Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-01-02

nv legislation by the presen, congress woulo
he defnitiye, or whether it would not IN
fac, leave the question yet open Tor The de-
cision Of the congress.
Mr.. Anderson said, that supposing this to
be, according to the suggestion OF the gen.
,leman from South Carolina, preliminary
law only, yet, being passed, it would be
considered by the naxt congress binding en-.
them so as to make the actual declaration OF
the number of representatives to whicheach
state should be entitled, alatter of course.
The only objection to the proposed course
which had ever suggested itself TO his mind,
was, that it would leave uncertain the exact
number of members of which the house OF
representatives would be composed. Yet,
he believed, though the number could not
be exactly ascertained,, it could be nearly
so, and that fcongress legislated on the sub
ject at the present sess on. the total number
Of representatives would be less than at pre-
sent.
MIR. Fuller said be much approved The
reason which had been assigned tor fixing
The ratio of representation at the present
session but be thought The purpose could
have been better attained at the last session
Of congress than at the present, because
members could not by possibility have OBJ
Iained any partial information which would
have an influence on the decision Of any
one of them On the question. At the pre-.
sent session, said he, we are not in that ST.
iuation.
The states least remote can come pretty
near certainty as to the amount of their
POPULATION, and some states may have an &C
curate knowledge of their numbers. Il de-
ternned now, moreover, the decision would
be liable 10 be reversed at tho next session.
He was therefore, inclined TO oppose the
resolution.
Mr.. Anderson said, if the population of
the respective states were now really known
the fact would he good argument against
his motion. He had supposed an entire ig-
norance prevailed on that Subject. For him
self he said. he did not know the popula-
tioHeren of the village in which he lived,
muc! less OF the state which he represent
ed. He did not admit, that decided now,
the subject would yet be open at the next
session. All the next congress would have
TO do would b., 20 pass law conforming
the nj, rnber Of representatives to the princi-
pie established in the preceding law That,
he believed, might be done without law;
but he supposed it would be most formal
7ond proper to-ao !. by law.
Mr.. Campbell said, If the resolution en-
braced an affirmative proposition, he should
say it was ineXpedient to pass it. He did
believe, he said, that from many OF the
states information might now be obtained
which would influence the decision of this
house as TO The ratio of presentation
MIR. &. also believed, ii partial information
could be guarded against. there would yet
be as much difficulty in legislating en- the
subject now as at the next session, and the
same Imposition to large ratio from the sp-
preheHion Of lis reducing The numbers of
representatives from some OF the states. On !
the I'D inner occasions, although difficulties |
had cfurred, the ratio had been always
liked within the proper time, and, as far as
he knet, to The general satisfaction of the !
10 fl,a L al
case at he next session. Every man cannot
realizesis own wishes, and the majority OF
opinions must at last decide. Under ali
The circumstances, he thought il best to de-
fer this matter TO the next session, when
congressional act with the aid of all the
lights tht could be thrown upon it. =!
: Dir. Stith, of Maryland, said, as this re-
soIution proposed enquiry only, he saw no
obJectlorto IT. The committee would en-
quile fu!y into the subject, and report the
result ofheir deliberations. ItwouId then
be time cough to debate the main question,
which VS. not presented by the question
now belize the house.
1hesqestion being then taken on agree
ing to thresolve, was decided in The AFR
native. And Messrs. Anderson, Lowndes,
Fuller, campbell, and Storrs, were APP
pointed committee accordingly, under
said resoltion.
The piers Of the day were called over !: {
but man. members being absent, and nc !
disposlto appearing to call up business I
The hose, on motion Of MIR. Hill, ad- i
journedtTuesday.