Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-02-09

thrown into the hands of a few members, and
, the remainder took but little interest in pub
lie adhrs, what was the cause of il? 1t was
To he found IN their numbers, as. from the
principles of human nature, could he made to
appear. la small BODY OF men, Mr. G.. ar
gued, there soon takes place certain degree
OF confidence and Il mutual understanding,
which enables its members to understand each
! others dispositions, and to ascertain whether
any and what influence is to be expected from
I further debate OF any question. That being
ascertalDed, debate ceases to he useful. but On
the contrary is wearying and distressing to
those who are obliged to hear it, Ia large
body OF men, Mr.. e. said, this could not be-
tue case. Among SIX Or seven hundred men,
VINO are and remain IN great measure siran-
gers TO each other, there cannot be that free
intercourse which makes known, to each the
sentiments of the rest, and there exists be-
sides diffidence produced by being thrown
into mass ofmen to whom you are entire
strangers, &c. The effect is TO put down
those who would attempt to debate, with the
exception OF an incOnsdera6le number. The
alternative of AN excess Of debate is necessarily
to commit the business Of debating into the
hands of a few persons, to the exclusion of all
the rest. Now Mr.. G.. asked, whether such
practice would be tolerated in this country,
and IN this house. The people of this co,m-
try, Mr.. c. added, would not he content UNI
less their representatives expressed, OCCASION
ally at least, their sentiments otherwise than
by voting. Was this not true fionl the expr-
rience of every member of this house ? Did
not every man understand that il was expect
ed by the people that those who represent
them shall, at least occasionally, express their
opinions on public affairs Would it be toll.
Grated, then, that large majority of this
house should be placed in state Of total in
action?
There was another consideration, Mr. c.
said, which should weigh heavily with this
house which at least weighed heavily with
him. In country like this, of modern date,
and rapidly changngits condition, allits legis-
iation has the effect of precedent, establishing
principles ofgovernment for the future Would
itnot hea matter of seriousnoment that princi-
pies should be now established which would
make 1t convenient, hereafter, tn extend the
legislation ofthe country over large space !?
Ana II there be an Inconvenience in bodies be-
ms too large, and yet the principle prevails
that as our population spreads the number of
this body snail be increased, wotld not Il
rapid increase of the number OF this house AT
the present day, have tendency To bring our
government, in the end TO dissolution. By
dissolution, he meant II severance OF the states
he was not disposed to exaggerate this mat
5 Ter his suggestion vas only that such would
J be The tendency of a considera BILE increase OF
! the numbers ofthe house at present and ev-
cry tendency tn such all evil ought 10 BIZ.
hfmly met and most earnestly resisted. The
sentiment which he had expressed on this
subject, Mr.. &. said, was not peculiar 10 the
individual who now addressed the house, but
1t was general with the people o! this country.
Z IL was not mere speculative opinion thrown
!, out here,but 1t was scntlmcat deeply felt by
the mass of this people.
y Some remarks, Mr.. G.. suggested, in conciu-
b SION, had been made upon this subject, which
, seemed to him not to be well founded, one oi
. which only he should notice 1t seemed to be
e thought by some gentlemen, that, by enlarg-
r Ing the ratio the small states must suffer de-
: crease OF power and dignity. Ii WAS nor so
Mr.. =. said, because the rule of apportion.
: ment equally applied to the large states and
# to the small. Though there should be there.
: fore positive decrease in the number of mem
y bers from any state, itwould be only proper
ti0aat decrease.
e Mr.. BAYLIEs, of Massachusetts, said, that
he had but very few remarks to make upol
n the subject under consideration, and that h,
t rose with an embarrassment upon his feelings
: which he could with difficulty repi ess. Nhel
i he said that he was embarrassed, he trustee
y IT would not be thought afectation. He de
u clared that this was the first time he ever at
It tempted to speak in a legislative assembly,
d A first attempt, said Mr.. b. has claims to in
o diligence and trust that the courtesy of thi
house will be extended to one who is almost
1t stranger to public debate.
y am, said Mr.. b. opposed to the numbe
u $4,000, which has been proposed, as the re
e preventative ratio, by the gentleman from
J. New York. Sir, must be permitted to sa
y that, during the course of this discussion,
h.,4r. H.. Il 4. n
il ed which wear strange and novel aspect t
h me. If understood the course of reasonin
lie pursued by the gentleman from North Caro-
N lima, IT went to establish this position, that tn
less the number to whom the legislative pow
d or was entrusted, the greater would be tn
e. security ofthe people and such also under
r. stood the opinion Ofthe gentleman from Main
i to he. That the security of the popular right
b. was strengthened by increasing the number
C. those to whom the legislative power was il
D. trusted, was once held to be sound rcpubica
In doctrine and that class Of statesmen VIII
ne were, at the tine of the adoption OF the cor
IN stltailon, most zealOusly attached ~ popul,
IS, rights, found strong reason for Directing
" the constitution because it established III
er minimum ratio at $4,000. So FAR as prec,
RI dent goes, it is against the Increase from
a to $4,000, as the representative ratio. W
be were 20 years in getting from 50 TO $4,000
he aud now, sir, it is proposed to make hym,
he leap, and at one dash to add number amour
ing to nearly third of the existing ratio
IN Sir, the power of this nation my be- entrus
TO ed to too small "A number This House
lst the citadel of the people it is on this floor tn
his the great battles for their rights must
Of fought and il we lessen the number of Il
in garrison, we weaken the real defence of Il
rat Republic. 1t has been sdid sir, aud with son
,se degree OF reason, as think, that the small
Of the number of representatives, the more a