Another reason for this decision was that in so doing, the State could be more fairly apportioned.

The Republican counties could be easily made contiguous and the population in each district could be made as nearly equal as possible.

The apportionment could not have been so fairly and equitably made if the other plan had been adopted.
After the bill had been completed, it was submitted to a joint caucus of the Republican members of the two Houses, and after a brief explanation by me of its provisions it was accepted and approved by the unanimous vote of the caucus.
When it was brought before the house, a majority of the Democratic members,--under the leadership of Messrs.

Streeter, Roane and McIntosh,--fought it very bitterly.

They contended that the Democrats should have at least two of the six Congressmen and that an apportionment could have been made and should have been made with that end in view.