The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-09-19

the next Congress, an amendment to the
Constitution, which shall make the num-
Der of actual voters and not the popula-
ton, the base of representation.
Special legislation for particular or ex-
ceptional cases Is almost always mlschley-
Gus, aud the policy proposed BY Mr..
Schenck, which undoubtedly IS induced
by special case, ought to be examined
upon it's general merits and It's relations
to general principles. We have had
enough special legislation on account Of
the negroes. For half century no i'm
portant policy could be adopted without
in some way being limited or changed in
its application to the slavery question.
To use western phrase, there was ne,
gro in every wood pile. We hope We are
nearly done with special legislation, and
and with the negro question.
Dir. Schenck's proposition has this
merit, that it relates to 10 class, bat Is
based upon a principle Of application.
I: is intended to correct, aud 10 prevent
hereafter, a very serious evil The
States have, By general consent, the ex-
elusive right to determine who in each
shall enjoy the privilege Of voting. 1t
would not be easy to take this right from
them and transfer it to the general gov.
eminent; nor perhaps, if it were practi
cable, would it be advisable. 1t has been
suggested that Congress may declare who
ehal be electors for President and mem
bers of Congress but this would be to
leave a matter open 10 frequent and arbi-
trary change, which should be once for
all settled. Moreover, the exercise OF
this right would be doubtful authority,
and in such important affairs it is better
to have no doubts; then the acqulscence
of the people is hearty
If nothing is done, then part Of the
people of any State may at any time dis
franchise the remainder, and yet have
benefit Of their residence, by their emu
meraton as a part Of the representative
population. Mr.. Schenck has shown
some of the inequalities resulting from
such a state Of things:
"By the present three-fftha rule, sup.
posing the slaves still remain in bondage,
the following were some Of the results:
"NIaiue by the census Of 1860, had a
population Of 626 ,529 and ou this popu.
laton was allowed five representatives,.
alabama had population Of 526, ,43l,
just 100000 less than Maine, hut she
was allowed under the three titths rule,
seven members-two more than Maine.
"Vermont had population Of 3l4,-
289 upon which she was allowed three
presentatiyes.
"South Carolina had population Of
29l $3.50 600 less than FermOnt,an
upon that, because of the large number
of her slavee, she was allowed six repre-.
sentatives-twice as many as Vermont,
though Vermont has the greatest fee
white population.
"PeuusyIvania, with population of
2,S93, ,266, is allowed twenty-four repre-.
seutatives; while North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida,
Mississippi and Louisiana, all combined
have an aggregate free population of p
$50 9,785-I0,000 less than Pennsylvania
alone-and yet they are allowed thirty
nine representatives-fifte more than
the same population in free State.
"But let the Constitution of the
United States stand unchanged, slavery
being extinguished, aud what will follow Z
Why, that the other two .ffths will be
represented, and how many Of these are
in the slave States2 l,560,2l2 more
will be represented when you come to
add the other two ffths. This will give
to the South, in addition to the great
advantage she already has, fourteen states
I have mentioned in connection with
PENNSYLVANIA will have fifty votes in Con,
gress to her twenty four, while having
only the same voting population"
OF course such inequalities would
breed constant heart burnings. More
the freedom to create this unequal con
dition in any State wolld create a highly
mischieveous and anti. democratic ten
dency in our representative system. But
what will be the result of Mr. Schen3k
proposed amendment? 1t will still ieavt
it with each State TO determine who shal
vote if in any State the majority think
it necessary to disfrauchise the minority
they are at liberty to do SO. But they
will be the losers, in political Influence
IN the general council of the nation, by
the indulgence of their anti-iemocrati,
course and they ought to be.
S-a--Gsa---s-@-
RAIL ROAD ACCIDENTS. The New
York Tribune after publishing three
column list Of railroad accidents that have