Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-05-24
ma. DURKEE ON THE CENSUS BILL.

He said ; Mr., Chairman, do not rise with
view of influencing the final vote on this ques-
ton, as the committee has repeatedly indicated
its purpose to sustain the amendment of the gen.
tleman from Ohio, but TO give some reasons tor
my vote to enlarge rather than diminish the num-
bsr of members of the House of Representa-
tives. But before doing so, let me express my
warmest appreciation of the noble and generous
sentiments which have Just fallen from the Hon
Gent. from Tenne~se Mr. Gentry.
The correct RUE, for us TO adopt In settling
this question: in my opinion, is, TO go for the lar
gest possible number that can be efficient in the
business of legislation. This government has
ever been large in geographical dimensions ever
since the confederation of the States, and is now
greatly enlarged by extensive acquisitions, reach
ing from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the
British dominions on the north, to the Gulf of
Mexico. We are soon TO have great number
OF additional states, many of them TO be inhabited
by people of different languages and customs, Gas
other nations); it will therefore be seen, the
more we mRgle in national legislation, the more
rapidly shall we be assimIlated into republican
simplicity of American character; the more we
become acquainted with each other, the more
fully shall we see that the principle of legislation
that is good for any portion of our common
country is good for all our highest interests are
one.
Sir, the only efficient law we have in this coun-
try is the will of the people it is therefore de-
slrabe TO have il expressed as fully as practical
bic on our statute books. Even the Constitu-
ton aud the Judiciary department. feel to some
exteut the influence OF the mighty current of
thought that guides the nation in its admins
trat'on of public affairs. | expect ever to obey
this law unless il shall require me to do wrong:
in such a case shall be disloyal without regard
70 consequences.
am aware, however, sir, that the tendency of
political managers and tacticans for few years
past is in another direction, and it seems to me
that influence affects more now than we are
aware Of, in giving this vote Why, sir, it is but
a short time since, that in one of our great ma
tioual primary political meetings. we adopted the
two-thrds rule, soon after the majority rule and
AT the organization of this House. we came down
still lower, to the minority rule, since gentlemen
who have seats on this floor are urging with
great vahemence the adoption Of the one fifth
rule, that is, One-ffth to rule the iour-fths Sir,
/ am conscious that these cases are not strictly
analogous, but they serve to show that the rep
resenialves of the people are approxmaung TO
the one man power, while the people themselves
| believe. are expanding their affections into
wider and higher democracy-a sympathy for
all mankind The remarks of the gentleman
from Texas Dir. Kaufman who is in favor of
reducing the present number to one hundred and
htty-run particularly in this direction. He says
we must settle this question now, it will not do
to allow the people to adjust it hereater-that
the public sentiment will break out in great dis
order and confusion, far surprising the excitment
that now exists on the subject OF the Wilmot
pr0vlso. Sir, let me say TO the honorable gen
tleman from Texas, if we avow it to be our pur-
pose to control public opinion the subject of re-
presentation hereafter, by a stringent system of
legislation, we shall justly draw upon our heads
the indignation ofrhe people and the whole coun-
try-we shall be quietly permitted TO Sacate our
seats for such men as believe in the doctrine of
principal and agency in this matter.
Mr. Chairman, have discovered no ncon-
venlence from our present number of Represent
tatives i'll prosecuting our Legislative duties, but
on the contrary, | have been highly entertained
and instructed in the very interesting debates OF
this body, that have been conducted, with but
few exceptions, with the most perfect order and
proPrety Especially sir, did we, during the
long struggle for Speaker and occasionally a.
midst the most exciting debate, give the stron-
gest demonstrations that the Government Of this
Republic is in the intelligence and sobriety of the
people. ! will conclude sir by saying, that
should feel gratiied if it should suit the pleasure
of tho committee to postpone the tuther consid-
Grafton of this question until we should have a
more full expression Of the people throughout
the whole country