Mr. Thomas offered a preamble and resolution, requiring the appointment of a joint select committee to report a bill fixing the ratio for an apportionment of representation for this State, adapted to the census to be taken in the present year.

Mr. Thomas said, the apportionment could be fixed before the census were taken, by saying what number of inhabitants should have a Representative or Senator; and it would save the State the great expense of having a called session of the Legislature; or many counties the inconvenience of having no representation for four years. The only difficulty which suggested itself to his mind, was that of fixing the Senatorial districts. But this, he thought, could be regulated so as to answer all necessary purposes; and if there should be some defects as regards the inequality of representation in the Senate, they can be remedied at the next session.

Mr. Vandevender moved to lay said resolution on the table until the 4th day of July next.

Mr. Lincoln said, the reasons offered by the gentleman from Madison would certainly induce him to go against the resolution. The gentleman had said that there would be a difficulty in fixing the Senatorial districts; and, sir, in my humble opinion, there would be an insurmountable difficulty. The districts cannot be arranged, and with a full knowledge of this fact, I have no doubt the House will lay the resolution on the table until the 4th day of July—at least I will vote in that way.

The vote was then taken on laying the resolution on the table until the 4th day of July next, and decided in the affirmative. Ayes 35, Nays 16.1