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[Governors Message]

government is dependant [dependent] on the several State Legislatures in the election of Senators; in providing for the choice of Representatives; and of Electors of President and Vice President. As the term for which one of the Senators of this State was elected, will expire with the third of March next, your attention will be necessarily directed to supplying the vacancy. The law prescribing the mode of electing Representatives in Congress having expired by its own limitations that subject will claim the early attention of Legislature. The right of prescribing the time, place and manner of holding the elections having been entrusted to the Legislatures of the several states, no uniform mode has been established - That which is most consonant to the principles of our government, most likely to ensure the election of suitable candidates, and give to all classes of people their due influence, will be the best mode.

In the organization of the national government, the people are supposed to be immediately represented in the most numerous legislative branch and the States in their corporate capacities in the other. It is, therefore, desirable that the choice of Representatives be made in that manner, that will give a fair representation of all the various interests of the people, and best enable the electors to understand the merits of the candidates, and the elected the sentiments of their constituents. By diving the State into districts equal in number to the representatives to be elected, we secure to each section an influence proportionate to its population, and a representation of its particular and prominent interests, whether agricultural, commercial or manufacturing. A choice by general ticket increases the influence of a few, but in effect diminishes the power