It has been insisted that “citizens” and not “persons” should be the basis for representation and apportionment. These words were in the amendment as I originally drew it and introduced it, but my own judgment was that it should be “persons” and to this the committee assented.
There are several answers to this argument in favor of “citizens” rather than “persons”. The present Constitution is, and always was, opposed to this suggestion. “Persons” and not “citizens” has always constituted the basis.
Again, it would narrow the basis of taxation and cause considerable inequalities in this respect, because the number of aliens in some States is very large, and growing larger now, when emigrants reach our shores at the rate of more than a State a year.
Again, many of the large States now hold their representation in part by reason of their aliens, and the Legislatures and people of these States are to pass upon the amendment. It must be made acceptable to them. For these reasons the committee had adhered to the Constitution as it is, proposing to add to it only so much as is necessary to meet the point aimed at. Cong. Globe, 39th Cong., 1st Sess. 359 (1866)
Connect With Us