The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-07-07
THE PRESIDENTS REASONS FOR SIGN
ING THE APPORTIONMENT BILL.

We give below the reasons Of the President
filed in the State Department. We hope Mr..
Adams is now satisfied. Al least the country
will be satisfied TO find that the Executive Will
not be party 10 the lyrannIcal measure IN con
temptation against the States
ain approving this BILL feel il due to myself to
say, as we'll that my motives for signing may De
rghtuly understood, that my opinions may not De
liable TO be misconslrued, quoted hereafter CHROME
ously, as precedent, that have not proceed d 20
much upon clear and decided opinion o. my oloH, re-
speeding the consiltulionally policy OF The entre
ac as from respect 10 the declared Wall oil the TWO
Houses Of Congress.
"ln eldng my doubts To the matured opinion OF
Congress- have followed the advice of the nfsl Dec
rotary OF State the first President of the u States
and the example set by that ilnstnous citizen, upon
memorable OCCASION
When was a member of either House OF Con-
gress, acted under the conviction that to doubt me
cons nationality of law, sufficient To induce
me 10 give my vote against IT, but have not pee aoe
To bnng myself TO believe that doubtful opinion Oh
the Chief Magistrate ought outweigh the solemhiy
pronounced will of the Representatives OF the people
and the States.
Zone OF the prominent features of the bill is thal
which purports to be mandatory on the States 10 ioim
Districts for the choice of Representatives congress
IN SINGLE dis rlcts That Congress has power ny law
TO alter State regulations respecting the manner oi
holding eectous Tor Representatives Is Clear, put ITO
power To command the States to make new Ieguia-
lions, or alter then existing regulations is 'he ques
ton upon which have felt many and strong douots'
have yielded those doubts, however, TO the OPINION
OF the Legislature, giving effect TO their enaelmeh
as far as depends upon my appreciation, ana leaving
questions what may arise hereafter, If unhappily any
such should arise to be settled by full considera
ton of the several provisions OF the Constitution
and the laws, and the authority OF each House To
Judge OF the elections returns and qualifications VI It's
own members.
Similar considerations have operated with me IN re-
gard To the representation of fractions above moiey
OF the representative number and where said holety
exceeds thirty thousand; aquesiion on when aul'e'
silly OF opinion has existed from the foundation OF lhe
Government. The provision recommends iseli IRON
ITS nearer approximation to equality than would DC
found in the application of compon and SIMPLE d.
Vision to the population of each State, ana cor
reefs, In great degree those inequalities when are
Destined at the of each succeeding census, SO
greatly to augment
SIN approving the bill | iatter myself that a dspo'
sition will be perceived on my patto concede to he
opinions of Congress in matter which may conduce
TO the good OF the country, and the stability OF ITS IN
sttulions upon which my opinion Is not clear ana ue
cided But 1t seemed TO due to the respecaoiiiiy
of opinion against the titution ,ity OF the bill as
well to the real difficulties of the subject, which
no feels sensbly than do, that the reasons
which have determined ne should be left on record
JOHN TYLER.
WAsHINGroN June 25th, 1912.