Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-02-05
From the National Tnieiiige
CON GRESSIONAL.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
FRIDAY, JANUARY e5.-[coNCLupEp


tioning Representatives in Congress according
TO the Fourth Census, and the question be-
ing ON agreeing to the amendment made IN
committee of the whole, viz i: to insert a ratio
ofJorfy-fico thousand souls for each Rcpresen-
tative-
Mr.. SMITH of Md. hoped the House would
not concur in the number of 42 900 for the
ratio, as reported by the committee of the
whole. He wished it to remain at 10000, as
originally reported to the house by the select
committee. The number of 40, 600 wod be
ratio which would suit more states, in his
opinion, than any other. 1t would adapt
Itself peculiarly TO the states of Maine, New
Hampshire, Massachusetts, II Island, Penn
sylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Lou-
sIana, and New York, and would leave them
with very inconslderable fractions, as the la
bic OF the Census would slew. He thought
such reduction was also due in fairness TO
the state Vi Rhode Island, the representation
OF which would be reduced one half, and be
then left with fraction of more than Al 900
unrepresented. The ratio he had proposed
would increase the number of Representatives
only twenty-five, which he thought would not
be materially inconvenient nor injurious To the
dispatch OF public business AS 10000 would
sult SO many states, he hoped the House would
establish the ratio DIS originally reported 10
this House.
Mr.. ROCHESTER, Of New York, said that
he agreed in opinion with the gentleman from
Maryland, General Smith, who had Just adj
dressed the House, and had intended To have
proposed AN amendment fixing it at 80, O0O
The same number which he had the honor to
propose when in committee of the whole.
but he supposed that his object would be as
readily attained by speaking to the question
concurrence ornon concurrence, because, in
The event OF vote ofnOn- concurrence, the
bill would then be open for any amendment,
whether contemplating higher or lower
ratio. 10 the prOpriety of this course the
Speaker assented.] When Mr.. Rochester
proceeded by stating that he should not have
persisted IN his motion had he not some rea-
son 10 believe, at least TO hope, that the vote
given IN committee OF the whole did not indi-
cate WIN certainty the present opinions of all
the gentlemen who then passed upon the sub
iect. He (Mr. R. had intended 10 have adj
dressed the committee but tile several ques-
lions then made were taken with rapidity
winch deiied interruption, andi,e was in hopes
that some member from New York, older than
himself, and more practised in debate, and
whose sentiments according with his own,
would have favored the committee with his
views. Inthis he had been disappointed. or the
time and patience of the House ould moi now
be trespassed upon by him.
CQminS as he did, from district vastly
larger than two of the thirteen cid states
lRhode Island and Dclaware,) he might say
nearly equal To both of them, and much more
popuous than three of the new ones. (Missis
aIppl, Missouri, and Illinois, ~ indeed, almost as
much so as the three united and coming also
from state frs: in population, and second, he
trusted, to none in. her disposition to give
'ehec!' rs Tar as pracilcable,to the principle of
equal representation which distinguishes ours
from all other governments, he with pleasure
yielded his assent and convictions to the pow
eriul appeal made by the ,igilant member
from Rhode Island (Mr. Durfee.)
He felt the more rec0nced TO this course.
from persuasion that it would correspond
with the feelings and wishes of several of the
smaller states, besides Rhode Island q o.
Maryland, Georgia, New Hampshire, Lou.
isana, and perhaps Alabama, which ne de-
nominated smaller ones, having reference on
iy to their present physical strength
Although he had proposed 100000 he was
MOI welded to the particular number he
thought If, however, high enough he might
be induced to depart from it for the purpose
OF compromising on some lower one. Nor
was he by any means certain, that, If the final
decision depended upon his Yea or Nay, he
would not say, let the existing ratio remain
unaltered. In making his proposition, how
ever: he supposed that he named the lowest
number which, IN any probability, could carry
either IN this House or in another. In this
epinlon ne was fortified by that of the numer-
Gus select committee to whom this subject
was originally referred and the vote already
taken confirmed the presumption that any
attempt to retain the ratio at So 900 must be
fuitless
He was not insensible TO the claims of Della
ware they were ola highly meritorious cha
racter, and of long standing. Neither was he
ignorant that the cause which influenced the
House in pOstponing the consideration of this
question until to-day, still existed. Hercgret-
ted the absence Of the worthy member from
delaware, because no person appreciated
more highly than he did that gentleman's
ability to enlighten the House on this or any
other subject He regretted also the cause of
his absence. But, in spite of all dispensations
we have an urgent duty to discharge. Many
OF tue State Legislatures were now in session.
waiting Impatlently for the settlement of this
question by Congress, that they might be ena-
bled TO enact laws adapted TO It. Some DAYS
must necessarily transpire before Congress Gao
dispose OF 1t, & then some weeks must eI,pse
helOre the several states can be advised of the
result ID such manner as TO Justify them in
acting upon 1t, and, after they were possessed
oil the requisite Information, lie was pretty
certain there would be some DELAY, and uot
lille embarrassment, lin some Of the states af
least,) ON re-organzing the Congressional dis.
tricts conformably with the new ratio. He
was glad, therefore, that the House seemed