Mr Rutlidge. The gentleman last up had spoken some of his sentiments precisely. Property was certainly the principal object of Society. If numbers should be made the rule of representation, the Atlantic States will be subjected to the Western. He moved that the first proposition in the report be postponed in order to take up the following viz "that the suffrages of the several States be regulated and proportioned according to the sums to be paid towards the general revenue by the inhabitants of each State respectively: that an apportionment of suffrages, according to the ratio aforesaid shall be made and regulated at the end of —— years from the 1st meeting of the Legislature of the U. S., and at the end of every —— years but that for the present, and until the period above mentioned, the suffrages shall be for N. Hampshire —— for Massachts —— &c.
Col. Mason said the case of new States was not unnoticed in the Committee; but it was thought and he was himself decidedly of opinion that if they made a part of the Union, they ought to be subject to no unfavorable discriminations. Obvious considerations required it.
Mr Randolph concurred with Col. Mason.
On Question on Mr Rutlidges motion,
Masts no. Cont no. N. Y. no. N. J. no. Pa no. Del. no. Maryd no. Va no. N. C. no. S. C. ay. Geo. not on floor.
Friday July 6th in Convention
Mr Govr Morris moved to commit so much of the Report as relates to "1 member for every 40,000 inhabitants." His view was that they might absolutely fix the number for each State in the first instance; leaving the Legislature at liberty to provide for changes in the relative importance of the States, and for the case of new States.
Mr Wilson 2ded the motion; but with a view of leaving the Committee under no implied shackles.
Mr Ghorum apprehended great inconveniency from fixing directly the number of Representatives to be allowed to each State. He thought the number of Inhabitants the true guide; tho' perhaps some departure might be expedient from the full proportion. The States also would vary in their relative extent by separations of parts of the largest States. A part of Virga is now on the point of a separation. In the province of Mayne a Convention is at this time deliberating on a separation from Masts. In such events the number of representatives ought certainly to be reduced. He hoped to see all the States made small by proper divisions, instead of their becoming formidable as was apprehended, to the Small States. He conceived that let the Genl Government be modified as it might, there would be a constant tendency in the State Governmts to encroach upon it: it was of importance therefore that the extent of the States shd be reduced as much & as fast as possible. The stronger the Govt shall be made in the first instance the more easily will these divisions be effected; as it will be of less consequence in the opinion of the States whether they be of great or small extent.