Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-09
NEW PRoPOSlTIoNs

NEW PhOPOSl1tONS.
We extract the following paragraphs from AI.
Niles's Weakly Register, OF Saturday last
Seen. jackson has been elected by a trium
plant majority. independent of his own great
personal popularity, and the ardor of thousands to
acknowledge his services TO his country We thinl,
it is shewn that citizens are not al All disposed
to acquiese in those provisions of the constitution
which give the election of president to the House
of Representatives, voting by states, with power to
select from the three highest candidates returned,
when one has received a majority of the whole
number of electoral votes. At the election of
1924, Gen. jackson had then plurality of thes-
votes but was not preferred TO MIR. Adams who
had few less; and MIR. Crawford, who obtained
only hall so many as Mr.. a. equally supported
by the members and the states friendly to- him and
they would have made him the president, had they
possessed the means of doing il. 1T the plurality
system will only be sustained by The people, the
power delegated TO the states, represented in Con-
gress) is useless IN practice, and, when eXerted,
will always produce much excitement, with Bit
terest charges OF corruption, management Sc
These prevailed even at The contested election be
tween Messrs Jefferson and Burr, though ii wal
notorious that the former had been Intended by thu
people for President, and The latter for Vice PresI
dent In this state Of the case, we most heartily
desire the adoption OF some proceedings which
may deprive the House Of Representatives of its
present power, in this respect; and as the small
states cannot be expected to give up the influence
they possess, when choice shall not be made by
the Electoral! Colleges, it would be expedent and
safe TO refer the selection to the Legislatures OF
the states, each state thus giving its vote for one
OF the two highest oil those preferred by the pee
pie, through the electors chosen by th>m. But
several projects OH foot Tor this purpose, and
they shall be noticed here after" [i] &c.
Gen. Jackson will go into Office under fortu.
nate circumstances, to the amendments alu-
ded to, and for limiting the period Of service to one
term, Of six eight years, ri and also for the cs-
Enlistment OF what we have long wshed-d home
department; which, probably, would have been
arranged several years ago, except because of
personal political ealousies. [3J But whatever is
right in itself ought to be done, being also exped
ent. We shall, sor ourselves, endeavor to act
upon this principle in the little that we may have
10 do with public affairs.
AS to the late election, though contested with
Unprecedented violence, il is worthy of the char.
acter Of the American people to observe that
while the successful party has generally preserved
an honorable moderation, the defeated one has no,
civen itself up to despondency--bu quietly sub
Uniting TO the constitution, seems resolved to
Judge the new administration by its measures
L." 1t is reported that Gen. Jackson, to avoid the
Inconvenience and severity Of journey from Ten
nessee, at the most inclement season Of the year,
may soon be expected in Phadclpha. and will re
main in that city, until officially notified OF his e.
lection, and called upon for installation.
"We regret, however, TO see it minated, that
much ceremony will attend his induction to Of
Gee, and uiat committee at Washington has
charge Of the subject. We hope that the sim
pciiy and republican plainness that belonged 10
oil former inaugurations, will still be observed -
end we think that those who dcviste fIom them
will incur high responsibility. II cannot add
any thing to the popularity Of Gen Jackson, or
give force 10 the influence Of bis particular friends
but il may establish precedent OF very un-
happy, and, perhaps, dangerous tendency. There
is TOO great disposition in all persons, parties,
90 run into ponp and shew--and Which, though
harmless in their origin, lead further and fur
Their to extrsyagancc-thc latter always aiming TO
exceed the former in magniiIccnce. 81 We have,
IS we thought from principle, abstsned from max
ing part Of the crowd attending tile installation
Il president, hougl more than once il was
quite convenient 20 lave remained and witnessed
ihe prOceedina. Such our old fJslioncd no
IONS OF the subject Others, however, have the
same right to think and act for Themselves add
will do So
I'VE seize upon this opportunity 20 Offer few
rsinarks by way Of Dote aud comment.
~ We cordially agree with Mr. Niles 10 tax
Ing the ultimate power Of election out Of tbe hind.
Of the II. of R.--The abstract reasons against
such al arrangement sufficient; evenif The &c
rcrtence Of tn last el ciion were not conclusive
upop thc uiiect. he OILY que .tion now is, whit
10 the substitute! What is TO b done, IN he rase
Iis. three candidsses are FUN. and neilher has q