Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-12-24
CONGRESS-.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE

IHesrlay, December II.
The House having resolved itself into
committee OF the whole, OH the State OF
the Union, Mr.. SMITH of Md. in the
clair:
The Proposition made by Mr.. Pickens
to recommend 10 the States an amend
ment To The Constitution, 10 esta blish an
uniformity OF the mode of Election (bv
DistTIcts) in all the States, of Represents
tives TO Congress and Electors Of Prns;-
dent and Vice President, was read.
Mr.. Piehens of n. G. rose 10 sunport his
proposition-In no other case can il be
more important, he said. that the law
should be fixed and uniform. than in the
exercise of the right of suffrage. This is
the only link between the people and
their government. To preserve This con
nexion, this right should not only be ex-
ercised III feet. but in such manner as 10
ensure II confidence and respect. Forthis
purpose If would seem essential that The
mode otelection should he fair in relation
TO different parts that it should be free
from sudden changes that il should be
as direct communication of the public
VIII as conveniently might be, and in a
manner the most pure.
III orr system of government is worthy
OF falr trial, 1T must be an urgent duty
on us TO apply IFS fundamental powers so
as 10 perform properly their several func-
tons. The public will being the centre
OF motion, Its influence must be proDer-
" impaired TO the surrounding bodies or
the experiment will be unfair. and fine
system may become deranged with this
view the present amendment to the Con
stitution has been offered.
MIR. 7. sad the proposition now before
the committee was so plain in itself, and
had been so often brought into view in
the different states, as well as before this
DOdy on several occasions, that he would
only present few leading ideas which in
duced him TO hope for its adoption.
The Resolution proposed to engraft no
new principle into the Constitution but
to prescribed mode ofexercising one ofthe
clearest and most valued rights which we
hold under that instrument mode as
Oh as the government itself At first,
when intrigue and state struggling had
not polluted our elections. IL was the
most general mode practise,l by most of
the states, and is still continued bv some
OF them. The objection, therefore, which
is urged by some, that " the features of
our government should not be altered, .
VIII not apply to the proposed amend
merf, lnasmucI as it embraces no new
feature, and fixes upon a uuifoyr, rnIe
rendering it unalterable bv the varying
views OF the states and the changes of
factions and times. The reason of the
objection IS one OF the strongest argu-
nrents III favor OF establishing fixed rule
Tor The exercise of or SURFACES. which
snail become venerable from long and un-
anered usage, and or principles which
VIII be equal and fair to all parties, to all
parts OF the country, and at all times.
Another objection have heard TO one
Dra.-ch OF this amendment, is, that Con
greSs already possesses the power of re-
gulatlng the elections of REPRESENTATIVES,
IL Is a sufficient answer TO say that Con
gress never has yet ventured to touch fhe
subject, so extremely delicate is if yie,v-
ed. Indeed, Congress should never be
allowed to touch it, unless TO make such
regulations as should be peroet,sal.--
The consequence of allowing this bodv
to be changing The mode of exerci-
sing this fundamental rig.l4, would he
viewed by some Of tile states with GREAT
jealousy, particularly where it miybf Inc
construed as is done with the view of oa;,-
ing some unfair political advantage and
IT might often happen that the icalousv
would be too well founded. TO avoid
therefore, all causes for future hearth burn
Ings, IN times when intrigue and faction
snail prevail, would it not be prudent at
tins season of serenity, when there Is
no particular contest IN view. TO estal,-
iish, unaterably, such regulations as
WI be just and fair, and least liable TO n
buse ~
Steadiness and uniformity in thc mode
OF election of either the Represeptatives
or the Electors, is only attainable bv q
81 f1f