Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-03-01
Read tle,('onStitutfOn.


The Ohio Star asserts. that The fifteen
democratic Senators who left their seats
in the Senate chamber when the nppor.ion-
#,nent bill was about to be enated into law,
base their action upon the assumption tha,
:he bill violated the Constitution. The
writer says:
a s.But does this billsviolate the Constitu-
s5iiona These recusants, in general TERMS
Aclaim that it does, but fail 10 point US to
ihe clause--the chapter and rerse they can
Z not find. They deal in mere declamatory
ksassertion. The truth is, the bill is not un.
Unconstitutional
81 Now, it is not true that these Senators
Nfail s'to point to the clause'' At every
8stage in the enactment of this outrageous
Hbil at every step in this attempt Of the
Eatederal despots, representing minority Of
|Hthe people Of Ohio, to rob the people OF
Mther Heaven born right to govern them
Nselves, and to confer that power upon the
esminorty, have these Senators held forth
Sthe Constitution, and pointed to the ''chap.
eA,er and verse; which was violated by this
8bill; they invited discussion upon the sub
Eject, and all this time the federal members
L apreserved a.dogged silence. They point
led to the history of legislation in Ohio and
chal.enged them 10 cite precedent for
eASthis outrage Of dividing counties and even
cties into Representative and Senatorial
VI districts, even in the most frenzed political
Eexcitement and zeal; but that instance was
Eanot to be found in the whole length and
Ebread,h of the egislatiyehistory, ,oftheState.
@They pointed them to the opinions Of the
Hnost eminent lawyers in their own party
Eaas evidence that counties could not consti-
eatulionaly be subdivided for Representative
@lis,ricts; but what cared this tyrannical ma
Eiorty for precedents, for opinions, for Con.
kastilutions, or the rights Of the people, which
They are intended to secure. They had a
Eswork of villainy TO perform, and with the
Eopinion of partzan States Attorney as
their shield, they could ride over them oil,
Ito accomplish their designs - 4 -'
Ia The constitution provides, Article !, sec
Ea --., = ...
E,ion 2, that, ssa--.-.... .! .......
ID "'The number Of Representatives shall ut
III he several. periods Of making such emu
Eameration, be fixed by the Legislature, ans
Eaapportioned among The sererat counties, nc
kgcording to the number of white male in
Ehabitants above twen,y-one years age ir
H3each." s @7sgs
M ''SEc. 8. The Representatives shall be
SSachosen annually. GFBY The ClT
NZENS OF EACH COUNTY 30 re
;kaspectively,on the Sccoad Tuesday Of Octo
Mber."
E Yet, in the face of this Sd section, which
Mprovides that Representatives shall be cho
#ssen by the citizens Of EACH COTNTY
2E the federal majority, by their bill, provide
-Eslhat two Representatives and one Senator
fESshall be elected from the city OF Cincinnati
'Eain which the citizens Of The county have nj
.E,voice. The doctrine of the federalists il
3Esthat they Day walk through the State, cary
lMing oui legislative districts where, and a!
rA,hey please. The Constitution requires
@the Representatives to be chosen by ths
tkpsople of the several counties; and any ap
sporlionment law which appor.ions repre-
Ssentatives to parts of counties, is a mos
II fkgglaring violation Of the Sd section, abov,
oMrecited.