The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 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 MIR.
| Adams is now satisfied AT least the country
will be satisfied TO find that the Executive will
not be party TO the yrannica measure In con-
temptation against the States:
SIN approving this bill, feel it due to myself to
say, well that my motives for signing IL may be
rghtfully understood, that my opinions may not be
liable 10 be misconsrued quoted hereafter errone
ously, as precedent that | nave not proceed 20
much upon clear and decided opinion Of my own, re-
speeding The constulionallty policy OF the ehtife
act, as from respect to the declared will Of the Two
Houses Of Congress.
"in elding my doubts to the matufed opinion OF
Congress, have followed the advice OF the hfsl oec
retay OF Stale 10 the first President Ut the u States,
and the example by that illuslrious CITIZEN upon
memorable occasion.
w hen was member of either House OF Con
gress, acted under the conviction that to douDt Inc
consdlutIonaity OF law, was sufficient 10 ihuuce
me 10 give my against it, but have not been able
to bring myself to believe that doubtful opinion OF
the Chief Magistrate ought to outweigh the solenniy
pronounced 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 the States 10 folm
dist lets for the choice of Representatives 10 Congress
in single dis riots. That Congress has power by law
to alter Stale regulations, respecting the manner OF
holding electious Tor Representatives is clear put It's
power to command the States to make new reguia-
lions, or alter hei existing regulations the CUES
ton upon which have felt many and strong douuts
l have yielded those doubts, however, TO the OPINION
of the Legislature, giving effect to their enactment
as far depends upon my appreciation, and leaving
questions what may arise hereafter, If unhapply any
such should arise, be settled by full consldera-
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 OF lis
own members
Similar considerations have operated with me In re-
gard to the representation of fractions above moley
OF the representative number, and where SAID moety
exceeds thirty thousand; question on which a diver
sity of opinion has existed from the foundation OF the
Government The provision recommends itself IRON
It's nearer approximation to equality than would DC
found in the application of a common and simple d.
vision to the entire population of each State, and cor
reefs, in great degree those inequalities which are
Destined at the of each succeeding census, So
greatly to augment.
Gin approving the bill, fatter myself that dsPo'
sition will be perceived my parto concede to the
opinions of Congress in matter which may conduce
10 the good Of the country and the stability of It's IN
cided. But it seemed due to the responsibility
of opinion against the constitulionay OF the BILL as
well as 10 the real difficulties of the subject which
feels sensiby than do, that the reasons
which have determined ne should be left on record.
JOHN TYLER.
| WASHINGTON, June 25th, 1912.