Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-10
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.,
Richmond, Jan. 5, 1926. )

| EXECUTIVE DEPARIMrNl,(
Richmond, Jan 5, 1926.
SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith
certain resolutions Of the State of Tennessee,
proposing an amendment to the constitution
of the United States, on the subject of the cleo
lion of Of President and Vice President. The
resolutions look 10 the districting Of the sever
al States, and to the direct vote OF the people,
| for the persons in nomination for those e!eva-
| ted offices.
| In making this communication, l cannot
| withhold the remark, that however desirable 1t
NAV be, so 10 amend the Constitution, as to
ayoil the consequences Of throwing the election
| of President and Vice President on the House
of Representatives, yet that such an amendment
should not lose sight OF the princip pies OF COM
promise, on which, the government has been
| founded In having regard to them, 1t may
well be questioned, whether the large states
| have not already surrendered as much power
to the small states as in justice they ought to
possess. The proposed amendment would
have the effect of dividing and often OF neutra-
lizing the power Of the large states, and there
by Of destroying their weight in the election;
while at the same time, it breaks in upon the
| federative feature in the Government, and rem
ders the election purely national.
1t may indeed be urged, that by denying to
the House of Representative, the ultimate RICH,
of deciding the election, the power of the small
states would in that respect be abrogated-but
let it be recoected that, that is power never
called into action, except where there is fail
ure in the first effort: And that while ii is con
di,ional in It's character and of ultimate resort
the proposed change would produce certain
tn tha inNu rF
the large states Other consequences equally to
be regretted, might flow from the proposed al
ieration. 1t might well happen that minority
of the people of the Union, might decide the
election agains, the wishes OF majority 1t
may also well be questioned whether sound po-
licy would dictate, that the election should be
again thrown back upon the people, warmed
and heated as they would have become by the
first Intellectual struggle
have the honor to be, with sentiments OF
high respect, your most obedient servt
JOHN TYLER.
The Hon the Speaker
of the House of Delegates.
These resolutions were referred to select
Committee.
The Tennessee Resolutions propose TO elect
the President, &c. by the votes OF the people
themselves in Districts, allowing to each state
as many Districts as it has members in both
Houses of Congress; if no one have majority
of votes on the first eectonthe two highest are
to go back to the people, for them to select
one They also provide, that no member OF
Congress shall take an Office from the Execu-
tive Except it be in the Army or Navy for the
time for which he is elected, or months after.
Mr. Moore, Of Fairfax; asked leave to bring in
bill TO regulate the fees of clerks, and amend
the laws concerning the fees of certain officers,
so as TO produce uniformity in the mode of their
charging their fees. Mr.. Page, of Gloucester,
suggested that the subject was before the last
Assembly, and after spending much time upon
it, it was rejected The House refused the eare,
The engrossed bill concerning contempts OF
court was taken up; mr. Jackson moved to fill
a blank in tie bill with $1,000 as the maxim
um Of the fine TO be imposed at the discretion of
the Jury, which was rejected; and, on his motion,
the blank was filled with Ssoo-Ayes "a,
Nose y. He moved to ELL the blank with 90
days, as the maximum Of imprisonment. Mr..
Davis moved so days. After discussion, the
blank was filled with 90 days-and. on Mr.. Up
shur's motion. the bill was laid on the table.