The southern press., 1852-02-05
Proposed Changes In the Constitution Of tho
United States.

.AvPVSUu Suunkcb ia tho VVustuustSu VI thO
United States.
In the House of Representatives on Monday
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Tennessee, moved to suspend
the rules for the introduction of resolution
proposing to refer to the Committee on the ia
dietary the following joint resolution, to wit
Joint resolution proposing amendments to the
Constitution of the United States.
Resolved By he Senate and House of Repre-
Sentatires Of The United States Of America in Con
gress assembled, (ttoo thirds of both Houses con,
curring,) That the following amer dments to the
Constitution Of The United States be proposed
to the legislatures Of the several States, which,
when ratified by the legislatures of three. fouiths
OF the States, shall be valid to all intents and
purposes as part OF the Constitution:
That hereafter the President and Vice Presi.
dent Of the United States shall be chosen by
the people Of the respective States in the man
ner following: Each State shall be divided by
the Legislature thereof into districts, equal in
number to the whole number Of senators and
representatives to which such State may be en-.
titled in the Congress OF the United States; the
said districts to be composed of contiguous Ter.
ritory, and to contain, as nearly as may be, an
equal number Of persons entitled to be repre-
W..
for the first time Immediately after the ratifica.
ton of this amendment and afterwards at the
session OF the legislature next ensuing the ap
portionment OF representatives by the Congress
Of the United States that, on the first Thurs
day in August, in the year eighteen hundred and
fifty six, and on the same day every fourth year
thereafter, the citizens of each State who pos.
sess the qualifications requisite for electors Of the
most numerous branch Of the State legislatures
shall meet within their Respective districts. and
vote for President and Vice President of the
United States, one of whom at least shall not
be an, inbabitant OF the same State with them
selves; and the person receiving the greatest
number Of votes for President, and the one re-
ceiying the greatest number of votes for Vice
President, in each district, shall be holden to
have received one vote; which fact shall be i'm
mediatey certified by the governor of the State
to each of the senators in Congress from such
State, and TO the President Of the Senate and
the Speaker of the House of Representatives
The Congress of the United States shall be
in session on the second Monday in October, in
the year eighteen hundred and fifty six, and on
the same day on every fourth year thereafter;
and the President of the Senate in the presence
Of the Senate and House of Representatives,
shall open all the certificates and the votes shall
then be counted. The person having the great.
est number Of votes for President shall be
President if such number be equal to majority
of the whole number of votes given; but if no
person have snch major y, then second cleo
ton shall be held on the first Thursday in the
month Of December then next ensuing, between
the persons having the two highest numbers for
the Office of President: which second election
shall be conducted, the result certified, and the
first; and the person having the greatest number
Of votes for President shall be President But
If two or more persons shall have received the
greatest, and an equal number of votes, at the
second election, then the person who shall have
received the greatest number of votes in the
greatest number OF States shall be President.
The person havingthe greatest number Of votes
for Vice President at the first election, shall be
Vice President, if such number be equal TO
majority of the whole number of votes given
and if no person have such majority, then
second election shall take pace between the
persons having the tive highest numbers on the
same day that the second election is held for
President; and the person having the highest
number Of the votes for Vice President shall be
Vice President But if there should happen to
be an equality of votes between the persons so
voted for at the second election, then the person
having the greatest number of votes IN the
greatest number OF States shall be Vice Presi-
dent But when second election shall be ne
cessary 10 the case of Vice President, and not
necessary in case Of President, then the Senate
shall choose a Vice President from the persons
having the two highest numbers in the first
election, as is now prescribed in the Constitution
SEC 9 And be Il further resolued: That article
one. section three, be amended by striking out
the word Legislature" and inserting in lieu
thereof the following words, viz: g persons quail
flied to vote f. members Of the most numerous
branch Of the legislature" so as 10 make the
third section Of said article, when ratified BY
three fourths Of the States, read as follows, TO
wit:
The Senate of The United States shall be com
posed Of two senators from each State, chosen
by the persons qualified to vote for the members
Of the most numerous branch Of the legislature
thereof, for six years, and each senator shall
have one vote.
SEC 3. And be il further resolred, That article
three, section one be amended by striking out
the words "good behavior" and inserting the
following words, viz: the term of twelve
years" And further that said article and sec
ton be amended by adding the following there.
TO- viz: and il shall be the duty Of the Presi-
OeUl Oh tUt OulItu Dbtbfsi WllHlU lWeiNe months
after the ratification Of This amendment by three
fourths Of all the States as provided by the Con.
stitution Of the United States, TO divide the
whole number Of judges, as near as may be-
practicable, into three classes. Tie seats Of the
judges Of the first class shall be vacated at the
expiration Of the fourth year from such cIassi6
cation of the second class. at the cxsiration of
the eighth year; and of the third class, at the
expiration Of the twelfth year, so that one third
may be chosen every fourth year thereafter"
The article rs amended will read rs follows:
ARTICLE ~.
SIC |. The Judicial power Of the United
States shall be vested in one Supreme Court,
and in such inferior courts as the Congress from
time 10 time may ordain and establish. II
judges, both Of the Supreme and Inferior cour
shall hold their offices during the term Of tive
years, aud shall, at stated times receive for tilt
services, compensation, which shall not be d.
minished during their continuance in office. And
it shall be the duty OF the President of tina Uni.
tod Stateg within tE,Iye months after tho rati6