Holly Springs gazette., 1846-02-28
REPORT OF THE MINORITY ON
THE SUBJ ECT OF TIE AP-
PORTIONHENF.

Mr. PREsIDENT:-The. und srsiyned, a
minority of the committee to whom was re-
ferred bill 10 apportion senators and rep
resentatIves among the several cocntlss o.
this state, with the proposed amendmea:
thereto, regret The necessity by which theT
are compelled 10 dissent from the report o.
the majority. The minority are deeply
impressed with a sense of the vast inpor-
lance of the subject referred 10 them
subject affecting vitality the deases; rights
of treemen. and upon the proper aud con
>titutional adjustment Ct which. depends the
harmony and peace of our cifizens. If No:
the very existence of our republican ins,i>
ions. The first enquiry which presents
Itself ~ our mind Is, what the true sub
iecss of representation are they territory.
barren wastes. or PROPERTY We ihiak
none ofthese. bat that the only proper sub
jacts OF representation. are freemen- In the
language of the-con>ti,Ihi0n, we hold that
ali freemen. when they form a SOCIAL com
pact. are equal in righss; that all poli icat
power is inherent In the people; thai all free
governments are founded on their aulhori-
ty, and established for their benehr;;" cocse-
quently. N making an aPportionment of
representatives. the legislature are boundb br
a regard to The great principles here avow-
ed and which form the basis of republican
governn ent TO give to the different portions
oi the state, a representation as nearly eqaas
IN proportion to their population. as carr h
done under the constitution. The conSi.l-
tion provides shat the le gislaiure shall.
AT periods of not less than four, nor more
than SIX years. cause an enumeration 10 Dc
made OF all the free white inhabitants OF
this state and that the whole number OF
representatives shall be apportioned among
the several counties, cities, and towns. en-
titled TO separase representation. according
10 the number oil free white inhabitants IN
eaca;' the Dumbe- not to be less than thir-
ty six, nor more than one hundred, -provl-
ded. however. that each county shall al
ways be entitled loaa. least one representa-
tive"
II also provides that the legislature shall
establish ratio. and for the disposition of
ressdaums in The several counties, cities.
and towns From the foregoing provisions
of The constitution. u is obvious that pgpufa
tion was designed 10 be TIE first. and ferrs,s-
~ only secondary consideration in appor-
tioning representation; but the amendmen.
reported By the majority of the commi;.ee
ahandons the first great and fundamental
principle and object ofthe constitution. and
adopts only the secondary desRc. which
was intended only 10 secare to each county
a voice in the legislature. By the amend
ment Of tho majority. cities and towns en-
titled 20. uEder the conssitusion. seperate
representation. are disfranchised and denied
a constitutional right II territory. and
not population. were designed 20 be
he basis of representalion. why did the
fremers Of the constitution base Il upon.
free scAite population" Why do hey
authorize IN appoftionment Of repressn.a
hon2 II each county = to have oaly one
representative. Why authorize the leRisIa>
luTe % establish . 1afSo Of sepresenianonl
Why prOvade that tho residuum of one
county shall b given % anosher. by which
the Representatives Of lho lafsor shoald be
ilSseeaaed7 lfa discsesion was inseuded
= b given the leesziature On this subiecs.
to make terFilofy the basis Of represens.>
tiou. Why does The coosaituaion. say .1hev
sAaH sPportion among he several CON-
etses Fepwoeuona1veo accordiae Co tha uum-
or e fien white inhabisanss n eechF-
3hiseeossneaioaal i.isoesios = inpsr,sive,
sd wleh alb dc 1sf1rrnpe - IL oi165uu of
- ma5orf1y - - oomm7nde. - - -
pUzn11<c& eQ1oeo-ru1nne o<<17e1t6n ak1f tko
eoeedncne ssrorec1 ~ 49, 67e16G -
- l.o1lI.cls @11s1lslr 81
nokd = - - - - = -.
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