Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-08

when engaged in the discussion of the

w. idSl ludl the HOUSE NdS too Siiio'
IN numbers; that it was susceptible to
improper influences and liable to be
improperly controlled, and the liberties
OF the people were not safe when they
were intrusted in the hands of SO small
body of men: mark you, / for every
10000. And Alexander Hamilton, in
mat great series of papers known as
The Federalist," entered the contro
versy to defend that proposition, and
in his defence he gave these reasons
for its existence and for the adoption of
the Constitution, Notwithstanding the
small size of the House at the begin
ming of the government. He says:
(Federalist, No. 55-Hamilton.)
The charges exhibited against it are:
First, that so small number of rep
resentatives will be an unsafe deposit
tory of the public interests; secondly,
mat they will not possess proper
knowledge of the local circumstances
OF their numerous constituents; third
ly, that they will be taken from that
class of citizens which will sympathize
least with the feelings of the mass of
the people, and be most likely to aim
at permanent elevation OF the Few
on the depression Of the many; fourth
~, that defective as the number Will
be in the first instance, it will be more
and more diSproportionate by the in
crease of the people and the obstacles
| which will prevent a correspondent in
crease OF the representation.
AT the expiration of 25 years, accord
ing TO the computed rate of increase,
the number OF representatives will
amount to 200. and of 80 years to 400.
This is a number which l presume will
put an end to all fears arising from the
smallness of the body. l take for
granted here what l shall. in answer
ing the fourth objection, hereafter
show that the number of representa-
tives will be augmented from time to
time in the manner provided by the
Constitution. On contrary suposition
L should admit the objection to nave
very great weight indeed.
The true question to be decided is
whether the smallness of the number,
as temporary regulation, be danger
Gus to the public liberty; whether 60
members for a few years and a hun
dred or two hundred for Il few years
more be a safe depositary for a limit
ed and well-guarded power of legisla-
ting for the United States
Federalist, No. 5S-Hamilton)
1.-The remaining charge against the
House of Representatives which | am
TO examine is grounded on SUPPOSE
ton that the number of members will
not be augmented from time to time
as the progress of population may de
mand. 1t has been admitted that this
objection, if we'll supported, should
have great weight"
l concede that gentlemen standing
here now, in the light of the Goth CEN
fury, with the experience of more than
hundred years, are better qualified
to judge of the size of this House than
was Alexander Hamilton in 1887; but ii
is significant that Hamilton thought
and urges as one of the reasons for the
adoption of the Constitution that its
minimum when it reached its expected
size, when it would securely guarantee
the liberties of the American people
would be at least 400 members. IA more
than proposed in accordance with the
bill of the minority.
| submit that we are in line with the
fathers of the Republic upon this pro-
position of increases. Let me call the
attention of the House for one moment
further to some of the considerations
which suggested themselves to Haml-
ton as reasons why the House should
not consist of large and unWieldy
number. He says:
zone observation. however. | must
be permitted to add on this subject as
claiming. in my judgment. Il very seri-
Gus attention. 1t is that in all legisla-
tive assemblies the greater the number
composing them may be the fewer will
be the men who Will in fact direct their
proceedings"
Has this House reached the size that
it can truthfully be said that there are
any few men that can direct its pro
ceedngs? If it be true of $50 or $40
members. we have abdicated our rights
and privileges as representatives of
this Republic; if that condition be not
true, then its limits is not reached in
accordance with Hamilton's ideas.
Again
In the first place. the more numer-
Gus an assembly may be. of whatever
characters composed. the greater is
known to be the ascendency of passion
over reason.
Now. has this House reached the
size. or will the addition of % mem
ters to it develop a size that will put
it in a position where it will be con-
trolled by passion and not by reason?
VIII the House stutify its own mem
bership on the theory of Hamilton by
coming to the conclusion that the
House has got to a size where it is
productive of fear for this cause?
Again:
In the next place, the larger the
number the greater will be the pro
portion of members of limited informa-
ton and of weak capacities"
Has this House reached the condi-
ton in its membership so that 1t can
be properly criticised as composed of
members of limited informa ton and
weak capacity? If it has, its size ought
not to be increased at all, and other
men ought to be sent here. If 20 more
men are added. will it demonstrate
that then it will be a House composed
of men of limited information and
weak capacities? Is it necessary for
me to stop here and say that this
House sitting here now, for intelligence
and capacity and ability to discharge
Public business with economy and dis
patch, has never been exceeded by any
House that ever sat. from the days oil
Hamilton to the DAVIS of William Nc