Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-06

uurNouatc WIN thc increase ottNe couttttueIt totN
II the prcpostionase increase recognised IN Mr. Mad
sons time had been carried since there would
be very large number OF Representatives now
For instance, in 1870 there ~ere IS members appor-
toned for the House OF Representatives. That num-
Der in proportion TO the then population would give
S06 in proportion to the present population. The
appor,i pnmen, OF 100 menibes in i79s, in Ike pro-
portion, would give iS2 for lStS. This vas with
ratio Of $1,000, but IL It had been according 10 the
| Constitution-3 30 OOO-the number in 1899 would
have been no, w'ih, by the same rule OF proportion
would give, Toe lsis, $50 members. But, instead
Of such rapid rate Of increase, the House now only
| asks for SOC.
MIR RlvES ~asvery glad the Senator from New
Hampshire had called his attention to MIR Mad-
sons opiGions. He would read a passage from Mr.
Madison's works, to show that he in favor OF a
maximum of 200. MIR II. here read long passage
from the work to which be referred.
| MIR CUTHBERT observed that he believed Il
was more important that larger number should be
adopted than one smaller than that OF which the
House wss composed. But IL he TO have
his choice, he would prefer $4,000, because it was
a ratio which would give 2+s members the same
| as the number OF the present House.
| lie believed, upon the question between tho lar
| ger and the smaller number. It would be more pru-
dentto take the larger,-though II the House could
be brought TO consent that their number should re
main the same Rad been for the last ten Yeas
| (Which wou q require ratio OF, he believed, 6i00O)
It would in his opinion, be the most proper number
that could DC chosen. Ii this debate should pro
eeed he would hereafter take occasion TO express,
IN as brief manner ms possible, the opinions which
he entertained upon the subject. he would, at
present. content himself with observing that. with
regard to the legislative bodies in England-between
which and those Of this country Senators had insti
tuted comparson-the representative body IN that
country is in state OF transit; that body,
| der the operation OF what is called the Reform
Bill" was undergoing great change in its character
and in its mode OF proceedings. What It had been,
Il IS not; and what II is, II would not be long. A
revolution much greater was still 10 take place. IL
1t had for another century been in operation now
constituted, it would have offered example to be
| followed OF avoided. He would reserve what he
| had to saw until future period.
| MIR BUCHANAN had waited FOR some time TO
! see whether any other gentleman would express an
opinion what he considered new doe,tine. He
| understood the Senator from New York to say that
the Senate ought TO he influenced by the decision Of
the House IN favor Of ratio nest eonsonant 10 It's
own wishes Now he held that the Senate was
constiuIionay bound TO for ITSELF and that It
not to look TO the judgmen, OF the House for any
| influence as TO its own action.
| Mr. WRIGHT interposed, and explained that
! what he meant was, that 50 great n difference as
loo members would render i, impraeticabe to IN.
| huence the House by decision Of the Senate, TO
reced, from its own proposition; and that It was h 5
own Individual opinion there was some weight Que
TO the expression OF preference by the House IN III
matter.
! MIR BUCHANAN continued. Under the Con-
stIuton, the Senate has equal duties with the Hocso
and Is bound TO fulfil them. tie had very high
respect Tor the House collectively and Individually.
But IN q where a great difference exists. such
as that anticipated by the Senator from New York,
he thought the Senate ought to act upon the prince
/ pie OF this Government, TO accommodate differences
! by compromise. He would, therefore, prefer that
! a conference should decide between the highest
number approved by the Senate, and the lowest ap.
proved by the House.
MIR B. here entered into review OF the Arguments
in favor OF an increased number OF members and
pointed out what struck him great laiacies IN
these arguments.
He had merely risen 10 express his opinion in re-
gard 10 doctrines which he conceived not warranted
by the Cons tuition, and likely to lead the public
mind aStray. because they emAnated from a source
eminenily entitled TO great respect.
Mr. WRIGHT had merely stated the motives
which were calculated 20 influence his own personal
action. He had no intention OF laying down any
doctrine or rule Of action Tor the Senate.
Mr. ALLEN observed, that although this was lot
TO be a permanent Jaw, as already stated by the
Senator from Missouri, Mr. Benton,l yet II was to
be decisive for ten years He would repeat what
he haG said beiore-thatth there was rivalry between
the Senate and the House. The design Of the Or
ganzation OF the Senate was, 10 make it check on
the action OF the House. What could be more con
elusive Of the rivalry than this designl But he
would go farther he would say that there vas a
competition for popular favor between the Senate
and the House OF Representatives; and in this com.
petition were the essential principles of rivalry.
lie utterly denied the assumption hatturbulence
and incapacily for business characterized the pre-.
sent House OF Representatives. But even L such
were the fact, for the Senate TO take upon itself 10
pronounce judgmen, on that House, and to propose
A corrective, by reduction of its members, against
its own expressed will, vas an assumption of con-
iro, the part OF the Senate, which would lead to
consequences Of the mos; dangerous kind II there
really Is violence 10 the National Legislature IL is
because violence has been excited among the people
themselves; and that violence comes TO Congress,
reflected through the Representatives OF the people.
he was utterly opposed TO any cold blooded pro-
positions Of despousm There were but three great
representative Governments now in the world
Grea, Britain, France, and the United States. And
of these three, power was concentrated IN fewer
hands IN this republic than in those two monarchies
In France, the powers Of Government were in the |
hands OF upwards Of one thousand men. II Great
Britain, 1t was the same. Here the whole power Of
Government IS concentrated IN 90 hands-those Of |
the Executive, judiciary, and Senate. The House /
had right 10 complain.
MIR A. continued. He said he would rather trust |
mass representation, than that the House should
be reduced 70 200. Sir, in multitude Of COUNSEL
iors there is wisdom. After the citations from his
tory Ivy the Senator from Missouri, MIR Bentonl |
as 10 the effect produced IN France by the reduction
Of the Legislative body oy Napoleon, they should /
be careful how they cut down. He liked TO zee a /
numerous representative body. There was some /
thing awiully sublime IN the spectacle Of con- /
SltBaNeu mass OF Representatives. lhere was no /
thing more impressive, or better calculated 10 Gle.
vate the IDEAS Of man with regard to the nature OF
public liberty. As to the complaints about the tur.
ouency Of masses, and occasional outbreaks Of pas.
sion, he would only say that We must put 10 with I
these freaks ofpassion in the House and the peop e.
We mus: take tue great good, liberty, with the |
little evil, instead Of great evil with little good which
would be the converse Of the state OF things COM
planned Of. He viewed the Senate as standing he.
fore the country as rival for power with the House
and he was disposed 10 take the side Of the House
because It was the body which may be said, en-
phatica ", n represent the people. lie was no |
friend to VIC ence, but he had never feared the effect
Of occasional outbreak Of passion with the people /
they soon ealmed, and settled down again, and as !
sumed the character which belonged 10 truth. These
Temporary outbreaks Of passion ,re the guaranties
Of public liberty. lie liked 10 see the nation ANNA
ted-it keeps The eyes Of men fixed on their rights
FROM TEXAS.