Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-12-06

and equitable" reapportionm
Alfred l. Seaman, general
counsel of the Maryland Com
nnittee for Fair Representation,
asked the 10 delegates and State
Sen. Gilbert Guide to ''be very
chary about supporting any re-
apportionment proposals that
are introduced in the next ses-
sion Of the General Assembly,
unless they provide for fair
and equitable reapportionment
of the State Senate"
It was Scanlan's successful
court arguments last year that
led to reapportionment of the
House of Delegates. AS a re-
suit, the number of Montgom-
cry delegates was increased
from six to 10.
The court order directing the
House reapportionment, how
ever, upheld the present State
Senate make-up-one senator
from each of % counties and six
from Baltimore City-and the
Fair Representation Committee
has noted an appeal with the
United States Supreme Court.
Nineteen Of Maryland's
counties are small ones and
when the General Assembly
convenes for a 90-day session
In January the senators from
urban areas will hold sway in
the upper chamber. Urban
delegates now dominate the
House, however, as a result
of the reappOrtiOnment.
Unless the State Senate Is re-
apportioned, Seaman told the
newly-elected legislators at a
public hearing on upcoming
legislation, "our previous efforts
to secure fair representation in
the General Assembly will con-
stitute an exercise in futility."
On the subject of creating a
new Congressional district t,
Seaman said he doubted if it
would be possible to secure a
fair revision of Maryland Con-
gressional districts until such
time as the legislature itself is
reapportioned on a basis which
provides the urban and subur-
ban areas with equitable repre-
sentation."
A new eighth congressional
district was created by the Gen.
eral Assembly last year, made
up of Prince Georges and How
ard Counties. State residents,
led by the League of Women
Voters, successfully petitioned
for statewide referendum on
the question, and the new dis
trict was thrown out in the No
vember balloting.
Until a new district is ere
ated, the present congressman
at large will serve the entire
state. Proposals for creation
of such a district will be con-
sidered at the Forthcoming
session.
Seaman also asked the coun-
ty legislators to take the lead
asking the legislature to outlaw
the so-called unit rule system
which requires candidates to
win county units in primary
elections rather than win on the
basis of total popular vote.
Georgia had a similar system
which has been struck down by
the lower courts and Scanlan
expressed confidence the U. S.
Supreme Court would sustain
these rulings. That would mean
an end to the Maryland system
too, Scanlan pointed out
He said he disliked seeing the
courts interfering in matters
that ordinarily are thought of as
the business of the legislature
Nevertheless, when legisla
tive action or inaction denies
basic constitutional rights, such
as the exercise of citizens
voting franchise, then the courts
Of the nation and state become
our last resort.
"Still it would be nice, just
this once" he said in urging
the county legislators TO take
the lead, eff the General As
sembly acted to protect cOnst-
tutiOnal rights before 1t be-
came necessary for a court to
direct their attention to that
duty"
In a final plea, Scanlan sale
he believed county lawmaker.
should back a legislative pro
posal-already Endorsed by the
Maryland Legislative Council
calling for a gubernatorial-ap
pointed commission that would
study and report on the need o.
desirability for substantial re
vision of the present Maryland
Constitution.