The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-11-28
WORCESTER,
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 90, 1921.
CONGRESS.
-NSsW@--

~ ol uhe wnole number OF Representatives
are new members.
1t win be recollected that, at the last ses-
sion Of the late Congress, several days were
occupied in the election Of Speaker to sup
ply the vacancy occasioned by the resignation
OF Mr.. Clay. John ". Taylor, a Representa-
tive from New-York, was finally chosen, and
discharged the duties of the Chair, as we
have understood, with much ability. 1t
would not be strange if there should be anoth-
er contest for the Chair and should there be,
1t is not easy to conjecture the probabl' re-
suit. Mr. Taylor is reelected member.
but under such circumstances as lead to the
supposition that he may fail of the support of
a majority of the New-York delegation. His
reelection was opposed on the very ground of
the circumstances attending his elevation to
the Speakers Chair; it being asserted by his
opponents, that he then protested to be un-
friendly to the administration of Gov. Clinton,
when in fact he was not. If the majority of
the New-YorlS members, who are Tin the lam
guage of the factions of that State,) cyfi-
Chntonians, or Buck-tails, are actuated by
such feelings at Washington, Mr.. Taylor will
be opposed by them. In that case, their OPP
position and their influence may prevent his
election. With the internal politicks of New
York, and with the policy of It's various fac
lions, the people of other States have no con-
cern: but whenever their feuds are permitted
to influence the acts of the Representatives of
the whole people, and to disturb that concert
which might otherwise exist, every citizen of
the Union has cause to regret their existence.
With the people of other States it is a matter
of perfect Indifference, whether Mr.. Taylor is
friendly or hostile to the administration of the
Governor of New-York. They look to his
character as a member of the National Legis-
lature; and it was for that he was raised to
the digni6ed and honorable station which he
has filled with so much dignity and ability
We earnestly hope that the Representatives
from New-York will not suffer their feelings
upon local politicks to influence them in the
election of Speaker, and that Mr.. Taylor may
be reelected by the same united vote which
first raised him to the Chair.
In addition to the subjects which we men,
toned, last week, as the most prominent of
those for the consideration of Congress, will
be that of apportioning the representation of
the. ststes according to the late census. The
decision of this subject, although of consider
bic Importance in its consequences, may seem,
upon first view. TO he unattended with diff
culties, and incapable of occasioning much
discussion or division. little examination,
however, will show that the subject will not
easily be disposed of, or settled without much
controversy.
The population of the States has so much
increased, that, unless the ratio of representa-
ton be enlarged, the number Of Representa-
lives will be SO great as not only to render
delberation more difficult, but very much to
increase the expense attending it. The. pres
ent ratio is, one Representative for every
$4,000 souls; and the whole number of Rep
resentatives is 1877. The whole number to
which the States would now be entitled. upon
the same ratio, is about 245 This number.
1t is seen at once, is much larger than is de-
sirable. Indeed the present number, 1877, is
quite large enough for every useful purpose.
1t would seem, then, that all would readily
agree to fix upon such ratio as would produce
nearly the present lumber. That ratio,
(judging as accurately as can be done from
the census returns, nearly all of which have
been published,) would be $4,000. The diff
fculty, however, which may be in the way
of agreeing upon this number, is the large
fraction which will remain to each of several
States. With this ratio, Rhode-Island would
be entitled TO but one Representative, having
population of little less than 9O,OOO.-
If it were fixed at 41,O00, Rhode4sland
would be entitled to two; but Delaware to
one only, the population of the latter State
being less than $4,000. If, therefore, the va
ito is to be so high as Al 900, Delaware may
endeavour to make it as high as $4,000, in or
der to reduce Rhode-Island, also, to one Rep
resentative: and if it is to be raised so high
as $4,000, both Rhode-Island and Delaware
may attempt to increase it to $4,000 or more,
in order to make the whole number of Repre-
sentatives as small as possible. We instance
these two States TO show the nature of the
difficulties which not improbably viii occur. If
tile subject were to be settled by the House of
REPRESENTATIVES, alone, these obstacles would