Representa- tive John Q. Tilson might also speak on tie subject as he was the states last congress man-at-large.
 A good many states have tried to recreate congressional districts in an effort to have them ready for the l932 elections. However. four states. New York. Minnesota, Missouri, and Illinois now have test cases in the court. They are disputing the method of reappor- tionment. within their own boundaries of course. It is universally agreed that reap portionment of congressional representation was needed. But how to redstrict is what puzzles most states. especially where control of the state government is divided as in New York. There is a democratic governor there. but republican legislature. Any ef- forts to gerrymander by one side are eoun- tered by the other In New York the Leg isature seeks to redistriet without permitting Governor Roosevelt any say in the matter. The courts are now asked to decide this matter. Similar cases are to be heard in the other three states.
 A good many states have followed the example of Connecticut. They didn't really copy us but they let the matter of re- distrctng just drift preferring to wait two more years before acting. However. ma jority of the thirty-two states affected by reapportionment are ready with new districts for the 1932 elections. The remainder will confer the dubious title of eongressman-at- large. We had hoped that this state would be out of that category. but must make the best of d bad situation We hope. though. that respective parties won't forget that they have an additional office to be contested next year.
 Was If Iniustice?