These words were in the amendment as I originally drew it and introduced It. but my own judgmient was that It should be " persons." and to this the committee assented. There are several answers to the argument In favor of " citizens" rather than " persons." The present Constitution is and always was opposed to this suggestion. " Persons." and not "citizens." have 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 of the States is very large. and growing larger now when immigrants reach our shores at the rate of more than a State a year. Again. many of the States now hold their representation In part by reason of their aliens. and the legislatures and peoples of these States are to pass upon the amendment. It must be made acceptable to them.
Keywords matched
immigrants