140
CONSTITUTION OF THE U. STATES.
[BOOK III.
§ 673. As a fit conclusion of this part of the subject it may be remarked, that congress, at its first session in 1789, in pursuance of a desire expressed by several of the state conventions, in favour of further declaratory and restrictive amendments to the constitution, proposed twelve additional articles. The first was on the very subject now under consideration, and was expressed in the following terms:
After the first enumeration required by the first article of the constitution, there shall be one representative for every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred; after which the proportion shall be so regulated by congress, that there shall not be less than one hundred representatives, nor less than one for every forty thousand persons, until the number of representatives shall amount to two hundred; after which, the proportion shall be so regulated by congress, that there shall not be less than two hundred representatives, nor more than one representative for every fifty thousand.
[1] This amendment was never ratified by a competent number of the states to be incorporated into the constitution.
[2] It was probably thought, that the whole subject was safe, where it was already lodged; and that congress ought to be left free to exercise a sound discretion, according to the future exigencies of the nation, either to increase, or diminish the number of representatives.
§ 674. There yet remain two practical questions of no inconsiderable importance, connected with the
the United States has not justified the belief, that large districts will always choose men of the greatest wisdom, abilities, and real dignity.
- ↑ Journ. of Convention, &c. Suppt. 466 to 481.
- ↑ The debates in congress on this amendment will be found in 2 Lloyd's Debates, 182 to 194; id. 250.
