The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-04-17

WIS 1ucsso" WAS poStpouSu siii alter the
census. and particular ratio should appear
To- suit the returns of the three large states,
they would supportit and carry it too, not
withstanding the large fractions it might
leave to smaller states. A disadvantage
| woald therefore result to the small states
from postponement, rather than from deci
sion now. J
Mr.. Fisk said. there was one other reason
why an superintendent should he made at
this session, wig: that it would enable the
state legislatures at their ordinary winter
sessions, to divide the states into districts.
and not subject them to the necessity of an
extra session, for the purpose. y
Mr. i-tDer1aore was against indefinite
postponement, because he was inclined to the
opinion, that the subject. ought to be acted
on at this session, but wished the re solution Ia
lie on the table day or two. He said he
was convinced, from his experience in the
manner of doing business in this House. that
1t would take nearly the whole of. the next
session OF Congress, to make. the apportion.
rnent, Fit was postponed till after the census
was taken. He had rather the resolution
had been blank as. to the ratio
Mr. Fisk modified his motion. 40 "a ~
leave il blank as to the ratio.
Mr.. BurgueH thought, that the pre..n,
was the proper.time to fix the proportion !.
becatse, alter the respective numbers of
each state were received, it would be in the
power OF the larger states to fix the ratio as
they pleased, ard at present, none of the
state jealousies could be brought into action
which would, when the returns were actually
made To get over the difficulty said to ex
ist, IN settling principle before the facts
were known, it was only necessary to saw.
that SO many members should compo.. N ].
House. If the population was smaller thai
expected, there would still be the number
deemed proper to constitute the House: and
II 1t was larger, there would be no rreat
increase OF members to the detriment of
public business. Mr.. b. said, he was f,llv
impressed with the necessity of acting nm RI +.
subject at the present session. IF postponed
| till the result of the census was known and
the particular interest of each member of
| the Horse became implicated in the decision
OF 1T, there would be extreme difscuItv in
| coming TO . decision.
| Mr.. Smile said. he could not eonce;v.
any objection to passing the resolution in ira
present shape. In this question, there was
an inconvenience on one side, and an evil on
the other. 1t was an Inconvenience. that
the House could not, with precision. ascert,;n
the population of the United States. hut from
the increase IN times past, the increase for
the last ten years might be estimated. TIL.
evil OF postponement, on the other hand IVA.
great. Mr.. S. said. he had been in Conrr.s.
when the ratio of representation had been
settled heretofore, and he had never seen
a more difficult auestion--and il ended a,
last IN bargain between the member r, Of
gains no good could arise. He nrsf.rr.d
much, deciding on the subject At the pre.en,
session.
Mr.. Rhea [of Tenn.) was anxiou, ,h,,
the subject should lie on the table day or
Two the more especially, as there was
such disagreement of opinions, a. to tn.
operation OF the measure of fixing the ratio
before hand: Coming from small stat.
himself, ne feared lest the principle shouId
operate TO the injury of the small states
He said; he had been much surprised AZ RI :.
declaration of the gentleman from PennsrI
| vania, thar the question would be- decided :
ventually Git postponed,) by individual inter.
est: II, on such question, the House w.
to be governed by individual interest what
was the nation to expect from them This
suggestion was another reason in his mind
tor the resolutions lying on the table.
Mr.. Sn'iie said. he had spoke of human
nature as he found it, even in the gentleman
from tennessee, as we'll as all others.
degree OF self concern always influenced -
divldual conduct. Whoever had assisted al
settling the representation of q state 1vo,Id
conceive the difficulty of deciding these cues.
tions.
The motion for ,indefnite po.tnonen,.n,
was negatived, Ayes 23. The motion to No.
pone to Monday, shared the same fate Ave-,
SO. The motion to lie on the tabJe ,y..
ried-53 toll
The bill concerning invalid pension.r, v,,.
ordered to third reading. "A'
The House then resolved itself inc,
committee on the bill establishing post. roads
and after making sundry amendments
the committee rose and reported the bill.
Asd the House adjourned.
TUESDAY, April 10.
On motion OF Mr.. 17orrosy. the b;i, au,ho
rising the printing of diges. of the land
laws. was ordered to be engrossed fnr 3
third reading. 'o'
The bill from the Senate, fixing the com
pensation of ministers and con.uis' res;f;no
on the coast OF Bafbary, and for other pur.
poses, was read twice, and ordered to he
read third time on Thursday.
Mr: ROOF offered the following resolution
which was agreed to, so to 81:
:" RESOLVED, That committee be apno;nt-
ed to bring in bill appointing the time for
the next meeting of Congress-"
Ihe enSrossed bill concerning invalid oen-
sioncrs was read third time and passed.
The House took up for, consideration the
report OF the committee of the whole ON tbe
bill for establishing post roads.
The bill having been gone through about
O'CLOCK, was ordered to be engrossed for a
third reading OIL Thursday.
WEDNESDAY, April il.