Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-03-20

Its submission 10 the people does not pass It
does not incorporate it as part OF the Constltu-
tom but only enables the people through their
Representatives in the next General Assembly
10 saw whether they will take it in preference TO
our present unjust and unequal system oil repre-.
sentat:on. 1t is unnecessary TO say that THIS
proposition was ultimately assented TO and voted
for by several most decided friends Of equal rep.
resentation, not because they approved it, not
because they considered il was what it ought TO
be, but because they were well satisfied that IL
was The best that could be obtained, and that II
was better 10 submit it TO the people for their de-
liberate action than to plunge the State into ana.
chy discord and revolution. They considered
even limited advance towards equal representa-.
ton better than mad Dorrie experiment, or
any effort to inforce equal representation by vio
lent or revolutionary means.
The proposition is now before the people for
their aclion il, under all the circumstances, they
are opposed to il, they are free 10 reject it. If
they prefer 10 remain quietly and submissvely
under our present unequal system Of representa-.
ton, they can vote down this proposition and do
So If, on the other hand, they prefer to take the
risk and chance Of obtaining greater equality by
means unknown 10 the Constitution-by revolu-
tionary remedes--by violence and civil war, or
by any system OF fierce agitation and commotion,
they are still at liberty TO pursue that course
This proposition does not cut them off from any
remedy which they would have had if it had no.
been made. The question then presents itself
for the calm and patriotic consideration Of the
people, What is best 10 be done under all the
circumstances? This question should be consider.
ed and determined with sincere desire 10 arrive
at the truth, TO form correct conclusions, and
adopt proper course Of action. Those who
desire 10 throw the community into commoon
that they may ride on the bilows may pursue
different course but the mass Of The people will
doubtless pursue that course which will best pro.
mote the peace, harmony and welfare Of the State.
The obj ct OF all should be 10 weigh the relative
advantages Of the proposed amendment, to com.
pare it canddy by the present system Of
representation, and then dispassionately determine
whether it so far approximales towards equality
as 10 induce the friends of equality to accept it.
What then are the advantages Of the proposed
amendment over the present system? They are
several. 1t proposes 10 increase the size Of the
House Of Representatives about thirty or forty
per cent, and to that extent renders representa-
lion more equal. The small counties that are
under the ratio will each get one member as they
now do, and the thirty or forty additional men,
bers will be distributed among the large and
medium sized counties, which will materially
increase their present relative power and influence
in the House. This does not render representation
equal but it is one step towards it, and will in.
crease tbs ability Of The larger counties 10 effect
further reforms hereafter.
The county OF St. Louis now has four Rep.
resentatives, and if no amendment be made, she
will, after the next session, have only one; but
if the proposed amendment be adopted she will
have eight Representatives,. This is not
equality; it is less than St. Louis ought to have,
but still it is much better than the present SYSTEM
so far as this county is concerned.
The counties of Howard, Boone, Platte and
Buchanan would probably have three members
each under the proposed amendment this would
be step towards equality in those counties-then
more than twenty other counties that now have
only one member would get two, and they would
thus take material step towards equal represen.
aton.
Is it expedent for the friends OF equal repre-.
senaton TO reject these gains, and refuse to take
this step to,cards' equal representation because
perfect equality is not attained? We leave it to
a free and intelligent people to determine.
The next advantage Of the proposed amend.
ment over our present plan Of representation is,
that it checks and restraints the mplovident
creation OF new Counties which has heretofore
been great cause OF unequal representation.
New counties have heretofore been made with
too much facility; they have been cut up so as
to.be quite too small, and they have been organ
lied with very inadequate population. The pro.
posed amendment provides remedy for this, It
declares that hereafter no new county shall be-
organized with territory OF less than five hun.
bred square miles, and that no old county shall
be reduced by the creation of new counties to
less than five hundred square miles, nor to less
than twenty miles square. 1t thus protects both
the size and the form OF the old counties; it also
prevents the creation of any new county unless
its population is equal 10 two thirds of the ratio
representation at the time. These provisions
will eflectually prevent the creation OF new coun.
ties in such numbers Is 10 render representation
unequal, and will cause all new counties to be-
more respectable in size.
The proposed amendment also contains pro.
vision that will guard against long and expensive
sessions Of the Legislature. These are the advan.
lages OF the proposed amendment-it is good as
lar as it goes the only objection 10 it is, that it
does not go far enough; it approaches towards
equality but does not reach it. 1t has no disad.
vantages. In order 10 accept of it we are not
required to accept OF many other odous. and
absurd amendments as was the case when lhe
new Constitution was submitted 10 the people.
nor Will its adoption prevent any future reforms.
better proposition ought 10 have been submitted
10 the people, but when it could not be obtained,
It was right TO propose for their action the best
that was atlainable. Era.
REMAINS OF COLUMBUS. The corresnon.
dent OF the Charleston Courier says the Sar.