Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-05-17
rM ENTY SEVENTH CoNGREss-.2d Session.
pIsTRlCTING or tue STATES.

SPEECH or Mn J. G. FLOYD, OF NV YORK
In tie House Of Representatives,, aPrh "a, lol2-
In Committee of the Whole, the bill Tor the ap
portonment Of Representatives among the serera
States, according to The sixth census.
Mr. j. G. FLOYD addressed the committee as fol
lows:
Mr. Chairman: The bill under consideration is one
10 uppo,ion among several States their proper re
presentation in th's House. according to The census
of 1910. To this b the gentleman from New Jersey
mir Halsted,l offered an amendment and Afterwards
accepted, substitute for II, the following from the
gentleman from South CnroIina, MIR. Campbell
"7ad be 1t further enacted That in every case where state
entitled than Representatives the number to w'ci
shall be entitled und- this aPpn'toamen shall Dc
elected districts composed Of contiguous territory equal u
the NUMBER Of Representatives 10 which said sta
cntled-no district tlecng more IMAM one Repre-
sentative"
The clause OF the Constitution which IS supposed tr
authorize this law is the fourth section OF the irst ar
tice, and is in these words
1he places. aud Of holding elections for Sc
md
the Legislature thereof bat e Congress n, nc, b.
law make alter such regulations, except as /" Tue places
Now, SIR, under this clause of the Constitution,
deny that YOU have any right 10 adopt the proposed
law at this time. In the first place, If Congress has
the power to divide the States INTO districts has M
power to direct tie States divide themselves into dis
lricts. The States sovereign and independent in
their action wherever they have the power to act at ALL
and you cannot bring them under Illuminating sulJec
ton to the General Government, by directing how
they shall exercise their sovereign powers THIS has
been fully argued by others, that will add no more
upon this point.
Gentlemen have debated this amendment ms if il
presented the question between the system of eectIng
by districts and election by general ticket in each
State; and we have heard eloquent arguments, show
ing tha; the election by districts s the proper mode
IF this the main question, one might we'll inquire
whence this great anxiety to prevent that OF which
there Danger for in the whole Union, there are
but four five o the smaller States that elect by g.
neral ticket Nor, If the danger OF election by all
the States by general ticket mere threatening than
j. is, does the proposition present remedy Tor II tins
Congress direct elections 10 be held by districts,
may not the next direct them 10 tie held by general
ticket? And If this is mode q. election TO be depre-
Gated there here who Will pretend that there
less danger of its adoption by Congress than there
by the State Legislatures: On, no, SIR: II Is not
question between the district system and election by
general ticket; but it question between the Gene
raj and the State Governments; II rs embodiment of
the Federal doctrine OF centrazaon il is an attempt
10 increase the power of this Government. by weaken
ing OF the States; take from the Governme is
that are under the mmedlle oversight OF the people;
and confer upon this which remote from the IN:
TO make the Government strong, and The people weak
But, Sir | will proceed 10 show that the proposed
amendment both unconstitutional and nexpedient.
The convention of the States held to form Consti
tuition completed their labors September l7S1, and
delivered the result of their deliberations to the Con
gress Of the Cunfd-ation who transmitted copies Ia
The Legislatures Of the several States, sin order 10 be
State by The people thereof, and IT is from the proceed
lngs Of these State conventions that propose 10 show
the true intent and meaning Of that clause of the Con
s,ilution under which is claimed that the Gene
raj Government NAV draw i.seli the control OF the
election of Representatives, And what better expound
Of the Constitution have, than those fathers
of our country, who selec,cdhy the people them
selves for Their wisdom and PATRIOTISM, 10 consider the
Constitution which bad been framed, and, their DIS
cretion, to ratfy rejectt3
commence with the convention of the Common
wealth of Massachusetts, winch the venerated
John Hancock presided. That convention, after stat
ing BY way OF preamble, "ihat certain amendments
and alterations in the sad Constitution would
the f,arS and gaid Me apprehcnSionS of many ct the
good people OF this Commonwealth and more ehecu
ally guard against an undue administration IF The Fo
derGi Gorrnmen propose the following amencme nj
hat the vested them by
the 9Th &" The lst article but in where State shat
neglect make regulations therein
shall make regulations suveS,r Of Tie rights OF the peoIe
free and cal repre- aenaon in Congress- geeaby 10 The Con
This amendment was introduced BY John Hancock
and sustained by Samuel Adams aud the Convention
followed tt,'r amendments with most solemn in
junction, still resting Upon the Representatives from
that State upon tins floor in the following words
And The Convention do in the and in behalf Of the
pie OF this Commonwealth eJ"n upon their Representative
IN Congress al all 'ReS, nh The alterations aud provisions
aforesaid have becn considered. accealy The fifth article
the said Constitution TO exert all their influence and al
Eonac and legal methods ratification of the said al
teaton and PROVISIONS, IN such manner as provided IN The
said article"
So much, Sir for the Commonwealth Of Massacnu
seits upon this subject And after such solemn OK
preston Of the sovereign power of that State, and
pecally in consideration of their direction to their Re
representatives. TO have this power II 1t exists stricken
from the Constitution, cannot doubt that every mem
Der from that State will be found voting against this
alarming exercise ofpnwcr by Congress.
come now, MIR. Chairman, 10 the proceedings of ht
Convention OF the State of South Carolina, of which
Thomas rinckney was the President. And here ! ash
the part cular attention ot the honorable member rou
hat State, (Mr Campbell,) who drew up the amend
me nj under consideration; .or in my opinion neither tn
amendment, the reasons by which lie supported II
square well with what then the doctrine of Soutl
Carolina. After rafyins the Constitution, the con
yenton proceeds TO say:
And whereas essential to The preservation of The RICH,
resrsd the rrera states and The freedom # NE pePr, undc
operations of General Government that the right II
sehng The mannrr ne and places Of holding the elections
Sovereignty Il h seecai sars. his convention Il, drcar
TIE ought Ia remain 10 all Poferiy, perpetual
Fundamental ris! local. the interference
The General Government, except IN where the Legislature
of the States shall refuse neglect perform and fulfil the same
according 10 the tenor Of the al! Constitution"
But, Sir, this is not all. The convention, before
closing lis labors, passed the following resolutions
"R,orfd That il Ice standirr instruction 10 nil such dele
Yates ne may hereafter l e,ed Ia ,enrssrnt i STAT, in I'm
General Governments 10 exert their utmost abilities and influence
effect an alteration OF the Constitution, eonomaby 10 IN
foregoing resolutions
Sir, have disposition TO enlarge upon the world
wide difference between the acts of The gentleman rou
South Carolina and his instructions. They had, per
haps, escaped his notice; but since his attention ina
been called 10 them, trust tina, he will give them tina
consideration 10 which they well entitled; ant
that he will, obedience 10 them, change his prcposi
ton exercise this doubtful power, into for
amendment of the Constitution, by which il shall b,
stricken ou! beyond all cayl.
And now, Sir, for the gallant State of New iamp
shire | find The proceedings OF the convention signet
by John Sullivan and John Langdon-glorous names
in the annals of the State And fud, in the proceed
ings Of the convention, the preamble, the proposed
amendment, and the standing instructions TO Represen
ror1 far ard hay frpmt he
proceedings of the commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Il is not necessary that should here repeat them The
gentlemen from that State representing her inter
ests upon this floor will not, | feel confident prove
iai,hless servants disobedent to her instructions
New Hampshire will be found to-day occupying The
same position this question that she held in es and
however estranged upon other questions, cannot bu
h-an hack II TO the infancy Of