On the question for agreeing to the whole Report as amended & including
the equality of votes in the 2^d branch, it passed in the affirmative.
Mass. divided M^r Gerry, M^r Strong. ay. M^r King, M^r Ghorum
no. Con^t ay. N. J. ay. Pen^a no. Del. ay. M^d ay. V^a no.
N. C. ay. M^r Spraight no. S. C. no. Geo. no.
The whole thus passed is in the words following, viz. "Resolved, that in
the original formation of the Legislature of the U. S. the first branch
thereof shall consist of sixty five members, of which number N.
Hampshire shall send 3. Mass^{ts} 8. Rh. I. 1. Conn^t 5. N. Y. 6. N. J.
4. Pen^a 8. Del. 1. Mary^d 6. Virg^a 10. N. C. 5. S. C. 5. Geo. 3.--But
as the present situation of the States may probably alter in the number
of their inhabitants, the Legislature of the U. S. shall be authorized
from time to time to apportion the number of Rep^s and in case any of
the States shall hereafter be divided, or enlarged by addition of
territory, or any two or more States united, or any new States created
within the limits of the U. S. the Legislature of the U. S. shall
possess authority to regulate the number of Rep^s in any of the
foregoing cases, upon the principle of their number of inhabitants,
according to the provisions hereafter mentioned. namely--provided always
that representation ought to be proportioned according to direct
taxation; and in order to ascertain the alteration in the direct
taxation, which may be required from time to time by the changes in the
relative circumstances of the States--
Resolved, that a Census be taken within six years from the 1^{st}
meeting of the Legislature of the U. S., and once within the term of
every 10 years afterwards of all the inhabitants of the U. S. in the
manner and according to the ratio recommended by Congress in their
Resolution of April 18. 1783, and that the Legislature of the U. S.
shall proportion the direct taxation accordingly--
Resolved, that all bills for raising or appropriating money, and for
fixing the salaries of officers of the Gov^t of the U. S. shall
originate in the first branch of the Legislature of the U. S. and shall
not be altered or amended in the 2^d branch: and that no money shall be
drawn from the Public Treasury, but in pursuance of appropriations to be
originated in the 1^{st} branch.
_Resolv^d_, that in the 2^d branch of the Legislature of the U. S., each
State shall have an equal vote.
The 6^{th} Resol: in the Report from the Com^e of the whole House, which
had been postponed in order to consider the 7 & 8^{th} Resol^{ns}.; was
now resumed. see the Resol^n:
The 1^{st} member "That the Nat^l Legislature ought to possess the
Legislative Rights vested in Cong^s by the Confederation" was agreed to
nem. con.
The next, "And moreover to legislate in all cases to which the separate
States are incompetent; or in which the harmony of the U. S. may be
interrupted by the exercise of individual legislation," being read for a
question.
M^r Butler calls for some explanation of the extent of this power;
particularly of the word _incompetent_. The vagueness of the terms
rendered it impossible for any precise judgment to be formed.
M^r Ghorum. The vagueness of the terms constitutes the propriety of
them. We are now establishing general principles, to be extended
hereafter into details which will be precise & explicit.
M^r Rutlidge, urged the objection started by M^r Butler and moved that
the clause should be committed to the end that a specification of the
powers comprised in the general terms, might be reported.