The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1842-07-13
THE APPORTIONMENT BILL.

The follewin-is copy of the reasons, filed
in the State Department by President Tyler, for
signing the apportionment bill, and which called
forth the animadversion of Mr.. Adams.
Bat. Sun.
"In approving this bill, fee1it due to myself
TO sas, as well that my motive for signing it may
be rightfully understood as that my opinions
may not be liable to be misconstruced or quo
ted hereafter enormously as a precedent, that
have not proceeded so much upon clear and
decided opinion of my own, respecting the
constitutionalty or policy of the entire act, as
from respect to the declared will of the two
Houses OF Congress.
ain yielding my doubts to the matured opin-
ion of Congress, have followed the advice Of
the first Secretary of State to the first Presi-
dent of the United States, and the5eXample set
by that lllustrious citizen upon memorable oc-
casion.
"When was a member Of either House of
Congress, acted under the conviction that TO
doubt the consltutionality Of law,.was suffi-
cient to induce me to give my vote against it;
but have not been able to bring myself.to be-
Iievelhat doubtful opiniopof the Chief Magis-
trate ought to outweigh the solemniy pronounc-
ed will Of the Representatives of the people and
the States.
"One of the prominent features of the bill is
that which purports to be mandatory on the
States to form districts for the choice Of Repre-
scntatves to Congress in single districts. That
Congress has power bylaw to alter State regu-
lations, respecting thesmanncr of holding cleo
tons for representatives, is clear; but its power
to command the States to make new regulations,
or.alter their existing regulations, is the ques-
ton upon which | have felt many and strong
doubts. have yielded those doubts. however,
to the opinion Of the Legislature, giving effect
to their enactment as far as depends upon my
appreciation, and leaving questions that may
arise, to be settled by full consideration Of the
several provisions of the constitution and the
laws, and the authority of each House to Judge
of the elections, returns and qualifications Of
its own members.
Similar considerations h ave operated with me
in regard to the representation of fractions above
amoiety of the representative number, and where
said moiety exceeds thirty thousand; a question
on which diversity of opinion has existed from
the foundation of the Government. The provi-
sion recommends itselffrom its near 5approxima-
: ton to equality than would be found in the ap-.
pllcaton OF common and simple division to the
entire population of each State, and corrects,
IN great degree, those inequalities which are
destined at the return OF each succeedngc cen
sus, so greatly to augment.
"in approving the DllL latter myself that a
disposition will be perceived on my part, to con-
cede to theopinions Of Congress in matter
which may conduce to the good of the country
and the stability of its institutions, upon which
my opinion is not clear and decided. But it
seemed%to me due to the responsibility of
opinion against the constitutionality of the bill
as we'll as to the real difficulties of the subject,
which no one feels more sensible than do,
that the reasons which have, determined me
should be left on record. JOHN TYLER.
Washington, June 25, 1922