The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-10-21
THURSDAY FoREnooN. OCT. 81.

The debate on the subject of representa-
ton continued with great dellberation and
good feelings. Mr.. Herrick withdrew his
motion to give way for proposal which was
offered by Gen. Wingate, which was as fol-.
lows -
That the House OF Representatives first to
be elected under this Constitution, shall con
sist Of members to be chosen by the several
incorporated towns within thi. State, each
town being entitled 10 the same number as
though this Convention had not been adopted
--prou,ded, ho0euer, that all such towns and
plantations as would not be entitled TO Re-
preventative, may, by major vote and ma
tual agreement among themselves, class them
selves for The purpose OF electing Repre-
sentative; and the Representatives SO chosen
by any class shall produce 70 the House OF
Representatives, together with the proper evil
dence Of their election, an attested. copy Of
the vote Of the several towns and plantations
forming such class, TO class themselves for The
purpose of such election, end also a certificate
Of the assessors Of such towns and plantations,
of the number of polls in their respective
towns and plantations. The House of Repre-
sentatiyes to be elected on the second Monday
of Sept. 1921, and forever thereafter, shall
consist OF not less than one hundred members,
DOR more than three hundred, & shall continue
in service one year from the day next pre-
ceding the annual meeting OF the Legislature.
Provided, ho7geUsr, until The population Of
the state shall amount to 900 OO0 the number
of representatives shall not exceed $50 And
the Legislature shall, before The first day Of
May, 1921, and within every subsequent pc
Rod of at most ten years, cause the number OF
inhabitants OF the state 10 be ascertalned, ex-
elusive of foreigners not Daturallzed and IN
dams not taxed--and The number OF represent
taives shall, al The several periods Of making
such enumeration, be fixed and determined BY
the EeSislature--which members, 50 fled and
determined, shall first be apportIened by the
Legislature, emong The seral counties ia lie
state, as near as may be, according 10 their
number OF inhabitants, having regard to the re-
lahye increase OF population. And the Leg
islature shall further spportion the represen
tatives, SO assigned 10 the respective counties,
among the towns in their respective counties,
as near as may be, Oh the principle of equal
ty, giving 10 each individual town that may
be entitled thereto, upon such ratio as shall
be established by the Legislature, one or more
members, and chasing the towns g. plantations
not entitled to one member, in such manner
that each class may elect one representative.
This proposition was approved of by Col
Moody, Mr. Mailing ford, aud Judge .4mes,
who spoke at some length in lis favor, and
strenuously opposed by M. Holmes.
motion was then made 10 commit the
whole subject to a select committee. Bul
previously 70 this being done, it was requested
that every gentleman would offer his project.
Judge Cong then presented the following
The House of Representatives of The State
shall consist OF one hundred members, to be
apportloned from time 10 time equally &C.
| cording to its population, provided that attei
| the number of inhabitants amount 10 500, 600
| the number Of Representatives shall be in.