The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-07

several States, according to the sixth census, was
then taken up.
The question pending, when the Senate adjourned,
on Saturday, was motion of Mr.. Wright to amend
the following section OF the bill:
Sgo q And be nfxyltsr enacted That in every
case where State entitled To more than one Re
JIesentatiye-the number 10 which each Stale shalt
oe entitled under the apporonment, shall be elected
oy districts composed OF contiguous territory, equal
number to the number of Representatives 10 which
aid State may be enttled-no one district ectin2
lore than one Representative.
Mr.. WRIGHT moved to strike from the above
section the words "no one district electing more
than one representative" and to insert the words,
= as lar as that can be done in conformity with the
established election systems of the States; but no
state SHALL by virtue OF the provisions OF this section,
consider itself called upon to divide countless other
election districts for the purpose of furnishing single
districts"
Mr.. WHITE argued in favor of the district system,
and contended that when the States determined the
qualification of Representatives and electors for Pre-
,dent and Vice President there could be no danger
had been suggested, from the interposition OF the
authority Of the Federal Government in matters of
this kind and he cited various authorities support of
his position He thought that the time had arrived
when Congress should exercise the power as to the
manner Of ell, citing Representatives. Senators who
had opposed the section had not shown that the aim
of popular government, the desideratum, could be
better promoted by referring to the States to make
the arrangement Ii Congress left it to the States,
with their conflicting opinions upon the subject the
object of representative government might be de-
feated and instead of having House of Represen-
laives to reflect the will of the People, they would
nave nothing more than deputation of the States.
Mr.. BATES remarked that the bill proposed that
instead of the general ticket SYSTEM the States should
elect their Repr sentatives by DISTRICTS than which
nothing could be more proper or expedient, no.
hing satisfactory to the entire People OF
the Uuion He then replied to Senators who
had preceded hun, and, the Ut his re-
marks, he commended that Congress and the Legisla
lures had concurrent power on this subject; one
supreme, the other subordinate and whatever step
night be taken by the Legislatures, subject to
the which Congress possessed to alter the rules
at its pleasure. Therefore whenever Congress chose
TO act on this subject, SO far might act WELL
and what remained to be done would be accomplished
by The Legislatures ofthere Give States He &C. nc,Iv
ed that the district ticket gave to the people themselves
, more correct and farer representation than tue
general ticket system aud it carried out the principles
and spirit of the Con ttuton in this particular Ii
the minores of the States were not to be silenced
and st,fled in the House of Representatives. the
power in the States was not 6e welded by MAORI
y in the States for the purpose OF perpetuang their
power appeared to him that the for establish
ing the district system not only justifable but it
demanded of Congress to exercise this power
now WHILE they had the opportunity to do SO now,
while they could exercise this power without preju-
dice to any party, and with strict warrant in the
Constitution Of the United States for the proceeding
Mr.. SMITH, of Connecticut, believed that Con-
gress had not the power to pass the second section in
the manner proposed in the bill. If Congress had
the power to act in this matter they exercise
to the fullest eXtent-not portion OF it to be
csed by Congress and part OF 1t by the State Legs-
latures Congress should therefore exercise this
power or it should not-they could not divide it with
the States
Mr. KERR advocated the section came from
the House, believing it TO be constitutional, expedi-
dent, and in accordance, generally, with The wishes
of the people of the United States. 1t was an opn-
ion which he had long enter aned, that the vote of
The people in districts composed OF Contiguous terri
tory, the only possible means by VIII oh the true
idea OF representative government 'uld be Carried
into effect in this counlIy whereas the general tcket
system had always been revolving TO the republican
principles and the idea of equality which he had
entertained. The people were one SO far the le-
gislation of Congress concerned and therefore
such regulations should be made as would bring to-
gether such representation would reflect ev-
ery opinion, feeling, and desire Of the people;
and, if Congress should fail to do this, they
would fail to bring full representation Of
he people into the national councils and in eve
ny case where they departed from districting the
States and bringing the people together through their
representatives, they derarted largely from the true
idea of representation This system would give the
minorties in the States an opportunity of being
heard in Congress, but the general ticket system
would have a contrary effect and would place the
power of selecting the delegations for the States in
the hands of leaders of cques and the heads of fac
tiOns
Mr.. WRIGHT obtained the floor, but, without
proceeding with his remarks, gave way to
Mr.. BARROW, who moved to lay the bill on the
table, for the purpose of moving reconsideration of
the solution by which the Senate agreed to meet
her after at eleven o'clock, A. M.
Mr.. SEWER moved that the Senate adjourn;
which motion prevailed, and
The Senate adjourned