Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-04-19
OUR CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY.
No. s..

On the question Of state suffrage In the na- I
tional legislature, there were two extreme 8
positions taken. The f-derals contendinx
that it should be equal in both branches; and
the nationals, that it should be proportionate
In both. The nationals had won IN the COM
mttee OF the whole, but now there was q
more earnest struggle between the parties in
the convention itself. Luther Martin. Md,
Mr.. Lansing. n. Y, Roger Sherman and DR..
Johnson, Conn.,, and Mr.. Bedford, DEL. sup
ported the extreme federal position. Judge
Ellsworth, Conn.,, and Benz. Franklin, Penn,
proposed compromises, as we shall see. Mr.. 4
Madison and Gov. Randolph. Va, Mr.. Will
son and Mr.. Morris. Penn. Mr.. Gorham and
Rufus King. Mass, Judge Read, Del, Alex.
Hamilton. n. Y, Mr.. Pierce. Ga, aud Mr..
P,ncknev, s. c.. favored proportionate rep
re-entation In both branches.
The discussion began on the representation
In the flrst. or lower branch. June y, as re-
ported by the committee of tho whole, favor.
ing prorortionate representation. June 20, !
Mr.. Lansing moved that it be equal as under |
the Articles of Confederation. June 30, this
motion was defeated by four states to six one |
divided. By the same vote, proportionate |
suffrage in the lower branch was agreed to. |
Judge Ellsworth then moved 'that in the Sec
oud branch each stale have en- equal VOTE"
July 2nd, this was defeated by tie vote;
five to five. one divided. During the PEN
dency of this motion, Benz. Franklin pro- !
posed that ''the senate be elected by the states,
equally; in all acts Of sovereignty and author.
to- 10 H.lxo SIn
| in the appointment of all officers aud salaries;
but in passing of laws, each state shall have
right of suffrage in proportion TO the sums
they respectively contribute" This WIS not
seconded. General Pinckney then moved for
a 5. lect committee TO take into consideration
both branches of the legislature. Carried by
nine ate, to two.
| This cummitlee consisted of Gerry, Mass,
Ellsworth, , onn., va es, N. Y, Patterson. N.
j., Franklin, Penn. Bedford. Del, Martin.
Md, Mason, Va, DAVIS, n. e.. Ruilsdge, 5.
c., and Baldwin, Ga. Mr.. Gerry was made
ch-irn,an. The report was made to the con-
ve"tion, July 5.and was substantially: That
in the first, or lower branch, each state have
a member for every forty thousand inhabi-
tant,. counting all the free and three fifths Of
the rest; each stu,e. however. having at least
one member. That all bills for raising or
apportiun.ng money or for fixing salaries to
originate in the lower branch, and not to be
amended by the second branch; and al ap-
propriati.ns to originate in the lower branch.
That in the second branch, each state have an
equal vote. All the propositions to stand to-
gether. A compromise.
! Tt h., ;,, Ill ~,
. quotations made in this review Of Judge
Yates Notes, they are given on his authority,
aud as he has reported them.
We shall record some Of the more
important statements made by the several
speakers, mainly to show what was the posi-
: tion taken b.. the two contending parties.
y First the federals. MIR. Martin was ths
gentleman who opened the discussion. HI
. spoke three hours, Judge Yales says. HI
said, amongst other tl:iugs:-"rhe genera
!, government ought to protect and secure thu
state governments. The present reported
:. system THAT is the virglnia planl is aperfrc
medic, of confederated and national govern
n,ent. We are proc, etiing to form this govern
ment,a> if there were no state Cover nment> q
all. The corner stone of federal government
is equat, of votes. If we cannot cO"federal
on just principles, will never confederate II
y any other manner. You must give each stat
!, an equal suffrage, or our business Is ut al
end" Rger Snerman: 1.-THE plan now be
:. fore Us Yes the power tu four states to gov
:, ern nine st.tes.'' DR.. Jphn-"n:-''5rates ar
', political sucielies. For whom are we to form
:. government, for the people Of America, o
f,rf Y,1, fnlt y,
Latter" Judge Ellsworth, In offering hi
- compromise. that the lower house have pro
portionate and the upper equal representa-
ti"n:-"The effect Of bis motion is to max
the government partly federal and partly ma
tionsl. II the grea. states refuse this pla
we will be forever separated. Ought we nc
to regard aniecedent plIshted faith to tn
Confederation already entered into, and b
- the terms Of 1t declared to be perpetual
Mr.. Bedf rd:-''That all the states ar
eq.aIiy sovereign and Independent has bee
:, asserted from every quarter of This house
The small -tates he ,er can agree 10 the Vir
ginia plan. But it is said, ihpt it Is not eS
- p, cted that the state governments will al
~ prove the proposed system, and that th
house NUT directly carry it to the people fc
their appreciation! Is IL t" come 10 thu
>" thea. that The >wo d must decide thl> contr,
:, versy! Why, VIII. we are met, must nti'
=, distinct, and new grounds be taken, and
- government Of which the people had no idt
be instituted? And are we TO be told. if "
:; wont gree to it, it is the last moment of OF
h. deliberations? l Say, it Is indeed the la
=, moment. if We do agree to this assumption
-, power No,e of Judge Yates, referring
- his speech before the committee Of lh,rtee
:, defining his lo>iIon:-"Cunstantly in gvir
my vote shaved my attachment TO the III
tiunal government on federal principles
=. We shall now qu"'e from The national
Mad son was the tirt speaker on that sid
:, He said: -''Somr gentl men are afraid tn
=. the plan is MT sufficiently nnional, viii
others apprehend that it Is too much =
Some .ont nd hat states are sovereign, VIII,
IN TACT they only political societies. I he
is & alation Of power III all societies, fru
- the lowest corporation 10 the highest 50
ereign. The sa,es never possessed the esse
tal rights of sovereignty. These were 8
ways vested in congress. Their voting
- states in congress is no evidence Of Sove
eighty. The state of Maryland voted
ei,n! The states ought to placed under Il
control of the general government; at least
much 80 as they formerly were under I
y, king and British parliament. If the pow
., is not Immediately derived from the peop
~, We may make paper conf-deracv, but til
-: will be all. The great danger
=; gener, government is, the great southe
and northern interests Of the continent bell
-. opposed To each other. l mean, however,
.r- -
. preserve The state rights with the same ca
Us would trials by jury On the compr
mise report of the committee, he said:-
~, rest ain myself fro II amimad, erting on L
-, report, from the respect bear 10 the mel
>; bers ot The committee. But must coufess
see nothing of concession in 1t. We u
a.. d. iven tv an unhappy dilemma. Two-thir
ol the abitants Of he Union are to ple,
~, the remaining one-tuird. by sacrificing lh.
essential right"
- Hamitou:-"There can be no truer prin
: pie than this, that every individual of L
NE, community at large ha, HI equal right to t
20 protection of government. If, therefor
4