Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-03-30

IMPROVE conservative of the interests Of all
the removal of the decision from the House
&. nj Representatives The principal difference
J between the plan he had the honor to propose
& those ofwhich he had last spoken, " as, that
instead ot providing FOR The ultimate decision oil
the question by the House of Representatives
AS was done III that of The gentleman from New
Jersey, ne proposed a second reference TO the
electors; and, instead of sending it back as
often as might be necessary to choice, as
proposed by the gentleman from South Caro-
INA, Mr.. Van Buren's plan compelled choice
on the second ballot by the electors a ma
Jorlty OF the committee, to which the several
propositions had been referred, were from
small states, and they had agreed on an
amendment, founded on principles of recipro-
cal concessions for the general good. This
was all that the representatives OF the large
states had, as he understood them, commended
Tor. Ihey could not, ought not did not.
desire that the small states should surrender
any portion of the power and influence now
secured to them by the constitution, unless
these states should, themselves, think, that
their own condition would be improved, and
the general welfare promoted, by their doing
so, on receiving concessions, fully equivalent,
from The large states. Considerations of such
liberal and equitable character had been held
ont on both sides, and the conflicting interests
OF Inc different states, on this point, arising
rom thelr unfortunate inequality, had hitherto,
10 the honor of the Senate, been commented
upon without the least acrimuny, and under
the control of feelings which promised the
most suspicious results. Mr. Van Buren, said
That nothing had taken place TO change his
views, or disposition on the subject. He wa.
ANXIOUS 10 continue the discussion, and was
| wiling To lend his feeble efforts to obtain the
adoption OF some resolution, on the subiec al
th's session. TO this end, he was ready, on
| Inc part oil his constituents, 10 make all real
sonaoe sacrifices. If however, gentlemen
thoughtj that the next session would be a
more propitous period, and the character of
the debate, on this notion certainly afforded
fomr reason 10 believe that il might be so. he
wonid bow, respectfully, To the will of the ma
Jorlly. UDtib however, that was expressed, he
"ouio continue 10 oppose the postpOnencnt.
MT. DIcKERsON, OF New Jersey, said the
convention who formed our Constitution
could not have foreseeu all the elects of its
observation-disclosures have resulted from it that
were not anticipated-th the relative strength of
| me states has undergone a change, which has
disturbed the checks and balances of Nh.
Constitution. The honorable gentleman from
hissoHri (Mr Benton has shewn the evils IF
the present system of eleciing President,
ana the necessity of distrctims the states for
Inat purpose, IN the strongest point of view
Inc election of President by the people al
large would re preferable mode, If il were
| practicable but, whoever will look at the
situation of our country, with its different kinda
OF population different modes of election
Inherent qualifications of voters must If
once perceive that such election is utterly
| impracticable. The choosing of the Presi-
Dental Electors, in single districts. is Inc
nearest possible approach to an election By the
people at large.
d'sPrOportion has grown out of the rela
ave powers of the great and small states.
"hich the members of the convention colud
not have fofeseen, and which has given new
character to our system.
In an election by Electors, six great States
can control the election and leave eighteen
States without power or influence upon the
question. In the House Of Representatives,
thirteen small States, with forty-fye reDre-
sentatIves, can elect President against the
residue of the States, with 1888 repre- sentatives.
why should the great States be all-pewerful
I'D Inc tlrst case, and the small States in the
later ! The gentleman from New York; Mr..
AnS,] ID willing 10 put the small states on an
equality with the large. Is he so This is
very strange. But it Is only on choosing u
President in the House If Representatives.,
which can rarely occur. But is he willing 20
give this equality Of vote, on the first election
vi Ieslueht, winch must occur every four
years No. New York, Pennsylvania, Vr-
S'nla' Norlh Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio,
nave 1913 electors, and can control the election
OF President-bare ma0rities in each of
these states, can control the Union, upon this
question. The states are of contiguous terri
Tory, ana may easily have a community of In
lerest mat shall bind them together, AT least
upon one question. The gentleman from
missouri says, that the power exercised by
the legislatures Of the States, To appoint Flee
TORS, Is an uSurpatlOn--that il ought To be re-
InquIshed, without any concession of power
on the part the small states Call This mower
by what name YOU please, il is now perna
nGnt power only to be- reached by an a.
mendment Of the Con stitution. However
incorrect The construction Of the Constitution
might have been, and was, when this po5yer
was FIRST assumed, it has been acquiesced in for
more than thirty years. To reject the tlecto-
ra' votes mus given, at this time, would he to
dissolve the Union. Ii is too late to oppose
the exercise of this power. But the power
on the part oftbe states, TO chnose their Elec
tors by general ticket, is not denied and vet
It's effect is precisely the saline: il gives The
great states precisely the same power to con-
troll the election Of a President. So far as re-
CARDS the citizens of the large states where il
may be adopted, II is equally oppressive To the
mlnOrilies, and less calculated TO give fair
expression Of theiwill Of the maioiiiies. In
lhe state OF ". York, Tor Instance, with anon
ulatIDn of one million and q half, and terri
~ OF 46 thousand square miles. Sc Electors
I are To be chosen by general ticket; they must
he selected from the different districts of the
state-any other arrangement could not sue
coed The voters, generally speaking, would
MOI know, even by name, more than one ortwO