The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-06-24
Unequal Representation

The MISSISSIPPI HreSS Association II IL Tecen conVeH-
ton at Biloxi adopted a resolution requesting the state leg
islature to submit to the people of Mississippi a constitu-
tional amendment which would provide for more equit-
able representation in that body on the basis of county
populations.
In taking the above action the publishers of the state
put their fingers on a situation that, since the Constitution
of 1890, has resulted in present-day inequalities of repre-
sentation that are almost unbelievable and provides for a
situation whereby a few Delta and Northeast Mississippi
counties are the proyerbial tail that wags the Mississippi
dog.
Let's look at the record a minute:
According to Section 2e of the Constitution of
1890. which Is still In effect. the state was gerrymandered
Into three sections. Each county was allowed a minimum
of one representative under the setup. but with the fol-
lowing provisions; tU A group of 20 counties. mostly in
the Northeastern section Of the state. could not have less
than A Representatives; t) another group of 20 counties.
which includes Jackson county and most of Southeastern
Mississippi. could not have less than a. representatives;
(l the other counties of the state. numbering 80. could
not have less than II representatives. The authors of the
Constitution then hog-tied these provisions by also pro-
viding. Cd The state as a whole could not have more than
1872 Representatives; t2) the number of representatives
could be reduced only IF the same be uniform in each
of the three said divisions"
There you have it i%ron-bound and alright. One
quarter of the voting population is given three-quarters of
the representation in the state Legislature and the only
way the situation can be changed is through the consent
of the legislature!
Here are a few more facts:
"A group OF IL counties In Northeast MISSISSIPPI stretch
ing from the Delta along the Tennessee line have a total
of 50 representatives in the state legislature.
These counties are Coahoma, Quitman, Tunica, Pamela,
Tate, De Soto, Marshall, Lafayette, Pontotoc, Union, Ben
ton, Tippah, Alcorn, Prentiss, Tishomingo, Lee and TIA
wanda.
The sprawling 9th Mississippi Congressional District,
which is composed of 10 counties, including Jackson and
Harrison, have a total of 18 representatives in the state
legislature. Other counties in this group are Lawrence,
jefferson Davis, C~ovington, Jones, Wayne, Marion, Lamar,
Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George and
Hancock.
Population facts are these: The 1910 federal census
gives the IT Northeast counties a total white population
of 2a2.sss. and the ls Southeast counties a total white
population of 23l.246. Application of simple arithmetic
shows that in the Northeast counties there is one repre-
sentative for each 1000 of white population and in the
Southeast counties one for each $4,000.
Then take the case of Harrison and Jackson counties.
The 1910 census figures gives the two a total white popu-
lation of 56,956. Between them they have three represen-
tatives in the state legislature. Let's compare this to Pamela
county in the Northeastern group. Panolas census figure
shows a white population of 1876, yet they elect three
direct representatives to the legislature. Then there is
Noxubee county which had a 1910 white population figure
OF 5,640, and also elects three direct representatives to the
legislature. This figures out to one representative for each
$4,000 of population in Harrison and Jackson counties; one
for each $500 of population of Pamela county, and one for
each 1900 of population in Noxubee county.
These figures, however, are not as revealing as they
might be for there has been a shift of population to the
Southeastern counties during the past 10 years which has
made the situation even worse.
What's the answer? You can figure that one out as well
as we can. Personally, we think the tail will continue to
wag the dog for some time yet.